What started as a simple community project has, over the years, developed into one of the best-known festivals in the Vaal Triangle. Rocking the Vaal, which takes place annually at Emerald Resort & Casino, has its roots in a project that brought the community together years ago to create something special. This year the festival will take place on Saturday, April 11, with some of the country’s biggest artists performing on one stage.

The beginning of this journey can be traced back to a Guinness World Record attempt for the longest crocheted blanket, a project initiated by the Golden Triangle Chamber of Commerce (GTCOC).
Residents from across the Vaal crocheted squares that were later joined together to form a record-breaking blanket- a symbolic project that demonstrated the power of community collaboration.
That success planted the seed for something bigger.

Over time, the idea emerged to combine community participation, music, and food into one major event.

This is how Rocking the Vaal began to grow into a festival where people don’t just come to listen to music, but become part of the experience themselves.

According to Marinda Human, Marketing Manager at Emerald Resort & Casino, it was clear from the start that Emerald wanted to be part of the project.

“When Jaco Verwey from the Golden Triangle Chamber of Commerce approached us about the idea of joining forces and developing the project together, it was really an obvious decision,” she says.

“We immediately realised that this was something we wanted to be involved in, because it’s not just about a festival, but about an event that brings the entire community together.”

Over the years, Rocking the Vaal has become known for its creative Guinness World Record attempts that directly involve the public. In 2025, the festival set three new Guinness World Records:
•The largest pot of pap (2 334kg)
•The largest serving of kebab meat stretching 3km
•The most people breaking bread simultaneously

These projects involved thousands of people and placed the Vaal community in the international spotlight.

At the same time, the festival has grown into an important music event, where some of South Africa’s most popular artists will perform on one stage. Artists such as Kurt Darren, Karlien van Jaarsveld, Demi Lee Moore, Heuwels Fantasties, and Refentse can be looked forward to.

With Rocking the Vaal 2026, taking place on 11 April, the organisers are once again building on this tradition of participation and collaboration.

This year, they are planning two new Guinness World Record attempts – an attempt to make the most pancakes ever, as well as an impressive 3 000kg pot of Chilli Con Carne.

For the organisers, however, the goal remains simple: to bring people together.

What began with a blanket crocheted by many hands has grown into a festival where thousands of people celebrate music together, share food, and demonstrate what a community can achieve when everyone works together.

Make sure to get your tickets and keep an eye on social media platforms to see how you can become part of this unique experience. Tickets are available at Tixsa. If you would like to participate or get involved as a sponsor, send an email to Sandy at [email protected].

Rocking the Vaal is organised by the Golden Triangle Chamber of Commerce (GTCOC) in collaboration with Emerald Resort & Casino, which hosts the event.