MIDDELBURG NEWS - The small Karoo town welcomed people of all ages and across the country for winter festivities this past weekend. Middelburg Karoo Tourism, made up by local community members, organised the Winter Wool Festival sponsored by OVK and Cape Wool.
"The festival gave us a chance to give back to the community, and all the preparations and support for the festival was an incredible team effort. The goal is to continue the wool festival annually," said Karen McEwan chairperson of events on the Middelburg Karoo Tourism Board.
All the local restaurants in Middelburg served distinctive dishes known to this area of the scenic Karoo- including Springbok Restaurant, Celtis and KarooRoos Padstal.
All the overnight facilities were fully booked, and the visitors were eagerly awaiting this special event.
The museum
The Bushman/San Exhibition was open to the public for the first time on 24 June. The exhibit held primitive artifacts that was carefully crafted. The museum was built in August 1898 and used for a school known as the Armskool.
In 1982 the building was bought by the municipality and used as a museum with donated artifacts. Ron Blaker, a member on the board of trustees for the museum displayed art by Nikki Thompson that was adored by all. Everyone gathered in the museum after fighting off the cold with delicious homemade soup and bread. Helen Wenham, who is part of the Middelburg Karoo Tourism committee, and passionate about local history gave a quick introduction into the early life of one of the greatest architects of his time Sir Herbert Baker (1862-1946).
The exited tourists departed on mini busses to explore the route where Sir Herbert Baker was commissioned to design new houses. The wool festival launched the Sir Herbert Baker route, and is not open for private viewing, it is only available for organised tours during upcoming festivities.
The shuttle
There was a shuttle available for people from Middelburg to Rusoord farm on Friday night where celebrity guest Riaan Benade entertained the crowd with his lively music. The 'skuurdans' was held on Jannie Moolman's farm in the woolshed and the people enjoyed delicious food served by local food stalls.
Early Saturday morning those brave enough to face the cold Karoo morning at -2°C participated in the family-friendly trail run and mountain bike race on a working sheep farm called Beskuitfontein. Coffee and hot chocolate were available for supporters and burning fires warmed up the athletes before their races.
The route featured beautiful scenic landscapes of the mountainous eastern Karoo. Dr Loraine van den Berg, a Karoo bossie expert from Grootfontein Agricultural Development Institute, showed and told the people about unique ecology of this part of the Karoo and why it is ideal for wool production.
Karoo Winter Wool Market
The winter wool festivities proceeded towards Dwarsvlei farm where the Karoo Winter Wool Market was held. The market was an amazing experience for visitors of all ages with an entertainment area for children, a jumping castle, activities and face paint.
Educational wool demonstrations of throwing, classing, and processing Karoo wool to show the process that wool goes through to progress from sheep to shop left visitors flabbergasted.
Educational wool demonstration by Tipton Shearing services owned by Cor Uys, had everyone enraptured. The local produce market made it possible for visitors to taste delicious locally made Karoo food and drinks.
Speakers
Transformative speakers like Dawie Roodt, Stefan Gerber, Athol Trollip, Jackie May, Jacques le Roux and Roland Kroon were lined up to speak at the wool market, discussing agriculture, economics, sustainable farming, and the importance of natural fibres in South Africa.
The St Barnabas Church co-ordinated the Knit your Square project where people from all over the country send their kitted squares to the Karoo Winter Wool Festival and the squares would be made into blankets for people fighting the Karoo winter.
The weekends' festivities concluded with a delightful brunch at Picadilli's, and a church ceremony at Middelburg DR Church.
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