Festive season swings into Bitou
Plettenberg Bay's festive season officially kicks off on Saturday 16 December with the annual Plett Street Festival which sees the town centre become a hive of festivities.
This is also when Bitou Mayor Dave Swart will switch on the festive lights along Main Street. As in the past, there will be an array of entertainment for residents and visitors to enjoy.
Bitou Municipality also invited informal traders to participate in the annual street festival. Those who wish to be part of the event, should contact Masizole Gubeni on 044 5013463 or on mgubeni@bitou.gov.za before close of business tomorrow, 14 December.
The municipality also informed locals and visitors that a portion of Main Street would be closed during the festivities from 14:00 to 21:00. The area affected runs from the Main Street pedestrian crossing at the Health Shop and Foschini to the corner of Main and Kloof streets.
The event kicks off a jam-packed festive season programme ranging from sporting events to parties and everything in between.
The first on the agenda is the annual Robberg Fine Foods Classic Beach Regatta that sees Hobie Beach transformed into a colourful spectacle as some of the country's top sailors make their way to Plett to show off their skills.
It has become the premier beach catamaran event in the country and sailors come from across the country to take part.
They spend three days racing in the bay with hobies, darts, nacras and other beach cats. Spectators get to watch as the boats race "round the cans" - a set of buoys in the bay - or do a long-haul race from the mouth of the Keurbooms Lagoon all the way across to Robberg 5.
The beach regatta will take place at Hobie Beach from 16 to 18 December.
On 17 December, it is time for the Barrington's 5th Annual Wine Festival. Festinos will be able to explore 28 of South Africa's top wine estates through tasters, a wine masterclass and meeting the winemakers. There will also be live music and a DJ.
The following day is the start of the annual Nature's Valley holiday programme that includes fun for young and old with events such as exploring the rocky shores, beach soccer, different nature walks, a
Christmas market and more. For more information, contact the NVT on info@ naturesvalleytrust.co.za or 044 531 6820.
For some last-minute Christmas shopping, the Wednesday Market at Old Nick will have some Christmas fare with unique and local gifts to choose from, as well as some food and drinks and an array of festive decorations for sale. The market will run from 09:00 to 16:00 on 20 December.
One of the highlights of the festive season calendar is the Carols by Candlelight on Central Beach on 22 December from 19:00 to 21:00. It is an event for the whole family to relax, sing and spend some time with loved ones on the beach.
Thereafter a full programme leading up to the new year is expected.