The top events this month
worth travelling for this month
Play with your food
You may have heard of the Big Pineapple in the Eastern Cape, but do you know it hosts a pineapple-throwing contest? It’s one of many whacky events at the Bathurst Country Affair, along with bokdrol spitting, a beard championship, beer-drinking and brawn competitions (this year the latter involves the blacksmith’s forge) and mystery-basket cook-offs. There’s also an ‘Amazing Race’ on horseback and vintage motorcycle races. Village establishments such as the famous Pig and
Whistle Inn and Pink Lady milkshake parlour get in on the festivities, as well as local crafters, entertainers and food and drink vendors on the village green. 9–12 August. Find it on Facebook. In the Magaliesberg area: anything from feeding ellies and bush walks for dogs, to games nights, alpacas, pie baking, as well as chilli, mampoer or ice-cream tastings. 24–26 August. magaliesrocksthecradle.co.za
Immersed in artistry
You don’t really need an excuse to visit Riebeek-Kasteel, but here’s a special one: for one weekend, 16 local artists invite visitors into their studios. Who knows what you’ll see and learn? Artworks on circular canvasses and wooden blocks, video projections, newspaper tapestries and digital collage, along with photography and traditional drawing and painting (one by Claudia Gurwitz is pictured above right), will all feature at Solo Studios. Plus, a maverick winemaker and La Colombe’s Zim-born sommelier will host a special wine event, and local musicians play at De Oude Kerk Museum (ukulele, anyone?). The town’s most famous resident, investigative journalist Jacques Pauw, will also be signing books at his restaurant, Red Tin Roof. Tickets from R195. 9–12 August. solostudios.co.za
Choose your poison
As with all bouts of Russian roulette, the last one standing wins – in this case, great prizes. It’s all about the shots at the VodkaFest, where an ice luge delivers chilly mouthfuls and, according to custom, you can’t eat anything without a few warm-up shots. The 12-metre ice bar will also serve cocktails, and there’ll be numerous vodka-tasting stations. This audacious festival takes place in the heart of the Durbanville winelands at Hillcrest Quarry, and includes bands and DJs. Tickets R250. 25 August. Find it on Facebook. Over at the Museum of Military History in Joburg, amid war artefacts and vehicles, the
SA Distillery Fair will be showcasing a wider range of local craft spirits. Tickets R190. 25 August. distilleryfairsa.co.za
Man vs machine
It’s that time of year when humans run and cycle a relay against a train from PE to Uitenhage. In last year’s Nelson Mandela Bay Train Race, the winner’s time was 1:46:40 – that would be the train (humans have only won this challenge once, so far). Anyone can give it a try, though entries are limited to 300 teams. Spectator seats on the train sell like hotcakes, but there are five changeover points on the route (including the villages of Swartkops and Redhouse) where supporters can follow the action, plus there’s a festival village at the finish line, with a beer tent, entertainment and food vendors. All proceeds go to childhood cancer charity CHOC. Race entry from R200, train tickets R60. 19 August. zsports.co.za