Since first launched in 2015 this annual celebration on the Fragrance Route has grown by leaps and bounds. This year new venues are introduced, opening hours are extended, and a Fragrance Fest tour (Sharon, 072 652 7829) kicks off.
Saturday 3 March provides the perfect opportunity for families, friends and groups to explore this 40 km tar/gravel meander, which offers vistas of fynbos-covered countryside and majestic mountains. Stop to buy local products and to experience a variety of tastes. Travel at leisure – great for game spotting, bird watching and photography; you can also cycle or visit by motor bike.
This year The Great Brak Museum (08h30-14h00) joins the Fest with information regarding Friemersheim and the Volkwyn chair, and good coffee. Nearby at the Kobus Halliday Car Museum tours will be conducted by Kobus at 08h00, 10h00 and 16h00. Bookings only (082 9707 213), R40, no children under 14.
Find programmes at the museum, at businesses in the village, on the Route, and on www.proemb.co.za. Check the different opening times at participating venues, and plan your trip accordingly! Arrive early with a picnic blanket and cooler bag, and bring an umbrella in case of rain (indoor facilities are available at almost all venues).
Start your PROE safari at Hilltop Farm Stall (07h00-16h00) with tasty chicken bites on offer and farm fresh chicken to buy. Enjoy freshly roasted coffee and pancakes at Brothers Coffee Roastery, open 05h00-17h00 for early morning birding (Sunel, 073 159 6734) or as a last coffee stop on the way back.
Next door at The Art Farm (07h30-17h00) – an exhibition of paintings by owner Michele Batchelder, Lorraine van Zyl and Wendy Mills; Laurinda Smit mandalas; Kira Brown pottery. And for foodies: 2 free tasting demos by Kitchen Queen (Karen du Plessis) from George at 09h30 (Eggs Benedict with Cheats Hollandaise) and 15h00 (Salted Caramel Ice Cream). Arty demo (Fun With Acrylics And Spray Paint) by Michele at 16h00.
At Hakuna Matata (07h30-16h00) – join their annual “Hap & Stap”, with 4 canapé stops on the way to the lions. Circular 2 km route with ups and downs and beautiful views, departure times 07h30-12h30. Confirm for catering purposes (Lustine, 079 743 2800); pay on the day (R120 / R50 kids). Pop-up farm market with stalls under the trees until 16h00. Setting the mood: live painting by Lynda Jacobsen Art school from 10h00, and Brighitte Dé sings from 11h00.
At Forest Hill/Santa Bonné Proteas (08h00-16h00) – buy proteas and fynbos (create your own bunch) and protea plants. Tasty hot dogs for sale, coffee with a rusk, cupcakes, honey comb and small gifts. Drive to the buffaloes in an open vehicle (R20) to admire the view.
In historic Friemersheim there will be 2 Fest spots next to the main road, with stalls open 08h00-16h00. At both Fest venues locally made shweshwe products will be for sale – learn more about The Shweshwe Stop work creation project , and participate in the De Vette Mossel Lucky Draw (win De Vette Mossel meals for 2, valued at R270 per person, at each venue).
Visit stalls at Petra’s Friemersheim Nursery for delicious volstruispotjie ready from 11h00, lavender plants, delicious home-baked goodies, and much more. Lucky draw at Petra’s stall: win a Botlierskop Game Drive for 2 valued at R900!
At Die Kraal well-known singer Zanah-Lee Erasmus, a Friemersheim local, will perform 12h30-13h00. Breakfast (09h00), lamb afval, roosterkoek, roasted pig (12h00) with salad, Gonna Honey and much more available at stalls under the trees. Tea and eats served at Tea Cozy Tearoom; Volkwyn Family Reunion (Melvin, 082 860 1853). Shweshwe Stop project : learn more about the PROEbag, a non-electric slow cooker – talks and tastings hosted at 11h00 and 14h00 by Rosanne de Kock from George.
The beautiful new Botlierskop Bellevue Restaurant will be open for drinks without booking, bookings required for lunch 12h00-15h00 and dinner (044 333 0291).
Die Fragrance Fest word een keer per jaar in en om Groot Brakrivier en Friemersheim aangebied, waartydens plaaslike boere, besighede en die gemeenskap hul harte en deure oopmaak vir die publiek. Kom ondersteun hierdie wonderlike inisiatief!
