July to coin it from Gautengers
THE more than 55 000 people expected at the Greyville Racecourse today for the annual Vodacom Durban July will contribute R220 million to the Indian Ocean city’s economy.
In a new trend, most of the spending will this year will be by Gauteng weekend visitors, making up more than half of the crowd at the premier horse-racing and fashion event.
According to organisers, it is estimated the visitors will contribute more than R150m to the economy in spending on transport, accommodation, tickets, entertainment, restaurants and clothing.
Durban residents are expected to cough up just R70 000.
Managers of the marquee village, Event World, said 30 corporate and hospitality marquees had been erected as well as a 100 picnic site tents.
Event World’s co-ordinator, Edwina Brown, said ticket prices for the marquees ranged from R1 000 to R6 000.
“This year’s event will defi- nitely be bigger and better, especially with three double-storey marquees.”
Brown said the double-decker marquees were the only ones in the country and it was the first time they were being used at the same function.
Gold Circle spokeswoman Gill Simpkins said racegoers would be in for star treatment when they stepped into the racecourse as it had been transformed with an ocean and nautical theme.
“We are 99 percent ready for tomorrow’s action,” she said.
“Just the final touches are to be completed.
“We are expecting a bumper day and hope that everyone has an enjoyable time.”
Lifestyle decor co-ordinator Cameron Chetty, putting the final touches to his two weeks of work on a marquee, said he drew inspiration from shipping.
“We mixed that look with a modern touch – glass, crystal, stripes and texture,” he said.
He pointed to more than 2 000 bubble-glass balls in the marquee.
A live band will provide entertainment for Durban multimillionaire Vivian Reddy and his associates, Chetty said.
The ABI marquee has a tranqui, under-the-sea aura.
Gugu Mtshali, of Function Decor, said it had taken her and her team of workers several days to achieve the look.