welcome revellers Allow me, on behalf of the Knysna Council, Municipality and all of Greater Knysna to welcome you to the pinkest area on the Garden Route. For the past 17 years Greater Knysna has welcomed the festive atmosphere and colourful atmosphere that revellers of the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras & Arts Festival bring to our area, and believe me, this year’s welcome is no different. Greater Knysna is a natural fit for people in general. It has an energy that emanates from our forests - symbolic of each unique species, similar to our people. Each unique character making up the diverse Greater Knysna that we respect, love and cherish.
Greater Knysna currently finds itself in a water crisis. I therefore call on all to join us in our water saving campaign and help us save this scarce natural resource. From the Knysna Council and the dedicated municipal staff, we wish you all the love and blessings throughout your festival. We look forward with anticipation to another successful Pink Loerie Mardi Gras & Arts Festival. With best wishes for your stay and have a safe journey home. Cllr ELEANORE BOUW-SPIES Executive Mayor of Knysna
Please enjoy your stay in our town, safe in the knowledge that our people and Mother Nature welcome you. We invite you to share her secrets and vast natural beauty with us! Further enjoy what our area has to offer and experience true Greater Knysna that continues to demonstrate its diverse nature and its love of all during this festival. Just before I close off, may I remind you that
On behalf of the Greater Knysna area, a warm “welcome home” to this year’s Pink Loerie Mardi Gras and Arts Festival. This is an event we all look forward to every year because it brings colour, unity and a festive vibe to our destination that is refreshing! Our diverse area that is renowned for its natural beauty, estuaries, lakes, forest and beaches, is the ideal host for this year’s festival theme. “Once upon a time, it all started with bears, fairies, princes, princesses, (frogs too), kings and fabulous queens - A modern day LGBTQ+ fairy tale”. The Knysna & Partners board welcomes everyone to share in our modern day fairy tale celebrations. Let our indigenous forests, woods and estuary be your playground to enjoy your time during the festival. Mother Nature welcomes you back home!
an international event on the LGBTQ+ calendar that, attracts visitors globally, to enjoy everything our destination has to offer. Now, let’s head into the woods and be part of this modern day fairy tale that highlight each and everyone’s desire to be treated as equals despite our differences! Glitter kisses from the forest, ELMAY BOUWER Chairman Knysna & Partners Board
As board, we would like to take this time to thank all the event partners who have contributed in growing the event, including Wesgro. One of the key objective of Knysna & Partners is to assist the Pink Loerie Festival organisers to grow visitor attendance to this event and to make this event a priority on the travel trade itineraries during this period. This festival has all the ingredients to become
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