The program for the Montagu Herb Fest is spread over three days, starting on Friday 18 October and ending at midday on Sunday 20 October 2019.
The Festival will be opened by Michael Janse van Rensburg, Deputy Director of Museum Services, Western Cape – at a herb-inspired 3-course dinner – with entertainment – on Friday evening at 6pm in the Old Mission Church.
Tickets (R275) for the dinner can be bought online at Quicket or directly from the Old Mission Church.
On Saturday and Sunday there will be guided Hikes to Donkerkloof to visit the area where most of the herbs used in the Montagu Museum herbal mixtures are harvested. There will also be interactive discussions on sustainability. 2 hikes on Saturday and 1 hike on Sunday morning at R150 each.
Many other activities will take place at the Old Mission Church building and Joubert House and Garden.
Guest speakers: Dr Deoni van Rensburg (Kook met kruie), Marina Rabie, (herb gardens), Henk and Johannita Venter (manufacturing herb based products), Jeremy Acton (history of cannabis and legalisation), Rupert Koopman (botanist at Cape Nature – fynbos) Dave Pepler and Liana Jansen ( die Parfuum van Fynbos) and Dr Yvette van Wijk (anthropologist – impact of the Khoi had a bigger effect on the vegetation and indigenous knowledge than we realise.)
There will also be an interactive discussion called the Herb Project Memoirs with some of the people originally involved in the project.We will have stalls selling local products, herbs, snacks, T-shirts, plants, containers – you name it!
The Riel Dancers from GB Batt Primary School will entertain us at Joubert House on Saturday at 12:00.
On Sunday at 11:30 Anneline will be running a Smudge Stick Workshop at the Old Mission Church.
Local restaurants will prepare special “Herb Festival” dishes and/or tasting menus. Look out for the “HERB STOP” posters. Restaurants taking part are 22 on Church, Mimosa Lodge, (evening) MonTQ, ( whole day and evening) Route 62 Brewery and Rambling Rose (whole day).
The Montagu Nature Garden will have a guided walk on Sunday (R25) and will host an early Saturday Sunset Concert and Picnic – 16:30 to 20:00 – featuring local musicians. DJ Longi, Aviwe, Mbulelo, Viv Rivers and Negus & Bain. (R50).
The local Montagu Art Association will hold an art and sculpture exhibition in the “Secret Garden” around the corner in Church Street – a small public park where the museum and municipality have planted a selection of indigenous herbs.
Guided tours of Joubert House will take place every hour with the knowledgeable Don Woodford.
IBIS Gallery, Hicks Gallery and the new kid on the block THE Gallery in Bath Street will all be joining in the fun.
All talks are free of charge but tickets for the 3-course dinner, Donkerkloof Hikes, Nature Garden Walk and Saturday Picnic and Concert are available from www.quicket.co.za or at the Old Mission Church in Long Street.
Sunday afternoon Rainbow Glen will host a picnic concert featuring Wendy Oldfield and friends. Tickets R120 at the gate.
Imka Webb is a freelance digital marketing expert and the digital editor of Food & Home Entertaining magazine. www.imkawebb.com
