Following on from last year’s format for the Cape Town Summer Market, the City of Cape Town has ticked all the boxes to ensure that this year’s market builds on the successes of the previous year, with fun activities that will keep young and old well entertained for the evening.
The market will take place over a seven-day period from 17 – 23 December 2017, and will be open to the public between 17h00 and 23h00 on each day.
Says Cape Town Central City Improvement District CEO, Tasso Evangelinos: “The City’s Cape Town Summer Market has now become a regular and highly popular event on the CBD festive season calendar and we believe it adds enormous value to our part of the world, for both locals and visitors alike.”
According to the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith, the zones set up last year proved to be very popular and will feature again this year, catering for a broad range of interests.
“It’s about growing a culture of entrepreneurship and creativity,” says Ald Smith. “I’m pleased that we have found a winning formula for this family event. The various entertainment zones catering for young and old are guaranteed to keep all well entertained for the week. There will be a play zone, a kid’s zone, a sports zone and a music zone that will give families the opportunity to enjoy quality time together in a safe space.
“The addition of tinkering tables in the kid’s zone will allow for adventures in creativity, with activities focused on exploration and experimentation.”
Play/kids’ zones
Offering fun experiences for children in a safe and controlled environment, parents and guardians can rest assured that these zones have been designed with the safety of children being top of mind. Children will be treated to hours of fun in a space where parents will be able to keep a watchful eye while listening to music from the nearby stage and entertainment area.
Activities such as a three-in-one jumping castle and giant twister will be available free of charge, while a giant Jenga (a stacking blocks game) will challenge the physical and mental skills of younger children. In the kids’ zone, professional child-minders who have experience in child-care will be on hand to keep a watchful eye on the little ones and ensure that they are well entertained. Creative activities will also be available for them to have an enjoyable experience with their parents.
Sports zone
The sports zone is part of the successful Fives Soccer programme where the whole family can participate as a team.
Music zone
For music enthusiasts, there will be non-stop entertainment on stage in the music zone until 22h00 every night.
“A new addition to the summer market is a local talent competition designed to make the market memorable and get the crowds involved,” says the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Area North, Councillor Suzette Little.
“This competition gives our unknown talent the platform to perform and celebrates the unique and diverse talents of Cape Town. One of our home-grown talents will walk away with R25 000 in prizes, including the opportunity to record a single written and produced by Chad Saaiman and the Stereotype Talent team, who have created several hit songs over the past decade.”
The competition, dubbed Summer Song 2017, targets young people between the ages of 18 and 30 years. Those who qualify via an audition process get to compete live on stage at the summer market. On the final night of Summer Song contest, the top three contestants will compete for the prize and hometown glory.
Additionally, DJ Uncle Cal (Calvin Peters), who is also known as the afro-ninja DJ, will make sure that everyone is well entertained, with music appealing to a wide audience. To add to the line-up there will be various bands as well as roaming magicians and jugglers to keep young and old enthralled throughout the evening.
In addition to the various activity zones, more than 100 vendors will have a variety of products on offer. The stalls will be set up along Government Avenue and this will give shoppers the opportunity to look for that last-minute, special gift.
“The layout and character of the market fit well with the setting of the Company’s Garden and the variety of things to do will make it a worthwhile outing for young and old,” says Cllr Little. “The product mix will cater for a range of price options, while maintaining high quality levels. The point of the Cape Town Summer Market is to create a good business environment for traders by attracting customers, while at the same time ensuring that the market is fun for all ages.
With more than 93 000 people having visited the market last year, Ald Smith notes: “This is a call to families to come out and enjoy some quality time together in a relaxed atmosphere. All indications are that the Cape Town Summer Market 2017 will be a memorable one.
“And while residents are out and about, they should not forget to stop over in Adderley Street to admire the stunning festive lights as well.”