Following the disappointment that followed the postponement the 2014 edition of the annual VOC Summer Festival, organizers have promised that the event will return better than ever before. On Wednesday, it was announced that the annual festival would be held from the 7th – 10th May 2015.

Following on from 2013, the festival will be returning to the Vygieskraal Stadium, with organizers revealing that logistics are 75% completed. With the 2013 event marking the first occasion the festivities were held at the stadium, this brought about a number of minor difficulties that usually accompany such a venue change. However, festival chairperson, Rashaad Frydie said organizers have taken into consideration the concerns of both stall holders and festival goers, which will lead to an overall better experience this year around.

A number of changes have been brought about with regards to the positioning of stall, as well as the facilities that will be available. Amongst the most notable is that food stalls and the tea garden have been repositioned, so as to ensure maximum comfort for attendees.

“This year we are going to move the food stalls to the rugby side area, which is much wider and where we can facilitate the stallholder with his fire, as well as provide for the festivalgoer to commute in the aisle,” explained festival convener, Cassiem Nordien, adding that the tea garden would be trading places with one of the bigger exhibition tents, situated near the main entrance.

Furthermore, to ensure that community members are not constrained by any monitory issues, parking will be free of charge this year around. Parking will however be limited to the rugby field, situated adjacent to the stadium.

A huge drawing card for many community members are the range of entertaining events that take place throughout the duration of the festival, and this year’s event is expected to be no different.

Proceedings will kick off with a Thikr on Thursday, with the opening ceremony taking place on Friday evening. In addition, a range of sport tournaments from rugby and cricket, to athletics and netball will be held throughout the weekend.

According to the festival’s entertainments convener, Hajirah Isaacs, events and shows would be scheduled for the tea garden as well as the main stage, with fun rides also expected to be available for some of the younger festival goers.

“Putting the festival together is important, but we also need to have activities for the Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday (to keep people entertained),” she stated.

For those seeking to host stalls during the festival, applications will be opened on the 11th April. Non-foods stalls will cost R2000, whereas food stalls will be R2800. As for entry fees, Adults will have to fork out a small R20 compensation, with pensioners and children under 12 getting in for a fee of R10.

Frydie urged the community to come out and show their support for the station, by acquiring their tickets for the festival as early as possible.

“Shukran to our supports and festival goers in 2013, they were brilliant and inshallah we hope they are going to be the same this year,” he said.

Corporate clients seeking to exhibit at the event may contact VOC sales manager, Hassiem Bastra at 021 442 3503.

Listeners are urged to stay tuned to the station in the coming weeks, as organizers reveal more information and logistics on the festival. VOC (Mubeen Banderker)