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The annual festivals and rituals that come around every year are a way of punctuating time and seasons on the Garden Route.
One can literally pack and unpack your wardrobe based on the various festivals throughout the year.
Spring was announced this past weekend, September 6, with the official opening of the sailing season at the Knysna Yacht Club.
People turned out in droves to see the various yachts in full sail out on the estuary.
The club, which was founded in 1910, plays an important role in nurturing sailing, canoeing, canoe-polo and watersports on the Garden Route area.
Tradition is on this day anybody with a boat, be it a dinghy or catamaran, sails past the Knysna Yacht Club and salutes the commodore — and that includes swimmers and paddlers.
From now on there will be offshore sailing on Saturdays, inshore sailing on Saturday afternoons and junior sailing.
On Wednesday evenings at 5.30, sailors battle it out in the dinghy dash. The canoe section of the club start their time trials again on Tuesdays. To find out how to take to the water contact secretary@knysnayachtclub.com
It’s customary for brave people on the Garden Route to join in the spring dips on September 1. At sunrise, brave souls meet on Plett’s Main Beach and hurtle into the icy water to celebrate the coming of summer.
The Sea Horse swimmers start their weekly swims at the Knysna Yacht Club on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from the KYC slipway.
In spite of the water temperature, these swimmers do their one to two kilometres a couple of times a week and the more the merrier so contact Delle Henry for more information on 083-292-2928.
Then there’s a lot to look forward to for the rest of the summe — the Sedgefield Kite Festival, first known as the Eden Kite Festival, was established in 2015 and will be back for its 10th year.
The annual event is organised by Sedgefield-based nonprofit organisation Masithandane and serves as a fundraiser for its various community upliftment projects.
It will take place on October 12. This is a great fest not to miss because the kites that come from all over the world make for a spectacular event.
The Bitou Birding Festival returns to Plett on October 24 to 31. It debuted last year and was such a hit that it’s back this year.
Whether you’re a seasoned twitcher or just starting out with a pair of binoculars and a sense of curiosity, the Bitou Birding Festival offers something for everyone.
With guided bird walks in breathtaking locations, expert insights from conservation leaders, canoe birding adventures, pelagic boat trips and a few surprises still under wraps — the festival promises a week full of unforgettable nature-based experiences.
This area is home to more than 300 bird species from wetlands and fynbos to Afromontane forests, river estuaries and coastal cliffs.
Festival favourites are activities such as the interactive bird-ringing demonstrations, wellness-and-birding sessions, and canoe trips on the Bitou River and Keurbooms estuary.
For the more adventurous, the pelagic birding trip heads offshore in search of pelagic seabirds.
Happening next month is the Plett Arts Festival now in its 12th year.
Held from October 3-12, this festival celebrates creativity with music, fine art, poetry and dance. It kicks off with a twilight meander down Plett’s Main Street which is really special.
There’s a cool vibe as locals come out in force to mingle at the twilight meander. It’s a celebration from Nature’s Valley to Kranshoek, as artists from the area and afar come together to express themselves by showcasing their talents.
The first night is all about getting dressed to impress, strolling down the street with buskers on all corners and art everywhere.
In this informal setting, meet the artists as you sip and nibble your way down the drag.
Pop in for a meal at one of the restaurants showcasing art works. There are all sorts of surprises.
Then the remaining 10 days are packed with music, poetry, fine art, jazz, film, a land art route, collaborative installations, workshops and talks, cultural performances and exhibitions — all happening in the forests, galleries, restaurants, tshisanyamas and on the beaches.
Latecomers are still adding events to the programme, so keep watching.
On the programme is Dutch land artist Theo Jansen who is famous for creating “Strandbeests” — large kinetic sculptures made of PVC pipes that move with the wind and appear to walk.
There are all sorts of artists who will be showcasing their work here. The Land Art Route is connected with works rooted in nature, to portraits, still life and landscapes in acrylics and oil, bronze sculpture, outdoor concerts and theatre.
The Plett Art Festival promises to showcase not only established artists, but budding artists as well.
Go to Plett Tourism website www.pletttourism.co.za to see the various highlights of the Plett Arts Fest.
Dust off your lederhosen for the Barrington Beer Festival which takes place during the art fest on November 11. It’s time to boogie, beer and play, ja!
Celebrate craft beer to the legendary sounds of two of Cape Town’s most original performance ensembles, Nomadic Orchestra and The Dukes of Note and more vibes.
Enjoy beer fest food. Book by going to Barrington’s website because it gets full quickly.
The Leisure Isle Festival in Knysna will be held on Saturday and Sunday (November 8 and 9) and it’s in its 22nd year.
This is a much-loved community event showcasing local talent and supporting Knysna charities and by now the weather is gorgeous, not too hot, just summery and lovely.
This festival denotes the end of the year really because the next month is Christmas — and for many people it’s where they do their Christmas shopping.
Long ago when I first came here, there used to be a wonderful ceremony in the Main Road of Knysna when the Christmas lights were switched on and the street was closed.
That sadly fizzled out. Maybe it’s because the lights stay on all year round?
After the Plett Arts Fest comes the Plett Rage where thousands of school-leavers descend on the town to party.
This year it’s from November 28 to December 5. It’s a big source of income for Plett and a rite of passage for these youngsters.
Guess the fact I don’t buy into this one is because I’m too old. In my day. you didn’t get rewarded for finishing school with money to spend on alcohol and partying, you just got a klap if you failed.
The Herald
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