The Pink Loerie™ Mardi Gras and Arts Festival in association with Men International will host a spectacle of not-to-be-missed events from 29 April to 1 May as it returns to the Garden Route town of Knysna after a two-year COVID-19 hiatus.
“Not only will the international singer-songwriter sensation Cassa Jackson be headlining the festival,” said Festival Director John-Louis O’Neil. “Mr Gay World™ South Africa 2021 Shanon Kannigan will lead the annual street parade.”
The street parade features high on the programme for Saturday 30 April, but festivities kick off with a VIP dinner and fundraising auction on the Friday. “Cassa Jackson will be supporting Lionel Ritchie later this year, but she’s coming to celebrate the festival’s 22nd birthday with us first,” said O’Neil. “We are also extremely proud to host her first South African performance.”
Having appeared on stages including Wembley Arena, Cassa Jackson will perform at the VIP function hosted by Villa Castollini. Shanon Kannigan will lead the event as guest MC and auctioneer for the fundraising auction.
Tickets to the VIP dinner and fundraising event with Cassa Jackson and Mr Gay World ™ South Africa Shanon Kannigan are available at https://charityaffair.africa/shop/.
Saturday is packed with fun and entertainment with highlights that cannot be missed.
- Girls just wanna have fun with Wendy Dewberry hosted by The Queen, 10 Queen Street from 8am to 2pm.
- A pre-assembly point cocktail event with live entertainment hosted by Oaks on Main, Knysna Main Street, from 9am to 2pm.
- Unleash the animal / Superhero in you street party, Gray Street between Nelson and Rawson Streets, 2pm to 4pm.
- Knysna Pride Street Parade from Rawson Street to The Waterfront Knysna Quays via Gray Street, 4pm, led by UK pop sensation Cassa Jackson and Mr Gay World™ South Africa 2021 Shanon Kannigan.
- Official After Party from 4:30pm to 11pm at The Waterfront Knysna Quays with UK pop sensation Cassa Jackson and guest artists, and be taken on a journey of sound by DJ’s Nick, Quinton Kelly, Nukes and more.
All COVID-19 prevention regulations will be adhered to and access to the street party and after party will be limited to 2000 attendants each.
“Monday 2 May is a public holiday,” said O’Neil. “This means everyone can enjoy the farewell lunch with live music hosted by Olde’s Pub & Grill on Sunday afternoon.”
“As well as celebrating the diversity of our community, the festival hopes to highlight local business and tourism in Knysna,” he continued. “This is an open invitation to businesses in Knysna, who may be running specials during the festival, to send us their advertisements so we may publish them on our social media platforms.”
“We are looking forward to bringing the festival back to Knysna this year,” O’Neil concluded. “It is high time that everyone gets to let their hair down and have fun again.”
Cassa Jackson is brought to the Pink Loerie™ Mardi Gras and Arts Festival in association with Men International courtesy of Marshall Arts Talent, ETC Zone Centurion and Jacaranda LGBTQIA+ Pride Festival. She has over 170 000 followers on TikTok and more than 180 000 monthly listeners on Spotify.
The Pink Loerie™ is an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and ally (LGBTQIA+) culture and identity held in the picturesque town of Knysna. The festival hosts a series of cultural, entertainment and community fundraising events and aims to highlight local business and tourism in Knysna and the Garden Route.
Thank you to the people of Knysna, the Garden Route District Municipality, Knysna Municipality, Wesgro, Visit Knysna and our other partners for working with us to make the festival a reality this year.
Olde’s Pub & Grill’s farewell lunch offers set menus from R200pp and bookings are essential, book at 044 382 6514.
Contact [email protected] for advertisement specifications and submissions.
For more information, news, and updates, visit www.facebook.com/pinkloerie or www.pinkloerie.co.za.
