Mayor welcomes all to festival

Henties is ready to welcome everyone to the annual Henties Bay Festival slated for 26 to 27 August.

According to Henties Bay mayor, Lewies Vermaak, Henties Bay is not just a holiday town, but an "open hearted" town too.

The first festival was established many years ago and the last two years did not happen because of the Covid-19 pandemic and the emergency regulations that were enforced.

"Those regulations have been lifted and people can come together again. It will be a grand event and we hope we can have many people in town because the fish festival was always something that attracted a lot of people to our town. It was something on the annual calendar that everybody wanted to join and be part of," said Vermaak.

According to him, the festival is also very important to the economy of Henties Bay as it attracts people to the town, which is only very busy during major holidays, such as the Easter Weekend and December school holidays.

"Businesses need people, and the more people, the better the business. This will boost the economy and allow businesses to get more stock ready for December also, for the next wave of festivities," he explained.

A wide variety of activities will take place, which includes sports events such as a mountain bike race and fun run; an endurance race for horses; an angling competition; and many performances, stalls and food.

The old gallows is also expected to see some surprising but pleasant changes that will add to the town's character. This inauguration event will also take place during the festival, and Vermaak said that he invited various high profile guests, which includes a minister, Erongo governor, and regional police commander, amongst others.

"I want to put our town on the map with this festival and I want all the people to come and enjoy this festival so that people can see that Henties Bay is not just a holiday town but we are also an open hearted town. We are here for everybody and we want everybody to participate in the festival."