Mountain village of Hogsback gets its own Pride festival

The Eastern Cape village of Hogsback, described as a “hidden gem in the Amathole Mountains,” hopes to boost pink tourism to the area by unveiling its first Parrot Pride Festival this March.

The event has been launched by the Hogsback Community Tourism Organisation.

It said in a media statement: “Hogsback has a lot to be proud of, with some of the richest and rarest biodiversity in the country. But this March we will be celebrating our Pride in diversity of another kind.”

It’s being held from 20 to 23 March and will offer a number of Pride-themed events, including the “Powder-Puff Experience,” described as “a sassy parrot pub-crawl” hosted by Roxy Le Roux, to eight venues along the main street.

The crawl will feature, among other things, “cliff-side cocktails and a boere mampoer makiettie,” a Caribbean pool party, an 80s disco, a street party with food, live comedy, karaoke and musical performances, and concludes with the “Kinky Disco” at the Arminel Hotel.

Other events at the festival will include a drag show, the “Brokeback picnic and tea dance,” the “Madhatters champagne breakfast” in an arboretum, as well as opportunities for fine dining.

Shane Eades, Chairperson of the Hogsback Community Tourism Organisation, told Mambaonline that he hopes to make the festival an annual event.

“There’s a huge gay community in Hogsback and it’s a well-known gay destination. And there’s nothing in the Eastern Cape, other than in Port Elizabeth, that really flies the flag,” he said.

Eades explained that the festival is not intended to address serious issues facing the LGBT community, but is rather “an opportunity for people to come and celebrate life and diversity.”

He noted that there is accommodation in Hogsback to suit everybody, from upmarket luxury options to free camping.

Tickets for the Powder-Puff Experience cost R300 each. For more information and to book for festival events, visit the website at www.parrotpride.co.za.