Winter Events in the Eastern Cape that are not be missed!

NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL - 20 June - 4 July 2010 | 24-26 July - Hogsback Christmas in July | Billabong Pro in Jeffrey’s Bay | KIRKWOOD FESTIVAL

NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL - 20 June - 4 July 2010

Organised by the Grahamstown Foundation, Africa's largest and most colourful cultural event offers a choice of the very best of both local and international talent.
Every year, for 7 days, Grahamstown's population almost doubles, as over 50 000 people flock to the city for a feast of Arts, crafts and lots of entertainment. Better still, to embrace the extended holiday in 2010 – this year’s festival will be 15 days long! Every school-hall or large room converts to a theatre, botanical gardens, parks and port fields turn into flea-markets, temporary traffic wardens are employed to manage bustling streets, and every available bed in the city is booked. The festival offers more than 500 shows from opera, cabaret, drama and jazz to stand-up comics and local music.

From across South Africa and the world, many people flock to see the Arts on display, while others are for the variety of products on sale – some new and creative, other’s as old as the festival itself. Wander around enjoying the best pizza you’ll ever have on-the-go and be amazed by hand-crafted jewellery, be inspired by the artistic clothing creations, wooden carved talents and other ingenious designs. Operating from the 1820 Settler Monument that is perched high above the city of Grahamstown, the sleepy student town transforms into the centre of arts in South Africa. It combines a comfortable, folky community atmosphere with the excitement of creative passion and cutting-edge theatrical innovation. Make sure you give it a visit! This is an event that is not to be missed!
**Contact Idwala Game Lodge for special over-night packages on your way to and from the festival. B&B rates are available for those who want to enjoy the festival during the day, but relax in the quiet of the bush at night.

24-26 July - Hogsback Christmas in July. - Top
Experience a traditional, chilly northern Christmas, in July, at Hogsback. All proceeds go to local charities to keep in the Christmas spirit. Hogsback, high in the Amatole Mountain Range, has one of the poorest communities in South Africa and this is one of their biggest fundraisers. “It’s a weekend of fun in the icy outdoors of Hogsback where we focus on old-fashioned rural timeless fun.” Sip mulled-wine, watch the crackling fires and if you’re lucky, arrive as the snow gently falls on the Tolkein inspired landscape. One of the highlights on the Saturday is “an African-style sleigh” – an old wagon drawn by a team of Nguni oxen.
**Contact Idwala Game Lodge for special rates for anyone travelling to or from the Christmas in July at Hogsback.
**What about hosting your own “Christmas in July” weekend? Contact Alida for more information. Enjoy Morgan’s delicious Yorkshire puddings, roasts with rich gravy, traditional vegetables and roast potatoes… with all the special treats of a traditional winter holiday.

Billabong Pro in Jeffrey’s Bay - Top
Surfers from all over the world will be heading for the renowned waves of Jeffrey’s Bay in July for the Billabong Pro. It is the first South African surfing event to make a concerted effort to reduce its impact on climate change.
Supertubes, the 300 meter stretch of coastline universally acknowledged as one of the planet’s top 10 high-performance surf breaks, will again be the venue for what has become Africa’s most prestigious and lucrative surfing tournament.
It is usually 11 days long which gives the surfers the best opportunity to get the best waves during this period and allows organizers to select the best possible conditions to guarantee spectacular action during the three days of competition required to determine the champion.

KIRKWOOD FESTIVAL: - Top
The Kirkwood Festival is rated as one of the top festivals in the country; Kirkwood has something for everyone in the family – a special Kidz Zone for the youngsters, live cooking and other demonstrations all day, over 350 specialist stores selling specialist wildlife-themed art, craft and decor items, as well as scrumptious treats.
Included in the line-up are some of the biggest wine, food and car shows in the province. All in the shadow of the Rietberg Mountains which form part of the Greater Addo Elephant National park. Taking the field from 5 pm on the Friday and Saturday on what is traditionally the biggest sound stage in the Eastern Cape will be many of South Africa’s favourite artists.

** We recommend booking in at Hitgeheim Country Lodge in Addo – enjoy the festival with a touch of opulence.