Bring the family to celebrate strawberries in Stellenbosch
The Jamestown Strawberry Festival kicks off on an energetic note with a Zumba session on 2 November 2019 at 10:00 before everyone will get together to cheer on the Springboks in the world cup final match on the big screen next to Kayla’s Cocktails on the festival grounds.
Five years ago, the Jamestown Strawberry Festival was started as a way to bring guests and attention to this quaint little farming village near Stellenbosch. This year, the festival continues to celebrate the community’s strawberry heritage and harvest on Friday 1 November and Saturday 2 November for its growing fans. This is more than just another festival, it is an event of great pride for the local community. “The festival is a proud revival of the ones we knew as kids” says Chrisben February, who grew up in Jamestown and is currently the vice-chairperson of the Festival Organising Committee. “We present the festival in a very modern format, but we still celebrate our proud heritage of strawberry farming that marks the origin of our community and we’re happy to share it with visitors from far and wide who attend the festival”
“The Jamestown Strawberry Festival is a place where the community come together to share their local talent and homemade products and where friends and family share quality time together,” says Cheryl Farao, Chairperson of the Festival Organising Committee who also grew up in Jamestown.
Local is “lekker”
Delicious fresh, sweet strawberries from local small farmers, packed and ready-to-eat, and other strawberry delights such as strawberry tart, strawberry-filled pancakes, strawberries and ice cream and strawberry jam will be on sale.
Our visitors enjoy tasty food and therefore a variety of food stalls are available which include tikka chicken, chicken wings, sosatis, steak masala shwarma, curry and rice, tacos and craft burgers, boerewors rolls, pies and samoosas, spring rolls, pizzas and many more are available at the festival. Halaal food will also be available.
At the well-known L. C. February River Garden, you feel like part of the family where you can indulge in the delicious tripe and trotters curry, waterblommetjie- and bean stew prepared by the February family since early Saturday morning.
Liquid refreshments such as cocktails, soft drinks and water will be available on the festival grounds with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting from the popular coffee throughout the day.
Entertainment galore
The entertainment program offers a good balance between well-known local artists such as Toby de Ruiter, Ferno Africa and The Band Next Door and new talent such as the winner of the local E’bosch talent competition, Usisipho Ngxubaza and another contestant Wintino Daniels who will keep the audience on their feet with their music choices and performances during the Saturday program.
On Friday night, Kevin Isaacs, also a well-known local artist and Bryan and Friends will create a festive atmosphere at the evening market.
Those who prefer a quieter atmosphere can view the unique heritage exhibit and artwork by emerging new-generation artists from our local schools in the Rhenish Church on the festival grounds. Winners of the art competition, organised by renowned Stellenbosch artist Marie Stander, will be announced during the Friday evening program. Marie also offers an exclusive art class for children staying in Jamestown on Saturday, November 2 in the Rhenish church.
Fun for kids
Children are precious and therefore there is a special space for them to play, colour in or hop around on the jumping castles provided by a local supporter of the festival, Ashraf Rosenberg. Children can choose from a variety of treats, ice cream, slush puppies, popcorn, candy floss, toys, face painting and temporary tattoos at the stalls that will offer these products for sale.
Festival times and entry fees
Hot food and selective products will be available on Friday, November 1 from 6pm – 10pm. Entry on Friday night is free. On Saturday, November 2, the festival is in full swing from 9am to 6pm. Tickets are available at the gates at R30 for adults and R15 for children and pensioners. Children under 12 will have free access to the festival. Chairs, tables and a Nedbank ATM are available on the festival grounds. Parking is available in the main road and streets around the festival grounds.
For more information, contact Cheryl Farao on 071 445 8185, Chrisben February on 083 406 1102, or Porchia Adams on 082 441 2510. See their Facebook page for new festival information.