Philippolis, located in the South Free State and just over 200 km from Kimberley, is the first village in the Free State to celebrate its 200th year of existence.
To place that mountain and rich skiing history in that village, Oktoberfest will be held in that village from Thursday, October 5 to Sunday.
Philippolis celebrated its 200th anniversary last week.
A variety of activities is part of that program, including discussions about the village’s ski history, the exploration of an arts route, musical performances, concerts, a wine fee at the Waterkloof brewery, a market where handmade products are sold and a recovery work session, as well as that approach of a fun step and a mountain bike route.
A Remembrance Ceremony will take place on Saturday at 9:00 am at Laerskool Bergmanshoog. During this time, Dr. James Liddell, chairman of the Philippolis 200-fees committee, will be given a speech; Prof. Doreen Atkinson, secretary, and of the Karoo Development Office; as well as Prof. Sethulego Matebesi from the University of the Free State (UV).
Messages will be delivered by Griekwa leaders, including Barend van Wyk, Cecil le Fleur, AAS le Fleur, Dr. Vivian Kok and Captain Andrew Kraalshoek II.
The mayor will speak a word of welcome on Nienaberplein in that village, followed by a photo and wreath-laying facility.
Duiwe is released, Kore steps up, and staff of the National Museum will fire the two historical Greek cannons.
Important people in Philippolis ski history include Adam Kok II and III; that missionary Dr. John Philip, after whom that village is named; Rev. Colin Fraser, skoonpa to President Marthinus Steyn; Emily Hobhouse, with her first weaving coal in 1905; and sir Laurens van der Post, who was born here.
Part of that village’s rich history is many heritage buildings, where the past and the present remain in harmony.
The old gunpowder house, with historical value, was renovated during the 200th anniversary celebration.
Longest ferry ride
Residents of that village have been working to renovate the village without costs for quite some time.
On Saturday, around 12:00, there will be a festival parade at the door of the village with trumpet poppies, antique vehicles and more.
Part of that parade is Piet Coetzer and sy perdekar with ses swart Flemish perde. Coetzer, who gained fame over the past two years by reviving too late six parts of the Forgotten Grootpad route, which stretches from Ceres to Kuruman.
Coetzer, from the Senekal area, will start Saturday with his latest and longest perdekar challenge: about 1,000 km westward after Brandvlei in the Northern Cape.
This is probably the longest ski ride in modern South African history.
Piet Coetzer, who has already achieved fame with sy perdekar and ses swart Flemish perde, will be part of the parade in Philippolis on Saturday.
This Trans-Gariep expedition already stretches almost along the Orange River, and according to plans, Coetzer and his traveling companion should arrive in Brandvlei on Sunday, October 29, after their doorstep or near Luckhof, Douglas, Prieska, Vanwyksvlei, Marydale, Putsonderwater and Kenhardt. .
Coetzer never interested anyone to travel together for a day or two with their own transport and their supplies. Send a WhatApp message to 073-852-7420 to request more information.