15 Reasons to Go to the Big Bee Festival in Swellendam

All the buzz on Swellendam’s inaugural family-friendly jamboree

The picturesque town of Swellendam is buzzing with excitement this August in anticipation of the inaugural Big Bee Festival on Women’s Day weekend from Friday, 9 August to Sunday, 11 August 2013.

Often bypassed by travellers on their way along the Garden Route, this lively hamlet – it’s the third oldest settlement in South Africa – is now giving holidaymakers a great reason to make the town a destination rather than a stopover. The first-time jamboree, which was created in honour of the town hosting the Annual South African Beekeepers Conference this year, lures guests to the quaint and quirky village with distinctive honey-drizzled offerings and an assortment of family-friendly activities perfect for all ages.

Visitors to Swellendam – it’s a mere 2-hour’s drive from Cape Town – can learn about the booming bee industry, experience the blooming canola fields and get stuck into three days filled with roaring good fun: think boat cruises, ball bashing and brandy, beauty expos, bubbles and brunch, live bands, big braais, boozy berry tours and more!

Still not convinced that the Big Bee Festival is worth checking out? Take a look at these 15 amazzzzing reasons to journey off the beaten track:

15+ REASONS TO GO TO THE SWELLENDAM BIG BEE FESTIVAL

1. Immerse yourself in an assortment of activities: The affair, which showcases the towns of Swellendam, Barrydale, Suurbraak and Buffeljags, features plenty of shopping opportunities, massages and makeovers; plus, for the adrenaline-inclined, there will be a bunch of outdoor events, including paddles on the Breede River and 4x4 adventures.

2. Make the most of massive accommodation discounts: B&Bs, bush camps, boutique retreats and self-catering chalets have slashed their prices in honour of the first-time event. So, with Friday, 9 August 2013 being a public holiday, a (romantic) long weekend getaway is a no-brainer.

3. Save a few pennies with all the free stuff: Big on affordability, the festival has created an itinerary of events that are either free or that have extremely reasonably priced admission fees. Not to mention, discounted special menus at restaurants and bargain accommodation rates won’t bite a huge chunk out of your budget.

4. Be(e) the detective: Find out whodunit at the murder mystery dinner party! The 1920s-themed evening kicks off at the Drostdy Museum in the historic centre of Swellendam before it heads to the Field & Fork restaurant across the road, where sleuths can indulge in a three-course dinner and find the murderous culprit – pre-booking is essential!

5. Be(e) educated: While the beekeeper’s conference is only for the apiculturists, some of the speakers at the symposium are set to deliver talks on these buzzing bugs to interested parties at the beauty and wellness expo at the showground. Not to mention, young worker bees between the ages of 16 and 19 will act as tour guides on the regular bus trips through the town, offering helpful hints and tips to first-time Swellendam visitors.

6. Entertain the little ones: Drop off your kiddies at the Busy Bees crèche, where professional child-minders keep your bouncing bunnies entertained all day long with a slew of fun and educational activities; services are charged at a nominal per hour fee.  What’s more, access to The Continent of Sulina, Swellendam’s world famous faerie sanctuary, is free to all kids (and the young at heart), and visitors can buy a copy of the “Bless the Bees” book there.

7. Celebrate Women’s Day in style!: To commemorate Women’s Day, the health and beauty expo at the Big Bee Festival gives ladies the chance to fill up on all-natural, homemade beauty products by Rain and spoil themselves with a range of spa treatments and wellness talks. Not to mention, women can indulge in a decadent high tea where key speakers, including Mrs. South Africa finalist Chane de Kock, owner of Rain Bev Missing and recent UK returnee Wynand Breedt, are on the bill (cost is R125p/p and includes a Rain goodie bag to the value of R200). A women’s retreat will also be held in Barrydale, where dance demonstrations, workshops and lectures are billed to take place on Friday, 9 and Saturday, 10 August 2013.

8. Satisfy your inner machismo: Big boys’ toys, braai, rugger, beer, boeries and more are on offer for the guys too. Just hop on the Budget Bee Buses and head off on an action-packed adventure. Whether it’s a 4x4 challenge or “ball bashing for brandy”, ouens can choose from a seemingly never-ending list of great (macho) things to do.

9. Make it a romantic getaway: If you can’t bear to part with your significant other, there’s something for you too. Stop off at the Buffeljagsdam and scoop up a yummy picnic basket for two before hopping on one of the hourly boat cruises – very romantic. For the more adventurous at heart, head off on a guided horseback tour through the Marloth Nature Reserve.

10. Tuck into honey-sweet fare: To align with the celebration’s theme, local restaurants and wine farm eateries are serving up honey-inspired dishes and drinks for the duration of the festival. If a blue cheese and honey burger doesn’t whet your appetite, perhaps honey-based cocktails are up your alley!

11. Watch great talent and local musicians: If you’re an ardent fan of Afrikaans tunes, don’t miss out on performances by renowned actor, singer and songwriter Chris Chameleon, Anton Goosen and Gian Groen. What’s more, internationally acclaimed finger-style guitarist Guy Buttery takes to the stage for a folk-inspired concert at the Oefeningshuis. Not to mention, classical concert pianist Sylvia Schulman along with soprano Marcelle Volckaert and baritone Brad Liebl perform a recital inspired by B’s and bees – from Brahms and Bernstein arrangements to Flight of the Bumblebee and The Beetle In The Bottle.

12. Get those adrenal glands pumping: Adrenaline junkies, get ready to rock your socks off with some of the Big Bee Festival’s crazy adventures. Gather the entire family and take part in the B-well Dipka MTB Trap or take that off-road vehicle, well, off the road and go bundu-bashing on a 4x4 trail in scenic Swellendam. If neither are to your liking, get wet and wild with rafting down the Breede River. Pre-booking is required for some of the sporting events, visit Bigbee.co.za for more details.

13. Reconnect with nature in the beautiful Marloth Nature Reserve: In honour of Women’s Day, the Queen Bee Cansa Walk is scheduled to take hikers through the historic areas in the town before heading into the Marloth Nature Reserve. So don your comfy walking shoes and get ready to immerse yourself in real natural beauty for a noble cause.

14. Get those creative juices flowing: Art lovers can meander through the town’s many art galleries and exhibitions, take part in the bohemian beading workshop at Moonshadow or simply pick up some handmade goodies at the craft market. What’s more, while quilting is often seen as something old ladies do, this functional art form is making a comeback, and the Big Bee Festival is set to host an international quilt exhibition (the theme is heritage buildings) with handmade blankets being shipped from all over the world; one of these quilts will be raffled off over the weekend at R10 per ticket or R80 for a booklet of 10  tickets.

15. Sample the (fermented) fruits of the Overberg region: As the biggest berry producer in South Africa, Swellendam is pulling out all the stops and corks with boozy berry tours at the Wildebraam Berry Estate; R30p/p gets you access to a tour, free tastings and a berry delicious cocktail! What’s more, all kinds of draught and craft beers, honey cocktails and more await thirsty travellers at Mattsen’s beer garden, and Joubert-Tradauw, one of the most famous wineries on Route 62, is hosting an exclusive food and wine tasting led by viticulturist Meyer Joubert.

And, as if that wasn’t enough, here’s one more reason to head off to this buzzing fiesta in Swellendam!

16. Conserve your petrol and arrive alive: Budget Bee Buses will be on hand for those looking for a safe and convenient taxi between events. The hop-on hop-off vehicles travel on a circular route every 10 to 15 minutes from the showgrounds through the town and back. Tickets cost a mere R10p/p per trip, or patrons can purchase a booklet of 10 tickets for R80; buses will also travel to the Buffeljagsdam and Barrydale. Not to mention, as Swellendam is a central location and only a stone’s throw away from some of the Western Cape’s most popular national parks, stunning beaches and breathtaking views, visitors can also take advantage of the countless attractions in the immediate area.

Tickets for the 2013 Big Bee Festival in Swellendam

While entry to the main festival ground and certain events are gratis, mahala and for FREE, certain events do require pre-booking or payment of an entry fee. Tickets for these events are available via Webtickets.co.za, and for more information on entry forms and fees for the events, visit Bigbee.co.za.

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Alternatively, read more about where to eat, what to do and where to stay in Swellendam.

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by Meagan Hamman
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