Residents enjoy picnic of white wonderland

ST George's Park was transformed into a white wonderland on Saturday as more than 500 people attended the city's first all-white pop up picnic.

White doves, white balloons and sparklers were just some of the highlights at The Grand White party.

The Grand White is a pop up picnic party. People do not know where it is until three hours before it starts.

The party was organised by Cape Town residents Madalene Johansson and Stephan Dau.

"Stephan was inspired by an oversees event. She decided to bring it to South Africa and added a South African feel to it. We met up about seven months ago. The party started in Cape Town, then Port Elizabeth and then it is going to be in Jozi and Durban," Johansson said.

She said 8000 tickets had already been sold for the Durban and Johannesburg parties to take place later this year.

To honour South Africa, doves were released when the party began in Port Elizabeth. The guests were entertained by belly dancers, mimes and fire dancers.

"This is a no VIPs party because we want to unite all South Africans," Johansson said.

Performer Niqui Cloete-Barrass was impressed.

"It is a spectacular new event in Port Elizabeth. I am sure it will grow. It is a much-needed magical event for Nelson Mandela Bay," she said.

Summerstrand couple Thuto and Sam Shongwe, also had a great time.

"Wow, this is beautiful. The white theme is always beautiful and angelic. We had the opportunity to meet new people and the entertainment was off the hook," Thuto said.

Chantelle Lee of East London said: "This is a great concept and I did not want to miss it for anything. My friends and I are having an awesome time."

The guests were entertained by artists from Boost Entertainment. -