HIGHLIGHTS
With guidance from Liberation Route Europe, VVV (Dutch Tourist Information), KWBN (Dutch Walking League), battlefield tour guides, and the Canadian Embassy in The Netherlands, IOFF highlights include:
-
A 60 km pilgrimage (over 3 days) along routes taken by the 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Canadian Divisions
-
Guidance from professional battlefield guides
-
Flower Ceremony at Groesbeek Cemetery
-
Candlelight Vigil
-
Nijmegen Sunset March
-
NL Remembrance Day Ceremony at Holten Cemetery
-
Liberation Day Party in Almen
-
Apeldoorn Liberation Festivities
-
Canadian Camp at the Royal Family’s Palace (Het Loo)
In Our Fathers’ Footsteps
is a not-for-profit pilgrimage for the descendants of Canadian military who served in the Netherlands during the Second World War.
In Our Fathers' Footsteps is a spiritual, cultural, pilgrimage-based and educational event that includes walks, along the routes of the Canadian liberators— together with heartfelt commemorations and joyful festivities.
Coinciding with the Liberation’s 80th anniversary, In Our Fathers' Footsteps will take place in The Netherlands in April and May in 2025.
Trace your father’s footsteps. Celebrate our freedom, peace and Dutch friendship. Honour our troops who served during the Second World War!
Are you the proud descendant of a Canadian Second World War veteran who served in The Netherlands?
Join our 80th anniversary pilgrimage
to honour these veterans, learn more about the Liberation and Dutch culture, and fulfill our promise:
"We shall never forget."
- Karen Hunter
Descendant and IOFF Organizer
AMAZING HIGHLIGHTS - IOFF 2025
IOFF’s Signature Walks
Walk with professional guides through fields and forests along researched routes taken by Canadian troops. Learn about Second World War operations and battles. Experience warm welcomes in towns and villages. Enjoy local entertainment and Dutch hospitality.
Meet HRH Princess Margriet
Attend the “80 Years Liberation” entertainment event followed by a private meeting with HRH Princess Margriet, and her husband Pieter van Vollenhoven.
Heartfelt Tributes
Participate in remembrance tributes with The Canadian Remembrance Torch at Canadian war monuments and cemeteries in Groesbeek, Holten, and Bergen op Zoom. Experience a candlelight vigil in the village of Almen.
Liberation Day Festivities
Participate (as the only civilian group from abroad) in the famous Dutch Veterans’ Parade in Wageningen, watched by HRH King Willem Alexander. Enjoy a Liberation Party with locals.
Military Theme
Join a platoon, receive marching orders, walk with The Canadian Remembrance Torch, and pipe bands. Sleep in private barracks at a former Canadian Second World War field hospital, on an estate filled with Canadian military history.
Apeldoorn Liberation Parade
Participate as guests of honour in Apeldoorn’s Liberation Parade surrounded by dozens of United Pipes for Peace bands, with tens of thousands of spectators!
Princess Margriet and her dog Boogiewoogie Beeld: © RVD - Martijn Beekman
Waal Brigde in Nijmegen
DAYS TO THE PILGRIMAGE
OUR SUPPORTERS
