The SPAR Splash Festival will turn Kings Beach in Gqeberha
into a 360-degree, smile-a-minute extravaganza this Easter.
From food trucks to wrestling, cooking demonstrations,
live performances, sports events, children’s activities and even a fun run, festivalgoers
will find something that tickles their fancy around just about every corner
from April 7 to 10.
SPAR Eastern Cape advertising manager Roseann Shadrach
said the programme of Nelson Mandela Bay’s marquee festival was one to behold
and that visitors would be in for something special from the get-go on Good
Friday.
The opening day will see the return of perennial crowd
favourite Wrestlemonster, where fans will no doubt enjoy a ringside view of Mr Wrestling’s notorious
headlock on several of his unsuspecting opponents.
Those who prefer the spicy
side of life don’t have to hunt any further than the We’re for Flavours food demo
tent, where celebrity chefs will dazzle festinos with their culinary flair.
Among them will be singer-songwriter and chef par
excellence J’Something, who is bound to hit all the right notes with foodies when
he delivers his tasty performance in the kitchen.
He is also due to swap his apron for a microphone to
deliver his best-known songs – among a few surprises – as one of the headline artists
on the festival’s music and comedy programme.
Other names include the Queen of Zulu comedy Celeste
Ntuli, “Dames” hitmaker Biggy, Buhle and Gino Fabbri.
The Galaxy Bingo Beach Area will bring non-stop action
for kids, including funfair rides and pony jaunts.
Five-a-side soccer and beach volleyball will keep
sports fans cheering throughout, while the public can take part in a 4.5km
beach run to counter the carbs on offer at the Coca-Cola Food Truck
Court.
“We chose to link up with the Splash as it offers us
an opportunity to put smiles on the faces of festivalgoers throughout the
weekend,” said Shadrach.
“At SPAR, our goal is to cultivate Forever Smiles and we
expect to see just that from the moment the festival gets underway.”
Performing artists and vendors, especially, are set to
feel the love of the retailer’s involvement after the latter’s commitment to
assist them get back on their feet as they recover from the financial impact of
the pandemic.
In a first for the festival, a SPAR Women’s Challenge registration
hub will serve would-be participants of the 5km and 10km events set to take
place at Pollok Beach on May 27.
They can enter at the hub, thanks to credit card
facilities, and receive their race numbers and T-shirts to boot. Runners can
also have their photo taken alongside their favourite media personality in the 360-degree
photo booth.
“It’s wonderful that registration for this amazing race
coincides with the festival,” said Shadrach. “We know how excited our runners
and walkers are about it returning to its original format after three years.”
More than 900 individuals benefited from the 2022
festival, including event staff, security, vendors and sub-contractors.
Friday
Main Stage: Defying Gravity, Saider and Relate DC from 12pm
Second Stage: Splash Festival DJ competition semi-finals at 7pm
Saturday
Main Stage: Splash Festival DJ Competition finals from 4.40pm
Food Demo Tent: Chef Zola Nene from 2pm
Food Demo Tent: Celeste Ntuli comedy show from 6pm
Sunday
Main Stage: Magician Brendon (1pm), Biggy (5pm) and J’Something & Friends (6pm)
Beach Arena: Family fun run (9am), Easter egg hunt (11am)
Food Demo Tent: J’Something (3pm)
Monday
Sport: NMB Schools Volleyball from 8.30am
