Events Spotlight

It’s all happening in Knysna this July!

Knysna, February 17,2010 - The popular Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival will take place as usual this July (2-11), despite the 2010 World Cup. That’s the message from the festival team which is already working to put together a bumper programme for visitors to the 10-day event.

“It’s business as usual for the Oyster Festival”, says festival manager Nicci Rousseau-Schmidt, “and we’re ready to show South Africans that Knysna is the perfect place to be during the long holidays that schools will enjoy this year.

“Our sponsors are on board and we’ve already had our first Joint Operations Committee meeting. We have no doubt that this year’s festival is going to be a great one.”

Rousseau-Schmidt said that Knysna was very excited to be hosting both the French and Danish football teams during the World Cup, the final games of which will overlap with the festival.

“We are planning to add some French and Danish cultural events to the festival programme. However, from the end of June the final World Cup games will be played in Port Elizabeth, Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg and if the French and Danes qualify, that’s where they’ll have to be. So the Oyster Festival will be a great opportunity to escape from the soccer madness to Knysna.”

Rousseau-Schmidt said that Knysna Tourism has been working with its members to ensure that there will be accommodation available at reasonable rates over the period of the Oyster Festival.

“Most establishments have undertaken not to hike rates over this period”.

The festival has grown considerably in the last few years, specifically since 2004 when Pick n Pay signed a five-year partnership agreement with Knysna Tourism, which is the custodian of the festival. This agreement was renewed in 2009 for a further five years until 2013.

Today the festival programme has over 100 events and attracts more than 13,000 cyclists and runners who participate in the two main sporting events, the Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour and the Pick n Pay Cape Times Knysna Marathon and Half Marathon. Last year the festival raised a record R1, 189,957 for local charities.

For more information about the festival visit www.oysterfestival.co.za

The Oyster Festival is Back and it’s all happening in Knysna this July!

SOUTH AFRICA TAKES ON ITALY AT THE 2010 BMW INTERNATIONAL POLO

The first event of the highly anticipated annual BMW International Polo Series takes place on Saturday, 27 February at the prestigious Val de Vie Wine and Polo Estate in Paarl. Guests can witness sporty dynamism and impeccable style in equal measure when South Africa take on the former Federation of International Polo European Champions Italy in a 14-goal handicap encounter.

“The BMW International Polo Series at Val de Vie is an elegant affair where Cape Town’s elite will enjoy a relaxing day of Polo, fine wine, exquisite food and good company whilst admiring the stunning products of the BMW Group at the magnificent Val de Vie Wine and Polo Estate.” comments Michelle Van Eyden, Executive Promoter SAIL Group.

South Africa will fight it out against the Italians in a fast-paced and exhilarating Polo match over 6 chukkas. This equestrian sport – widely regarded as the Sport of Kings and the oldest mounted sport in the world – has a dedicated and loyal local following but as a result of BMW’s passion and support over the past 21 years, and polished attention to detail by event promoter, SAIL, the occasion is fast forming the basis of annual international Polo games to be held in the Western Cape.

Polo is one of the toughest and most demanding of all sports. The skills required by a top polo player are a combination of the hand-eye co-ordination of a cricketer, the agility of a gymnast, the fitness of a footballer and strength of a rugby player – not to mention outstanding horsemanship. Today, polo is played in more than 60 countries and enjoyed by more than 50 million people globally each year.

South Africa’s talented four player team, consisting of Tinker Makhane, Chris MacKenzie, Guy Watson and captain Gareth Evans, will be an impressive sight to see. The Italian team management are still to announce their team.

“The South African team look forward to being invited back to this outstanding venue and are determined to deliver a good result on the day. The experienced Italian team will be difficult to beat but we look forward to the challenge!” comments Gareth Evans, Captain of the South Africa Polo Team.

This will be the second year that the BMW International Polo Series takes place in the Western Cape. Last year saw South Africa play Chile in the augural event where the final result was Chile 17 vs. South Africa 15. The 2010 event sees the addition of the Cape Town Cup Final being played prior to the main match where the top two Western Cape Polo League teams will play for the honour of the Cup.

The South African Polo Association and BMW are proudly celebrating 21 years of association in 2010 bringing added significance to this year’s event. This alliance continues to provide the foundation for development and promotion of polo within South Africa.

“For BMW, our long-standing association with Polo is clearly in support of the core values of the BMW brand,” explains Guy Kilfoil, General Manager: Communications & Public Affairs at BMW South Africa. “Our brand represents dynamism, exclusivity, innovation and aesthetics in equal measure and the sport of polo certainly mirrors each of these characteristics. More importantly, as anyone who has watched a polo match will testify to, the sound of thundering hooves and the thrill of robust competition delivers spectators the very emotion that BMW embodies in each of its products – pure unadulterated Joy.”

Gates open at 2pm and entrance to this stylish event is R110 (excluding food and drink). Tickets are available at Computicket and guests are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. A wide range of delicious food and beverages will be on sale at the Estate.

Hospitality packages are also available.  The Chukka Club package (R350 per person) includes access to a private area next to the Val de Vie Pavilion, access to cash bar and a baguette, selection of cheeses, cold meats and dessert.  Chukka Club guests will enjoy the exclusivity, relaxing environment and superb view of the Polo match.

If you are looking for elegance and sophistication at the Val de Vie Pavilion, unrivalled networking, socializing, a cocktail style meal provided by Sabrage, and a complimentary local bar, The Champions Pavilion package is on offer at R 1400.  Visit www.circa.co.za at for more information.

Ends

Notes to Editor:

Schedule of events:

14h00: Gates Open

15h00: Cape Town Cup

16h30: BMW Car Parade

16h50: National Anthems

17h00: BMW International: South Africa vs. Italy

The first event of the highly anticipated annual BMW International Polo Series takes place on Saturday, 27 February at the prestigious Val de Vie Wine and Polo Estate in Paarl. Guests can witness sporty dynamism and impeccable style in equal measure when South Africa take on the former Federation of International Polo European Champions Italy in a 14-goal handicap encounter.