Post-pandemic, Plett festival all the rage
THOUSANDS of matrics are celebrating the end of exams in Plettenberg Bay.
After a two-year hiatus, the Plett Rage resumed on Friday and is expected to run until December 9 – an event that is considered a much need boost to the local economy and tourism sector.
Early bird tickets costing R2 300 were snapped up, and phase 1 tickets went on sale for R2 500 soon thereafter.
Revellers wishing to party bought the VIP tickets, which cost up to R3 800, which where sold out a before the festival began.
VIP access to the festival includes day and night access, express queuing, VIP (area) access, Bikini Beach access, private bathrooms, and a cashless wristband.
General access tickets included day and night access, access to Bikini Beach, and a cashless wristband.
As the festivities began eager revellers packed the dance floors.
Calvin Nijenhuis, a matric pupil from Plettenberg Bay, said he was excited to join this year’s festivities.
“Rage is organised quite well, and it’s one of the best events I’ve been to,” he said.
“It feels surreal to party for a whole week. I never thought I could attend such an amazing event,” he added.
Nijenhuis chose to enjoy the festival with his friends.
“I came with a group of 20 friends, and it’s a relief to be done with exams. This is signifying moving on to the next chapter of my life,” he said.
“I love that Rage is occurring during the festive season. It’s the start of a great time of year.
“The end of school felt like it would never come, but when it did I was so happy.”
Nijenhuis said he was looking forward to DJ Kyle Watson’s performance.
“I love the way he performs, and it’s always a great vibe. I can’t wait for his set and to party at all that Plett Rage has to offer,” he said.
Festival founder and director Ronen Klugman said they were very excited to be back post-Covid-19.
“It has been over 1 000 days since we last hosted it. We are very grateful to be back,” he said.
“We have spoken to so many of the ragers, and they are super-excited to be back,” he added.
Klugman said they were expecting between 3 500 and 4 000 people daily.
“We have put a lot of planning into this year’s festival. We have strict security contingencies surrounding no drinking and driving especially,” he said.
“We have a transport system, so no one will be allowed to drive to the event. We are working closely with the community to pick up anyone walking around.”
Transportation has been set up to ferry party goers to and from 14 accommodation sites.
Festival organisers said planning around the festival included ensuring that the venue was strategically located.
“We have mastered the balancing act of securing a venue that is far enough from town not to cause too much disturbance to residents, but not so far as to detract from the revenue generated by local businesses,” read the festival’s statement.
CEO of the Plettenberg Bay Tourism Association Patty Butterworth said ensuring the success of the event was a team effort.
“We worked together with the Plett Rage organisers and the Bitou Municipality. Our local business community works hard to ensure maximum benefit to the Plett economy,” she said.
“Students frequent local shops, restaurants, accommodation establishments, and retail outlets, which in turn is a positive economic boost for everyone.
“Plett Rage has helped put Plettenberg as a destination on the map – an invaluable opportunity. Plett Rage is big business, as the event offers opportunities for locals to work – building venue sets, assisting with security, and providing customer relations, taxi services, food offerings, and so much more.”