A unique event combining music and adrenalin-packed activities for the whole family adds a festive and celebratory atmosphere to the Amphitheatre World Heritage Site in the Northern Drakensberg from May 22 to 24. The Smoking Dragon Adrenalin Festival, is a new event hosted by the Amphitheatre Backpackers, whose popular New Year’s Smoking Dragon Festival has captured the imagination of revellers since 2009.
“There are so many organisations in the northern Drakensberg area that have such wonderful offerings for adventure seekers and nature lovers, that we have decided to combine music and adventure into one big creative festival for everyone from 0 to 100 to enjoy.” says Ilsa Roberts the Festival Director. “This inaugural event is an idea to bring like-minded music- and outdoor-lovers together to celebrate and enjoy the beautiful Berg.”
The Smoking Dragon Adrenalin Festival is all about “adrenalin”. There are a myriad activities to participate in, including skydiving (from the festival grounds), rock climbing, paragliding, abseiling, mountain biking, trail running, micro lighting, quad biking, off-road Segway or scooting, canopy touring, paintball, hiking (to the highest waterfall in Africa,) kloofing, white water rafting, bass fishing or hot air ballooning. Some of these are unique in that this is the first time that they will be available in the area.
“Festival goers will have access to these on site but are encouraged to explore the many adventure sports on offer in the surrounding region. There are separate charges for some of the adrenalin activities, which can be booked through the Smoking Dragon website, and of course, all safety and regulatory procedures will be adhered to.” says Ilsa.
Music on offer includes a range of reggae, folk and afro funk sounds with Stelth Ulvang (From The Lumineers), Shortstraw, The Tidal Waves, Champions Of The Sonarverse, Veranda Panda, Fools Of Fate, The Accidentals, The Gus Brown Band, Gavin Ferguson, Hezron Chetty, The Meditators, Inkhonjane No Bheseni, Dj Invizable and Dj Dubmasta China.
“There will be our usual food vendors, clean toilets and showers and full bars.” explains Roberts. “Music starts at 5pm on Friday and Saturday, after all the adrenalin has been used up, and ends at 12pm so that sportsmen and women will be guaranteed their much-needed sleep to get up and enjoy more fun the next day.”
All in all the festival will appeal to all across the generations. 18 years and younger come in for free and those born in or before 1950 pay half price. The festival starts on Friday, May 22 at 3pm and runs until Sunday, May 24 closing at 3pm.
