A Great Dutch Tradition - De Avond Vierdaagse

One of the nicest Dutch traditions can be observed in June of every year when hundreds of thousands of walkers take to the early evening streets to join the avond vierdaagse (evening four day event). For four evenings in a row children and adults walk distances of 3, 5, 10 or 15km, mostly wearing a school or club t-shirt. This year my Luna will join the walk for the first time so we feel quite excited (and integrated!).
The tradition dates from the Second World War when groups first started organizing these events to encourage physical exercise. The walks were banned by the Germans by the occupation but they resumed after the war when local walking groups and town councils began to organize them again.
In our town you see hundreds of walkers following the route for these four June evenings. Nowadays it is seen as a very good way to encourage children to get off the couch and to put away those dreadful gameboy thingamajigs. However, the positive aspects of the tradition are somewhat undermined by the fact that lots of the children seem to walk with bags of candy and cookies or downing sugary drinks. God forbid that the kids might actually burn some energy ;-)
Another very amusing habit that has emerged during the avond vierdaagse is that many children suck on a half of a lemon or orange with two or three peppermints stuck in it. The children suck the juice through the mint. If you don't believe me just look at this link; it is a very weird tradition. I won't be preparing this treat for my daughter unless she specifically ask for it though.