Rand Show going strong at 113
Makoena Pabale
18 March 2008Johannesburg's Rand Show turns the grand old age of 113 this year - and it is still getting bigger and better, each year changing with the times.
"The Rand Show has adapted and changed over the years to constantly bring visitors an event that has consistently been designed for families to enjoy together," says Cebisa Mfenyana, the corporate marketing and communications manager of Kagiso Exhibitions and Events, owners of the Rand Show.
'A strategic revamp'
"The entertainment line-up has undergone a strategic revamp that places the focus firmly on the family and is reflective of the very best talent in South Africa, catering to a diverse range of visitor preferences and age groups."
There will be comedy, fashion, music, theatre, Bollywood, Disney, exhibitions, animal shows, shop-til-you-drop stalls and a funfair - everything geared for visitors to have a fabulous time.
This year's the focus is on family entertainment and, for the first time, Disney will be keeping the younger crowd entertained.
Amanda Dhalluin, the director of retail sales and marketing of Disney Enterprises in Southern Africa, explains her company's involvement: "The show's theme just blends very well with our theme because we also focus mainly on the whole family type of entertainment."
Disney Activation Zone
The Disney Activation Zone features interactive zones catering for toddlers through to teens, including The Mickey Mouse Club House inflatable; Winnie the Pooh's 100-Acre Wood bouncing castle; JoJo's Circus inflatable; Little Einstein's rocket ship; Disney Princesses dress-up parlour; Jungle Book jungle gym; High School Musical; Hannah Montana dress-up and a Pirates of the Caribbean life-sized pirate ship.
Back after an eight-year hiatus are character parades. There will be clowns, carnival performers, Cape Minstrels and Scottish pipe bands.
Music has always been a favourite at the show, and this year, for the first time, Joburg's own Soweto Gospel Choir is performing. The choir has won two Grammy Awards.
'A wonderful opportunity'
"This is a wonderful opportunity for us, because there is no better place than home," says Beverly Bryer, the choir's executive producer and director. "We might have travelled around the world, but performing here at home and at such a huge event is the cherry on top."
MTN, the cellphone service provider, is sponsoring the music. There will be three core festivals - Afrikaans Musiekfees, Bollywood Festival and Gospel Concerts.
Local celebrities have been rounded up to perform in the spectacular Bollywood Festival, including Krijay Govender, Mervyn Pillay, Harry Sideropoulos, Bushan Dass and Tracey-Lee. They will be joined by dancers from Cape Town's Vadhini Dance Academy, choreographed by Savitri Naidou, and Bollywood dancers choreographed by Sean Bovin. A fashion show will feature SIN clothing.
A new perspective
According to Harry Sideropoulos, the festival's producer, the Rand Show wanted a whole new perspective on Bollywood, "and that is exactly what we gave them". Two tickets to India are also up for grabs; the Bollywood Festival takes place on Sunday, 23 March.
For the more sporty types, the South African Champions Professional Paintball League will take place on 22 and 23 March. The European Millennium Series champions, Joy Division, and the US team, Bad Company, will both take on the South Africans.
Visitors will also be able to go into paintball battle during the week for R70 - this covers the cost of the paintballs and the protective gear.
The Rand Show will still retain its lifestyle and agriculture focus, with a Pick 'n Pay Nutriphase Animal Carnival on Easter Monday, 24 March. Dog agility shows are part of the carnival, in which handlers will direct their dogs through an obstacle course in a race for time and accuracy.
The right mix
Organisers are confident they have the mix right. "With the consumer focus on home improvements and renovations, the show bodes well, particularly for exhibitors of products focused on home improvements and leisure lifestyles," Mfenyana says.
Exhibitions will focus on lifestyle brands and items like pools, lapas, furniture, art, décor, spas, camping gear, caravans, sewing machines, and appliances.
Brands and communications will be in exhibition hall five; home lifestyle in hall six; furniture and appliances in hall seven and eight; global traders in hall nine; and tourism, arts and culture, featuring domestic tourism, arts and crafts, will be in hall 10. There will also be a flea market.
Dates and costs
The Rand Show is being held at Nasrec, from Friday, 21 March to 6 April. Gates are open from 10am to 8pm
daily.
Tickets are R55 each for adults and R25 for children under the age of 12. Entrance is free for people over the age of 60, if they have a valid identity document, and for children under the age of two. Parking is R15 a car.
For more information, visit the Rand Show website or telephone 011 894 2767 or 084 426 0410.
Source: City of Johannesburg
