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Catch the Snow in Kirkwood

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It is going to snow in Kirkwood during the Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees this June – guaranteed.

“As the festival of firsts, we decided that this year we would be the first festival in the Eastern Cape to have snow for the whole family,” says festival director Jennifer Honsbein.

“A festival of firsts” is the theme for the 2013 Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees, which annually attracts more than 45 000 visitors to picturesque Sundays River Valley in the Eastern Cape.

There will be 10 tons of snow (similar to the snow which falls on the Alps) in an Alpine village settings for all ages to go wild.

There will be snow ball fights, the building of snowmen, and the making of snow angels says owner of Snow Productions Mark Wilson.

For the more adventurous there will be a five metre high and 30 metre long toboggan track covered with 20cm of “real snow” where festival goers can experience the thrill a toboggan ride or snowboarding.

Being the first to bring snow to the Sundays River Valley is part of the pioneering tradition built up by the Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees over the past 11 festivals, says festival director Jenni Honsbein.

“As a bank that places a premium on respect, integrity and service excellence, Absa’s decision to partner as a naming rights sponsor of the Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees since 2007 was influenced by the manner in which the festival board and committee adopts strict governance around its operations, execution and finances.” says Tshiwela Mhlantla, Regional Executive Absa Eastern Cape.

“This professional approach, underpinned by its key objectives of promoting wild life conservation and education, focus on eco-tourism, creating employment and ensuring sustainability, has seen the festival grow tremendously over the past eleven years benefitting the community of the Sunday’s River Valley. These factors epitomise Absa’s stance and support of stewardship, leaving this community and the area better off after each annual event,” says Mhlantla.

Other Wildsfees firsts include being the first – and only – game auction in South Africa where disease-free buffalo from the Addo Elephant National park are for sale; the first major festival to be wheelchair friendly; one of the first South African festivals to go green; and the first to host a mohair expo.

It is also the first and only festival to include a mix of over 300 specialist stalls, agricultural and wildlife expos, supervised kiddies play area, “wild rides” and live entertainment.

New firsts for 2013 include an “extreme fishing” tournament, and a “Skaapkop Lang Tafel” where diners will savour “smileys” (sheep heads) while being entertained by 7de Laan stars according to Honsbein.

“Hot off the floorboards” from the Absa KKNK will be Rocco de Villiers with his new show “Stunning,” and a special “Kook in jou Taal” show with 7de Laan stars Ivan Botha (Pieter) and Donnalee Roberts (Anneli).

Also making a first appearance in the Sundays River Valley is award-winning, anthropologist, singer, songwriter, academic, activist and French knight Johnny Clegg, who will close the festival after three days of performances from many of the country’s favourite artists.

He will be on stage on afternoon of Sunday, June 30.

Friday the 28th’s line-up on the Windhoek Stage Willem Botha, Jay and Lianie May, Broers, DJ Ossewa, Ray Dylan and Band, and Heuwels Fantasties.

On Saturday the 29th, Tjiff and Tjaff will be the first on the biggest stage in the Eastern Cape to entertain the youngsters.

They will be followed by Spoegwolf, Andriette, Adam, Emo Adams, Juanita du Plessis, Dr. Victor and Kurt Darren.

Joining Johnny Clegg in the Sunday entertainment line-up will be Lance James and Barbara Ray, Gerrie Pretorius, and the Campbells.

The Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees 2013 – where young and old go wild –  starts off on Friday, June 28 and will end on Sunday, June 30.

Click here for accommodation in Addo and Kirkwood.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.