Lots of activities, great artists and thousands of people.. Another successful BILTONG festival :)

This year's Festival definitely made up for the cold and rain experienced in 2012. We had stunning, sunny days perfect to spend on the grounds enjoying every bit of what the 2013 Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival had to offer.

MiCasa has been considered to be the highlight of the Festival, getting the crowd up and dancing along to their very unique music. They were the last act on the main stage and ended the Festival off on a high note indeed.

Festival-goers showed some massive support for all of their favourite artists.

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to 'hang' with us at the 2013 Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival, it would not have been such a huge success without all of you!

The 2013 Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival Kicks off TODAY

 
We are setting up and all is running smoothly. The sun is out today and there is no sign of any rain or cold for Somerset East this weekend!

Come 'hang' with us today and tomorrow at the  2013 Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival and see some of the amazing artists lined up for you this year. Khaya and Snotkop will be on stage later today and they promise not to disappoint. Tomorrow we bring the likes of Karlien van Jaarsveld, Bongi, Melissa, Jay, Zahara, Theuns Jordaan and MiCasa.

Don't miss out on all the fun and festivities, bring your family and all of your friends and come 'hang' with us!

The 2013 Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival kicks off TODAY!!  It is going to be a good one!

LOCAL TALENT SHOWCASING BCRM’S BEST

Local performers will have the chance to showcase their talents at the 23nd Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival on the 12th – 13th July 2012.

The local talent programme of the Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival will allow local performing artists from the whole of the Blue Crane Route Municipality (BCRM), to take part. The inclusion of this programme at the Festival is to encourage and give local performers a platform where they can exhibit their talent as well as encourage them in becoming better at their art. The programme caters for over 18’s as well as younger children under the age of 18.

The over 18 performers such as Stars of tomorrow, Ncedanani Youth Group, Izihunywa, Nkosinathi Nzanza, Kasi Life’Sbu, Klein Geld, NB Geez and Tiaan will get to perform on the big stage, the Castle Lager Gig Rig on the Friday (12 July), starting from 14h00. The under 18’s such asTyral-Lee & Lerone Miggels, Ikamva Lethu, Getto Thugs, Siyakhula, Cookhouse Gumboot Dance, Mandela Dance Group and Young Masters, get to showcase their talents in the Bokjol on Saturday (13 July), starting at 10h00.

So come on...support local talent at the 2013 Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival!

A Potjiekos competition, Cheese & Wine evening and Best Biltong stall... know when and where you need to be

This year’s festival has all sorts of activities, from the best in local, award winning talent to a Potjiekos competition, the Cheese and Wine evening and of course gastronomical architectural and heritage routes.

The 2013 Castle Lager East Cape Biltong festival promises to keep the winter blues away this year with all the variety of activity that is on offer. From artists such as Snotkop, Rooies, Khaya, Zahara and Melissa gracing the stage to other activities such as the Potjiekos Competition, the Cheese and Wine evening and the Best Biltong stall competition.

For those who think themselves the best Potjiekos makers around, the Potjiekos competition will be your chance to shine. The competition will take place on the 13th of July at a cost of R200 per team. The cooking fun kicks off at 08h00 at “Die Kraal”, so be sure to rise with the roosters. If your taste is of the more refined nature, the Cheese and Wine evening is for you. Whether you consider yourself an expert or would simply enjoy a nice evening over a glass of wine, join the host, Chef Schoon for an unforgettable evening at the “Tourism Hub”.

For the biltong lovers, you haven’t been forgotten. We have the ‘Best biltong stall’ just for you. As part of the festival activities, the different biltong stalls will be visited for tastings. Don’t miss out on this one as the winning stall will have its biltong sold at the Tourism Hub for a whole year.

The 2013 Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival promises to be abuzz with activity, so be part of the fun and come ‘hang’ with us on the 12th and 13th of July in Somerset East at the Somerset East Show grounds for one of the best festivals in the Karoo.

Come and experience all the fun and festivities!

The Biltong Festival promises to entertain the crowds with amazing artists and they also have a range of activities lined up for every member of the family.

The Gastronomical, Heritage and Architectural Routes and a Golf Day hosted by the Somerset East Golf Club are just two of the activities happening at the 23rd installment of the Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival.

The Gastronomical Route includes a tour of all the restaurants, delis, diners, take away places as well as pubs around Somerset East. For the adventurous individuals or those who love exploring beautiful things, we have the Heritage and Architectural Route. In taking a walk, you will experience the Walter Battiss Art Museum in Paulet Street, the street with arguably the most historically valuable building in the beautiful town.

The Blue Crane Development Agency will be hosting a Cheese, Wine and Biltong Tasting evening on the 12th of July at the Tourism Hub, a perfect start to the festival weekend. The Golf Day will take place on the 13th of July.

For the food lovers, there will be a Potjiekos Competition and well as a Best Tasting Biltong Competition. Fly fishing will entertain those looking for some outdoor fun and the Beer Tent and stalls will be up for all to enjoy throughout the weekend.

Come and have some winter fun in the Karoo at the 2013 Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival.

Winter-tummy warmers

Every year, the Biltong festival celebrates being proudly South African in the midst of the icy winter, making the best of the chilly days and icy evenings. This year, the two days promise to 'warm' guests up with plenty of hearty food stalls, family activities and amazing live entertainment.

Many people consider hearty, warm, home-made meals the best way to keep warm during the cold winter months and we have a perfect receipe for you to try out for your next evening relaxing around the fire.


Biltong & Parmesan POTBROOD

4 cups Flour
3 tbsp Sugar
1 tbsp Salt
7g Dry yeast
40g Unsalted Butter
3 tbsp Fresh Thyme (chopped)
3 cloves Garlic (crushed)
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup Biltong powder
1 1/2 cup Luke warm water

Directions:
- Sift flower into a bowl
- Add the sugar and yeast
- Rub in butter
- Add thyme, garlic, parmesan, biltong powder and salt
- Gradually add luke warm water to form dough
- Knead for 10minutes unitl smooth and elastic
- Place in greased bowl and allow to rise to double the original size
- Knead dough again
- Place in loaf tin
- Place on braai coals for 45minutes

Done :) No need to stay indoors to keep warm and the tummies full :)

2013 SAMA winners to heat up the icy Biltong Festival stage...

The festival will once again be showing off with three 2013 SAMA winners at the 23rd instalment of the Biltong festival!

Zahara made us proud when she took the best selling ring-back tone award for Loliwe.

MiCasa might be new to the music scene but they have already proved that they are here to stay by winning the SAMPRA award for 'Heavenly Scent'.

And the then last but not least, the multi SAMA winning artists walked away with two awards this year - for best contemporary music album and best selling album.

Be sure not to miss these AMAZING artists in action on the 12th and 13th of July at the CASTLE LAGER East Cape Biltong Festival :)

Come 'hang' with us :)

Winners announced!

We are very proud to announce the winners in the Design@Bay "Rallying for the rhino" poster design competition in conjunction with the Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival 2013...

The competition winners were in first place, Marc Cooper, a BTech student at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU).



In second and third place are Darren Berkland and Eyleen Frost, also students at NMMU.

The winning poster received a R3000.00 cash prize from Design@Bay, the second and third runners up received hampers from the Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival’s main sponsor, SAB. Included in all the prizes were tickets to the 2013 Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival taking place on the 12th and 13th July in Somerset East.

Well done to all the students who entered and a big congratulations to the 1st place winner, Marc Cooper :)

The countdown has begun and it is just over 24hours to go until the official East Cape Biltong Festival MEDIA LAUNCH!

The launch will reveal the artists who will be performing and the activities to be hosted at this year's festival, as well as announce the winner of the design poster competition.



Speakers at the launch include:
- Blue Crane Route Municipality (BCRM) - Mayor Scott, and the acting Municipal Manager, Mr Fezekile Cotani.
- Johan Steyn and Riaan van Jaarsveld from SAB
- Mr Pumelelo Kate, Director of Economic Development, from the Cacadu District Municipality.
- Tasmia Ismail from Media24.
- Chris Wilken from the Blue Crane Development Agency (BCDA).
- Dipti Varghese, Creative Director and owner of Design@Bay.
- Morgan Griffiths from WESSA-EC.

Let the excitement begin and stay posted as the artists and activities will be available on the official Biltong Festival 2013 website soon :)

Poster design competition...top 3 finalists announced!

As the competition came to a close, Dipti Varghese (Owner of Design@Bay), Michael Barry (Head of Department for the Arts and Culture Department at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University- Port Elizabeth), Morgan Griffths (representative from WESSA-EC) and Theressa Hardman (ArtEC Chairperson), all had the difficult task of choosing a winner! After hours of deliberation, they made their final decision and with that we introduce the top 3 to you (in no particular order)...





The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be announced at the Biltong Festival Media Launch, happening this coming Thursday :)

"Rallying for the Rhino"

A proud initiative of Design@bay is underway. Local students have been asked to take part in the "Rallying for the rhino" poster design competition. In addition to the official prizes, the winning poster will be displayed at the 2013 annual East Cape Biltong Festival. Stay posted for more information :)

The Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival 2013 …starring, loads of biltong….featuring, hundreds of stalls!

From the 12th to the 13th of July 2013, the Blue Crane Route Municipality invites all who love biltong, the Karoo and everything South African, to come and enjoy two days of exciting family fun and entertainment at the 2013 Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival!

STALLS: Stall bookings are now open. Application forms as well as the application conditions, which you are advised to go through before filling in the application form, can be downloaded on the Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival website. For more information, contact Marette Liddell on 042 243 1333 ext 6484 or info@bcrm.gov.za. The Castle Lager East Cape Biltong Festival 2013…come hang with us!