The Giant Takes Bold Steps to New Zones of Excitement

Completing the transformation which began with the 'awakening'of Splashy Fen 2003, our country's mighty and best loved open-air lifestyle celebration promises the freshest ever delights for body and mind with Splashy Fen 2004.

Not only will South Africa's longest-running festival maintain its well-deserved reputation by satisfying all-inclusive musical tastes with a genre-defying mix of breakthrough- and firmly established artists, but Splashy Fen 2004 is now also fully geared to connect devotees of the Great Outdoors with every 'must-see, must-do' attraction of this premier slice of our Zulu Kingdom.

For the uninitiated - and there's a whole new generation primed and eager to taste 'The Experience' - Splashy Fen is a constantly evolving saga spanning 15 years of inspiration and dedication. The adventure is set in those pristine, river-fed pastures which nurture the 'trout country' hamlets of Underberg and Himeville in the Southern Drakensberg range. Splashy Fen is perched atop the crossroads linking three of our province's much publicised 'destinations' - the soaring uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site with its unique and priceless Stone-Age Cave Art, the Boston-Bulwer Beat where adrenalin-junkies from around the globe fling themselves into thin air aboard para- and hang-gliders, and the once upon a time 'Bandit Territory' of East Griqualand - 19th Century smugglers' paradise for those rebel souls who regularly outsmarted the British Empire.

All are near enough at hand to make excursions from the Festival Site both easy and convenient, plus their attractions guarantee rewarding experiences in a most visitor-friendly region. Splashy Fen General Manager, Pedro Carlo, believes the era has dawned for expanded horizons and opportunities for festival-goers to enjoy a wider range of buzz. "There are now so many extras on offer to make the Splashy Experience even bigger and better... and local communities are welcoming this new vision. It's going to be fresh and unbeatable!"

Facilities in these picturesque surrounds have been fine-tuned to international class - including the many B&B alternatives to on-site 'roughing it' - and have contributed significantly to our Kingdom's well-documented and ongoing Tourism Boom. Time to give something new a go...

It's not only around the Festival that vast improvements will be noticed, but also every aspect within the site itself. The result is an even more harmonious environment for 'Splashy Fenners' to pursue an increasingly diverse spectrum of interests. From the range of musicians to the tantalising menu of catering treats (no need to cook your own here!), fun distractions for hard-to-please kids to guidance for navel-gazers, parking spots to porta-loos... Splashy Fen 2004 will doubtless live up to its claim as the all-improved model - fresh off the drawing board.
Eight thousand-plus revellers made the 'pilgrimage' last time... here's to a few thousand more!

Details of each new development will appear in a forthcoming series of Media Releases, but in the meantime, would-be Performers, Crafts/Food Market Stallholders and Volunteers will find online application forms here on the new revamped website.

Brace yourself and make no other plans for the coming Easter Weekend!