November 2012
Capetonian day-trippers, adventurers and holiday-makers could be making a beeline for Sir Lowry’s Pass this summer holidays in search of what lies beyond in the Cape Country Meander.
The touring route, which comprises of eight towns in the Theewaterskloof region has beautiful natural scenery, hikes, watersports, mountain-biking, history and culture at the best of times but the holidays are also offering some extra reasons to visit the area.
Music and festivals at beautiful locations kick off the first weekend of December with Synergy Live (on the banks of the Theewaterskloof dam near Villiersdorp, 30 Nov – 2 Dec) boasting international dance band The Prodigy and a line-up of excellent bands, comedy, camping, food and fun. In Elgin, the family-friendly Hope 2012 Concert marks World Aids Day on 1 Dec with headline acts The Parlotones and Watershed. The show will be staged at the Elgin Country Club and funds raised will go to The Thembalitsha Foundation. Whilst in Riviersonderend, a carnival with plenty of fresh food and a beer garden is a great start to the festive season.
December also kicks off with fun sporting events like dingy and multi-hull races at the Southern Charter Grand Slam Series (1 & 2 Dec) and The Spur Jolly Jester Sprint Race (2 Dec) with amusing races for all ages. The monthly Elegantly Elgin Wine Route also opens its doors to visitors with a celebration of Chardonnay (1 & 2 Dec).
Into December, visitors to the region can expect markets and more with the ever-popular Things I Love Market at Gabrielskloof near Botrivier (14 & 15 Dec) and the return of the Moonlit Markets (21 Dec & 4 Jan) in Villiersdorp promising food and festivity under the stars. The Caledon Oesfees (14 & 15 Dec) is another family friendly event, this one featuring Kurt Darren and Monique. Not to mention the regular Saturday morning markets in Greyton.
Mountain bikers and their families will also descend on Dirtopia (14-17 Dec) near Greyton, for a weekend of endurance races, fun rides and food in the great outdoors. Whilst in Elgin, there is a great programme of shows for this year’s Paul Cluver Amphitheatre Concerts, including Prime Circle and Elvis Blue.
The Cape Country Meander is famous for its quaint country restaurants and farmstalls so there will be no shortage of padkos, and plenty of chances for visitors to stop and stretch their legs. Whilst in the various towns, guests can also stop and take in the atmosphere, browse homemade goods, crafted pieces or collectables and visit some of the sites of interest.
For more on the Cape Country Meander and its forthcoming events, please visit www.thecapecountrymeander.co.za , facebook on The Cape Country Meander and twitter @capemeander.
The Cape Country Meander Events
December 2012 – January 2013
Holidaytime on The Cape Country Meander means that there are even more reasons to visit. Here are some great events to look forward to:
From Smoke Signals to Cellphones
An exhibit of the story of telecommunication history.
Date: December 2012
Venue: Genadendal Information Bureau,Church Square
Telephone: 028 251 8291
Email: genadendalmuseum@xsinet.co.za
Synergy Live 2012
Synergy is an annual outdoor weekend music festival, which takes place at the Theewaters Sport Club in Villiersdorp this year.
Date: 30 November –2 December 2012
Venue: Theewater Sports Club
Website: http://synergylive.co.za
HOPE 2012
HOPE 2012 is a one-day music festival in aid of the Thembalitsha Foundation, which takes place on World AIDS Day. The festival is being headlined by the Parlotones and Watershed, amongst other acts.
Date:1 December 2012
Venue:ElginGrabouw Country Club,Elgin
Telephone: 071 494 7616
Email: emily@thembalitsha.org.za
Website: Book at www.computicket.co.za
Christmas Slowmarket
Get to the Christmas Slowmarket at Kelkiewyn and stock up on Christmas pressies and stocking goodies, fresh veggies and fruit, baked and homemade goods, craft products and wine.
Date:1 December 2012
Telephone: 028 840 1120
Email: kelkiewyn@vilko.co.za
ElegantlyElgin Open Wine Weekend
Elegantly Elgin Open Wine Weekends are the perfect way to experience the cool-climate wines of the valley and discover why this region is fast becoming a most celebrated wine-producing area of theCape. December’s theme is “Chardonnay Celebration”.
Date: 1 – 2 December 2012
Venue: 16 wine estates located on the Elegantly Elgin Map
Telephone: 082 566 6877
Email: info@elginwine.co.za
Website: www.elginwine.co.za
Southern Charter Grand Slam Series
About 150-200 Dinghy and Multihull entries are expected with more than 200 participating sailors, family and guests… making this a fun-filled day not to miss.
Date: 1 – 2 December 2012
Venue: Theewater Sports Club
Website: www.sasgrandslam.co.za
Jolly Jester Sprint Race
The Spur “Jolly Jester” Sprint Race is a race between teams in fancy dress. The event also encompasses the Spur Warrior Mini Sprint Race for kids under sixteen.
Date:2 December 2012
Venue: OakValley,Elgin
Telephone: 021 789 0188
Email: race@quantumadventures.co.za
Website: www.quantumadventures.co.za
USSA (Universities Sport South Africa)
USSA is a week-long regatta competition hosted by theUniversityofCape Town, involving five major Universities. Support the teams by coming to watch the event.
Date: 3 – 7 December 2012
Venue: Theewater Sports Club
Greyton Annual Red Cross Ball
The Greyton Annual Red Cross Ball offers scrumptious dinner and wines, dancing, an auction and entertainment, and all proceeds of the Ball go to the Red Cross Hospital.
Date:8 December 2012
Venue: DRC Hall, Greyton
Telephone: 082 558 7752
Email: nicolavernon@kingsley.co.za
Website: http://www.greytontourism.com/redcrossball.php. Tickets can be purchased at the Greyton Tourism Information Office.
Prime Circle & Dan Patlansky at Paul Cluver Forest Amphitheatre
Paul Cluver’s outdoor open-air arena is surrounded by a towering Eucalyptus forest, which plays the perfect host to a list of performances that are specifically chosen to match the natural acoustics of the venue.
Pre-book picnics from Fresh Restaurant 071 563 6020.
Date:8 December 2012
Telephone: 021 844 0605
Email: info@cluver.com
Website: Book at www.computicket.com
Waterski Summer Camp for Kids at Mofam
Waterski Summer Camps are held for twelve kids at a time. Packages include accommodation in shared tents, three meals per day and snacks in between, three ski sets per day, as well as caregivers staying with the kids.
Date: 9 – 14 December 2012 AND 16 – 20 December 2012 AND 6 – 9 January 2013
Telephone: 021 846 8345
Email: info@mofam.co.za
Website: www.mofam.co.za
Our Favourite Things Market at Gabrielskloof
A celebration of beautiful and delicious things – everything handmade, homemade: crafts, artisanal products, local produce and delicatessen goods. On both nights the tone will be set by the hip-swinging-toe-tapping gypsy jazz band, “Manouche”.
Date: 14 – 15 December 2012
Telephone: 028 284 9865; 082 852 6547
Email: info@gabrielskloof.co.za
Website: www.gabrielskloof.co.za
Caledon Oesfees
The Caledon Oesfees is a two-day harvest festival for the whole family, including live entertainment with acts by Kurt Darren and Monique, amongst others, as well as food, activities for kids and an array of stalls.
Date: 14 – 15 December 2012
Venue: The Caledon Casino, Hotel & Spa,Caledon
Telephone: 028 214 5100
Info : www.thecaledoncasino.co.za/entertainment
Website: Book at www.computicket.co.za
Dirtopia Mountain Bike Festival
Dirtopia is an outdoor festival that celebrates the mountain biking way of life… offering a jam packed itinerary of activities for young and old over the entire weekend, including the launch of the All Mountain Enduro race.
Date: 14 – 17 December 2012
Telephone: 021 884 4752
Email: theteam@dirtopia.co.za
Website: www.dirtopia.co.za
Villiersdorp Moonlight Market
Come and enjoy the Moonlight Market with us once a month at the Aphrodisiac Shack situated on the banks of the Theewaterskloof dam.
Locals have the opportunity of showcasing their wares and produce and the turnout is always phenomenal. The evening is very casual and a good time is had by all.
The market is outdoors so will only be held weather permitting.
Date: 21 December 2012 AND 4 January 2013
Telephone: 028 840 0313; 082 829 4650
Email: info@ashack.co.za
Website www.ashack.co.za
Die Heuwels Fantasties & Gian Groen at Paul Cluver Forest Amphitheatre
Paul Cluver’s outdoor open-air arena is surrounded by a towering Eucalyptus forest, which plays the perfect host to a list of performances that are specifically chosen to match the natural acoustics of the venue.
Pre-book picnics from Fresh Restaurant 071 563 6020.
Date:5 January 2013
Telephone: 021 844 0605
Email: info@cluver.com
Website: Book at www.computicket.com
Elegantly Elgin Open Wine Weekend
Elegantly Elgin Open Wine Weekends are the perfect way to experience the cool-climate wines of the valley and discover why this region is fast becoming a most celebrated wine-producing area of theCape. January’s theme is “New Year celebration of Elegantly Elgin Whites”.
Date: 5 – 6 January 2013
Venue: 16 wine estates located on the Elegantly Elgin Map
Telephone: 082 566 6877
Email: info@elginwine.co.za
Website: www.elginwine.co.za
Elvis Blue at Paul Cluver Forest Amphitheatre
Paul Cluver’s outdoor open-air arena is surrounded by a towering Eucalyptus forest, which plays the perfect host to a list of performances that are specifically chosen to match the natural acoustics of the venue.
Pre-book picnics from Fresh Restaurant 071 563 6020.
Date:19 January 2013
Telephone: 021 844 0605
Email: info@cluver.com
Website: Book at www.computicket.com
