ABSA KIRKWOOD WILDSFEES IS WILD@HEART IN 2015

The Eastern Cape, which is home to the legendary Big Five game species, is also home to the country’s first festival to treat visitors to the Big Five in entertainment for the single price of an entry ticket.

Among the big attractions at the 2015 Wild@heart Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees are the biggest stage in the Eastern Cape featuring top national artists, over 350 specialist stalls, motor, agricultural and outdoor expos, food and wine stalls with a difference and the country’s first festival within a festival for the children of festival-goers.

“We are recognised as one of the most child-friendly festivals in the country, and this year we have declared that ‘kids are king in Kirkwood’ while they are with us,” says festival director Jenni Honsbein.

Housed in the Squillos Kids Square will be a Magic Faerie Trail – another Wildsfees first, a Kids Castle, kid-friendly rides and puppet shows and workshops.

Entry for the first two hours is free.

“This means that the rest of the family can enjoy the many attractions at their leisure while the kids are treated like royalty,” says Honsbein.

Included in the attractions and entertainment on the festival grounds is the Eastern Cape’s only annual mohair expo, the Walk on the Wildside experience, the province’s biggest new vehicle show and more.

“The Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees is proving to be a catalyst for social, economic, business and tourism growth within the Sunday’s River Valley and surrounding areas,” says Clive Wilkinson, Provincial Head, Absa Business Banking.

“The passion, excellence, integrity and values associated with this festival, its strict governance around its operations and finances, are in keeping with our own. Many local projects receive financial support from the proceeds of the festival, placing them in a stronger position to ensure that people are developed and afforded opportunities they might otherwise not have had,” adds Wilkinson.

For the first time the festival will be hosting a series of talks on burning and contentious issues such as fracking and its consequences, sustainable fishing techniques, anti-poaching and the effects on adults and children due to a lack of sleep.

Theatre productions include Een klavier, een hart with Rocco de Villiers and Die hart is maar net ‘n pomp (the story of South Africa’s pioneering heart transplant) with Johan Engelbrecht. 

A special treat for ladies will be a high tea with Emsie Schoeman, the doyenne of etiquette in SA supported by the two well-known kokkedore, Tiaan and Mynhardt.

Artists appearing on the giant Windhoek stage include Wicus van der Merwe, Radio Kalahari Orkes, Lianie May, Mi Casa, Snotkop, Kurt Darren, Desmond Wells, Ray Dylan, Nicholis Louw, Izak Davel, Die Campbells, Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels and many more.

Also new to the festival is the Tiki island-style beach bar, which promises to be the “chill place of the year,” predicts Honsbein.

Heating up the action and getting hearts fluttering will be two of TV’s hottest young stars, who will be sporting “six-packs” for photo shoots with fans.

Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees visitors will be able to meet Isidingo’s hunky Maurice Paige on Saturday and Izak Davel on Sunday. Both will be showing their island style from 10:00 in the morning.

There will be top entertainment provided by local artists from the Eastern Cape as well.

The Eastern Cape’s premier game auction, which takes place on Friday, 26 June, is another festival highlight.

Once again it will be the only game auction in the country where buyers can bid for buffalo from the Addo Elephant National Park.

South African National Parks will be featuring Addo, as well as the Camdeboo, Karoo, Mountain Zebra and Garden Route National Parks in a stall in the Walk on The Wildside experience.

Other attractions include the skaapkop lang tafel, mohair expo, boerboel show, wine, gourmet food and beer tents, cooking demonstrations, as well as agricultural, new car and outdoor expos.

The Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees 2015 takes place from Friday, 26 June until Sunday, 28 June.

Gates open at 09:00 and festinos can party late into the night.

Tickets are available from the Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees office on 042 230 0064 or you can go to www.wildsfees.co.za for more information.