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SPECIAL EVENTS
Riebeek Valley Olive Festival
Venue: Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek West. Tel: 082 896
5022.
Time: -
Price: -
Performances: 30 Apr - 2 May 2010
Genre: Festival
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The largest of its kind in South Africa, the festival is
hosted by the picturesque sister towns of Riebeek Kasteel and Riebeek
West, and is a celebration of olives, food, wine and art in a relaxing
country atmosphere.
Just an hour’s drive from Cape Town, the valley is nestled
at the foot of the majestic Kasteelberg and is renowned for its fine
olives, olive oils and wines – Kloovenburg garnering numerous top honours
for its outstanding olive oils. The Riebeek Valley Olive Festival has now
become so popular that it was last year awarded the accolade stamp ‘Cape
Of Great Events’, and was voted in the top 24 annual festivals (out of
350) hosted in the Western Cape by Western Cape Tourism, Cape Town Routes
Unlimited.
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Live events and activities are run throughout the festival
to provide both the interested public and connoisseurs with information
and expert advice on olives in every form. Last year, some 15 000 visitors
enjoyed sampling a selection of olive fare – from locally grown preserved
olives with flavours as varied as calamata olives with fresh rosemary and
garlic, green manzanillas in lime dressing and olives in blueberry
dressing to olive choc salami; olive jams; smoked, lemon-flavoured and
Shiraz-infused olives; chutneys and dessert toppings. Of course, none of
this would be complete without the region’s prized olive oils which, in
addition to various pressings, are flavoured with lemon, basil, black
pepper or truffles.
With over 23 pit stops on the specially designed festival
route map, visitors had plenty of opportunity to learn the many secrets of
this delectable delicacy.
Whilst the focus of the festival is undoubtedly on the
hallowed olive, there is always loads more on offer, including a
traditional South African food village with a variety of South African
delicacies, local art exhibitions, live entertainment, and wine tasting
from the many superb vineyards in the area. There’s also a play area to
keep the kids entertained, while parents enjoy the fruits of the festival.
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