News / Regional
Third train for Vic Falls Carnival
24 Dec 2015 at 08:24hrs | Views
ORGANISERS of the annual Jameson Vic Falls Carnival, Africa's most exciting New Year's festival, have added a third train to cater for the increased number of patrons expected to attend the event which is held in the resort town of Victoria Falls. This comes after the initial steam train meant for carnivalistas to party on board as they are ferried to a bush party, sold out, compelling organisers to add another. The second sold like hotcakes and now a third has been added.
"Ever since the carnival's inception, the train party has always been one of the main highlights. Sadly some have missed this party mainly because we'd one train which couldn't accommodate as many people hence our decision to increase the frequency of the train.
"The response has been overwhelming as evidenced by the uptake of tickets for the train party," said one of the founders of carnival – Blessing Munyenyiwa.
"The first train departs from the Vic Falls train station for Jafuta at 4PM. The second train will leave at 6PM and the last at 8PM. The trains will return to the station at 10PM, 11PM and 12AM respectively."
The train party which will be held on the first day of the carnival – December 29 will see revellers jamming on board to sounds from Vic Falls' DJ Francis. In the bush, they will be entertained by DJs Rax, Bahna, Zyon Black and Diloxclusiv.
On the second day, revellers will be spoilt for choice as there will be parties across the resort town. For the first time, organisers have opened up the event to clubs, bars, hotels and lodges to give them an opportunity to cash in. This will see several activities and parties being held across the city.
"Locals have been complaining that we've been sidelining them so we'll not be having an event on the 30th as we want hoteliers and nightspots to capitalise by hosting the tourists. Volleyball tournaments and DJ competitions among many activities have been arranged," Munyenyiwa said.
"In the evening, various spots like Adventure Lodge, Invuvu Bar, Rest Camp, Kingdom hotel and Shoestrings will come alive as they host parties. To enter these parties, attendees will just need to flash their carnival passes."
The Jameson Vic Falls Carnival which is among the top seven African festivals according to CNN, ignites on the last day – December 31 as carnivalistas – in their weird and whacky outfits – are ushered into the New Year. With a line-up of locals, Botswana and South African artistes, Ryan Koriya, Charma Gal, Mokoomba, Monark, Mango Groove, Diloxclusiv, Good Luck, Jason Le Roux and Judgement Yard, one is guaranteed a New Year's Eve party to remember.
In addition to the line-up and the breath-taking Victoria Falls, Munyenyiwa said festival-goers could push their adventure limits to the test with a variety of adrenaline activities such as gorge swinging, river rafting and bungee jumping on offer.
He said preparations for the event which is in its fourth year, were going according to plan with artistes and attendees expected to start trickling in early next week.
"We're expecting tourists from different parts of the world to descend on this world wonder for nothing but non-stop partying. Most of our attendees are drawn from Bulawayo, Harare, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa and Namibia with some from overseas," he said. On rain fears, the founder said the carnival would not be complete without some rain.
"The carnival is even more fun in the rain so we're hoping to have some showers during the fete. But people shouldn't worry as they'll be equipped with stylish raincoats."
He however expressed dismay over the continued fall of the rand which he said has greatly affected attendance from South African nationals, who have been their highest attendees over the years.
Hoteliers are however smiling all the way to the bank as most of them are fully booked, as well as self catering lodges which are usually a hit among festival goers who sleep less and party hard. Not a fussy lot, all they usually need is a temporary place to place their head as well as bath. Food, drink and music is usually most critical to them. Munyenyiwa was however optimistic that the increase of locals as well as Southern African artistes performing at the event would ensure a successful event.
"Ever since the carnival's inception, the train party has always been one of the main highlights. Sadly some have missed this party mainly because we'd one train which couldn't accommodate as many people hence our decision to increase the frequency of the train.
"The response has been overwhelming as evidenced by the uptake of tickets for the train party," said one of the founders of carnival – Blessing Munyenyiwa.
"The first train departs from the Vic Falls train station for Jafuta at 4PM. The second train will leave at 6PM and the last at 8PM. The trains will return to the station at 10PM, 11PM and 12AM respectively."
The train party which will be held on the first day of the carnival – December 29 will see revellers jamming on board to sounds from Vic Falls' DJ Francis. In the bush, they will be entertained by DJs Rax, Bahna, Zyon Black and Diloxclusiv.
On the second day, revellers will be spoilt for choice as there will be parties across the resort town. For the first time, organisers have opened up the event to clubs, bars, hotels and lodges to give them an opportunity to cash in. This will see several activities and parties being held across the city.
"Locals have been complaining that we've been sidelining them so we'll not be having an event on the 30th as we want hoteliers and nightspots to capitalise by hosting the tourists. Volleyball tournaments and DJ competitions among many activities have been arranged," Munyenyiwa said.
"In the evening, various spots like Adventure Lodge, Invuvu Bar, Rest Camp, Kingdom hotel and Shoestrings will come alive as they host parties. To enter these parties, attendees will just need to flash their carnival passes."
The Jameson Vic Falls Carnival which is among the top seven African festivals according to CNN, ignites on the last day – December 31 as carnivalistas – in their weird and whacky outfits – are ushered into the New Year. With a line-up of locals, Botswana and South African artistes, Ryan Koriya, Charma Gal, Mokoomba, Monark, Mango Groove, Diloxclusiv, Good Luck, Jason Le Roux and Judgement Yard, one is guaranteed a New Year's Eve party to remember.
In addition to the line-up and the breath-taking Victoria Falls, Munyenyiwa said festival-goers could push their adventure limits to the test with a variety of adrenaline activities such as gorge swinging, river rafting and bungee jumping on offer.
He said preparations for the event which is in its fourth year, were going according to plan with artistes and attendees expected to start trickling in early next week.
"We're expecting tourists from different parts of the world to descend on this world wonder for nothing but non-stop partying. Most of our attendees are drawn from Bulawayo, Harare, Zambia, Botswana, South Africa and Namibia with some from overseas," he said. On rain fears, the founder said the carnival would not be complete without some rain.
"The carnival is even more fun in the rain so we're hoping to have some showers during the fete. But people shouldn't worry as they'll be equipped with stylish raincoats."
He however expressed dismay over the continued fall of the rand which he said has greatly affected attendance from South African nationals, who have been their highest attendees over the years.
Hoteliers are however smiling all the way to the bank as most of them are fully booked, as well as self catering lodges which are usually a hit among festival goers who sleep less and party hard. Not a fussy lot, all they usually need is a temporary place to place their head as well as bath. Food, drink and music is usually most critical to them. Munyenyiwa was however optimistic that the increase of locals as well as Southern African artistes performing at the event would ensure a successful event.
Source - Chronicle
