RUGBY fields are being transformed into a festival village at Hoërskool Kirkwood, as the tents and marquees and giant stage are erected for the 20th annual SPAR Kirkwood Wildsfees.
From Friday, June 30, to Sunday, July 2, the population of Kirkwood will nearly double as festival-goers stream in from far and wide for the Eastern Cape’s leading family festival.
Accommodation has been booked up months in advance, and local entrepreneurs have stepped in to provide a registered shuttle service for the 75 kilometre journey between Gqeberha and Kirkwood, according to director Jenni Honsbein.
The festival is unique in that it caters for the whole family, with a mix of experiences that this year include live raptor displays and virtual game drives.
Attractions include shopping at over 300 specialist stalls, expos, demonstrations and 25 hours of live entertainment on the giant ECPTA stage, by some of South Africa’s favourite artists.
Dog lovers will be able to meet the best of breed at the Boerboel Show on Saturday, in the MTN Pavilion.
After that, traditional athletes will compete in the koedoedrolverspoegkompetisie hosted by Wicus van der Merwe after his stage performance.
Workers are already on the field, and a steady stream of trucks is delivering the equipment needed for the festival.
“We can already feel the vibe,” says Honsbein.
Over 500 locals are employed to prepare the grounds and to keep them spotless during the festival, which was one of the first in the country to go “green”.
For more information go to www.wildfees.co.za.
– ISSUED BY SIYATHETHA COMMUNICATIONS ON BEHALF OF SPAR KIRKWOOD WILDSFEES
