Unfortunately for mardi gras goers, this year’s annual Pink Loerie Mardi Gras and Arts Festival has been postponed and will not go ahead as foreseen.
The Pink Loerie Mardi Gras and Arts Festival is an annual celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) culture and identity.
The event, which happens annually in the heart of the Garden Route of Knysna, hosts a series of cultural, entertainment and community fundraising and has become an institution on South Africa’s LGBTQ calendar for almost two decades.
“After much deliberation with various parties, we have come to the conclusion that we will postpone this year’s festival and return in 2020 with a new look and fresh ideas,” said Pink Loerie’s John O’Neil.
The organisers have said that this is due to the newly formed partnership with Gerrit Prinsloo Productions. The festival has plans to restructure the event, promising to hold an even bigger and better mardi gras in 2020.
“We apologise to our supporters for any inconvenience and would like to thank the residents of Knysna as well as all the loyal supporters over the past 18 years,” said O’Neil.
“We will be back next year and our support for Loeriehof Retirement Home, Knysna Animal Welfare, Paula Whitney Crèche and Vermont Retirement Village will continue as always”.
Executive Mayor of Knysna, Mark Willemse said that he is “saddened to learn that the Pink Loerie Festival will be unable to go ahead this year due to financial constraints”.
“I am pleased, however, to see that efforts are being made to ensure that this very popular festival goes ahead next year. Knysna Municipality will continue to support this event and the many others that provide a continuous source of economic upliftment of our town,” said Mayor Willemse.
O’Neil has also disclosed that their decision to postpone Pink Loerie 2019 was to provide more time for securing sponsors to ensure financial viability and sustainability of the event.
He’s called on individuals and/or businesses in Knysna that would like to serve on the organising committee to please contact office@pinkloeries.co.za and to keep in touch with developments via their Facebook page or pinkloerie.co.za.
Trees to celebrate Arbor Month