Hopefield Wild Flower Show

Slow down and smell the West Coast flowers

With over 500 species of fynbos, four botanical zones and an annual wild flower show (from Sunday, 26 to Wednesday, 29 August 2012), the quaint West Coast town of Hopefield – roughly 120km outside of Cape Town on the R45 – is one of the premier places to usher in the spring and to bid farewell to winter.

Situated on the banks of the Zout River, Hopefield is both the oldest town on the West coast and a town notably famous for its four different fynbos regions: Renosterveld, Sandveld, Rietveld and Wetland. Each region has species of fynbos unique to its particular climate.

• The Renosterveld region’s vegetation is dominated by a species of grey-coloured plant called Renosterbos, most likely the reason behind its name.
• The Sandveld area’s vegetation consists of species of succulents and fynbos that thrive in sandy and dry climates
• The Rietveld region is home to reed-like vegetation.

And on par with the transformation of the area’s lush natural vegetation, this August, the Hopefield Sports Club is, once again, morphing into a horticulturist’s wet dream – The Hopefield Flower Show.

Within the carefully created flower hall plants are painstakingly arranged as authentically as possible, thus affording visitors an up close and personal look at the various species of fynbos indigenous to the region. Aside from this kaleidoscope of local flora though, the show also has plenty of entertainment on the bill for the less flower-inclined: the restaurant serves up traditional dishes, like waterblommetjie bredie; there’s a beer garden on site; and local talent is scheduled to entertain the masses.

Not to mention, tractor rides into the surrounding fields to explore the splendor of Hopefield’s flower-filled hills are also part of the fun. And beyond the Hopefield Sports Club, the Pêrels & Pampoene Art Gallery is exhibiting fynbos-inspired art by artists like At Botha, Annelie Venter and Corné Weideman, the Merry Widow Country Inn is hosting a farmer’s market from 10am to 1pm on Saturday, 25 August, and there’s an animal petting area at the mall just outside Hopefield perfect for entertaining the little ones.

Entry to the Hopefield Wild Flower Show at the Hopefield Sports Club is R15p/p for adults, R12p/p for pensioners and R5p/p for children under 12. Included in the entry fee is access to the flower hall.

So, don’t forget to pack in your antihistamines, nasal sprays and tissues, there’s no need to miss out on nature’s floral splendour in this historic town on the West Coast.

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Looking to make a weekend out of it? Check out our list of restaurants and where to stay in Paternoster as well as what to do and where to stay in the West Coast National Park.

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