Cape Town FIFA Fan Fest construction begins
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The FIFA Fan Fest at Grand Parade is now under construction. Photo courtesy Danie van der Merwe
Construction has begun on Cape Town’s FIFA Fan Fest situated at the Grand Parade. When complete, the 25 413m2 area will serve as the city’s official entertainment hub for the duration of the soccer festival.
All 64 World Cup matches will be screened on an enormous 74m2 screen, first used by FIFA during the German World Cup. The screen is one of the biggest structures ever to be erected in South Africa.
Lesley de Reuck, 2010 director of operations for the City of Cape Town, said, “The purpose of the Fan Fest is to offer a safe, convenient and convivial alternative to being at the stadium. Soccer fans who weren’t able to get tickets can still watch the match live and get to experience the excitement and thrill of being caught up in the roar of the crowd.”
The FIFA Fan Fest will be open daily between 11h00 and 23h00 from June 10 to July 11, 2010. In between watching soccer, visitors will be entertained by a dazzling laser display, quality performances from talented locals and popular big-name artists such as Goldfish, FreshlyGround, The Rudimentals, Danny K, Jimmy Dludlu, the Gugulethu Tenors and many more.
Food and refreshment kiosks will offer a taste of traditional Cape Town, with dishes such as Malay chicken curry, lamb neck potjie, boerewors rolls and fish goujons, along with perennial favourites: prego rolls, pizza, hotdogs, hamburgers and steaming hot soup. Snacks, as well as hot and cold drinks will be on offer. Wine and beer will be available for sale to fans over the age of 18.
The Grand Parade can hold 25 000 people and numbers will be strictly controlled by the private security, emergency services and South African Police Service forces on the ground. To enter the Fan Fest, visitors will need to pass through security check points positioned in Darling Street and at the corner of Buitenkant and Longmarket streets. Children under the age of 14 will have to be accompanied by an adult and any food, alcohol, weapons, or drugs, brought into the Fan Fest will be confiscated.
De Reuck concluded, saying, “Because the World Cup is an event that will attract many families, as well as tourists, we have put very stringent security measures in place. Unruly behaviour will not be tolerated and perpetrators will be very swiftly dealt with. Our intention is for every visitor to the Fan Fest to have a good experience.”
Visitors are encouraged to use the many park-and-ride facilities available throughout Cape Town.
