Events Diary 2019

Compiled by Janine Ryan.

MID-JANUARY TO END MARCH STELLENRUST

STELLENBOSCH, WESTERN CAPE Visitors have the opportunity to pick, stomp and make their own wine, and receive six bottles of their own handmade wine after a year following the appropriate barrel ageing. They are also treated to a full wine tasting experience, and are taught the essence of winemaking. Visitstellenrust.co.za.

26 JANUARY DELHEIM HARVEST FESTIVAL

STELLENBOSCH, WESTERN CAPE Delheim is traditionally one of the very first Stellenbosch wine estates to ring in the new vintage in high spirits. The theme for the harvest festival in 2019 is Pinotage Rosé. Visitors pick and

stomp their own grapes, and can enjoy a family-friendly harvest feast with fresh salads, dolmades, baked bread, cheese and preserves, pickles, and a variety of meat and fruit. There will also be vineyard tours and tractor rides. Visitdelheim.com.

2 TO 3 FEBRUARY MAGOEBASKLOOF BERRY FESTIVAL

HAENERTSBURG, LIMPOPO Activities include raspberry and blueberry picking at Blueberry Heights Farm, as well as the annual Berry Festival Trail Run. Visitors can also visit the market in the village, where they can buy berry-based local produce, homemade delicacies and village specialties. They can also explore the natural forests and mountain valleys. Visitberryfestival.co.za.

9 FEBRUARY MANGO FESTIVAL

HOEDSPRUIT, LIMPOPO Mango fanatics will have their hands and taste buds full at the Bavaria Mango Mania Day. This annual event aims to showcase a wide variety of mango cultivars. This year seven

new cultivars have been added to the list of around 15 varieties available to taste. PhoneBavariaFruitEstateson0157955380.

14 TO 17 FEBRUARY BIELIEMIELIE FESTIVAL

REITZ, FREE STATE This festival celebrates the core business in the region: maize production. Visitors can get a real feel for farming by walking through tractor, harvester and agricultural implement displays, as well as cultivar trial plots that display maize, soya bean, sunflower and other crops. Visitbieliemielie.co.za.

8 TO 9 MARCH THE GIANT PUMPKIN FESTIVAL

HEIDELBERG, WESTERN CAPE The ever-popular pumpkin festival will once again celebrate the largest pumpkins in South Africa. The festival will also host a golf day, cycle race, trail run, live music and a variety of local food offerings. There will also be various events for kids such as pumpkin tug of war, putt putt, a climbing wall, and more. Visitpumpkinfestival.co.za.

16 TO 20 MARCH RHODES WILD TROUT FESTIVAL

EASTERN CAPE HIGHLANDS Activities include a tackle fair on 17 March and fishing opportunities. Visitwildtrout.co.za.

30 MARCH ROOIBOS T FESTIVAL

CLANWILLIAM, WESTERN CAPE Rooibos lovers can enjoy the very first Rooibos T Festival, while learning about where their tea comes from. The festival will be held on a rooibos farm, and festivalgoers can experience the entire tea process from cutting to drying. There will also be food demonstrations, displays, and various rooibos bakes and cosmetic products available. Visitrooibosinfohub.com.

20 APRIL PUMPALOOZA FESTIVAL

NIEU BETHESDA, EASTERN CAPE Activities include a pumpkin competition, a mountain bike race, craft market and food stalls, vintage cars display, beauty contests, potjiekos

competition, and a live band. Visitors are encouraged to plant pumpkins in their gardens or on their farms and enter their produce in the pumpkin competition, which consists of 12 categories, including the biggest and ugliest pumpkin. Visitnieubethesda.info/Events.htm.

26 TO 28 APRIL CHEESE FESTIVAL

STELLENBOSCH, WESTERN CAPE Visitors will discover the biggest variety of local and international cheeses, and explore exciting taste combinations. They can also browse and buy the finest local produce, and enjoy a relaxing day out with family and friends. Entertainment includes live music, food theatres with tastings and presentations, as well as fun activities such as the daily Ladismith Cheese carving competition. Visitcheesefestival.co.za.

26 APRIL TO 4 MAY BLOEM SHOW

BLOEMFONTEIN, FREE STATE Numerous regional and provincial livestock championships are scheduled, as well as other events such as the final of the Toyota SA National Young Auctioneers Competition. Visitors can also participate in numerous agricultural activities such as cow milking and wool spinning. Visitbloemshow.co.za.

4 TO 5 MAY RIEBEEK VALLEY OLIVE FESTIVAL

WESTERN CAPE Olive lovers are invited to taste an array of

award-winning olives, olive oils and oliverelated products. There will also be lifestyle stalls, crafts, food, kids’ entertainment and live bands. The festival is held at seven different venues, and tractors will take festivalgoers to some of the venues, while a shuttle service is also available. Visitriebeekvalleyolivefestival.co.za.

JUNE TO AUGUST BON-AF LANDGOED

PARYS, FREE STATE Children have the opportunity to make their own butter and soap, as well as to roast their own coffee.

Visitberry-farm.co.za.

25 TO 26 AUGUST HANTAM VLEISFEES

CALVINIA, NORTHERN CAPE This annual event is a celebration of all

things meat, from braai chops to sheep heads. The festival includes demonstrations of traditional cooking methods. Emailvleisfees@klk.co.za.

21 SEPTEMBER TO 6 DECEMBER THE STRAWBERRY FARM

MAGALIESBURG, NORTH WEST Visitors can bring a picnic blanket and pillows for a relaxing day of strawberry picking and picnicking. During peak season, the farm is open on weekends and public holidays. Visitthestrawberryfarm.co.za.

28 SEPTEMBER BRAUHAUS AM DAMM TRACTOR DAY

RUSTENBURG, NORTH WEST This tractor day is a tractor junkie’s dream! Vintage tractors compete in timed competitions in which they have to fulfil everyday farm tasks such as lifting heavy grain bags or manoeuvring around tight corners. Visitbrauhaus.co.za.

MID- OCTOBER TO END MAY CHART FARM WYNBERG, WESTERN CAPE

Chart Farm has a wide variety of roses, and visitors are able to pick their own roses, as well as enjoy the beautiful views of the farm and a coffee break at The View Coffee Shop. The farm also offers lemon, apple and grape picking during peak seasons. Visitchartfarm.co.za.

MID- OCTOBER TO END NOVEMBER CAMDEBOO PEACH FARM

FOURWAYS, GAUTENG The farm is a working peach farm and has four greenhouse tunnels of organic vegetables. Visitors can pick their own peaches and visit the Peach Café, which sells homemade meals using only in-season produce. During the peach off-season, visitors can pick the fresh, organic vegetables. Visitcamdeboofarm.co.za.

21 TO 23 NOVEMBER FICKSBURG CHERRY FESTIVAL

FICKSBURG, EASTERN FREE STATE While the main festival grounds are in Ficksburg, there are activities in numerous surrounding towns, such as Fouriesburg, Clocolan and Clarens. Sample liqueurs, visit a cherry farm to pick your own cherries, or stock up on proudly homegrown South African cherries available at the festival, farm stalls or from the side of the road. Visitcherryfestival.co.za.

23 NOVEMBER TO 31 DECEMBER KLONDYKE CHERRY FARM

CERES, WESTERN CAPE Activities include picking cherries, exploring the picturesque orchards, and having a picnic or braaiing. The farm is open every day throughout the season. Visitcherryfarm.co.za/cherries.

END NOVEMBER TO END MARCH BON-AF LANDGOED

PARYS, FREE STATE Activities include a guided tour through the farm orchard, as well as berry picking. There are over

80 varieties of gooseberries, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackcurrants, elderberries and black nightshade to choose from. Visitberry-farm.co.za.

7 TO 8 DECEMBER WILDEBRAAM BERRY FESTIVAL

SWELLENDAM, WESTERN CAPE The Wildebraam Berry Festival is a family

weekend celebrating country life with lots of fun, berry picking, children’s entertainment, good music, arts and crafts and delicious food! Visitwildebraam.co.za.

YEAR ROUND ASSAGAY COFFEE FARM

HARRISON VALLEY, KWAZULU- NATAL Visitors are taken on a guided tour of the Assagay coffee plantation, and experience the entire coffee-making experience, from the trees growing on the land to witnessing various processes such as milling and roasting. ( Visits are strictly by appointment only.) Visitassagaycoffeefarm.co.za.

YEAR ROUND HEART OF ABALONE

HERMANUS, WESTERN CAPE Visitors are guided through a working abalone farm to see the abalone up close in their natural and farmed environments. They are then treated to abalone tasting in various forms. Visitheartofabalone.co.za.