The Pink Loerie Mardi Gras & Arts Festival in Knysna Rural, Western Cape

“Celebrating Gay Pride in the Garden Route’s Queen City”

Now in its’ seventeenth year, the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras and Arts Festival has become one of the country’s most popular celebrations and a highlight on the international Gay Calendar. This year, the Pink Lourie Foundation promises a bigger, better and even more outrageous festival than ever before!

Knysna, a popular tourist destination along the Garden Route has been said to be the most gay-friendly town in the country and in previous years earned the coveted title of “South Africa’s Favourite Town of the Year”. Knysna is the best location for a fabulous festival like the colourful Pink Loerie Mardi Gras. The entire town is painted pink by enthusiastic festival goers and even the local shop owners get in on the action trying to win the title of Best Window Display.

The festival is four days long and offers heaps of flamboyant festivities, shows, entertainment, dinners and pageants. The street parade and after party is the highlight of the festival and takes place on the final day. Knysna streets have never been this colourful and spectators will be treated to fantastic floats, extravagant costumes and plenty of fabulous entertainment from DJ’s and performers from all over the world.

A notable accomplishment of Pink Loerie is the charity drive for local charities such as Loeriehof Old Age Home in Graham Street, Vermont Retirement Village, Knysna Animal Welfare, Paula Whitney Preschool and the Mayor’s Relief Fund. The Pink Loerie Mardi Gras & Arts Festival is, therefore, a time of celebration, but a celebration with a purpose. So fluff out your feathers, grab your glitter and haul out your fabulous costumes and book your accommodation and festival tickets early!

Activities

• Tie The Knot @ Castollini
• VIP Dinner & Fundraising Auction (Medieval Feast) @ Castollini
• Bondesio Couture fashion Show & Afternoon Tea with Tobi Jooste
• Visibility of LGBTQ+ community Fundraising Dinner & Concert
• Mr & Miss Mardi Gras Pageant, Knysna Mall Exhibition Area
• Madam Wigstock Premium  Drag Queen Event
• Street Parade & After Party
• Farewell Sunday Lunch

Admission

Dates : Wednesday, 26 April to Monday, 01 May 2017

Times : Various starting time depending on each event

Venue : various venues throughout Knysna. Main event at Castollini, Brenton-on-Sea, Brenton-on-Sea

Tickets : can be purchased online on the Pink Lourie Website http://www.pinkloeriefoundation.com/

Prices  : Tickets for each event are charged for separately and pricing ranges between R85 and R350.