It’s festival time with The Lions

JOIN the Gillitts-Camperdown Lions Club in celebrating the Highway area at the Highway Festival this March.

The Highway Festival comprises various events planned for the community to enjoy, from indigenous open gardens, to talks, a music festival and outdoor activities.

Monies from all events go to Lions charities and community projects.

Open Gardens

The Highway Festival kicks off with the popular Open Gardens which boasts eight beautiful and diverse gardens to inspire you on 3 to 5 March. From fully indigenous to mixed gardens with exotic and indigenous planting.

The indigenous gardens include: 4 David Road, Westriding. The home and work place of indigenous landscaper, Miles Steenhuisen.

Winner of numerous awards, Miles has not shown his garden for more than three years and it has had many changes. This garden is an example of a holistic approach to indigenous landscaping. If a plant gets eaten, it is left and it rejuvenates in time. It is fully indigenous with many unusual plants.

Tickets available from WebTicket. Visit www.highwayfestival.co.za for the other gardens.

Talks

Lion Talk is a series of talks of special interest to gardeners and lovers of nature by experts in their fields. It is organised by the Gillitts Lions to raise funds for charity.

· Indigenous Gardener editor, Anna Torr, will talk about A Philosophy for the Whole Garden at the Gillitts Lion Club on Wednesday 1 March at 6.30pm. Her talk will coincide with the opening of the Botanicals Art Exhibition in the same venue.

· Gardening guru, editor of The Gardener magazine and lively TV personality, Tanya Visser, will talk about, Things To Do in the Autumn Garden, on Friday, 3 March at Winston Park Primary at 5.30pm. Snacks and canapes served after the talk.

· President of the Lepidopterist Society and many time author, Steve Woodhall, advises on how and why to attract and keep butterflies and moths in your garden at the Auditorium, Rob Roy Lifestyle Village on Saturday, 4 March at 12.30pm.

· Janet Gates manages the Tree and Orchid collections at the Botanic Gardens will share her extensive knowledge and sound advice on Bringing Trees into the Garden at the Gillitts Lion Club on Sunday, 5 March at 12.30pm.

· Experienced landscaper and head of the landscape school, Lindsay Gray, gives ways of revitalising your garden without having to start from scratch with her talk, Bringing New Life into a Tired Garden, at the Gillitts Lions Club on Sunday, 12 March at 12.30pm.

Tickets are for sale from selected Super Spar shops in the Highway area and Durban North.

Music Festival

Rocking the Gorge with Freshlyground and Gangs of Ballet on Saturday 11 March. Support acts include Habit To, The Kickstands and Chico Muya. Gates open at noon. Enjoy a great family afternoon out with food, stalls, stocks if you are naughty and awesome music. Tickets range from R20 to R80. Booking through WebTickets. Pre-booked tickets are cheaper than on the day.

Outdoor Activities

There are many outdoor activities such as walks, trail runs and mountain bike events planned for 4 to 5 March and again on 11 to 12 March.

Walks on the Wild Side:

Varied options from those requiring fitness to gentle walks. All are with guides to discuss the flora and fauna. Most are in the Giba Gorge but there are other areas too. The walks include 5km, 8km, 11km, and 14 km options. They explore the lakes, McIntosh Waterfall and the Umhlatazana Cave, inhabited since the Middle Stone Age. There are great options for those who are retired and a wonderful ‘Nature’s Treasure’ option for five to nine-year-old’s.

Trail Runs

Inter-School trail runs take place on 10 March.

A 5 km trail run is perfect for kids, first timers or those wanting a quick run in a beautiful setting. Winds to a lovely waterfall. Lucky draw prizes by number draw. The 11 km trail run has a few comfortable climbs and longer descents plus a shallow river crossing. Varied and great setting. Really good prizes for top three men and women. The Impi and Maidens’ 21 km trail run has quite a few challenging steep climbs, steep descents, rocks, roots and ankle deep river crossings. Some areas are quite technical. Wonderful scenery as well as the cool of a forest trail. Goodie bags when you finish the race.

There are awesome prizes for top 3 of each of the Impi and the Maidens.

Mountain Bike Events

The Lions MTB 10km Fun Ride is good for the family with kids, beginners and those who want a short ride. Winds up to lovely dams and a waterfall. Lucky draw prizes for some.

The Lions MTB 20kms Challenge has climbs and longer descents with tons of single track. There are some parts of the trail that can be quite technical and quite a few hills to challenge your legs. A good variety for an intermediate rider. Really good prizes of choice to top 3 of each of the men and the women.

The Lions MTB 40kms Challenge has steep climbs and descents, rocks, roots and technical switch backs. Lots of single track that undulates on the edge of the valley and makes for spectacular views. It will hurt going up but make up for it with some fantastic descents. Some quite technical bits. A good mixture to test better riders. Awesome prizes to choose from.

Visit www.highwayfestival.co.za for details and book your place in the outdoor challenges via Roag.