Many Helderbergers cherish fond memories of the once popular Strawberry Festival, which was the annual highlight on the community’s social calendar.

The switching-on of the Christmas lights, which lit up Main Road in the Somerset West central business district, is an old tradition spreading endless joy during the season to be jolly.

Among many highlights was the mass carol-singing followed by the joyous switch-on and delight of numerous market stalls for much browsing pleasure.

With hopes of reviving the unforgettable festival while promoting Somerset West as a tourist destination and supporting local businesses, community representatives aided by representatives of the the City of Cape Town rallied together to realise the Somerset West Christmas Market, which will take place throughout December.

Delight of the festival

Organiser Moira Meershoek said the market was inspired not only by her love for Christmas time and markets, but the festive cheer and celebration that brings people together after a long year.

With flashbacks of precious childhood memories of the lights, which attracted people from all over, Meershoek revelled in the delight of the festival, which was a great source of pride for the town.

“It was so nice; it felt like the whole community would come out and celebrate the festive season together – it just made it feel like Christmas in a small town. Like we had something really special and unique,” she recalled.

“Unfortunately, due to petty crime and inadequate security measures, it was announced that the festival had to be shutdown and the next thing we knew, the lights were also gone. Somerset West was given meagre replacement lights [by the municipality] and the town has never really had the same Christmas spirit since. So the inspiration was simply to bring some of that magic back to Somerset West in a safer setting.”

Search for a venue

With the foundation of a safe environment, appropriate licensing, quality vendors and reliable suppliers, Meershoek said that the goal is to establish the market as an annual celebration that brings the community together, supports local businesses and charities, showcases local talent in various forms, and recreates the Christmas magic of the old town many locals grew up knowing and for future generations to remember.

Meershoek further shared that planning alongside her husband, Simon, started more than a year ago, with the search for a venue and the market finding its “home” at Generation School Somerset West.

The next step was attending to all the licensing and permit requirements of the City of Cape Town, vetting hundreds of vendor applications and arranging everything from musicians, performers, and the beer garden to the access-controlled kids’ zone by Mess Makers.

Fairy-light tunnel

The market will boast a “good mix” of more than 70 vendors comprising artisans, craftsmen and retailers offering a wide range of high-quality products. It will be held at the school venue at 5 Copacobana Boulevard on the first three weekends in December (Friday 6 and Saturday 7, 13 and 14, and 20 and 21 December; from 16:00 to 22:00).

Visitors will enter the market through a fairy-light tunnel, sponsored by Stellar Lighting. In the middle of the courtyard a 2-metre tall authentic German Christmas tree, imported in cold storage from Bavaria and sponsored by Yes Exclusive Flowers, will take centre stage.

Community focused

“We are hosting a very special opening ceremony with the switching on of the tree lights on Friday 6 December,” said Meerhoek.

“Local councillor Norman McFarlane will do the honours, and then we’ve invited our charity of choice, The Barking Ark, to say a words, as well as Mariette du Toit-Helmold, former head of Cape Town Tourism and current manager of the Village Collective to tell everyone about this wonderful community initiative.

“There will be some very special performances from a group of very talented local school learners, all of whom have been coordinated by Duncan Combe, the head of the music department at Parel Vallei High School. So it’s going to be a very community focused, feel-good experience.”

Furthermore, Pam Golding Properties will host a “Santa-meet-and-greet” and “Letters to Santa” corner, where children can write and decorate letters to Santa, and then personally deliver them to him and have a photograph taken.

There may also be a few surprise visits from the Grinch too.

Show your support

“We want the Helderberg to show up and support all of our local vendors. A lot of hard work and planning has gone into this event, not only from our side, but from the vendors’ side too.

“At the end of the day they are your local small business owners and they would really appreciate your support,” implored Meershoek.

“They have been planning their stalls, preparing their stock and gearing up for this for months, so please come down and show your support for their efforts. You won’t be disappointed.”