THE BIG BEE FESTIVAL

The Big Bee Festival – NEW in Swellendam
Friday 9th – 11th August 2013 (day & night)

Child friendly * Women’s Day Events*Live Music*Outdoor Events and Sport*Food*Crafts*Nature

In a significant show of collaboration and enthusiasm, the communities and businesses of Swellendam and Barrydale have worked together to create an inventive new festival celebrating all things “B” that will span the August long weekend, with a series of action, lifestyle and nature events.

Inspired by the fact that The National Beekeepers Conference will be taking place in the area at the same time, and because the region is a big honey producer, the festival’s icon is the industrious little insect currently at the centre of much global attention.

A great time to visit, festival-goers will experience the surrounding canola fields in full Bloom, The packed programme includes the chance to learn about the booming Bee industry, taste different Beautiful foods and enjoy the Bands and Beer. Performers include Chris Chameleon, Anton Goosen, Joe Martin, Gian Groen, The Ride, Girls of Rock, Mady Abrahams, Joe F, Guy Buttery and many more.

For the outdoorsy sort, tough challenges await in the Breede Bee Paddle, Bee Big 4 x 4, Bushwhack Outride, Ball Bashing for Brandy, Barrydale Bowls Bonanza! On Women’s Day there are conferences, retreats and activities especially for women to enjoy, including a Queen Bee Walk in the park to raise awareness for Breast cancer.  You can enjoy Busy Bee Family time and solve a mystery at the Bee A Detective Murder Mystery Party.

At the Beauty and Wellness Expo, sponsored by Rain (the internationally successful local producer of quality bath and body products), you can get yourself a massage, Be made-over, or indulge in the honey and health products.   Enjoy Bohemian activities and have a Barrelful of laughs at some of the shows. Join the men with their Big Boys’ Toys, Bee-Dazzled by the Star-gazing event, stay in a Boutique Retreat, a B&B, a Bush Camp or a Backpackers; there are some amazing Big Bee Bargains to be had.

Budget Bee Buses with special routes have been designed so that festival goers can hop on and off, allowing them to explore places they never knew about, such as the Bontebok Park for a Bird Walk, a Blomme Talk and a Bike Ride, Bungee jumping in the Buffeljags River, a Booze Cruise on the Dam in Barrydale and Boat race on the Breede River. There’s a Book Fayre, Bohemian Beading, Big Boys Toys, Bands, Beer and Bikes and a Blues Picnic.

At the centre of the Festival there will be a Big Braai with locally produced organic foods and meat products, plus wines, beers, witblitz & brandy; competitions for preserves & pickles, potbrood, boerewors and potjies, boeresports and kid’s competitions. With the braai smoke, all-day music and comedy acts: it’s a lekker way to Bee together.