The Transnet Market, usually situated on the Village Green during the National Arts Festival, will move to the rugby field opposite the Steve Biko Building. Festival Project consultant , Lynette Marais explained that the Market had moved to the Great Field because the Village Green’s precincts had become too cramped.
The Transnet Market, usually situated on the Village Green during the National Arts Festival, will move to the rugby field opposite the Steve Biko Building. Festival Project consultant , Lynette Marais explained that the Market had moved to the Great Field because the Village Green’s precincts had become too cramped.
"Over 80 000 people on the Village Green at one time was not good for any business," said Marais.
"It is not really about being bigger or better this year, it is about quality," said director of Village Green fair, Selina White.
This year the Village Green hopes to be a bustling spot with stalls, food, eating areas, and a temporary stage. Here performers can promote their productions – performing excerpts from plays – so that unsure festival goers can decide which shows appeal to them.
The addition of a beer tent hopes to be a success by drawing crowds who want a break from the theatre to watch Wimbledon or catch the latest rugby match.
An exciting addition for parents is the children’s corner.
"We are aiming to be more family orientated," said White. The children’s corner will have its own marquee, with clowns, puppet shows and performances in the form of ‘edutainment’.
Since the Green is now unused, the market that used to be on Church Square – which included the informal stalls – will now move there. It will be renamed the Transnet Container Craft Market.
White added that this will formalise the market and add security and infrastructure for traders. It will also ensure that the businesses on Church Square will not be so crowded. Another aim was to "get back to craft", as traders will be selling hand crafted goods instead of imported toys and gadgets.
There was a selection process to choose the best businesses to move to the Fiddler’s Green, but as White added it will be very difficult to turn away traders that arrive on the day.
Concern has been raised about the festival moving away from the CBD, as well as further from the township, but Marais said Grahamstown East will be largely involved. Many residents are taking part in performances of all sorts, and it is "full steam ahead at Nombulelo Hall" in Joza, with jazz shows and productions to be shown.
Church Square will also not be forgotten as performances – known as ‘outside theatre’ – will take place there, hopefully drawing large and enthusiastic crowds.
