Pink Loerie Festival 2016
Knysna was definitely tickled pink on the 27th of April 2016 as the 16th annual Pink Loerie Festival kicked off.
In 2015, Mr Gay World was a first for Knysna and this year’s festivities featured the first ever mass same-sex wedding in Africa – great national and international exposure for the our sleepy little town.
Tie-the-knot (Mass Same-sex Wedding)
The wedding celebrations were held at the Villa Castollini Guesthouse and venue, between Brenton and Knysna on Friday the 29th of April 2016. And even though the day started out windy, icy and cold, as heavy rain swept over Knysna, this did very little to dampen the excitement of the 15 gay couples who said their I do’s.
The couples arrived looking absolutely exquisite in their designer wedding attire, designed either by Heinrich Greyling Couturier or Yihan Bronn Couture. Smiles and a whole lot of love radiated from each of them, as they went through the traditional motions of declaring their undying love for each other.
Festival organiser John O’Niel explained “As we celebrate 16 years of making a mark on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community, and the 10 years since same-sex marriage in our country was legalised, we felt it only appropriate to highlight one of the most appreciated and sought-after rights – the right to marriage equality.”
Well known locals from Hoekwil, Vernon and Tony Gibbs-Halls were invited to renew their vows. The couple initially married on December 1, 2006, when the same-sex marriage law came into effect and this was the perfect way to re-celebrate their union after 10 years. Both, Vernon and Tony are pleased that the country had come a long way in their attitudes towards the LGBTI community.
Knysna’s Deputy Mayor, Esme Edge and advocate Julie Seton also decided to be a part of this special affair by renewing the vows they had taken earlier this year.
Knysna tourism body Knysna and Partners chief executive Greg Vogt said, “One of the greatest things about our area is its people and their ease with which they embrace people from different nationalities, cultures, creeds and race. Having the first African LGBTI mass-wedding taking place in our beautiful area just once again proves how we work together to create shared values in a place that so many have chosen to now call home.”
Couples were chosen from across the nation by the organisers. They not only experienced a once in a lifetime opportunity, but were also showered with a variety of amazing prizes, including a full wedding package with suits, dresses, rings, photographs and a honeymoon package.
Tie-the-knot Gallery
VIP Dinner & Fundraising Auction
The 2016 VIP Dinner and Fundraising Auction kicked off at Villa Castollini with a hearty buffet, as items were auctioned off in support of Knysna’s local charities. Fun was had by all as natural handmade soaps, chocolates and bottles of Absolute Vodka were auctioned off for the unbelievable prices of a R1000 or more.
The highlight of the evening was the contribution of R200 000 made towards the Vermont Home for the elderly, who were about to close doors, due to lack of funds. This amazing gesture was made by a gentleman who prefers to remain anonymous. A big thank you to all those who supported this great cause!
VIP Dinner & Fundraising Auction Gallery
Ms & Mr Mardi Gras 2016
Once the auctions and VIP dinner were complete, the contestants for Ms Mardi Gras 2016 graced us with an extravagant show of sing and dance. How they managed to perform in some of those high heels is beyond me! This year’s Ms Mardi Gras went to Vida Fantabisher and the runner up went to Olivia May.
Next we were enthralled by a fashion show, as the Mr Mardi Gras contestants charmed the crowd with their designer outfits and words of wisdom. The winner of Mr Mardi Gras 2016 went to Alexander Steyn, 2nd place went to Jaycee Pieters and third to Johan Botha.
Ms & Mr Mardi Gras 2016 Gallery
The Street Parade
The annual glitzy, glamorous street parade was led by the 15 couples who wedded the day before. People from all over the country turned up to show their support. Crowds cheered and enjoyed themselves as participants strutted their extravagant outfits up and down the Main Road of Knysna.
Fran Kirsten, the spokesperson for the Loerie Festival said, ‘what started with a street parade 16 years ago, has now grown into the biggest festival of its kind in the country, for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersexual community.
And this year, we’ve had the biggest mass same-sex wedding on the continent, not just in SA – and that of course brought in a lot of international and national media and attention for the town and the town needs it, because we’re a tourism town after all.”
The parade has always been a popular feature on the festival’s programme, and attracts up to 30 000 annually, raising thousands for many charities in Knysna.
Loerie Street Parade 2016 Gallery