- Kei Mouth, Eastern Cape, South Africa
Kei Lily Festival Brings Easter Excitement To The Wild Coast
When Easter arrives on the Wild Coast, it brings more than chocolate eggs, bunnies and fluffy yellow chicks. Hot on the heels of the Kei Beer Fest held in October last year, the Kei Lily Festival showcases some of the best entertainment, crafts, and street food (and, inevitably, beer) that the Wild Coast has to offer.
Alongside popular regulars like the jumping castle, Table 58 brewery, and RJ Braai, this year’s Kei Lily Festival promises something a little bit different. Generously sponsored by Wild Coast Horse Trails, a mechanical bull promises to be the highlight of the festival, challenging the balance and courage of young and old alike.
Bucking Bronco Basics: Can You Beat the World Record?
As with riding a real bull, staying on the mechanical version requires a combination of balance, coordination, flexibility and quick reflexes. If you can anticipate the bull’s next move, and hold on tightly with your legs while allowing your upper body to move with the rhythm, you could be in with a chance of beating the world record, currently standing at 2 minutes and 15 seconds.
It comes as no surprise that it’s been sponsored by our local horse-riding operation and we expect to see representatives of Wild Coast Horses showing us how it’s done.
Kei Mouth Brings Family-Friendly Fun To The Festival
If riding a mechanical bull sounds a little too challenging, there will be more sedate offerings that will appeal to the younger audience and those who fear they’re not up to the challenge of bull riding. Wild Coast Horses will be offering pony rides on reliable steeds guaranteed not to replicate the actions of the mechanical bull, while the festival train towed by a similarly steady quad bike offers entertainment for young and old alike.
Meanwhile, the mechanically minded who don’t feel like being thrown off a bull can head over to the Kei Watch Action Group’s stall where their fire truck will be on display.
Kiddies wanting a bouncy experience that doesn’t involve livestock can also enjoy the jumping castle where falls are much closer to the ground than those from the mechanical bull, making it a safer option for the little ones.
Sip and Savour the Unique Flavours of Kei Mouth
The Kei Lily Festival isn’t all about rides of the bullish, train, or pony variety, and there’ll be plenty on offer to entertain the less adventurous. Table 58 Brewery will bring its own distinct style to the street, as it always does. Adding a little flair this year, you can enjoy a craft beer or one of their additive pink gins in a specially designed Kei Mouth glass, sporting the Kei Mouth logo (they’ll be on sale next to the Table58 stand).
Before indulging in the liquid refreshments, it might be a good idea to line your stomach with some of the delicious street food on offer. The Good Food Truck will be cooking up a storm in its usual position on the main road. If you prefer something lighter, Mr Yut will be there with his ever-popular spring rolls, while St Peter’s Church will have various sweet treats and there’s bound to be some koeksisters and pannekoek somewhere in the mix.
For those lacking that pesky sweet tooth, RJ Braai will be there with their tasty filet burgers and rolls and if they don’t appeal, you can always find a slice of pizza to fill that gnawing hole.
A Treasure Trove of Local Arts, Crafts and Creativity
If you’re hungry for inspiration rather than food, you’ll soon find your creative appetite sated by the wide range of art and craft stalls featured at the festival. Whether you’re looking for a special Easter gift, something to brighten that dull corner of your home or a unique piece of artwork that will make you stand out as the envy of your friends, you’re almost guaranteed to find it at the Kei Lily Festival (look out for the Catlady Artistry stall).
There’ll also be a range of clothing, various nick nacks (including new stock from Omi), not to mention handcrafted jewellery and local preserves. And if you can’t find what you’re looking for in the street, why not pop into the Oystercatcher or Kei Country Crafts, both of which stock a wide selection of local goodies to appeal to every taste and budget?
Kids can also create their own Easter-themed masterpieces at Kei Country Crafts workshops. Go along and find out what it takes to create a chicken out of pom poms, paint an Easter bunny so it bounces out from the crowd, or decorate an egg cup in such a way that it will transform breakfast time into a celebration of creativity.
How Your Festive Fun Boosts Our Coastal Community
While the Kei Lily Festival is more about fun raising than fundraising, it does serve a more serious purpose. Any funds raised will be used by the Kei Mouth Owner and Residents Association (KMORA) to support our local NSRI lifeguards and provide financial assistance to the Kei Crew, which helps to uplift the village and is currently developing walking routes in and around Kei Mouth as part of our WESSA Green Coast initiative.
KMORA and Kei Mouth Tourism would both like to thank the Kei Mouth Festivals group for all their hard work in organizing the event, as well as all the sponsors who make this Easter extravaganza possible. Without their generosity and community spirit, events like the Kei Lily Festival simply couldn’t happen.
Join the Festivities: Your Easter Saturday Adventure Awaits
The festival kicks off at 11 am on Easter Saturday and runs until late afternoon, giving everyone plenty of time to enjoy the festivities. Located along the main street of Kei Mouth, the festival is perfectly positioned for easy access – just follow the sound of laughter, music, and possibly the occasional yelp from someone being unceremoniously deposited off the mechanical bull!
Remember to bring sunscreen, a hat, and your sense of adventure. Whether you’re brave enough to take on the mechanical bull, fancy a gentler ride on a pony, or simply want to stroll around with a craft beer in hand admiring the local craftsmanship, the Kei Lily Festival has something for everyone.
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