PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Rage venue for 2024 is “moo-ving”, from last year’s venue at Coco Valley, opposite Kranshoek, to Cairnbrogie Dairy Farm across the way along the Robberg/Airport road.
An application for the new Rage venue was published on 4 July with a 30-day notice period and so far responses have been positive. Cairnbrogie, apart from its dairy farm, is an adventure venue offering hiking, biking and birdwatching and is considered a safe and secure venue. Its signature barn is described as an ideal venue to host the Rage on a longer-term basis.
“The barn is a magical space that we hope to unlock to its full potential. I believe it’s the biggest under-roof space in Plett of its nature,” said Ronen Klugman, the owner of Rage.
“We will be transforming it into a wonderland for the Rages to enjoy.” Two stages, VIP areas, sonic garden and food court will all be situated between farm buildings and the barn, accommodating about 3 000 visitors.
The Rage will be held between 30 November and 6 December and a shuttleservice consisting of a fleet of sixty minibuses will provide transport to and from the venue.
The economic benefit to the town is estimated at between R40 million and R50m and the event is now recognised as the most important annual event on the tourism calendar, with economic benefits filtering down to retailers, accommodation establishments, restaurants, security companies, and taxi and transport operators, also adding job opportunities for locals.
“This is a very exciting new chapter for Plett Rage which I can proudly say turns 25 this year. “I believe the feeling we can unlock at Cairnbrogie will be unique as it should feel like you are in a borrowed moment in time surrounded by these old Cape Dutch style buildings which will be lit up as well as video mapped, allowing the lighting to be part of the entertainment.
“There will be two stages, one in the courtyard under a tent and one in the barn. “It’s very far from neighbours, so we are confident that it will not be too disturbing based on what our sound engineers have confirmed with us,” said Klugman.
“It’s amazing for me to see how we have taken it from a random Sunday night at the Cave, where all my fiends helped me sell tickets, put up decor and run the event, to one of South Africa’s most loved festivals celebrating my favourite town in all its glory - Plettenberg Bay .” The organisers are looking for a long-term venue that allows them to invest in uplifting the venue.
“Cairnbrogie is ideal for this as the owners are very open to hosting events there and it is currently well-known and loved by so many,” said Klugman. The venue will be open for all normal Cairnbrogie activities during the day as Rage events will only take place during the evenings from 8pm onwards. Cairnbrogie owner Andrew Hill agreed with sentiments that the venue would be “ideal” for Rage.
“I hope our venue will be positively received as it has a long history of events and concerts” said Hill.
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