Tonteldoos Country Festival in Dullstroom

After last years success the organisers of the Tonteldoos Country Festival decided that the festival should again take place on the Saturday 11 April 2009.

The festival has grown in stature and has become somewhat legendary since its establishment in 1996. The organisers say that for a considerable amount of people who attended the earlier festivals, it has become an annual outing to enjoy a charming country experience in the remote yet easily assessable Tonteldoos.

(Quote:)We decided to stick to Easter because the long weekend makes it possible for people to explore the area, get to know more about its interesting history and just to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet amidst the beauty of nature. The many guest houses and lodges in the area with trout dams also make it a fly-fishing weekend break away par excellence. The Tonteldoos Country Festival on the Saturday ads the spice and colour to round off an unforgettable Easter weekend, (Unquote)a spokesperson said.

True to the tradition of growing better and better, this year’s festival promises to at least partly shake off the mantle of being the best kept secret of a selected group. Items not to be missed on the programme include birds of prey in action, hot air balloons, an Easter Bonnet competition, arts and crafts, boeresport, Mr and Mrs Tonteldoos competitions and a model aeroplane show.

At least 17 food and delicacy stalls will see to it that every one can feast on whatever ones fancy might be, from traditional pancakes and braaivleis to the more extraordinary. A beer tent and a tea garden will cater for the thirsty.

Tonteldoos is well known for its famous peach mampoer which originated here, apparently taken from the name of chieftain Mampure. It served as an effective means of bribery over a century ago. The readily available peach mampoer will no doubt be in great demand once again at this year’s festival.

The Tonteldoos Country Festival derived from the earlier annual Peach Festival in February during the peach season. Coinciding with the usual regular rainfalls of February, it often had to be cancelled or simply rained out. Hence the community eventually decided to postpone the happening to later in the year. Easter was identified as the most suitable period because a large number of people visit the area then.

The shift of date caused the festival to loose the connotation to the peach harvest which Tonteldoos is well known for. The festival was then renamed to Tonteldoos Country Festival.

Tonteldoos is situated about 25km North East of Dullstroom. Directions to the village will be posted in Dullstroom and on the Roossenekal / Steelpoort road during Easter weekend.

Contact: André at 013 254 0486 or 082 565 3402.
Please Note: Dates for this event in 2010 to be confirmed.