It's official!  The charming Cape Winelands town of Tulbagh, renowned for its strong adherence to its early Cape Dutch architectural heritage, is again hosting its very own Dutch-themed Festival.

Tulbagh, situated within the Witzenberg region, plays host to the Festival on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 April, when the town rolls out the welcome mat for visitors to sample the best of the town's culinary offerings, naturally with a strong Dutch element.

Says Cape Winelands District Municipality Executive Mayor Clarence Johnson, "We at the Cape Winelands District Municipality are immensely proud to be behind this ‘new-look' event, which pulls together welcome new flavours. The event has been around for a few years and it gives us great pleasure to see the activities on offer expand every year."

To paint a picture of Tulbagh Goes Dutch with a touch of spice Festival experiences on offer, try the following for size...

Stroll down historic Church Street and see no less than 28 Provincial monuments. Visit the Earthquake exhibition and the Oude Kerk Volksmuseum. Enjoy the fresh goodies at the traditional Dutch stalls and relax in the beer garden with live entertainment - Eta, Le-lue, and Chanté.  

Sample popular Dutch and East Indian Cuisine, including Indische Rijsttafel, mussel pots, uitsmijters, bitterballen, stroopwafels, drop, haring, poffertjies - and much besides!  What's more, special menus include Cape Dutch and East Indian cuisine with spices, served up at Tulbagh's host of outstanding restaurants.  

Not to be missed is the Dutch Courage Party, which takes place from 20h00 until late on the Saturday night.  

Early risers can then head for the fun-filled Street Breakfast which takes place on the Sunday morning.  

Paying proud testimony to Tulbagh's heritage will be those Tulbagh cellars participating in the Festival.  The region boasts numerous award-winning wine estates.  

Live entertainment, special breakfasts, as well as tastings of wine, olive and cheese are all on offer.  Oysters and Bubbly, Weskus Snoek en Patats (West Coast snoek fish and potatoes), Karoo Skaap (lamb) on a spit etc.  

It's all about family fun, as when the sun's rays settle on Tulbagh, festival-goers can partake in tractor trips to the vineyards and olive groves, view a Cape Minstrel troupe's musical entertainment, or haul the family off to horse and carriage trips through the vineyards, grape picking and stomping. Leaving nothing to chance for family festival-goers, there are even picnics and chocolate tasting on offer.

Festival organizers have ensured that the kids can while away their hours with pony rides, face painting, jumping castles, quad bikes, stalls, plus more action taking place on the region's wine estates.

Arts and culture lovers can take in art exhibitions and the music of Alta Joubert and AB Thomas, to name but two, who will ensure that there is more than enough to keep the entire extended family entertained throughout.

A R50 "Passport" entitles Festival-goers to a programme of events, souvenir wine glass and free access to the museums and beer garden, as well as to the participating cellars for wine tasting and much of the other entertainment. The Passport also enables Passport-holders to enter a competition to win two tickets to Holland, compliments of KLM Airlines. Children under 12 can enter the Festival at no charge.

Tulbagh Goes Cape Dutch... with a touch of spice Festival
Where: Church Street, Tulbagh - about  1 hour 15 min drive from Cape Town
When: Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 April
More Info: Contact Tulbagh Tourism Bureau on (023) 230 1348 / 75


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