March 26, 2004
By Lucille Davie
THE Rand Show is South Africa's only family show that offers 17 days of top shopping plus great entertainment, all under one roof.
This year's show, running from 2 to 18 April at the Expo Centre in Nasrec, is the city's 109th show, offering a "shopping mecca and entertainment fest" as well as the country's largest representation of well-known traders' brands.
Last year's show saw a 23 percent increase in visitor attendance over the previous year, at 522 220 visitors. This year the organisers expect to meet and possibly exceed that figure.
"Visitors love the fact that they can come to the Rand Show and get so many options and offers in one single venue. From the exhibition halls they can take time out with the family and enjoy a multitude of entertainment events that appeal across all age and cultural spectrums - from music, dance and edutainment through to petting zoos and football and rugby demos - there's virtually no limit to the Rand Show family day out offering," says Bryan Brett, Rand Show manager.
One of the most popular exhibitions is Tomorrow's Home, an exhibition extending over three halls, attracting some 64 percent of the total visitors. Tomorrow's Home exhibits the biggest representation of furniture and homeware retailers and manufacturers - some 27 000mē accommodating 42 retail brand distributors. Organisers indicate that a recent tendency by consumers is to spend their disposable income on improving their homes and leisure environments.
This exhibition is complemented by the Global Trader Expo, showcasing products from all over the world, such as clothing, ornaments, arts and crafts, confectionery, leather goods and carpets.
South Africa's two favourite football teams, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, will be there, boots and all. Team members will give demos and hold autograph sessions, as well as youth development clinics and a Legends Soccer Challenge.
In recent years the show has attracted more and more artists and entertainers. This year is no exception; the show will host the 5FM Easter Rock Festival on 10 April, plus the 5FM Chill Out Lounge, which will feature tattoo and henna artistes, MTV screens, playstation consoles, punk hairstylists and many other "super kewl" features. The festival will feature 16Stitch, Jo Day, Summersalt, Tweak, Wonderboom, Prime Circle, BOO!, Cutting Jade and Mean Mr Mustard, hosted by 5FM's Barney Simon and Koula.
On 17 April the Metro FM Music Festival will feature a mix of R&B, hip hop, pop melodies, house music and local indigenous sounds. On hand will be Metro FM DJs, Kabelo and Fistas.
On 18 April the YFM Youth Music Festival will present kwaito, hip hop and DJ acts including Brown Dash, Skwatta Kamp, Mapuputsi, Trompies, H2O, ZUBZ, Pebbles, Proverb, and acts from the 999 stable led by Arthur. There'll also be an opportunity for aspiring bands to show their stuff. The MC will be Bad Boy T.
There'll be great family entertainment in the form of action at the Xtreme Zone where an Xtreme Competition takes place over 17 consecutive days, featuring hip hop presenters, street dance groups, specialty acts, inline skating, rollerblading and BMX riding.
The rand show offers entartainment for the whole family
Motoring enthusiasts and speed and sound junkies can hang out at the Castrol Speed 'n Motor Festival. The Castrol Xtreme Motor Championship will feature the ultimate in car installations.
If that's not enough for these guys, there'll be a 4x4 Experience with a 4x4 track of 1.5km, with dips, troughs, embankments and stability control exercises.
And for the younger visitor, there're Animal Farm, Pet Expo, Touch Farm and Bird Hall, with an emphasis on educating the public about responsible care of all living creatures. The programme includes doggy sports, jumping, dancing, carting, flyball, obedience, socialising and grooming events. Most popular events will be the Pick 'n Pay Nutriphase dog agility and jumping challenge, the fabulous felines on the cat walk, and South Africa's raptors.
Brett sums it up: "The show's 109-year old history is based on the fact that the show always caters for its evolving visitor profile. Each year, we undertake independent research of our visitor profile and develop entertainment, exhibition and marketing strategies in line with the results, successfully catering for South Africa's massive cross-cultural population."
Entrance to the Rand Show is R40 for adults, R20 for kids under 12, free for senior citizens and children under two. Parking is R10 per car. The show is at the Expo Centre, Nasrec Road, Nasrec. The show is open from 10am to 8pm every day. Visit the website.
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