Firstly congratulations to the
Mossel Bay Municipality and the Dias Festival Committee for a successful 2014
Dias Festival. From all accounts this festival was once again a great
success. Each year it just gets better
and better and we are looking forward to the 2015 Dias Festival. There are many
highlights forthcoming from the public but it is not possible to mention all
here. I would however like to mention
four main attractions that in the public view are surely draw cards to the
festival.
1. STANDARD BANK AIRSHOW
Definitely one of the main draw
cards to the festival. Since the
introduction of the air show at the Dias Festival, the general public attendance
has literally doubled as compared to the previous festivals where there was no
air show. I had several interviews with
members of the public and 99% indicated that the air show is their favorite
event. Many were this year looking
forward to the Harvard Formation Display but unfortunately they were troubled by
technical difficulties as well as bad weather en-route to Mossel Bay and as a
result they were not able to fly to Mossel Bay.
At very short notice the EXTREME AEROBATIC TEAM gave a spectacular performance the
Friday evening under very difficult weather conditions. Well done to the EXTREME AEROBATIC TEAM ! Appreciation
and thanks must go to the organizers of the air show, Hans Potgieter and Sharon
Malcolmn who also organized the Western Cape Aerobatics Championships prior tot
the festival. I am sure that many
attendees are looking forward to the 2015 Dias Festival Air show. The 2015 Dias Festival would just not be the
same without a spectacular air
show!
2. PYROTECHNICS SHOW
At last and long overdue. A
pyrotechnics show in Mossel Bay. Once again the weather played fowl although the
show continued on Friday evening. The
South Easterly wind prevented the fireworks from reaching the optimum altitude
none the less this event was also a big draw card to the Dias Festival. The majority of Mossel Bay residents has
shown in the past that they enjoy a pyrotechnics show and that the attendance
figures booms whenever there is a pyrotechnics show. This event is a must at any festival and
statistics has shown that if there is no firework display the attendance is
rather poor. To the sponsor who
sponsored this event a big thank you and we look forward to a Pyrotechnics Show
at the Dias Festival in 2015.
3. MOTORSPORT GYMKHANA
Need a say anything here. The attendance figures at the gymkhana speak
for the success of this event. Also one
of the big draw cards to the Dias Festival.
To Steph and all his marshals a big thank you for hosting this event with
safety in the foreground at all times. I
am sure that many are looking forward to the 2015 Dias Festival Motorsport
Gymkhana.
4. SANTOS FESTIVAL ARENA
The attendance figures indicate
that this is another big draw card to the Dias Festival. On Friday and Saturday evening this arena was
jam-packed. Great artists and free
entrance is the winning recipe here.
This is the area were cultures meet. Thanks must go to all the artists
who unselfishly performed at this arena where they could have made thousands of
rands at another venue in the country. A
big thank you to you all and we hope to hear and see you again in
2015!
A few suggestions to hopefully
improve the 2015 Dias Festival -
Talking to many members of the
public during the festival the need was expressed for a public address (PA)
system as at any other festival.
Although there was a facility at the Santos Festival Arena it did not
cater for the Santos beach area, old power station area, motorsport gymkhana and
other areas. 95% of the attendees
expressed their dismay at the lack of a public address system. Many visiting festival goers from outside
Mossel Bay would like to know more of what is happening where and when. Many
tourists indicated that they do not know Mossel Bay and that a route map is a
necessity at the Festival. The Dias Festival Program contained some information
but is far from adequate. This map should indicate the exact position of Static
Displays, Food Stalls, Pyrotechnics view area, Ablution blocks, Emergency
Services, Joint Operational Centre etc. This map should be included in the Dias
Festival Program Pamphlet.
Finally: Overall a great and very successful 2014 Dias
Festival. Congratulations and thank you
to all who contributed in the success of the festival. With the success recipe
in hand we can make the 2015 Dias Festival even better.
Compiled by:
Johan
Terblanche
Mossel
Bay Weather Observation SA
Mossel
Bay
