LOCAL residents and festivalgoers from afar are sure to have mixed feelings about this year’s highly anticipated Karoo-lus festival since it will be the biggest one ever – and the last.
Montego Pet Nutrition took Karoo-lus on in 2014 as a charity and marketing project and as a way to celebrate local traditions, food, music, art, tourism and much more.
“Montego is not going to manage and run Karoo-lus anymore. At the end of the day, we manufacture and market pet nutrition and the festival has become too big for our internal marketing team to run with anymore,” said Bronwen Jacobs, marketing officer at Montego Pet Nutrition and head of the Karoo-lus committee.
“We would like to focus more time and funds, such as the Montego Karoo-lus sponsorship, towards schools in the area that seriously need hostel upgrades. We will still use the Montego Karoo-lus sponsorship to uplift the Graaff-Reinet community and its NPOs.
“We feel at this stage that Karoo-lus has run its path and that we will end on a high note.”
It seems as though this last edition will indeed end on the highest note possible. A host of popular South African artists will be entertaining audiences during the two-day event.
They include Touch of Class, Riana Nel, Jo Black, Emo Adams and many more.
“The main act on the Saturday night is the international band, The Parlotones, so this is definitely the highlight of the festival,” Jacobs said.
Other activities on the Friday will include a squash tournament and InterKaroo.
The following day, however, will be packed with loads of activities. Sports fanatics can look forward to a half marathon and 10km and 5km runs, as well as the MTB challenge, a “toutrek” competition and much more, while children will be kept on their feet when Lollos takes a turn on stage.
There will also be a car show, fantastic performances by some of the best South African talent, a dog show, auction and fashion show, to name but a few.
“We expect everyone to have a great time, enjoy the time with their families and the artists as its not a regular thing to have artists of such high standard visit our small town.”
Karoo-lus will take place at the Botanies Sports Club on the corner of Park Street and Stockenstroom Street in Graaff-Reinet on September 28 and 29.
The gates will open at 12:00 on the Friday, while the 21.1km Windpomp Half Marathon will kick Saturday’s activities off at 07:00.
The entry fee per day is R80 per adult, R60 per pensioner and child under 12 and free to children under the age of three.
Weekend passes are R150 per adult and R110 per pensioner and child under 12.
Festivalgoers are invited to bring along a camping chair to enjoy the various performances. However, no umbrellas or gazebos are allowed.
For more info visit www.karoolus.co.za.
