Light-float group Amigo’s celebrates golden jubilee in the Rozenberg Light Parade.

🎉 Lichtwagen Amigo’s Celebrates 50 Years of Magic and Craftsmanship 🎉

This year, Lichtwagen Amigo’s is blowing out 50 candles—and it’s a milestone no one will miss! Back in 1975, who would have dared to dream that a small group of friends from the Bresserdijk and Rozenberg neighborhoods would grow into a fixture of the Rozenberg’s illuminated parade scene?

What began in 1974 as a modest initiative by a few teenagers under the name *Bresserjeugd* (Category 3) took on a new identity in 1975: *Amigo’s*. Their first float in Category 2, *Schoen als huis* (Shoe as a House), marked the start of an impressive journey. When they clinched first prize in 1976 with the enchanting *Peperkoekenhuisje* (Gingerbread House), the tone was set. In 1977, they took the leap into the top category with *De Schepping* (The Creation)—the beginning of a success story that continues to this day.

🏗️ From Shed to Hub of Creativity

In the winter of 1977–1978, the Amigo’s built a new workshop—a shed—at their current location after the real estate market began to impact the Bresserdijk area. The larger workspace gave them the freedom to give even greater shape to their boundless imagination.

💡 Technical Expertise as an Asset

Over the years, the Amigo’s have presented a series of spectacular floats, always with a keen eye for technical innovation. From classic 6–12 volt bulbs to modern LED technology with DMX lighting control, their light shows and blacklight effects have become their trademark. They have been awarded prizes for their original lighting applications on multiple occasions and have also received the Press Prize. 

🏆 Legendary creations

A few floats that made history:

• Light Organ (1980)
• The Big Bang (1987)
• The Human Brain, Creator of Electronics (1989)
• Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious (1994)

In 2005, they surprised everyone with *Rondello*, a blacklight spectacle featuring round shapes and wind-powered magic. Later floats, such as *Acromania* (2007) and *Cuadrados voladores* (2022), also won the coveted honorary pennant.

⚙️ Pioneers behind the scenes

The Amigo’s were innovators not only in what was visible to the public but also behind the scenes. In the early 1990s, they were the first to switch to power generators instead of heavy car batteries. In 1995, to mark their 20th anniversary, they built the very first motorized chassis—which remains in use to this day. Since then, manual pushing has been a thing of the past.

🎂 A dream of a cake

For their 50th anniversary, the Amigo’s chose a fitting theme: a giant birthday cake. Since no baker in Mol was willing to create a cake measuring 4 meters wide and 4 meters high, they decided to build it themselves. On September 13th, we’ll find out if this creation tastes as good as it looks!