With just less than a month to go, the Overberg village of Stanford is buzzing with activity in preparation for the upcoming Stanford in Bloom! Held from 10 – 24 September, Stanford in Bloom is packed with workshops, talks, music, events, a tented market and anchored around the much – anticipated Chelsea Flowers in Stanford, the stem – by – stem recreation of Leon Kluge’s gold-winning RHS Chelsea Show Exhibition.
A Floral Spectacle in the Cape
The floral exhibition is a showcase of the beauty of the Cape Floral Kingdom in glorious detail, celebrating the towering mountain ranges, rooibos tea coloured waters and masses of flowering plants for which the Cape is known. The festival and exhibition will open to the public on 10 September with a simple yet elegant tribute to fynbos in springtime, and to the local communities whose lives and family histories are interwoven in the fabric of the natural landscape. John Maytham, popular Cape Talk radio presenter will be present for the Grand Opening and ribbon – cutting, along with Minister for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development, Anthon Bredell and critically acclaimed South African poet, Siphokazi Jonas, who will perform a poem inspired by the natural and cultural roots of the occasion.
Markets, Food & Local Delights
A highlight of this year’s event is the Stanford in Bloom Market on thevillage green boasting over eighty stalls from gifting to clothes and food. The Stanford Wine Route and local crafted beverages will be on sale in the Leivoor Lounge, and a special Cheese and Wine Soiree by award -winning Klein River Cheese will be held in the tent on 13 September. The Stanford Sunset Market returns on 19 September after its winter hiatus and marks the start of the Spring season in the village.
“Our market showcases amazing brands and products–many handmade and as local as possible. Come and browse for gifts or something beautiful for your home, our talented artisans and craftspeople cannot wait to show you all their goodies!”
-Nicolene Gericke, Stanford in Bloom Organiser and owner of Stanford business, Antjies.
Live music on the green will have visitors tapping their feet and dancing with South African legend Koos Kombuis (20 September); pianist, producer and composer, Rocco de Villiers (21 September); and the Luna Paige Trio (12 September). For a sit-down af
fair, The Winelands Philharmonic presents The Grand Garden Gala at the NG Kerk (13
September). Various musicians will also perform live at the Stanford in Bloom market over the two-week event.
Talks, Workshops & Creative Inspiration
Talks in Town is a special series of talks related to Chelsea Flowers in Stanford, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2025 in London and the work of Grootbos Foundation, the non – profit organisation which will receive all profits from the fynbos display. Speakers will include the likes of Leon Kluge, landscape designer extraordinaire, Tristan Woutberg, Artist-Gardener, Tanya Visser of ‘The Gardener’Magazine as well as the extraordinarily talented botanical artist, Vicki Thomas, and Floral Development Manager for RHS Flower Shows, Helen Boem, Botanist Rupert Koopman, Paleontologist Hayley Cawthra and other nature and conservation experts.Passionate gardener and television presenter, Melanie Walker, botanistand plant breeder, Andy De Wet, Sandy Roberts of The Margaret Roberts Herbal Centre and master horticulturist, Cherise Viljoen, join the Stanford in Bloom Talk & Workshop line up which includes a mix of green-thumb inspiration, and workshops including hands-on living soil creation inspired by Korean natural farming methods, and a horticultural master class on Streptocarpus propagation and planting! An impressive line up of over 34-bookish talks will keep bibliophiles happy – take a peek at the Nave Narratives line up featuring South African voices and many from Stanford itself, and there are some inspiring art events and exhibitions happening, including the ever popular fundraiser, Art on a String.
“Stanford in Bloom is a celebration of creativity and connection, and at Betrag Art Gallery, we’re offering a space where art, music, and literature come together to foster dialogue and deepen our connection to place, history, and each other. With the support of Wesgro, we invite you to explore the intersections of individuality and collaboration, creativity and reflection, and how imagination and storytelling shape our world,” – Cobus Visser, Owner & Curator, Betrag Art Gallery.
Foodie workshops from sourdough baking to ceremonial cacao are on offer, along with craftier affairs like lino printing and botanical pumpkins! Mariana Esterhuizen is joined by Leon Kluge for “Leon! Kom Ons Maak Waterblommetjie Bredie,” a fun food demonstration, and local author, Lanie van Reenen, will be in the kitchen with Agteros’ Chef Janine van der Nest for a reinterpretation of “Skaapstertjies.”
Young and old can look forward to a fun Scarecrow Walk, mini-gardens created by local schools and Craft & Play afternoons at Eduden Village School, and a special reading by children’s book author and illustrator, Emily House.“We are so excited about what this means for our region, both in terms of high lighting the spectacular fynbos of the Stanford area, as well as bringing visitors and the resultant opportunity for vendors and businesses. We can’t wait to welcome scores of new people and show them our beautiful village.”-Jami Kastner, Stanford Tourism & Business Chairperson.
Festival Details
The festival and exhibition will run for 16 days between 10-24
September and the exhibition will open daily between 9:00-17:00,
Stanford in Bloom Market open 9:00-19:00.
For more information contact:
[email protected] | www.stanfordinbloom.co.za
