Award-winning singer Vusi Nova has promised to set the stage alight with his live performances at the People’s Port Festival at the Port Elizabeth harbour this weekend.
The annual two-day event, organised by Transnet National Ports Authority’s Port of Port Elizabeth and Magnetic Storm, aims to promote the diversity and growth potential of the port.
Port of Port Elizabeth manager Rajesh Dana said it anticipate an increase on the visitors’ tally for 2017, when 90,000 people descended on the harbour.
“This year we plan to be bigger and better, and we are looking to partner with our media and blogger friends yet again to make this a reality.”
Dana said the festival would bring elements of a working port to life for the Bay community through “edutainment”, experiential elements, and family-friendly live entertainment.
Nova said he would be performing alongside a host of local and national artists on the main stage.
“The crowd needs to prepare themselves, I’ll be performing all my hit songs from both my old and new album. “I’ll bring fire,” he said. Magnetic Storm director Jane Stevenson said the free entrance would also positively contribute to the attendance.
“Last year’s festival was incredible and a great success.
“All the activities catered for everyone, and we are hoping to make this one even more remarkable,” Stevenson said.
Zikhona Gwexa, from the SA Agulhas training ship, said the team was ready for the upcoming festival, excited and looking forward to entertaining and informing the public about sea life.
“The People’s Port Festival is a wonderful experiment – the ship will be open for everyone and we will also be doing a career expo for those who are interested in working on the sea,” Gwexa said.
The festival area will be a pedestrian-only zone and shuttles will be available from the designated parking areas.
Activities at the weekend include waterside events, tours of the iconic SA Agulhas training ship and former polar research vessel, a lifestyle zone including exhibitions, and stalls with locally produced crafts and produce.
Food trucks and stalls as well as a beer tent will be open, offering mainstream beers, craft beers and wine. Whiskeyand brandy-tasting will also be available.
Rubber duck races, tug boat “ballet displays” and paid-for ferry rides are also in the lineup.
Marina Sea Salt will showcase live demonstrations by well-known SA “salt artist”, Percy Maimela from Mabopane, who returns to the festival after demonstrating his work last year.
The Lifestyle demo stage will feature chefs including Benny Masekwameng and Lee Duru and will also have a demo stage featuring butchers, winemakers and other things to appeal to foodies.
A kids zone with a graffiti wall, mechanical bull, climbing wall and other activities will be available to keep the little ones entertained.
Free Wi-Fi will be on offer so festival-goers can post on social media about their experiences using the hashtags #loveourport and #PEoplesportfestival.
Gates are open from 10am to 10pm on Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday.