When it’s Spring it’s time to celebrate! The Hermanus Whale Festival beckons with a superstar line-up of southern right whales and top entertainers from terra firma from 23 – 26 September. The only enviro-arts festival in the country goes Proudly South African this year with a rainbow nation line-up of performers and some exciting environmental activities in the most magnificent setting. Be one of the participants in the very first Welcome Whales Wave on the unique Cliff Path on Heritage Day, 24 September when 4 000 people will join hands to celebrate being Proudly South African, our environment and the whales that visit our shores every year.

Join us for the crowning of the Prince and Princess of Whales on 22 September and the gala banquet on 23 September when the SA Olympic Chefs team will cook up a storm. Top celebrity chefs take over in the Woolworths Chefs Theatre from Friday to Sunday giving Festival visitors a tasty alternative to whale watching and culture. From then on the pace heats up to boiling point with jazz, blues, cabaret, comedy and classics every day. Included in the 32 stage productions are Nataniël, Soli Philander, Boulevard Blues Band, Sarah Theron, Cape Town Opera Society, Jesse Jordan, John Jacobs in mime and a host of children’s shows. The new amphitheatre situated on the cliff tops overlooking Walker Bay will resound with the rhythms of the country daily. Music has never had a better backdrop anywhere!

Discover the splendours of the environment at the Spring Flower show in Fernkloof Nature Reserve and visit the Tourism Expo to see what else there is to do - like whale watching, shark diving and sight seeing. For those with a thirst for knowledge about the environment, illustrated talks on creatures big and small will be held daily at the Whale House Lecture Room. Art lovers are in for a treat with a special Art Walk sponsored by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) – follow the giant outdoor canvasses and visit artists at work in their galleries and studios. Or get active and participate in the Whale Half Marathon, Fun Run or Fun Walk, a netball tournament, Boland Cricket vs Franchise WP, and a fun rugby day. The Whale Festival Classic charity Golf Day sponsored by Homenet Overberg will be held at the Arabella Golf Course on Friday 1 October and a petanque tournament on Saturday 2 October. It’s still school holidays after the Fest and kiddies can look forward to five days of fun at the Children’s Festival (27 September – 1 October).

And, for the first time ever, the teens will have their very own Alternative Teen Scene on 2 October at Gateway Centre with skateboarding, battle of the bands, graffitti art, the first Hackey Pro Challenge and more. Visit the official website www.whalefestival.co.za or call the office (028) 313 0928/7 or email festival@hermanus.co.za.

For tickets call (028) 3130920

For more information contact the Whale Festival Committee
E-Mail: festival@hermanus.co.za
Tel: 028 313 0927