OVERVIEW
Tourism Dams and rivers offer great holiday experiences.
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or a relatively dry province, the Free State offers a surprising number of places where fun can be had on and alongside water. South Africa’s biggest dam, the Gariep dam (pictured), offers several resorts and large expanses of water on which pleasure crafts can meander. Forever Resorts has a popular resort with chalet accommodation and a caravan park on the banks of the Gariep Dam. Overlooking the dam is the 43-room de Stijl Gariep Hotel which has wedding and conference facilities. Afristay awarded the hotel its “Best Value Hotel” in 2018. The Vaal River divides the province from its northern neighbours and is another popular place for recreation. The town of Parys, which also boasts a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the shape of the Vredefort Dome, is geared to river recreation in many guises. The Free State has more than its fair share of annual festivals. The Mangaung African Cultural Festival (Macufe) has become a national and international event. Offerings range from music and craft stalls to poetry, film and theatre, a soccer tournament and boxing matches. The festival is probably best known for its varied musical performances, FREE STATE BUSINESS 2020
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SECTOR INSIGHT The Ficksburg Cherry Festival is famous.
but the annual football tournament also gets good coverage and support. Other festivals to attract good support are the Cherry Festival (Ficksburg), the Rose Festival (Bloemfontein), the Clarens Craft Beer Festival and the Vintage Tractor Fair (Clocolan). NAMPO Harvest Day is strictly speaking not a tourism event but in 2019 more than 81 000 people
