Simon’s Town Spring Festival

Celebrate Heritage Day Weekend in the Cape Peninsula’s charming seaside town

Usher in the spring season over the Heritage Day weekend – Friday, 21 to Monday, 24 September 2012 – with friends, family and neighbours at the Simon's Town Spring Festival. 

Not just a sleepy hollow for sun-soaked pensioners, this seaside town – home to WWII Royal Navy veteran canine Just Nuisance – will come alive as businesses and locals band together to showcase their services, their knowledge and their stunning natural surroundings.

Each day a mosaic of events is on offer that encourages festival-goers to delve into the history of this unique naval town, explore its many museums and landmarks and participate in ceremonies that commemorate the past. Both local attendees and those from farther afield can look forward to everything from live music and performances by navy bands and choirs to tours, tutorials and kiddies’ pizza-making competitions.

Festival-goers can also pop down to Boulders Beach to take in the antics of the tuxedoed birds that make the area home, or can sidle up to the shoreline to see whales frolic up close and personal (word is they’re also attending).

One particular Simon’s Town Spring Festival highlight is the Saturday morning ‘Sunday Stars’ 14-km fun run, a fitness-friendly event that sees runners and walkers take to the streets of the charming coastal village. Organised by the local VOB running club as a social, rather than competitive, event, there’s no entry fee and there will be a “Coca Cola Truck” providing drinks every 3 km.

Simon’s Town Spring Festival 2012 Highlights

• Take a stroll through the Wellness Expo at the Town Hall Sunday and breathe in the fresh fynbos air while taking a guided walk around historic town.
• Book with the Submarine Museum for an hour long tour of the SAS Assegai submarine, as well as tours around the Navy dockyard (normally closed to the public)
• Music in the Art Park presents veteran rock blues band, Diamondback, performing on Saturday at the Sculpture Garden.
• Don’t miss out on the annual Spring Regatta, hosted by the False Bay Yacht Club, for an up-close-and-personal encounter with keelboats of all classes.
• Full festival programme

For those coming from outside Simon’s Town, consider taking the train – it’s a particularly scenic coastal trip. The Atlantic Rail will operate on Sunday, 23 September 2012, and at Simon’s Town Station, arrivees will be met with a carnival welcome. Otherwise, duck the traffic, especially the road works between Muizenberg and Kalk Bay, – by taking the Ou Kaapse Weg route into town.

Tickets for the 2012 Simon’s Town Spring Festival

There is something for everyone at this spring-time festival. Do note, each event is individually priced and must be booked separately; consult the festival programme for more information on booking and prices.

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