Composition

During parades, the Royal Stilt Walkers of Merchtem pass by in a recognizable, fixed order. The procession is opened by the flag bearer, proudly carrying the association's banner at the front. Next come the block walkers, wearing their typical wooden clogs fixed on skis or planks — a nod to the cold winters of the past.

The musicians bring life to the party, accompanying both the block walkers and stilt walkers with lively, energetic tunes. The stilt walkers themselves form the core of the group: standing between 1 to 4 meters tall, steady on their “feet” — or better yet, stilts — and always crowd-pleasers. The ladder carriers bring up the rear of the procession.

The Royal Stilt Walkers are more than just tradition bearers — it’s also a place where young people feel right at home. Thanks to a vibrant youth program and an enthusiastic youth board, fun activities are regularly organized. This way, new generations grow up in a vibe of folklore, friendship, and fun.

Performances

We perform as a full group at all kinds of parades: carnival parades, folklore parades, flower corsos, Sinterklaas parades, giant processions, and more.

The 20 to 30 stilt walkers are preceded by the flag bearers, the block walkers, and a lively music band with about 20 live musicians. Ladder carriers close the procession at the back.

During parades, we request to be positioned among the first three groups for safety reasons — both for the stilt walkers and the audience.