"It's great to have everyone back in Mossel Bay and the Garden Route, and – as always – the people of the town have been hard at work preparing an exciting programme of entertainment and events just for you," she said.
Things to do
Ms Holm invited visitors and locals alike to visit the Information Office on the corner of Church and Market Streets (diagonally opposite the entrance to the Bartolomeu Dias Museum Complex) to collect a free copy of the town's 'Things to do' brochure.
"It's a complete resource in handy pocket-book size that provides everything you need to know about where to go and what to do. Every entry is colour-coded to a simplified map to make it easy to plan your itineraries. So, for example, if you decide you want to go to the beach and do a game drive in the same day, you can quickly see which facilities are closest to one another by their colour codes."
Amongst other things, the 28-page booklet provides brief descriptions of the beaches (including the town's four Blue Flag beaches: Santos, De Bakke, Hartenbos, and Great Brak River) and other outdoor attractions – which range from scuba diving to tandem skydiving, and include sailing, hiking, horse riding, kayaking, angling, and much, much more.
"And if you're looking for something to do indoors – in the unlikely event of rain, say, or if you suddenly find yourself in dire need of an emergency beauty treatment – the brochure also includes information about indoor entertainment centres, museums, galleries, shopping malls and spas," said Ms Holm.
Entertainment
Mossel Bay has a well-earned reputation for its full and varied programme of summer entertainment.
"Please use the events page on our website - www.bit.ly/DoStuff - as your go-to resource for your daily diary of what's on in Mossel Bay," said Ms Holm.
The town's show venues including The Barn (which will feature shows like Barry Hilton, Just Jinjer, Chris Chameleon and Van Coke Cartel: www.thebarns.co.za/MosselBay), and the Bravo Lounge at the Garden Route Casino (Andriette Norman, David Fourie, Nianell, and others: www.gardenroutecasino.co.za) - and there's also the Monroe Theatre at the Déjà Vu Vintage House (Deja-Vu-Vintage-House on Facebook), which screens classic movies, and the Cine 123 cinemas at the Bayside Centre (www.visitmosselbay.co.za/entertainment/cine-1-2-and-3), which screens the latest releases.
"We also have a number of separate festivals for you to enjoy during this period - and quite honestly, the variety is bewildering," said Ms Holm.
The Diaz Summer Festival (www.diazsummerfest.co.za from 16 to 31 December) will include performances by Lianie May, Theuns Jordaan, Jakkals and Leeu, and others - as well as a programme of beach entertainment, games, and competitions, and the Diaz Strand Hotel and Resort's famous New Year's Eve Party.
The ATKV-Hartenbos' summer programme (www.atkvoorde.co.za 17 December to 8 January) will feature Arno Jordaan, Bok van Blerk, Steve Hofmeyr, Bobby van Jaarsveld, as well as Carols by Candlelight, touch rugby, a potjiekos competition, the ATKV/Die Burger Street Mile, and a New Year's Eve party.
The Bravo Festival at the Garden Route Casino (www.facebook.com/bravofees: 18 to 23 December, from 17:00 each evening) will feature Emo Adams, Peter Koenig, Hugo Ludik, Rynard Hugo, Nicholis Louw, Kurt Darren, Theuns Jordaan, Snotkop and Steve Hofmeyer.The Voorjaarsfees of art, drama, comedy, music, and children's theatre (see the calendar on www.visitmosselbay.co.za: 26 to 28 December) will take place in Great Brak River, and will feature Petronel Baard, Voldi George, and Stef Kruger – and proceeds will be donated to the Mossel Bay Advertiser's Oliver Twist Project.
Gift shopping
"Mossel Bay has some incredibly talented artists and crafters, so gift shopping is always a pleasure," said Ms Holm.
She suggested visits to the Craft Art Workshop - next door to Mossel Bay Tourism - and the indoor flea market at The Goods Shed on Bland Street (both at www.mosselbayart.co.za).
"Also look out for the various summertime craft markets, like the Mossel Bay Christmas and Craft Market at the Dutch Reformed Church, the Mossel Bay Night Market in Marsh Street, and the Hartenbos Night Market – all of which are listed on the calendar at www.visitmosselbay.co.za."
Safety
Ms Holm said that safety is the primary concern at this time of year. "The municipality coordinates a daily meeting of the emergency services and others at this time of the year, and this allows everyone to keep a finger on the pulse of what's happening in the town so that we can ensure that everyone enjoys a happy holiday season.
"Beach safety is one of our main concerns, of course, and Mossel Bay Tourism has created a page on the site specifically to instruct beach-goers in the golden rules of swimming in the sea, and in how to avoid rips in the ocean – and in what to do if you are caught in one. "Please make it a priority to go to www.bit.ly/mbBsafe and familiarise yourself with these important considerations before you go down to the water."A fill list of emergency services contact numbers is available at www.visitmosselbay.co.za/info/emergency-services.
Mossel Bay Tourism's information office (telephone 044 691 2202) will remain open every day of the week throughout the season - except on Christmas and New Year's Day.
"It's going to be a great summer, and we hope everyone enjoys their time in Mossel Bay," said Ms Holm
Be safe on Mossel Bay's beaches this summer: go to www.bit.ly/mbBsafe for the Five Golden Rules of swimming in the sea.
- Mossel Bay Advertiser
