Fun and games at Centurion neighbourhood festival

“The idea is to get the community together to celebrate their community, to meet people they may not otherwise have met or mingle with, to showcase the talents and small businesses within the community and to have a free day of entertainment, relaxation and fun.”

August 3, 2019

Reitumetse Mahope 3 minutes read

Imogen Pienaar, Indiphile Manxiwa and Micheal Malan.

It was all fun and games in Baltimore Avenue, Centurion on Saturday, during the SPAR Pierre van Ryneveld Town Festival.

The festival-goers were served food, live entertainment, a skin- and make-up workshop and obstacle courses arranged by Centurion scouts.

The obstacle courses built by the scouts could be enjoyed by children and grown-ups.

Scout group leader Gavin Kelly said Scouts South Africa was an independent, non-profit educational movement dedicated to the development of young people to achieve their full potential as individuals and responsible citizens.

“The idea is to get the community to celebrate together, to meet people they may not otherwise have met or mingle with, to showcase the talents and small businesses within the community and to have a free day of entertainment, relaxation and fun.”

He said the programme educated the children to have a continuous transference of values such as honesty, loyalty, responsibility and respect which were all aimed at governing individual behaviour.

Kelly said he loved the festival initiative as funds raised, were ploughed back into the church which then gave back to the community through community projects such as feeding and clothing schemes.

He said the scouts were a huge part of the community and involved in many of the community projects as well such as circulating books to needy school libraries, food parcels, toys and clothing to needy families within the community.

“Scouts also provide a safe environment where kids between the ages of seven to 18 can learn vital skills of respect, acceptance and interaction with other individuals.”

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Kelly said the development of strong leadership skills would eventually equip the scouts to be of service to others and to their communities.

“Scouting develops children and young adults into positive role models for society and assets to their communities by equipping them with knowledge, skills and attitude to play a role as committed citizens to the growth and development of their communities and the country.”

He said the scouting activities were co-ordinated and facilitated by dedicated volunteers.

Festival spokesperson Estelle Henderson said the town festival first started in 2010 and was an annual event that has grown with time.

She said the festival started as an idea to revamp a local church fête.

“We especially used social media this year to organise the event and it was clear that the community didn’t want to miss this event.

“We had 66 vendors this year, some even came from Parys in the Free State,” said Henderson.

Fitness dance instructor Aletia Stevens who co-ordinated a dance session said her studio started off in “humble beginnings” in Pierre van Ryneveld, Centurion.

“We changed the studio name to Dance on Main as we are more than just a dance school. We are a centre, a family where a dancer can grow and develop into the best dancer they can become.”

Stevens said in 2010, Dance on Main also started offering a variety of adult fitness classes.

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“We encourage the community to become active, healthy and fit in a friendly, non-intimidating and positive atmosphere.”

Festival goers were put through an intense yet fun pound rockout workout, where the members underwent a cardio jam session inspired by the infectious, energising and sweat-dripping fun of playing the drums.

The session was introduced into the festival as part of the initiative to help aid the Centurion SPCA.

Stevens said all donations received through her fitness sessions such as pet food, blankets or monetary contributions, would be handed over to the SPCA.