Free State Events · Major Annual Events and Festivals in the Free State  The Free State plays host to a phletora of events and festivals catering for the tastes of all, young and old. These events range from music to art, food to sports, lifestyle to farming and are attended by all, from the common man to the celebrity personality.
MARCH VINTAGE TRACTOR FAIR Town: Clocolan  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. The National Ploughing Championships are held each year at Clocolan during this Fair, and are a must see, with these wonderful machines of a by-gone era puffing and panting to the finish line amidst much laughter, excitement and cheering. 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 night… party time in the Showground Hall with live music and much carousing. Have you seen a bunch of veteran tractors playing musical chairs, attended a genuine Free State “op-skop”, the sites and sounds of a real Free State “dorpie”? Then don’t miss the Vintage Tractor Fair in Clocolan ... tlo bona (come see). SURRENDER HILL MARATHON Town: Clarens  The race starts in Clarens and ends in the town of Clarens. You are rewarded with a magnificent view of the mountains that make this area so special. Surrender Hill is a historical site where more than 4000 Boers, under General Marthinus Prinsloo, surrendered to the British during the Anglo-Boer War. You will encounter a few nasty hills along the way. Although this is a tough and undulating route, you will find that the wonderful views and scenery, coupled with the champagne air, fully compensate for your tired legs and lack of breath. The race is recognised as a Comrades qualifier. The contact is Mr Ebarnie Cilliers on 082 822 8992 or
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APRIL PHILLIPPOLIS WITBLITS FESTIVAL Town: Philippolis  The Philippolis Witblits Festival, held in early April every year, will give you a taste of a proud local tradition - witblits (Afrikaans for "white lightning") is South African moonshine. Held in the oldest town in the Free State, the festival has boeresports for the kids, food, drink and more witblits! BLOEMFONTEIN SHOW Town: Bloemfontein  Bloemfontein and the Bloem show annually hosts the largest agricultural and entertainment show in South Africa and is one of the three largest shows in South Africa. Bloem Show is a combination show and we believe this to be the success of our survival. On one side we have the commerce and industry section with approximately 450 exhibitions, 25 foodstalls, exciting amusement park and probably one of the best entertainment programmes of all shows. The second part of the show is the agricultural, cultural and service side. At present, Bloem Show presents the largest open air Saddle Horse Championship in the world with ±1000 saddle horses taking part in the national championship, as well as national championships for Arab Horses and Welsh Ponies, provincial Tentpegging championships and championships for Miniature Horses. Exhibitors are a diversion of all races and cultures and do not only include SA citizens, but also exhibitors from Namibia, Swaziland, Egypt, Pakistan, Australia and Kashmir. The Art and Home Industry section includes entries of handmade products such as porcelain dolls, embroidery, art, flowers etc. and all participants. With a multitude of events taking place, approximately 160 000 visitors were drawn to the show from all over South Africa as well as various parts of the world. Our intention is, that through involving the entire community, we are able to invite harmony and enjoyment for family and friends – an opportunity to relax and enjoy yourself!
JUNE SMITHFIELD 'BIBBER' CHILL FESTIVAL Town: Smithfield  BibberChill 2009 is expected to be held on Saturday 6 June and planning for the event is due to get underway at the beginning of next month. The annual Bibber Chill Festival is held in Smithfield, and has lots of entertainment lined up. This includes agricultural displays, motorcycle and bike events, competitions, and fun go-carting. There will also be an art exhibition during the festival. Come and join in the fun and experience what this wonderful small town offers SA DUATHLON CHAMPS Town: Bloemfontein  Duathlon and winter always goes together. The racing may be cold, flat and dry, but it sure will be exiting. Watch as some of the best athletes compete for the Elite Duathlon title. Lots of fun in store for all.
JULY OFM WHEELS EXPO Town: Bloemfontein  This Expo stages vehicles of all makes and years as well as new releases. Stuntman performing with motorcycles and bicycles will provide some of the entertainment. VOLKSBLAD ARTS FESTIVAL Town: Bloemfontein  You aint seen nothin’ yet! This year’s Volksblad Arts Festival packs a bumper issue of shows and events. No less than 25 brand-new productions can be seen – more than ever before. And on top of that there is the usual cream of the crop from other festivals. New at this year’s festival in Bloemfontein are seven plays, two dance shows, four music theatre productions, five classical music concerts, five contemporary music performances, as well as an Afrikaans movie, the Kanna winner Meisie. The flagship of the festival is ’n Lang dagreis na die nag, André P. Brink’s translation of the Eugene O’Neill play. It stars Marius Weyers and the Kanna winners Antoinette Kellerman and Stian Bam. The director is the flamboyant Marthinus Basson. But the festival’s biggest draw-card will probably be singer-songwriter David Kramer in one of his rare stage appearances. He will sing songs from his new CD, Hemel en Aarde, as well as some of his well-known hits.
AUGUST BRIDAL & FASHION EXTRAVAGANZA Town: Bloemfontein  The Absolute Style Fashion Guide will be given free of charge to visitors. This size A4, full colour, glossy publication, is a must for every bride-to-be, should you want to arrange your wedding without any hassles. The Bridal Couple of the Year competition is available for couples who have not been married before, and a full length photo and the entry fee is required. Rules apply. The winners are required to take up their prizes, which will include a designer dress on loan and a photo package. The Matric Look Competition offers a designer dress for the winner, and other prizes. The competition is available to Grade 11 and 12 girls. A full length, and head and shoulder photo, as well as an entry fee is required. Young Designer Competition: Available to all students studying fashion design at a design institute, and must not be in business yet. Rules apply. CLARENS MTB CHALLENGE Town: Clarens  The Clarens MTB Challenge is an annual mountainbike race of either 70km, 50km or 20km, starting from the Square in Clarens. Details Distances: 20km, 50km and 70km. BETHLEHEM AIR SHOW Town: Bethlehem  What are the ingredients for a good airshow? For a start you need aircraft. Then you need good pilots. Of course, you need good commentary. It helps to have good food, good facilities and friendly people. In my opinion, Bethlehem had all of this and more. BLOEMFONTEIN BRIDAL SHOW Town: Bloemfontein  This will be the 13th ongoing year the bridal show will take place. It is the most popular bridal show in the Free State and attracts thousands of guests. The venue, Loch Logan Waterfront will host more than 100 exhibitors, from top designers to local suppliers, creating the ultimate romantic atmosphere. Brides-to-be can buy a full colour workbook at the show, with contact details of photographers, designers, venues and more, to make the planning of their dream wedding so much easier.
SEPTEMBER VREDE PADDADORS Town: Vrede  The full name of Paddadors, the Free State town of Vrede's annual festival, is the Vrede Paddadors Rooivleis en Kultuurfees - which translates literally as the Peace Frog-Thirst Red-Meat and Culture Festival. The story goes that the dry land on which the town was established was originally called Paddadors ("frog thirst" in Afrikaans), until peace came and place was named Vrede. The festival offers live music, traditional food, a beer garden, children's activities and more.
BERG BOHAAI Town: Harrismith  Be sure to mark the dates in your calendar because this years Berg Bohaai is going to be even bigger and better! Events taking place include: Mountain Bike Race - 75km; 35km and 15km. Drummies competition, Horse riding, Arts & crafts Market, Karaoke Competition. Entertainment: Multi-talented band - Blouklip - bring their repertoire of Rock, Pop, Country and Blues, covered and original songs to the Harrismith Bergbohaai Entertainment Tent, starting each night at 20:00 till late. FOURIESBURG SPRING FAIR Dates: First weekend of September Town: Fouriesburg In celebration of Spring, the blossoming Eastern Free State town of Fouriesburg (near Clarens) is holding its first-ever Spring Fair on Friday 4 (evening) and Saturday 5 September 2009.
Entrance is free and there’ll be lots of fun for everyone: cherry blossom orchard tours, walks to San paintings, organic farm tours, eco farming demonstrations, arts and crafts and an art exhibition.
Live folk and country rock, food stalls, home-made jams and preserves, jumble and car boot sales, fresh produce, quadding, pony rides and other children’s activities and games.
For more information about the Spring Fair, and to book tickets for the folk and country rock music evening, please contact the Fouriesburg Info Centre on 058 223 0429 or 079 897 1669.
OCTOBER MACUFE MANGUANG AFRICAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL Town: Bloemfontein  Macufe, the 10-day Mangaung African Cultural Festival, showcases the cream of African and international talent. It features jazz, gospel, kwaito, hip-hop, R&B, rock and classical music, as well as dance, drama, cabaret, musical theatre, poetry, fine art and traditional arts and crafts. First held in 1997 before an audience of 30 000, Macufe now attracts over 140 000 people from South Africa, Africa and the world. The festival is presented anually in late September and early October by Bashomi ba Africa. Click here for the latest Macufe Programme
BLOEMFONTEIN ROSE FESTIVAL Town: Bloemfontein  The Bloemfontein Rose Festival had its inception in 1976, when a couple of council members decided that such a festival was appropriate, as Bloemfontein was known as the City of Roses. Most of the events will be held at the Mimosa Mall. Among the events will be a Champion Rose Competition, exhibitions of wide varieties of roses, and a bus tour to all the rose competition's winning gardens. A Miss Rosebud Competition will also be held and there will be many other attractions.
FREE STATE FOOD FAIR Town: Bloemfontein  The annual Free State Food Fair will be held at the Bloemfontein Showgrounds in Bloemfontein in the Free State from the 28th to 29th October, 2008.
NOVEMBER PICK N PAY OFM CLASSIC Town: Bloemfontein  The 7th annual Pick n Pay OFM Classic will be held on Sunday 2 November 2008. This race is not flat, not easy and not slow. Join 11 000 wheels for the 107km main race OR the 45km fun ride and encourage your kids to take part in the annual kiddies classic. Enter today at cyclelab.com. The Pick n Pay OFM Classic - the ride of your life!
DOME ADVENTURE FESTIVAL Town: Parys  The Dome Adventure Festival, now in its 5th year, will again be hosted in Parys in November. All proceeds from the Dome Adventure Festival go towards the Parys Development Forum (A non profit Section 21) for projects in and around Parys with the intention of marketing and development of the community. The Dome Adventure Festival focuses on Sport and Adventure. 18 different sports disciplines are hosted attracting about 3000 participants. The exhibitors are carefully selected to compliment the theme of Adventure Tourism. The Dome Festival caters for every appetite, from arts and crafts to outdoor adventure and even something for the kids. Food stalls offer a large variety of typical South Africa fare.
CHERRY FESTIVAL Town: Ficksburg  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 39th anniversary in 2006. 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.
DECEMBER FLY FISHING FILM FESTIVAL Town: Bloemfontein  Rise - The Annual Fly Fishing Film Festival will be storming its way around the country in November/December. The show starts at 8pm, and runs for a two hour session and showcases fly fishing movies from around the world. Watch massive brown trout engulf cicada patterns in the crystal clear streams of New Zealand. Laugh along with one of the world's most eccentric fly tyers and his crazy patterns. For salt fly aficionados there are large yellowtail on poppers and other adrenaline pumping action. "We have spared no expense in sourcing what we believe to be the best fly fishing films in the world today. DVD's are cool but nothing can compare to seeing something on the big screen with a couple of hundred cheering fisherman" says event co-ordinator Nick Reygaert"
RUSTLER'S VALLEY NEW YEARS CELEBRATION Town: Fouriesburg  Rustler's Valley in the eastern Free State hosts some of its best trance, dance and drumming festivals in late November and December, including a New Year celebration. Rustlers also offers the African Sweat Hut, permaculture design courses, a game reserve, the Saucery Restaurant and Marimba House. The majestic scenery on the foothills of the Maluti Mountains alone is worth the trip
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