This year is the 10th anniversary of the Leisure Isle Festival and the organisers have pulled out all the stops to ensure a memorable fair for the whole family.
There will be over 120 stalls - a new record. As always, a percentage of all proceeds will go to local charities - to e’Pap Children’s feeding scheme, Hospice, Animal Welfare, Steenbok Nature Reserve and Loeriehof.
From 09:00 on Saturday and 10:00 on Sunday, October 20 and 21, the entrance gardens to Leisure Isle will come alive with activities for all ages, and stalls will offer a great range of mouth-watering refreshments, preserves, a large array of artwork and crafts, second-hand books and a huge range of plants.
Activities for the kids include the ever-popular barrel train, a jumping castle, face painting, sand art and mosaics, airbrush tatoos and other fun things to do.
The dog walk on Sunday, staged by Knysna Animal Welfare, is always one of the highlights of the festival and enjoyed by all ages. Patrons don’t even have to have a dog to participate - a teddy or favourite fluffy toy is enough to sign up for the 2km or 5km walk in Steenbok Nature Reserve and around the Island.
Register on Saturday from 09:00 at the Steenbok Nature Reserve main entrance - follow the KAWS signs. Events will start at 10:00 on the dot. The entrance fee is R30 per dog.
The following prizes will be awarded: Dog of the year; KAWS adopted pets; Best effort dog walker; Best trick dogs; Fancy dress for dogs and kids; Best smiler; Cutest puppy and dog; Funniest dog walker; Best tail wager; Best barker; Look-a-like kids and adults and lots more.
A brand new event this year will cater for elderly citizens, sponsored by Loeriehof. There will be a 4km walk for the hale and hearty, and a 2km wheelchair walk. Willing assistants will be on hand to push the wheelchairs if necessary. Instead of prizes, a lucky draw will take place. The first event will start at 09:00, and the wheelchair walk at 09:30. Early registration is suggested, at the starting point at the Green Hole.
Entries will cost R20. Contact Eureka Burger at 084 312 4490 for further information.
Local artists and crafters will exhibit paintings, ceramics, pottery, woodwork, jewellery, calligraphy, photography, metal art, beadwork, toys, knitted and sewn articles, Christmas decorations and other hand-crafted items.
Book enthusiasts will know that the early birds get the best choices at the huge Hospice book sale, always among the most popular stalls. Helpful assistance is always at hand, and great bargains are to be had. Spring is in full swing, and the plant stall will again feature an amazing array of indigenous and other plants to give a garden a wonderful lift. Plants, herbs, cut flowers and compost will be for sale at very reasonable prices, and all proceeds will go to Steenbok Nature Reserve.
To take away, cakes and biscuits will be on sale, as well as cheeses, pickles, dried fruit, jams, preserves and honey, bread and pastries, chocolate and confectionery, biltong and smoked meat products, frozen meals, olive and chili products and more.
Relax in the beer garden or tea garden with delicious freshly baked goodies on hand to enjoy with favourite beverages. Across the road, patrons will be tempted by a wide variety of hot and cold dishes such as wraps, rolls and sandwiches, pitas, samoosas, and also vegetarian food.
The Leisure Isle Festival was started 10 years ago by Roger Voysey, Peter Marais and Phil Harvey. This year sees the end of an era, as Peter and June Marais have relocated to Natal and Vovsey is at the helm for the last time.
Over the last ten years the festival has prospered and grown enormously, from 38 stalls in 2002 to over 120 this year - and in funds raised for local charities from R3 948 in 2003 to R12 5000 in 2011.
No second invitation needed to the beer garden!
The Leisure Isle Festival team - Peter and June Marais and Roger Voysey.The Hospice book stall, always among the most popular stalls at the Leisure Isle Festival.
