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 togethe
years ago to create something special.

This year the festival will once again take place on
Saturday, April 11, with some of the country’s biggest artists performing on one stage.

Beginning of the journey

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 (2 334 kg)
• The largest serving of kebab meat stretching three kilometres
• 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 cab be looked
  forward to.

With Rocking the Vaal 2026, taking place on April 11, 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 3 000 kg 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.

Tickets

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 admin@gtcoc.org.za.

Building on a strong legacy

Rocking the Vaal builds on a strong legacy of record-breaking achievements after the
festival set three Guinness World Records in 2025 – including the largest pot of pap (2 334
kg), the largest serving of kebab meat stretching three kilometres, and the most people
breaking bread simultaneously. These achievements highlighted the community’s spirit of
collaboration and unity on an international level.

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