CAPE TOWN HOSTS AFRICA’S MAJOR STREET PARTY

Cape Town, 24 January 2017 – Everyone’s invited to this year’s Cape Town Carnival on Saturday 18 March on the Green Point Fan Walk. There’ll be live music, giant floats and eye-catching costumes, scrumptious street food and, of course, a hip-and-happening crowd with plenty of local celebrities getting in on the act. Up to 50 000 people are expected to come and experience the carnival and the magic it has to offer.

“We’ve seen the carnival grow bigger each year since the first one in 2010 – it’s the party everyone wants to be at,” says creative director Brad Baard of the annual parade that showcases and celebrates the inventiveness and diversity of Cape Town and South Africa. A number of organisations and communities get involved to make this one-night extravaganza a great success.

The theme for this year is “AMAZA – Ocean Odyssey” and the floats and costumes look set to cover the gamut of dolphins and whales, fishermen and surfers, penguins and deep-sea creatures, strandlopers, treasure and sunlit beaches.

The parade will start at 19h00 with a spectacle of shore-loving sea creatures and will dive deeper into the ocean with each float and performance. The parade will end at the majestic fictional under-sea city of Atlantis. New York-based international singing star Oshri will perform this year’s theme song live at the parade, while local marching bands, drummers and performers will contribute their talents to the musical festivities, with the street party carrying on until midnight.

Official broadcast sponsor KFM will once again be hosting some exciting activities for the public to participate in. “We’re all excited and ready for this year’s Cape Town Carnival, especially our one-of-a-kind KFM float,” says Breakfast show presenter Ryan O’Connor. “The Cape Town Carnival fits in perfectly with KFM Life, and how residents in this fine city come together to enjoy world class events.”

Street vendors will offer an array of eats and drinks, trinkets and mementos. “This is an amazing opportunity for local entrepreneurs. Last year about 86% of spectators bought items from street vendors selling merchandise, food and beverages along the carnival parade route,” says Prof. Rachel Jafta, chairperson of Media 24 and the Cape Town Carnival Trust. It’s an indication that the vendors will do just as well or perhaps even better this year.

Festivities along the Fan Walk kick off at 15h00. Those arriving early can visit one of the vendors and restaurants situated along the route and grab a bite to eat, or sip on a cocktail. Entry to the parade area is free and Tickets are now on sale on the Cape Town Carnival website for seated areas along the parade route.