Visitors to the SPAR Karoo Food Festival can feast their eyes on a buffet of exciting new vehicle models when the popular flavour fiesta gets underway this month.
The Kelston Motor Group is showcasing a record eight brands at the 10th edition of the festival, which takes place in the Karoo town of Cradock from April 27 to 30.
Festivalgoers would be able to test-drive the SUVs, bakkies and sedans which, according to the group’s marketing manager Bev Venter, was a unique offering when it came to motoring displays and activations.
The company enjoys a significant presence in the Eastern Cape Midlands, including dealerships in Graaff-Reinet, Cradock and Somerset East. There are also branches in Komani and a tyre fitment centre in Cookhouse.
As such, the group’s involvement with the food festival was a “no-brainer”, said Venter.
“It’s a huge achievement for the festival to reach its 10th year. It’s such an important event for the community.
“In small towns everybody knows everybody else, so a festival of this kind is even more magnified. It’s an incredible privilege for us to be involved as a premium sponsor.”
Venter said the group enjoyed excellent relationships with the farming community and residents of the Karoo and was looking forward to seeing them at the festival.

The Kelston Motor Group will showcase a buffet of new vehicles at the SPAR Karoo Food Festival. Photo: Supplied
Friday evening’s Karoo Street Party, under direction of the Algoa FM Hit Mobile, would be the company’s first port of call.
“The street carnival takes place in the centre of Cradock and our Mahindra and Ford dealership is right across the road,” said Venter.
Visitors can head to Jenkins Creek on the Saturday and Sunday to get up close and personal with various Hyundai, Haval, Ford, Mahindra, Toyota, VW, Renault and Chery models.
“Quite a few have just come out, including the new Ford Everest and Ranger, Toyota Fortuner and VW Amarok,” she said.
All these vehicles have received rave reviews since being launched in South Africa, praised for their all-terrain toughness while keeping up with the latest trends in motoring technology.
The Everest has been described as “packing a punch while on the move”, while the latest version of its stablemate, the Ranger, is considered a workhorse that is “up to the task”.
The new Fortuner, with its “external perk-up”, is expected to extend the model’s popularity in South Africa, while the Amarok has “striking new styling” that adds to its sophistication.
Simon Ward, sales manager at Toyota Cradock, said the dealership was entrenched in the community and committed to supporting local initiatives.
The SPAR Karoo Food Festival has become hugely popular among foodies and festival lovers from all over the country.
This year’s, the first without Covid-19 restrictions, includes all the ingredients of a fun family time.
Stalls, cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, the Amy Bell Charity Cycle and inaugural Potjie Master competition are just some of the surprises mixed into the festival broth.