Jeugd ’64: pioneers of innovation and creativity in the Light Parade

Mol – Jeugd ’64 has been a continuous presence in the Mol-Centrum Rozenberg Light Parade since 1964. This makes the group not only a fixture of the event but also its oldest active participant. Their rich history is defined by boldness, creativity, and, above all, a drive for constant innovation.

Audacious Innovators

In the 1970s, Jeugd ’64—alongside other innovators like Pollepel—ventured into techniques that were unprecedented at the time. While most groups stuck to classic incandescent bulbs, the Rozenberg float builders experimented with car headlights, halogen lamps, and fluorescent tubes. Their connection to the local Citroën garage provided a unique advantage: DS and SM headlights were eagerly repurposed, lending their floats an unusual, futuristic flair.

In fact, their drive to innovate went back even further. As early as the 1960s, the group was building floats with moving parts—a highly progressive feature for that era.

Challenging the Audience

In the early 1980s, Jeugd ’64 changed tack. The group began presenting themes that engaged directly with the audience. A legendary example was a float featuring two witches on a giant broomstick; set against a brilliant yellow moon, they would ask the spectators: "Did you actually pay for a ticket to the Light Parade?"

The interaction worked: astonished visitors would spontaneously hold their tickets aloft to prove they had indeed paid their share. This humorous approach made Jeugd ’64 a crowd favorite. Original themes

What has always set the group apart is the originality of their themes. For instance, they once built the interior of a giant cuckoo clock, complete with an exhausted bird tasked with keeping the entire mechanism running. A sausage factory—including a vivid demonstration of the production process—also featured in their lineup.

By consistently choosing unexpected angles, Jeugd ’64 managed to both surprise and entertain the audience.

An impressive track record

That creativity and drive for innovation also earned the group an impressive list of awards. To date, Jeugd ’64 has won: • the jury’s 1st prize 9 times • the originality award 10 times • the award for best use of lighting 6 times • the press prize 4 times

Everlasting pioneers

More than 60 years after their debut, Jeugd ’64 remains a shining example of boldness and innovation. Their history reads like a timeline of technological experiments and original ideas that have helped shape the identity of the Light Parade.

Or, as one of the members once put it: “We don’t do this just to win, but to amaze the audience time and time again. That has always been our true goal.”