NIEU-BETHESDA NEWS - For a fun day out for the entire family, be sure to make your way towards Nieu-Bethesda for the Annual Pump-Palooza which takes place on the 31 March this year.
Once again, Blue Magnolia Nursery and Coffee Shop is the main sponsor for the event which has had villagers and visitors growing ‘Atlantic Giant’ pumpkins in hidden places and secret gardens since spring.
This year the prize for the biggest pumpkin is R1 000 in cash along with the coveted title of Pumpkin King or Queen for 2018!
From 09:00 the Saturday morning, pumpkins should be brought along to the Ramstal Pub in Nieu-Bethesda and entered into a variety of categories including:
- The biggest Atlantic Giant
- The biggest Flat White Boer
- The biggest Queensland Blue (ysterpampoen)
- The biggest Hubbard squash
- The smallest Atlantic Giant
- The best dressed/carved pumpkin
- The best arrangement of pumpkins
- The Sexiest pumpkin
- The ‘Hidden Beauty’
- The weirdest pumpkin
- The best pumpkin alternative
- The most ancient or very dead pumpkin (or never been born)
- The best Kiddie contribution.
Judging will take place during the course of the day with the esteemed winners being announced at 14:00.
There are also food stalls and a pumpkin sale taking place and “Archie’s live band” will fill the autumnal air with jazzy music throughout the day.
A new addition to the Pump-Palooza is an “Anything that Floats” boatrace that starts at 11:00.
Using the ancient system of furrows through the village, participants pay their entrance fee to this event by donating a pumpkin that they have grown or bought.
These pumpkins (or pumpkin look-alikes - creativity is encouraged) can be carved into boats or simply floated as is, and will then be raced down the sloot as their ‘owner’ runs alongside.
Afterwards, these pumpkins will be donated to facilities for senior citizens, namely Huis van de Graaff in Graaff-Reinet and also facilities in Middelburg and Aberdeen.
There is also pumpkin art for children and an Easter egg hunt at 11:30. A police dog show, some old cars and Bethesda’s Koisan dancers will also be of interest during the day.
Restaurants and shops in the village will be in the ‘pumpkin mood’ and will offer food, drinks and products associated with pumpkins.
There is even a pumpkin beer being brewed at ‘The Brewery’ over the river.
So pack your pumpkins and make your way to Nieu-Bethesda on the Saturday of the Easter weekend for a fun filled day out for the whole family.
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