The Western Cape is known for colourful houses, beaches, and the myriad of flowers which unfurl in spring, not quite competing with the beautiful blooms that the Namaqualand produces, but certainly providing a floral fantasy for all to enjoy. If you’re planning to spend time outdoors by hiking, biking, or exploring the national parks during SANPark Week, then relax your body and pamper your senses in the coming months, by heading to the following festivals.
- Darling Wildflower Show
When: 20 – 22 September 2013
The much-loved Darling Wildflower Show is always celebrated in September, when the Namaqualand daisies and wildflowers bring colour to the landscape after winter rains have dissipated. Now in its 96th year, this fragrant floral celebration is a community event that signals the coming of spring! It will be held at the Darling Sports Club, and tickets are priced at R30, which includes a tractor ride out to a private vlei, usually inaccessible to the public.
The Sports Club will be decorated with a variety of beautiful, fragile blooms, and landscaped to boot, so expect to be pleasantly surprised by the colours and scents that will envelope the hall. You’ll also have plenty of craft stalls to browse, along with refreshment stands serving a variety of cuisines. Find out more by contacting the main office at [email protected].
- Elgin Open Gardens, Grabouw
When: 2 – 3 and 9 – 10 November 2013
One of my favourite annual events, beloved since childhood, is the Elgin Rose and Flower Festival which once included flower-viewing alongside a craft market extravaganza. Though the market is no longer around and the event name has changed to the Elgin Open Gardens, there are still numerous farms and estates to visit; 21 to be precise. Head over to the official website to see which estates and gardens will be participating, and remember, entry to view the flowers is free!
Wander through fairytale flower gardens and manicured lawns, taking in the beauty of nature tamed by man, and don’t forget most participating venues have on-site cafés that serve tea and scones! Many of the gardens you visit will also have attached nurseries where you can buy all kinds of beautiful budding rose bushes, and there are 17 wine farms in the area that will also open their doors and provide tastings. To find out more, contact Jessie at [email protected].
- Lavender Festival, Redelinghuys
When: 15 – 17 November 2013
You’ll be forgiven if you’re not entirely certain where Redelinghuys, the charming host town where the Lavender Festival takes place, is situated. If you haven’t already Googled it, I’ll clear up your confusion by saying it’s just outside of Eland’s Bay, near the top of the Verlorenvlei.
The Lavender Festival will be held at a small holding called Rejoyce which has some gorgeous lavender fields, that fill the air with sweet scents and provides welcome pops of colour in the landscape. Though the festival itself has very little to do with the actual lavender grown here and more to do with bands, choreographed dances, acting talent, and community fun, visitors will be able to pose in the lavender fields, and after their weekend of soaking up the community spirit, possibly leave with a few lavender sprigs to plant at home. Some of the bands on the festival line up include TouchWood, Grassy Spark, and Reini Adelbert. For tickets and more information, contact Ben at [email protected].
Which of these flower festivals will you attend?
Main image courtesy of evergleamy (Flickr)
