Events to get you going in February ...

Even though February is the shortest month of the year it is most def­in­itely not short on events around the coun­try. So here are a few snap­shots of the up and com­ing events in February to get you excited ...

In Limpopo: Kicking off in Limpopo is the annual Limpopo Marula Festival which takes place from 20–27 February and is held in Phalaborwa. This fest­ival has been going since 2008 and due to all of the diverse activ­it­ies tak­ing place over this week there are 3 ven­ues, the Impala Park Stadium, Hans Merensky Golf Club and Hlolwa Lodge. There are numer­ous activ­it­ies from golf, to half mara­thons, music con­certs, rugby and street soc­cer and an exhib­i­tion of cul­tural products. For more inform­a­tion on this event tele­phone +27 (0)15 769‑5090 or +27 (0)82 820‑7337.

In Gauteng: If you are head­ing into Gauteng from 24–26 February 2010 why not make your way to the Sandton Convention Centre for the Meetings Africa 2010. This is where you will find the con­tin­ents top busi­ness tour­ism exhib­i­tion. If you are look­ing for incent­ive travel des­tin­a­tions, industry sup­port ser­vices and more then you will have found the right spot. This is a one stop shop for con­fer­ence organ­isers, meet­ing plan­ners, cor­por­ate travel agents, asso­ci­ations and gov­ern­ment depart­ments. The show runs from 10h00 to 17h00 on Wednesday and Thursday and 09h00 to 13h00 on Friday. If you need some more inform­a­tion then con­tact Glynis Anderson on +27 (0)11 549‑8300.

From Friday 19 to Sunday 21 February the Beeld Holiday Show gets Midrand back into the hol­i­day mood. Visitors will be exposed to hun­dreds of hol­i­day des­tin­a­tions and activ­it­ies all under one roof. No mat­ter what hol­i­day you are look­ing for, from camp­ing, cara­van­ning, 4x4 excur­sions, safaris, lazy beach hol­i­days or over­seas trips you will find some­thing here. So make sure you stop in at the Gallagher Convention Centre.

If you’re look­ing for some­thing to spoil your loved one with on Valentine’s Day then take a drive to the Hazel Food Candlelight Market in Pretoria on 13 February 2010. You will find over 50 stalls selling food, wine and other inter­est­ing items. There is always a won­der­ful atmo­sphere at these mar­kets, so bring your friends and enjoy the evening.

In KwaZulu Natal: If you’re not into the chocol­ates and flowers of Valentine’s Day or if you and your Valentine are a little bit more adven­tur­ous or if you are up for a bit of a swim why not par­ti­cip­ate in the annual Midmar Mile in Pietermaritzburg from 13–14 February 2010. This is the world’s largest open water swim­ming event and takes place at the Midmar Dam and brings in thou­sands of com­pet­it­ors each year who are both ama­teurs and pro­fes­sional ath­letes. What makes this swim so unique is that although the dis­tance covered is always a mile, depend­ing on rain­fall and water levels in the dam, the dis­tance swum var­ies from year to year. And in order to dis­perse the num­ber of swim­mers the race hap­pens in stages with sev­eral groups at two minute inter­vals in 8 batches over the two days.

In the Western Cape: Needing a day out on the beach, then why not bring your bucket and spade to the Hout Bay beach in Cape Town on 13 February 2010 for the 14^th annual Hout Bay Sandcastle Competition. Join the fam­il­ies and friends of Valley Pre-primary school and help make a dif­fer­ence in the lives of children.

All the funds raised go towards improv­ing facil­it­ies and spon­sor­ing the under­priv­ileged chil­dren at Valley Pre-Primary school, Sentinel High School and Little Lamb Crèche. You are able to register on the day at the Chapman’s Peak side of Hout Bay beach at 08h00 and for more inform­a­tion tele­phone +27 (0)72 445‑5775.

In Swellendam from 5 — 7 February, one river, three stages, more than 30 live music and com­edy acts and 2000 fest­ival goers with a pas­sion for some of South Africa’s best music in com­mon – get your­self ready for Up the Creek 2010. Creekers can look for­ward to the return of Corné and Twakkie, together with a selec­tion of some ser­i­ously funny comedi­ans, includ­ing Dave Levinson. In typ­ical Up the Creek tra­di­tion we will be run­ning the main stage, the river stage and the all-night-long Breede River bar stage once again. To buy your tick­ets, or for any enquir­ies, phone Gareth at Red Hot events on +27 (0)21 510‑0547.

If you are look­ing for 3 fant­astic exhib­i­tions under one roof then make your way to the Cape Town Convention Centre from 19–21 February 2010 where you will find the Natural and Organic Products Exhibition 2010, The Women's Show and The Wedding Pavillion and entry into all three exhib­i­tions will only cost you R50.

The Natural and Organic Products Exhibition is the only con­sumer and trade show ded­ic­ated to show­cas­ing the widest range of nat­ural and organic products and ser­vices in the coun­try. You will be enter­tained with the show sig­na­ture show zones and inter­act­ive fea­ture areas. For more inform­a­tion con­tact Janine Johnston on +27 (0)21 671 0935.

The Women’s Show is ded­ic­ated entirely to women and you are invited to share in this unique exper­i­ence. This is more than just another show as it recog­nises women as primary decision makers and caters for all ages, life­styles, cul­tural ori­ent­a­tions and interests. This is both a sens­ory and inter­act­ive experience.

The Wedding Pavillion is a must visit for all of you brides to be. This exhib­i­tion is brought to you by the Wedding Expo who knows that plan­ning a wed­ding can be time con­sum­ing and stress­ful. Here you will meet with the best sup­pli­ers and it doesn’t mat­ter which stage you are of plan­ning your wed­ding you will find some great ideas, tips and inspir­a­tion.
Show Times:
Friday 19: 10h00 — 18h00
Saturday 20: 10h00 — 18h00
Sunday 21: 10h00 — 17h00

In the Eastern Cape: Based in the Eastern Cape and up for a chal­lenge? Then how about tak­ing part in the Wild Coast Ultra 2010 from Monday 8 to Saturday 13 February 2010 in Port St Johns. This is a chal­lenge of note as well as a treat as it is a trail run along the beau­ti­ful Wild Coast from Port St Johns to East London. You will be taken to the start and from there you can run back to East London in 6 days where you will be taken back to your hotel or air­port. For more inform­a­tion on this event tele­phone Dave Gassner on +27 (0)76 817‑9058 or +27 (0)21 785‑5911.

The Eastern Cape seems to be all about activ­it­ies this month, so if you want to get back onto your bicycle then take part in the Herald Cycle Tour from Friday 5 to Sunday 7 February 2010. This moun­tain bike event starts and fin­ishes at the Addo National Elephant Park and has three route options. Choose your route from an 85km, 65km or a 42km route. Don’t for­get to put on your sun­block and drink plenty of water as this time of year brings very high temperatures.

February has a host of events hap­pen­ing around the coun­try, there is some­thing for every­one. From sports to exhib­i­tions, hol­i­days and deli­cious treats. Make this a month to remember!

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