Spring event at Rhodes Park is back

One of Kensington’s most well-known traditions which attracts thousands of people, the Kensington Spring Fair, now called the Spring Fest, is back and promises to be even bigger and better than before.

Also read: No spring fair this year

Last year the event was cancelled after the then committee, the I Love Kensington Association, evaluated the 2014 and 2015 events and decided they were not catering for Kensington residents anymore.

It was argued that security at the event was becoming an increasing risk.

Kgomotso Modise, head of the 2017 Spring Fest committee, said the committee has been working very hard to restore the event to its former glory and offer even more to the community.

Also read: Spring fair moves location

“Challenges of security were there but this year we are going to be working together with a private security company that will be assisting with the security,” explained Modise.

The 2017 fest will run over two days, Saturday September 2 and Sunday September 3.

Saturday night will be movie night and Sunday will be the Spring Fest.

Also read: Kensington to launch Friends of Rhodes Park

Modise said, “We are taking back Rhodes Park and by having this movie night on Saturday we want to show people it’s safe to come to the park.

“The gates will be open from 6pm and entrance will be R20 per person.”

People can go to Kensington Residents and Ratepayers Association Facebook page to vote for the movies they would like to watch.

The movies to vote for are:

• Grease.

• Mama Mia.

• Beauty and the Beast.

• The Lion King.

• Home Alone.

• ET.

• Mr Bean.

• Mrs Doubtfire.

• Cinderella.

• My Girl.

The Spring Fest will also be supporting four charities this year. The beneficiaries are: Dewetshof Retirement Village, Kensington Lions, Strathyre Girls Home and Aim Centre.

“We chose these four charities because they are in our community and in need of our support. We will be having drop boxes for each charity at the entrance points where people can drop off donations,” said Modise.

Also read: First CCTV camera unveiled in Rhodes Parks

She said the committee has local businesses, charities, schools and the community involved in making sure this Spring Fest is a success.

“We want everyone to be involved in some way in this Spring Fest, such as small businesses that sell unique treasures. If you make it, bake it and grow it, we will sell it. Mass production is not what the Spring Fair is about. It is about the individuals who do amazing work and need the support and we want to support them as the community,” explained Modise.

“Alcohol has always been a challenge because some people try to sneak it in.”

This year there will be a beer garden, which will be situated in the community centre and it will only be open from 12 noon to 4pm.

“We want the whole family to be involved but we also want people to be responsible. We don’t want people drinking around the park. That is the reason we are providing a secure area,” she explained.

There will be plenty of children’s activities, from talent shows to quiz runs.

“We are bringing back fun to the community and ask for the community to support [us] and come in numbers. We urge them to support movie night and remind them to vote for their favourite movie,” said Modise.

The annual Kensington Spring Fest was established in 1990 and this year residents will welcome spring through the event for the 26th year.

The Spring Fest is always held on the first Sunday of September at Rhodes Park.

Contact Modise on 081 257 1705 or email events@krra.org.za, chairman@krra.org.za or enquiries@krra.org.za

Email joburgeast@caxton.co.za or contact 011 6094966