Island News
April 30, 2012 Rincon Days
All the people of Bonaire have a day off work and schools are closed on April 30. Everyone goes to Rincon, it is the only day in the year that people without licenses to trade can sell things on the street. Some people set up stalls to sell second-hand goods. Others set up stalls to sell traditional food and drink. There is a lot of busking and official musical performances on Queen's Day. Many people spontaneously sing "Het Wilhelmus". 
This is a poem written in 1574 and describes the life of William of Orange (William the Silent) and his fight for the Dutch people. It is written as if William of Orange is introducing himself to the Dutch people.
Rincon Days is also Queen's Day, the Queen's official birthday and the anniversary of her coronation.
December 15, 2011 Kingdom Day
Koninkrijksdag (Papiamento: Dia di Reino, English: Kingdom Day) is the commemoration of the signing of the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands on December 15 1954. The Koninkrijks concert (English: Kingdom Concert) is held annually on December 15, to celebrate the relationship between Netherlands, the Netherlands Antilles,Aruba and the BSE islands (Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius).
December 3, 2011 Sanikolas
On Saturday Sint Nicholaas (Sanikolas) and his assistants, the Black Piets (Swarte Pieten), arrived in Bonaire aboard The Good Return charter boat. The Swarte Pieten cavorted through the crowd, dancing, swinging their sacks and ropes, teasing the children and throwing candies. Sint Nicholaas history lies in Dutch folklore and tradition, originating more than 600 years ago when the Bishop of Madrid, Spain, gave gifts to everyone on his birthday, December 6. This bishop, it is said, originally came from Turkey with his helpers who were black (swarte). At that time Holland was ruled by Spain, so when Sint Nicholaas comes he arrives from Spain by boat.
September 06, 2011 Bonaire Day
Bonaire’s flag day is celebrated each year on September 6th, and the festivities rotate into different barrios, or neighborhoods, every year. This year’s celebration will be held in North Salina. This year’s theme is “Maintaining Identity” and the holiday commemorates the day way back in 1499 when Amerigo Vespucci first set foot on Bonaire. Bonaire Day is an important day for all Bonaireans, as it’s a time when the local culture and way of life can be renewed and celebrated.
BES Islands' fiscal system January 1, 2011
The new fiscal system for the BES islands Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba will go into effect January 1, 2011. The "ABC Islands" will no longer exist. The US dollar will be the island’s main currency as well the old sales tax of 5% will become 8%.
