Whale Festival upon us again
The Hermanus Whale Festival is the only eco-marine festival on the whale coast with whales as the primary focus.
The festival attracts thousands to the Overstrand yearly, growing from its humble beginnings 26 years ago.
Locals have questioned how the team is planning to keep Hermanus clean during the festivities and what measures will be taken.
Chairperson of the Whale Festival Committee Jeanette du Toit explained to Hermanus Times that strategies have been put in place.
An interactive Eco Marine Village Tent will be set up where the focus will be placed on conservation.
A programme with a popular, informative and entertaining focus is set to draw children, adults, anyone who cares about preserving ocean life.
With a wide range of eco marine-related environmental exhibitions, the aim of the Eco Marine Tent and the Hermanus Whale Festival is to inspire people through informative, colourful, interactive displays, music, arts and food and informative talks by marine biologists and experts.
“We as locals need to tackle the problem head-on and be part of the solution,” said Du Toit.
“Locals volunteering to clean and pick up the rubbish are welcomed.”
The Whale Festival will launch its Clean and Green Campaign, where 70 cleaners, who will work in shifts focusing on a clean festival area, will clean from Ficks Pool to Marine Pool and ensure an overall clean CBD.
A No Straws Campaign has been launched and businesses are urged to use biodegradable straws if they must and reduce the use of straws.
A No Straws Campaign has been launched and businesses are urged to use biodegradable straws if they must and reduce the use of straws.
Straws and plastic are lightweight and easily blown away by the wind. Animals often mistake plastic for food, which leads to their deaths.
Du Toit says the Whale Festival believes that it’s time people did away with plastic and other sources of marine pollution that have the potential to render marine life, the stars of the festival, extinct.
“The aim of the Whale Festival is also to create as many opportunities as possible. Uplifting and exposing local talent, giving locals their own stalls to generate income and to create job opportunities.” She says in spite of the unrest in Hermanus a few months ago, the festival will continue, and can be seen as a positive which locals can look forward to.
The festival will run from Friday 28 September to Sunday 30 September.
It will present activities for all ages, including entertainment for young and old, whales and wheels classic car show, treasure hunts and many more.