PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Thanks to the Plettenberg Bay community, the popular Plett Arts Festival is back on track after finding itself on the brink of cancellation due to lack of funding.
Plett Tourism recently announced that the event, which takes place during the June/July holidays, had been postponed after funding for the festival could not be secured.
Responding to questions, tourism chair Peter Wallington said they requested funding from Bitou Municipality – which usually supports the festival – from its adjustment budget to cover festival costs, but that the request had been turned down. The reason given was that because Plett Tourism is not a municipal entity, it cannot request money from the adjustment budget.
To the rescue
Since the announcement, residents and business owners have come out in support, making it possible to continue to host the festival during the upcoming holidays.
The arts event was put into action by the tourism team several years ago during the winter holiday to dovetail with the adventure sports highlighted through neighbouring town Knysna's Oyster Festival.
Since the festival was established it has shown steady growth and has garnered a growing loyal following. "An example is an eccentric couple from Mexico City who plan their annual trip to Plett to coincide with the Plett Arts Festival. There are many others," cited Plett Tourism spokesperson Patty Butterworth.
Hub of theatrical offering
She added that under the Plett Arts Festival umbrella, the already popular Plett Fringe – brought to the boards by the Kids of Kurland Foundation – forms the hub of the theatrical offering with drama, music and some of the best comedy in the country.
"Plett Tourism will be handling the marketing and branding of an extensive visual arts event, organised and presented by the artists of Plett, in collaboration with artists and performers from Kwanokuthula. The Kids of Kurland will also be on the block with comedy at The Fringe."
Butterworth said they are thankful to those who are rolling up their sleeves to keep the festival alive, while Plett Tourism continues a concerted effort for funding in 2020.
The festival will run from 21 to 28 June.
This year's festival will include The Fringe, art, and food and film programmes.
Programme to be announced
Confirmed for The Fringe is SA comedian Rob van Vuuren who will present his show, Again, at The White House venue on 22 June.
Van Vuuren and his wife Daniell Bischoff will also present the Great Pangolin Mystery on the same day. The show is filled with music, comedy and adventure for the entire family.
There will also be a screening of the movie Material at The Barnyard on 29 June in aid of the Kids of Kurland initiative. The rest of the festival programme will be announced within the next few weeks.
This is the second major Plett festival to face financial challenges.
Earlier this year the Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival, which would have taken place in March, was postponed to next year following the late withdrawal of the municipality's financial support.
The municipality became involved in sponsoring the event – which attracts visitors from across the country every year – after the festival's main sponsor withdrew its sponsorship in 2017.
The municipality however came to the rescue to ensure that the festival did not lose the momentum it had built up over four years.
The municipality indicated that it would again contribute to the festival this year, but recently informed Plett Tourism that it would no longer do so.
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