Pretty Girl Fashion: Events

I first heard about the 'Ficksburg Cherry Festival' in a heritage class that I took in university.  I was fascinated to learn that South Africa is home to the 'Cherry Capital of the World' - Ficksburg. I also found it a bit strange that we have the world's best cherries right on our doorstep. As, from bitter first-hand experience, I had always thought the idea of a 'sweet-tasting' cherry was just a myth. After that day in class, I knew that someday I had to attend the festival, as this was a myth I had to dispel myself.  Ficksburg is a small town in the Eastern Free State, situated at the foot of the Imperani Mountain, bordering the neighbouring country of Lesotho. I travelled for 6 hours over 400km, through 3 provinces and 5 painstakingly long road stops to get there. The country's oldest annual crop festival runs over 3 days during the third week of November, and is attended by over 25 000 people. I was thrilled to finally be one of them this year. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKwLnEpVvY6zF5Bev57nE_uusSOgt8gou8FHS7axYsj-0KlZdDWd5dzGIF1p-JXZ6N_s45Y_guqSSj1roUV2YbV8uoq4FLUizm5bv8pok-juSYVa0MBIKIUku2KIb-yp0qriuK2KJ-Hi7/s1600/cherries3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMKwLnEpVvY6zF5Bev57nE_uusSOgt8gou8FHS7axYsj-0KlZdDWd5dzGIF1p-JXZ6N_s45Y_guqSSj1roUV2YbV8uoq4FLUizm5bv8pok-juSYVa0MBIKIUku2KIb-yp0qriuK2KJ-Hi7/s640/cherries3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the highlights of the festival was visiting a cherry farm and going on a tour of the orchards. A tractor pulled us along through the scenic Ionia farm, where one of the farmers explained the entire cherry harvesting process to us - from root to pip. We were left to wander the extensive orchard and pick our own punnet of cherries directly from the tree. We ate cherries to our hearts content (and our tummy's detriment). What most people don't know is that the sweetest cherries you can find are the 'yellow cherries', which are not usually sold to the public. They look like a normal red cherry on the outside, but are a light yellow colour on the inside...and taste like a piece of heaven. Cherries are a rare and expensive fruit and most of them from this region are exported to the rest of the world.</div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRYMQE7GNjR6uIe8kwuZCQ4x8HWqU9irCOQ3QZNTDmhI3Nj7mU1HV74E4cu9FXw_cNGyUDU0YokLiPzeWY6TEUOnJiJT09RSBwzgU0BgH4kGkN0Qu0y-pUznrz0lcmkB_DsRXrq8zKHzR/s1600/cherries4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdRYMQE7GNjR6uIe8kwuZCQ4x8HWqU9irCOQ3QZNTDmhI3Nj7mU1HV74E4cu9FXw_cNGyUDU0YokLiPzeWY6TEUOnJiJT09RSBwzgU0BgH4kGkN0Qu0y-pUznrz0lcmkB_DsRXrq8zKHzR/s640/cherries4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div> The cherry frenzied festival grounds were abuzz with activities ranging from cooking workshops, game shows, sporting events, a beauty pageant, jazz and rock concerts and a cherry pip spitting competition (which we thankfully missed!). Any cherry-related product you can dream up - they sold it there. Cherry jams, syrups, drinks, cherry liquors, schnapps, cherry chutney, nougat, cherry pie and preserves. Besides for the perishables, there was cherry art to take back home as a souvenir. I was attracted by the pretty pink and red cherry blossom beauty products. Delectably scented perfumes, body butters, foam baths and soaps, all reminding me of my childhood cherry chapstick. With Ficksburg being so far out in the middle of the country, I don't know whether I'll ever get an opportunity to attend the festival again. It's one of those things that you should do at least once in your life if you're living in South Africa. As you can imagine, I came home with a boot load of cherries - not that they lasted very long. These little red jewels are a rich part of our local heritage, and I hope that more people will become aware of it and also get to experience the joy of picking their own cherries.  *All photos taken by me.

The Ficksburg Cherry Festival

I first heard about the 'Ficksburg Cherry Festival' in a heritage class that I took in university. I was fascinated to learn that S...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Wakkerstroom is the Jewel of Mpumalanga, known for it's calm countryside fare. This tiny town, which is 3 hours from Johannesburg, is a world renowned bird watching destination, retirement village and a peaceful place that city folk visit to get away from it all. This long weekend bird watchers, music lovers and art enthusiasts from all over the country flocked to this little dorp to attend the Wakkerstroom Arts Festival. I was lured there by an advertisement I had seen in a magazine. I arrived on Saturday and was surprised to see that this (usually) sleepy town had magically sprung to life. The streets and restaurants were crowded with local and international tourists, jazz filled the air and amazing artworks were on display everywhere.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9MREbzZJNVPo5BX8xvUBlpsWvv8aJYjlkmalX4iJS54RFKzE69tFNRQPN5Ei10QoHtIY4trSjmMqXpi5Ymjf-f3QWVhXtv-yFmBnc8VeQCE4s4KTrvpkOTqB6k3ju93pBO8W6ml3o1c/s1600/Wakkerstroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju9MREbzZJNVPo5BX8xvUBlpsWvv8aJYjlkmalX4iJS54RFKzE69tFNRQPN5Ei10QoHtIY4trSjmMqXpi5Ymjf-f3QWVhXtv-yFmBnc8VeQCE4s4KTrvpkOTqB6k3ju93pBO8W6ml3o1c/s640/Wakkerstroom.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful pictures, antique furniture and luxurious home decor can be found at House of Baxburg, which used to be the old bank. The Health Shop stocks all natural beauty products and organic ingredients. A fountain outside the Bistro, where food and art combined to occupy the afternoon. At Bits 'n Pieces, you will find historic home ware, antique tea sets, old books and one-of-a-kind heirlooms.</td></tr> </tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja63pCUENYgpjGYiNAKgGZF94uYKdb5e_L00Tjgteszo6ZNmxpNkYUAXGHMeguvWwHXj8qZPvbBqvL967Bnyn4hvqzGkiJk8yjQm3NhowTCHO7Nwz759xfzbmW0Z2O3WlFrEWtMrNomdQ/s1600/Wakkerstroom1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja63pCUENYgpjGYiNAKgGZF94uYKdb5e_L00Tjgteszo6ZNmxpNkYUAXGHMeguvWwHXj8qZPvbBqvL967Bnyn4hvqzGkiJk8yjQm3NhowTCHO7Nwz759xfzbmW0Z2O3WlFrEWtMrNomdQ/s640/Wakkerstroom1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mooi is a treasure chest of vintage finds as well as modern home decor pieces. The Birdsong offers whimsical clothes, bags and beadwork.</td></tr> </tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><div style="text-align: justify;">The Arts Festival took place over three days at various venues. The entire town was abuzz with activity, each event taking place at a different time and specified venue. There were arts and crafts exhibitions, showcasing the remarkable talent of local artists. The Glass Art Studio of Wakkerstroom had a stall selling their decorative handmade glassware. They also offer classes on the subject. The Mucky Duck screened classic movies at their quaint tavern. The Wetlands Country House was the venue for 'Jazz in the Garden' concerts each afternoon. Guests were entertained by internationally and nationally renowned musicians such as the Pam Mortimer Jazz Trio, Gaabho Motho Tenors, Bena Opera Quartet, The Northern KZN Youth Choir, harpists, pianists, violinists and many more. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9ne8c35YKllEUAHXBl-bJXQE-4XIaz54RwMsSkFBNa4JfGJKNGE1XmsPEgxI6Uvi5IghfrNO6zloBrCQGrkJOowwr8i3gJvCjM0MHmsCtdMReNCM5j31idTU93osrHLxGDCyTkHyqRk/s1600/wakkerstroom+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN9ne8c35YKllEUAHXBl-bJXQE-4XIaz54RwMsSkFBNa4JfGJKNGE1XmsPEgxI6Uvi5IghfrNO6zloBrCQGrkJOowwr8i3gJvCjM0MHmsCtdMReNCM5j31idTU93osrHLxGDCyTkHyqRk/s640/wakkerstroom+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Purchase stunning crystal chandeliers & other ornamentation at Country Home. Wakkerstroom is the second oldest town in the (old) Transvaal, and the church building (pictured above) in the town square is a historical monument. The Brie Street Deli is a charming coffee shop where you will also find a wide range of cheeses, chocolate, home-made preserves and spices from around the world. Local artists showcased their spectacular paintings (bottom right). </td></tr> </tbody></table> Festival Round-up: Best place to shop...Mooi for their delightful vintage trinkets. Best place to eat out...Wakkerstroom Country Inn for the delicious freshly baked scones with strawberry jam, whipped cream and seasonal berries. Yum. Biggest Mistake...Not pre-booking for the concerts. They were all sold out by the time we got there. Best experience...The lively atmosphere on the main street, where dozens of tourists of all ages from all over South Africa enjoyed a serene afternoon in this small town.  Verdict...I had a wonderful time at the festival. Wakkerstroom is an enchanting and placid place, filled with friendly people, beautiful boutiques, lovely restaurants, B&B's and old-fashioned charm. It will leave you with a feeling of tranquility. I will definitely be returning very soon.

Wakkerstroom Arts Festival 2011

Wakkerstroom is the Jewel of Mpumalanga, known for it's calm countryside fare. This tiny town, which is 3 hours from Johannesburg, is a ...

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The Ficksburg Cherry Festival

Wakkerstroom Arts Festival 2011

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