KNYSNA NEWS - In years gone by, the local LGBTQIA+ community's pride march was held in the form of the Pink Loerie Festival which in its heyday was one of the biggest happenings on the Knysna annual events calendar.
But as the Pink Loerie's support waned in recent years, members of the LGBTQIA+ community lacked representation. That is, until now.
According to the organiser of the Knysna Peacock Festival, Irene van Wyk, the idea of the festival has been brewing for some time. "Four years ago, proud locals and business owners started planning this event.
"But due to the [Covid] restrictions they've put it off, until this year, when they thought this is it, now or never," she said.
Their slogan "For Knysna, by Knysna" is the driving force behind this.
"We want to bring the flare back into town, and put Knysna on the map again as a destination for the LGBTQIA+ community," Van Wyk said.
Betty Bangles is one of the festival's official spokespersons.
The Peacock Festival is fully funded by Van Wyk, and does not ask local businesses to pay crazy amounts of money to get involved or to use the name.
"We do not want businesses to spend money on sponsoring prizes. We do however, need the local businesses to get involved by helping market the event, and in the case of, say, a restaurant, run a Peacock special, a Peacock dish or just to display the name. The more local businesses involved, the better the results will be for the town," Van Wyk explained.
Organisers faced a few challenges due to Covid restrictions and had to wait and see what will happen. "When the restrictions were lifted we went all in," Van Wyk said.
"This year all the major events will happen at one venue, but next year will be a lot different, where other venues will host events as long as they don't clash with one another. This year local businesses will benefit from the feet that will be brought into town."
The festival has been well received by the LGBTQIA+ community all over the country. Organisers were invited to the Cape Town Pride to promote the Peacock and the word went out to thousands of people.
"Gqeberha are showing their support, as well as Johannesburg and Pretoria."
Prominent figures like Betty Bangles and RiRi Rouge are the official spokespersons for the festival.
"There is a major line-up of artists over the weekend that includes Karen Zoid, Edó Mostert, Manilla von Teez, Maxine Wild, 3D and many more. Local DJs and Shaza will be supporting acts during the festival. But the highlight will be the Pride March on 19 March at 15:00, where all people can get involved and celebrate life in general," Van Wyk said.
You can find out more about specific events during the inaugural Knysna Peacock Festival by visiting its Facebook page, @peacockfestivalknysna.
RiRi Rouge will be on hand to entertain during the inaugural festival.
Mary Scary will be part of a special Sunday brunch.
The Knysna Peacock Festival is in no way affiliated with the Pink Loerie Festival, another pride festival that is held in Knysna. Nor is it an extension of the Pink Loerie.
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