A Makhanda Halloween
Saturday, 31st October 2020
Carving of pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfires, apple bobbing and dressing up like vampires or ghosts are all the markings of a classic Halloween celebration.
Halloween also known as Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve or All Saints' Eve has evolved from the ancient pagan festival and ritual to a day of parties, costumes, jack-o-lanterns and trick-or-treating for children and adults.
While this tradition is largely observed in other countries such as Ireland, Canada and the United States and even in Mexico and other Latin American countries as a Día de los Muertos—the Day of the Dead which honours deceased loved ones and ancestors, it was reportedly not recognized in South Africa until about a decade ago. People today celebrate this spooky occasion in a variety of different and fun ways.
Visitors to Makhanda and locals alike can explore the City during this Halloween weekend with the help of these fun activities:
Once in a Blue Moon Halloween Festival
The Smokey Moon Backpackers have put together a fun Halloween festival for the whole family.
Start your day off a market where there is something for everyone! The day will begin with a yoga class at 09h00 and flow into a live music jam around the dam! There will be stalls with all the eats and treats to make your day a delight. Parents can drop the children off at the play area and also get the chance to unwind.
As the evening cools down and the full moon rises, you can enjoy a sunset drumming circle and a fire spectacular!
You can also expect a live music all day with 10 DJ's and 2 Dance Floors.
Is this a trick or an absolute treat? Well, there is only one way of find out.
Date: Saturday, 31 October 2020
Time: 09h00
Venue: The Smokey Moon Backpackers, Makhanda
Cost: R20
Day pass: R40
Night pass: R80
Full day gate: R150
For more information:
Contact Ash on 062 002 0878 or visit: https://web.facebook.com/events/841425509994585/
Take a High Tea with a Twist
Join Gourmet Cuisine Caterers, Cibo down the rabbit hole on Saturday, 31 October into a boozy Wonderland for a high tea like no other!Cibo, which is known for bringing delectable meals using only the best, fresh and local ingredients has planned out an afternoon filled with canapes, sweet treats, drinks and fun activities!
Date: 31 October 2020
Time: 12h30-16h00
R395 per adult
R250 for kids under 8
For tickets and more information contact: info@cibosa.com or 082 942 9014
Pothole & Donkey Halloween Theme Night
For your Halloween evening, head over to Pothole & Donkey for a special Halloween Theme Night of scrumptious food, drinks and entertainment.
This popular eatery will be offering Trick-or-Treat bags, special Halloween Menu, live Music at free entry.
Book your reservation by contacting Yolandie on 046 622 2324
Date: 31 October 2020
Time: 18h30
Venue: Pothole and Donkey, Makhanda
Makhanda's Creepy Pub Crawl
Makana Tourism in association with Graham Hotel will be hosting Makhanda's Creepy Pub Crawl on Halloween night. This haunt and history walk will provide history enthusiasts and crawlers with a chilling and entertaining experience of Makhanda's iconic and historic buildings and streets plus an opportunity to flaunt their best costumes for a chance to win amazing prizes!
The walk will also feature stops at popular waterholes such as The Rat and Parrot and Slipstream Sports bar along with food and cocktail tasting and live entertainment at the Pothole and Donkey's Halloween themed night.
Don't miss out on this fun and haunting experience, tickets are limited due to lockdown level one regulations to events. Tickets are available at the Graham Hotel from 17h00.
Date: 31 October 2020
Time: 19h00
Venue: Graham Hotel, Makhanda (First stop for the pub crawl)
For more information:
Visit https://bit.ly/3lZI5YK or contact 073 380 5202
Halloween Party with the Undead Generation
Slipstream Sports bar (SSS) on New Street will be hosting its annual Halloween party on Saturday, 31 October.SSS General Manager, Mike Theron is super excited about this year's event which will be featuring live music by Undead Generation. He said party goers can also expect food and drink specials on the night and a chance to dress up in their favourite Halloween costume. Prizes are up for grabs for best dressed!
Date: Saturday, 31 October
Time: 19h00
Venue: Slipstream Sports bar (SSS), New Street, Makhanda Cost: R30 (Without Halloween Costume) R20 (With Halloween Costume)
Start a Halloween reading bucket list
Now if you are hesitating to enjoy your Halloween celebrations at an outdoor event alongside other people, plan a trip to the South African Museum of Literature (Amazwi). It has library collection of quite the collection of fantasy, horror and science fiction. Amazwi Librarian, Petro Nhlapo said South African literature has very little reference to Halloween since it is not an indigenous tradition to observe this festival. "In the library collection there are a few books, poems and short stories, mostly for children, except for a poem by John Eppel (published 1975 and 1978). These were written around the early 21st century". He added that more recently writers tend to embrace speculative fiction: fantasy, horror and science fiction. Amazwi houses quite a collection of creative works in this genre by authors Lauren Beukes and Sarah Lotz for example as well as critical and analytical articles.
Here is Amazwi's reading material to start you off on a reading bucket list for Halloween:
Books:
- Halloween night by Navisha Bagrathee (1998)
-Creepy Street and other thrills, chills and giggles for Halloween by Niki Daly (2008)
Poems:
-Stacey Bosman 'A halloween night.' (2002)
Navina Chinnamunian 'Halloween.' (2000)
-Des 'Samhain.' (2005)
-John Eppel 'Halloween.' (1975, 1978)
-Senrisha Maistry 'Halloween night.' (2001)
-Prarochna Rama 'Halloween.' (2002)
-Aimee Rosenstein 'Halloween night.' (2003)
Short stories:
-S A Partridge 'After dark : a Halloween short story.' (2013)
-Alinah Segobye 'Trick or treat.' (2007)
-Craig Smith 'Trick or treat.' (2011) Fantasy fiction
Contact Amazwi for information on their Covid-19 regulations to visit the museum:
Telephone: 046 622 7042
https://www.facebook.com/AmazwiMuseum/
