Waregem Koerse 2022

Under a bright sky, we welcomed the most prominent business people, politicians and a whole host of famous belgians to the Willy Naessens tent.

Willy Naessens Hat Trophy

All ladies with hats competed again for the coveted crown of the Willy Naessens Hat Trophy. The professional jury did not have it easy this year. President Davy Brocatus had to make the decision with fellow jury members: the winner of the previous edition Ilse Van der Strieckt, Miss Belgium Chayenne Van Aarle, hat expert Kristien Vanden Bulcke, fashion experts Martine Pilate and Joanne Vanden Avenne, Jacky Lafon, David Vandyck, Regula Ysewijn, Stephanie Coorevits and Astrid Stockman.

This year too, the prizes were not insignificant!

The winner, Femke Thijs, took home the main prize! She won:

- Money cheque of €1,000 donated by Willy Naessens for the charity of her choice

- Jewellery from Bourgois jeweller in Waregem

- Bathroom voucher offered by X2O, your bathroom specialist, to the value of €5,000

- Travel voucher donated by Xperience Sint-Martens-Latem

In second place is Els Vandeweghe, who can call herself this year's first honorary lady of the Willy Naessens Hat Trophy. She won:

- Money cheque of €1.000 donated by Willy Naessens for the charity of her choice

- Bathroom voucher offered by X2O, your bathroom specialist, to the value of €3,000

- Travel voucher offered by Xperience Sint-Martens-Latem

- Bus trip gastronomic package

In third place is Lien Vanbelle, who can call herself this year's second honorary lady of the Willy Naessens Hat Trophy. She won:

- Money cheque of €1.000 donated by Willy Naessens for the charity of her choice

- Bathroom voucher donated by X2O, your bathroom specialist, to the value of €1,000

- Travel voucher donated by Xperience Sint-Martens-Latem

This year a new category was added to the Willy Naessens Hat Trophy! The ladies with the most creative hat could compete on the podium. This year the honour went to Katrien Klinckaert. She won:

- Hot air balloon ride X2O

- Travel voucher donated by Xperience Sint-Martens-Latem

A lot of good causes were supported!

Willy Naessens itself donates 3 cheques of € 1,000 each to the winners of the Willy Naessens Hat Trophy. They in turn may donate this cheque to the charity of their choice.

The proceeds of the champagne and oyster sale go entirely to another charity that Willy Naessens has been supporting for years, the Sofhea Foundation.

Sofhea uses the money to further expand the cord blood bank and provide stem cell transplants for people with often life-threatening blood diseases.

This year, a jewel of Juwelier Bourgois was also sold by auction for a good cause, Villa Zomernest. The necklace was sold for no less than € 6,500!

Villa Zomernest is a warm nest for people living with a cancer diagnosis and for the people who love them. A place to catch one's breath and look for more quality of life.

A smashing performance

There followed a spectacular finale! Willy Naessens treated everyone to a performance to mark the 175th anniversary of Waregem Koerse. Frans Bauer was blew the audience away with an unforgettable performance. Frans Bauer and creating ambiance are a match made in heaven!