Wildsfees ten years young and wilder than ever
30 June 2011
Started by the Kirkwood community in 2002 to put the spotlight on the natural heritage of the Sundays River Valley and promote tourism, the Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees has grown into the biggest weekend festival in the Eastern Cape – and one of the most popular in the country.
“The Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees will always have a jam-packed programme, guided by our founding pillars – the promotion of wildlife conservation, education and ecotourism,” said Honsbein.
Honsbein expects this year’s festival, set for 1 to 3 July, to set new attendance records. In 2010, it hosted 38 000 visitors. Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism chief executive, Mandlakazi Skefile, gave the festival her stamp of approval saying that it promotes and nurtures culture and ecotourism in a time in the tourism industry when being aware of sustainability was crucial.
“The Absa Wildsfees is an unique place for people to engage, share and learn about our biodiversity while celebrating nature and culture,” said Skefile.
Absa has also recently announced its continued partnership with the festival until 2015. “The festival’s multi faceted offerings, key drivers and good governance prompted Absa to continue to support this festival which is owned by the Sunday’s River Valley community.
“We are also pleased to confirm that Absa will host the second Absa Wildlife Conference on Friday July 1, at which many subject matter experts will present on their areas of specialisation,” Said Kgalaletso Tlhoaele, regional executive for Absa Eastern and Southern Cape.
“Against this background Absa is demonstrating its support of the business community, Sunday’s River Valley community and the broader Eastern Cape in terms of wildlife conservation, education and tourism.”
The festival will be kick-started with a concert featuring DJ Ossewa in the Kuiergat on Thursday evening at R30 per person. Corporate sponsors and other VIPs will be attending a Premier Gala Banquet in the Absa Show Hall. They will be treated to a special show, Celebrating Earth.
A highlight of this year’s entertainment programme will be the first appearance on a big stage in the Eastern Cape of the Parlotones on 2 July after their world tour.
Celebrities, Jak de Priester and Lizz Meiring together with celebrity chef, Francois Ferreira, will share their recipes at the exclusive Absa Op Die Rooi Bank show, while venison expert Ezelle Marais reveals the art of game dishes with her Liplekker cooking demonstrations. The South African cooking tradition of potjie and braai will be honoured at the Marina Sea salt Roer-my-nie potjiekos and braai challenge on the Sunday.
The festival’s green agenda is supported by the continued Kirkwood wildlife auction, the biggest in the province, and the educational Walk on the Wildside tent with live owls, snakes, spiders and dung-beetles. New to this year is the Growing Green expo, dedicated to ethical and sustainable agricultural and gardening methods.
Afrikaans culture will be celebrated with storytelling and folklore of the Sunday’s River Valley and South Africa in the Vannie Stoep Af show with Nico Nel of Maak ‘n Las fame. Children will be well catered for with the choice of entertainment, from games, rides, clowns and activities in the Kidz Zone to a live show by Lollos on Friday and Saturday, said Honsbein.
If the over 300 shopping stalls and bargains at the white elephant sale don?t keep the visitor busy the whole day, the non-stop programme of shows, activities, expos and competitions will. Live jazz, dog-jumping, the Montego Boerboel show, the Isuzu Extreme 4x4 competition, the EP Cat show, the koedoedrolverspoeg competition with Sorina “Flooze?” and the Mighty Blade Chainsaw Challenge are just some options.
“Immense thanks must go to the loyal sponsors and stallholders that have been with us from the start, as well to the Sunday’s River Valley community and to the thousands of people who have supported the Festival over the last ten years,” said Honsbein.
The 2011 Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees runs from 1 to 3 July, and offers a wild weekend for the whole family. Entry fees for the festival on Friday and Sunday are R70 for adults and R30 for children; and R100 for adults and R50 for children on Saturday. Visit www.wildsfess.co.za for more information.
Please wait!
