South Africa Blog

Ficksburg is known throughout the country as the Cherry Town, and the two have become synonymous with each other. The Ficksburg Cherry Festival takes place during the third week in November. This is the oldest crop festival in South Africa having celebrated its 41st anniversary in 2008.

Every year, festival activities include cherry tours, a golf classic, a half marathon, cherry product competitions, veteran vehicle displays, equestrian events and beer fests. New exhibitions on the list include a food and wine fiesta. A ‘ready, steady, bake’ competition is always a firm favourite to watch as is the making of cherry mampoer (a South African moonshine).

Well-known South African artists provide live entertainment and the festival itself is usually hosted by a national celebrity. Highlights of recent festivals include an appearance by the Soweto String Quartet and the Lipizzaner horses from Johannesburg.

For a first hand review of the Cherry Festival see: It’s the Ficksburg Festival, my cherry!

When: Thursday, 19 November 2009 to Saturday, 21 November 2009
Where: Ficksburg
Categories: Annual Festivals / Food & Wine
Accommodation: Ficksburg Accommodation

Various international, national and local performing artists are lined up for the annual Mangaung African Cultural Festival (MACUFE) in Bloemfontein, the organisers said on Thursday. Organising company Bashomi-Ba-Africa spokesman Lungile Jan said each and every day during this year’s festival, to start on September 28, would be a “big day” for entertainment seekers.

“For visitors of Macufe we will make the ideal possible that they will be entertained by the best of the best,” Jan told journalists in Bloemfontein. Held for the 10th year now, Macufe features jazz, gospel, kwaito, hip-hop, R&B, rock and classical music events in and around Bloemfontein. Other events are drama, musical theatre, poetry, fine art and traditional arts and crafts.

This year the festivities kick off with an R&B – Hip Hop concert which includes artists like Soul-II-Soul, Tuks and Morafe. Other concerts include classical performers such as Wendy Oldfield and the Afro Tenors in the Sand du Plessis Theatre and a gospel music show featuring Joyous Celebration and Benjamin Dube.

An Afro Jazz concert will include performances by Themba Mkhize All Star Band, Gloria Bosman and Paul Hammer. A reggae festival, rock and pop concert and the main Jazz Festival featuring Angie Stone, Andy Narrell and Larry Carlton are also on the cards.

Macufe would end with a four team soccer tournament – the Macufe Cup – at Vodacom Park between Free State Stars, Bloemfontein Celtic, Chiefs and Pirates on October 7.

 Macufe Festival Programme (Download the .pdf festival programme).

Related Sites:
Macufe Festival Website
Find accommodation for this event:
Free State Accommodation
Bloemfontein Accommodation

FreeState-Venues.co.za is an online travel guide for the Free State in South Africa. Redesigned with a fresher look, the site now also features destination information as well as Free State Accommodation. You are now able to search for your preferred Free state accommodation by town name, by establishment name, via A-Z directory or by clickable map.

Find the ideal accommodation in the Free State: from Guest Houses, Hotels, Bed & Breakfasts and Self Catering estabishments throughout the Free State and deal directly with the Establishment Owners to get the best rates possible. All contact details are displayed so you can Deal Direct and SAVE!

Site Links:
Free State Accommodation Map
Bloemfontein Accommodation
Free State Map

The annual Vintage Tractor Fair in Clocolan is being held this year from the 2nd to the 4th March, 2006. Every year since 1989 a Vintage Tractor and Engine Fair has been held in the village of Clocolan, in the scenic Eastern Free State Highlands. Tractors are sent from as far afield as Natal and the Fair has grown from just 29 tractors in 1989 to 153 in recent years. Thursday opens the events with judging of all classes and best of show.

A parade through the streets of the village on the Friday creates a carnival like atmosphere, whilst such wondrous events as the firing up of the 1902 threshing machine in readiness for a working demonstration makes for an unforgettable experience.

Don’t miss the hand plowing with a team of magnificent Nguni bulls. These spectacular beasts are well worth the visit all on their own!!! There are stalls, horse riding, gymkhana, bars and pubs, and on Saturday nights party time in the Showground Hall with live music and much carousing.

For additional information about the individual events taking place at the Vintage Tractor Fair, accommodation bookings and contact details please visit: Vintage Tractor Fair.

Related Pages:
Amohela Ho Spitskop Country Retreat
Clocolan Accommodation
Free State Accommodation
Visit the Free State, South Africa