The first-ever festive market will be hosted at the Old Harbour in Gordon’s Bay next Wednesday (7 December).
The event will also mark the first Carols by Candlelight event presented by the Navy Band in a few years. The festivities are being driven by Strand Rotary Club.
“After the success of the Heritage Day Festival, the Harbour Users’ Committee was keen to host another market,” explained Jana Loubser, commodore of Gordon’s Bay Yacht Club. “The Strand Rotary Club, which meets at the yacht club, immediately offered to drive the event and all takings will be used to fund projects in the community.”
It promises to be an amazing evening with the highlight being the procession from the market to the naval base for the carol service.
The community will have the opportunity to witness some of the formalities that usually happen “behind closed doors”. The first will be a “silent sunset”, leading to the lowering of the flag and then a march-off to the carol service. Singing will be led by two vocalists and the current intake of students, accompanied by 45 Navy Band members.
Loubser added: “Everyone is welcome, and families are really encouraged to join the festivities. There will be something special for everyone, especially for the children. Ho Ho Ho!”
The harbour market will run from 16:30 so that “carollers” can either have a bite, drink and quick shop before attending the carol service or pop in after the service. It will be open until 22:30, so people can choose to spend the whole evening at the market, the yacht club or Thirsty Oyster and possibly hear the singing drifting across from the Naval College.
“All proceeds from the evening – parking and stall-holders’ fees – will be used for projects in the local community”, added Elenore Baiocchi, president of Strand Rotary Club. “Going into the festive season, the organisations we work with need all the support they can get.
“Our focus as a club is on the youth, and this is a time when, unfortunately, crime against children increases. It’s also a time when children in foster care or the people caring for them need assistance. Between the market takings and our ‘In The Bag’ collection at the yacht club, we’ll be doing what we can to make the festive season as happy as possible for everyone.”
The yacht club is a primary partner in the market event and is also a collection point for bags of goodies which should include toiletries, stationery, non-perishable foodstuff and soft toys.
- Send an email to gbyc@gbyc.co.za for any market, carols, stall or ‘In the Bag’ enquiries.
