The 2018 Spar Kirkwood Wildsfees will offer festival-goers a wide range of entertainment with more than 30 of the country's top artists supported by local artists at this year's Festival.
The 16th annual festival programme was officially launched in Port Elizabeth on Friday.
Organisers said that there will be over 350 specialist stalls and one of the province’s top game auctions.
“Father Christmas and his elves will also be making a special trip to the festival.”
“No other festival has the special flavor of the SPAR Kirkwood Wildsfees,” said Alan Stapleton, Purchasing Manager: Non-Foods. Sponsorships and Events SPAR Eastern Cape.
“It calls out loud, and proud to families and friends to gather and commune and share the entrepreneurial passion and commitment of the wide spectrum of artists and stall holders,” he says.
“More than 30 of the country’s top stars and local artists will be going wild in the Karoo on the Adventure Province Stage over the weekend of the SPAR Kirkwood Wildsfees,” adds festival director Jenni Honsbein.
“Good news for festival-goers is that we have been able to keep the entry fees the same as last year.
“On any of the three days of the festival you will hear five or more of the country’s favourite artists on the biggest and best outdoor stage in the Eastern Cape for the price fans normally pay for a single ticket.
“In fact, on Saturday there will be a galaxy of 11 stars on stage from 13:30 till late.
“A number of the artists will also be at the Wildsfees or in the Eastern Cape for the first time – or have not been in the province for a number of years,” she says.
They include legends Laurika Rauch, Adam Tas and Koos Kombuis on Sunday, July 1; Fatman and Caroline Grace on Friday, June 29; and Blackie Swart, Jan Bloukaas, Michael Lindt and Tussen Sterre on Saturday, June 30.
Local group Die Baaienaars will be on the Adventure Province stage on Sunday.
Father Christmas and his elves will be moving their workshop to the festival as part of the “festival-within-a-festival” for the young and young at heart.
“Special experiences for those ‘Born to Be Wild’ include a Santa’s Secret Winter Workshop for kids, themed Wild West pony rides, pedal go-karts, paintball, and a chance to meet and greet all your favourite cartoon characters,” says Honsbein.
The festival will once again host one of the province’s premier game auctions on the Friday.
According to Addo Elephant National Park conservation manager John Adendorff there will be 45 disease-free buffalo, which have already been captured, as well as 75 certified Cape Mountain Zebra from the Mountain Zebra National Park.
There will be a variety of other prize game on auction, according to spokesperson Johan Swart.
Capitec’s involvement in the Wildsfees means festival goers will for the first time be able to pay for their entrance tickets with their credit and debit cards.
Stallholders will also be able to make use of Capitec point of sale machines, according to Capitec regional marketing manager Vanessa Rossouw.
(Statement: Supplied)
