BATHURST BUZZ with BETTY BAKHANYO
Austin Landing, Bahamas, Bellefontaine, Calauan, Daet, Eleuthera, Indian River County, Jensen Beach, Manipur, Lana’i, Ormoc City, Rollingstone, Sogeri, Thailand and Woombye, across continents from America, through almost all the tropics to Eastern Asia, these places have something in common – an annual Pineapple Festival. And Bathurst has a close connection with one of them – Woombye, Queensland, Australia.
There in 1971 the world’s Biggest (tallest but not widest) Pineapple was constructed. It effectively launched tourism in the area. During the 1980s a group of South African pineapple farmers contrived to get the plans of this structure and set about getting a taller and wider replica built near the offices of the Pineapple Growers Association in Bathurst. Construction started in 1990, and the world’s new Biggest Pineapple (tallest and widest) opened to the public in 1991. It’s been making a contribution to tourism in Bathurst for more than 30 years.
Woombye celebrates its Big Pineapple and the agricultural sector it honours with a Pineapple Music Festival, an annual event since 2013. Last year it drew 8000 people. The Bathurst Fest organising team is not intent on developing a bigger festival, nor yet one even nearly as big! However, many people do feel that Bathurst should celebrate one of its key economic contributors, much as Riebeeck West celebrates olives, Calitzdorp focuses on port, and Knysna gives a nod to oysters.
There’s so much to the pineapple story, and a fair amount of confusion too. The biggest pineapple producing country? Costa Rica? Indonesia? Philippines? Or is it Thailand, India or Brazil? There’s more agreement on the biggest pineapple plantation in the world. Dole Plantation on Lana’i island, Hawaii , takes up almost the entire island! The biggest pineapple city is said to be Vazhakulam in Kerala State, India. In Africa, there’s again disagreement about who produces the most pineapples, but these states figure: Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Cameroon and Angola. South Africa’s claim to fame is that we are the most southerly pineapple producing country in the world.
Planning for the Bathurst Pineapple Music Fest has been an exhilarating journey over the past few months! Set to take place on the 22nd and 23rd of February 2025, this vibrant event promises to be a celebration of music, fun and tropical vibes. Behind the scenes, the team has been hard at work selecting the venue, coordinating logistics and collaborating with incredible partners to bring this vision to life. The festival will feature diverse music genres, exciting food and beverage offerings and, of course, a nod to the pineapple theme throughout.
The programme includes an invitation-only reception on Friday evening 21st February. Saturday 22nd February will open the gates at Summerhill at 08.30, with entertainment starting at 09.00, and local and out-of-town musicians performing from 11.00. This day is intended as a real “jol” that ends when the last visitor goes home. Sunday 23rd February will have a different mood, with three talks about pineapples and their place in our world, backed by quieter music and activities. Light Sunday lunch will mark the end of the Fest.
Summerhill activities are intended as a fund-raiser for the Bathurst Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Association. BR&RA has deliberately kept membership subscriptions ridiculously low, choosing rather to organise events to raise the funds that can allow them to make a bigger contribution to the Bathurst community. Potential beneficiaries include good causes on both sides of the hill that has divided Bathurst for 200 years. Independently from the fund-raiser at Summerhill, other venues in Bathurst have been encouraged to put on their own “pineapple show” if they wish, and some really fun options are developing.
Stay tuned as the team reveals more about the line-up and all the unique surprises in store. Get ready to join in two days of music, community, discovery and unforgettable memories at the Bathurst Pineapple Music Fest! For more general information or to volunteer help, contact Thea Venter on 071 881 9140. To find out about stalls, contact Maya Stricker 071 273 6666. For information about BR&RA, Elizabeth Milne 065 730 0473.
- This article was first published in Talk of the Town, January 16, 2025. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays.
