Harvest wine parade makes a comeback

Staff Reporter|Published 2 years ago

Festival attendees at a previous harvest wine parade enjoying the atmosphere in the streets of Stellenbosch.

Musicians took to the streets at the parade a couple of years ago, and next week visitors to Stellenbosch can enjoy the festivities once again. PICTURE: JASON VAN DER MERWE

The streets of Stellenbosch will be filled with the vibrant sounds and colours of the harvest festival and parade. PICTURE: ALFRED THORPE

After a two-year hiatus, The Stellenbosch Wine Harvest Parade is set to return to the streets of Stellenbosch on Saturday April 9.

Halted only briefly by the pandemic regulations, the procession sees farmers, workers and wine-lovers mount colourful floats and paint the town red to herald the end of another fruitful wine grape season.

The public is invited to participate in this festive occassion by joining in the human train set to move through the historic streets of Stellenbosch.

The parade gets starts at 9am, leaving from the famous Toy and Miniature Museum, in Mark Street, and weaves its way beneath the oaks before arriving some 30 minutes later at the Stellenbosch Town Hall.

The mayor of Stellenbosch, Gesie van Deventer, will here give out awards to the best float as well as the occasion’s most spirited team.

After a short thanksgiving ceremony, the parade will continue its way, sharing the joy of the year’s harvest as it goes along.

At its conclusion, participants will be treated to a braai, live music, and refreshments, with special entertainment laid on for the kiddies too.

The Stellenbosch Harvest Parade takes place with the support of the region’s wineries, wine route organisation, Wesgro and Stellenbosch Municipality.

No bookings to attend the parade are necessary, for more information visit, www.wineroute.co.za