Now there is a new event for South Africans over Labor Day weekend!

We recently spoke to one of the organizers of the South African Potjie in Texas about this new event… 

“The South African Potjie in Texas was established as an alternative event to the Texas Potjie Festival and is in no way affiliated. We are providing an alternative event for South Africans over Labor Day Weekend. Our goal is to promote the original spirit of camping together, having fun, visiting friends and making new friends.”

South African Potjie in Texas

And so, the South African Potjie in Texas was born…

This new event will have no competitions, like the Texas Potjie Festival does. Instead, there will be a potluck dinner where everyone prepares food and brings it to a central location for everyone to share and enjoy together.

Fun and games will be available for the children with the central theme to teach and preserve the South African Heritage for years to come.

On the Saturday evening, there will be a “sokkie” (dance), in typical South African tradition.

The 2017 event will be held in the KOA campground in Rusk, TX. It is a smaller campground.

“With people camping closer to each other, it helps to create a better community spirit.”

The South African Potjie in Texas will begin on the Friday and end on the Monday of Labor Day weekend. Those who want to arrive earlier, are of course welcome to do so.

“We invite any South Africans and their families in the US to join us for a weekend of fun!”

The first event will be from September 1 – 4, 2017.

South African musician, Kurt Darren, will be in Texas on the weekend of Feb 8-9, 2014 and will have a concert in Bandera on Sunday, Feb 9. It will be an afternoon concert to fit in better with people’s travel schedules.

This isn’t only about the concert though… it is about a whole weekend of fun! There will be a big Bring & Braai on the Saturday evening where people can mingle and have a decent South African party!

On top of this, Bandera is a beautiful Texas town that is known as the The Cowboy Capital of the World. There are many dude ranches and other interesting “cowboy” places to visit.

It is easy to make an unforgettable weekend out of this one!

If you’ve been out of South Africa for a long time and you’re wondering, “Who is Kurt Darren?”… here is one of his songs…

(Pick the “Austin TX” tickets)

Here are more details…

The Venue

The Kurt Darren Concert will take place at the 11TH STREET COWBOY BAR in Bandera – Map to the Venue

Weekend Program

Saturday, Feb 8

• SA Bring & Braai to start at 5 pm. at 11th Street Cowboy Bar
• Band : “Homer Whisenant and the Plainsman” performing for us at 8:30 pm. fun, dancing etc.
• BBQ pits, braai equipment and eating utensils supplied free, bring meat and dish to share.
• Cash wine/beer/sodas bar available, bring own hard liquor – $5 cover charge.

Sunday, Feb 9

• 11:30 ish am. Arrive at 11th Street Cowboy Bar (bring ticket and hard liquor)
• 12:00 :- Curry and Rice and Malva Pudding served ($5 per person total)
• 1:00 pm :- Kurt Darren Concert starts!!
• 2:00 pm :- Intermission – The Austin Bagpiper performs for us (Tips welcome!)
• 2:30 pm :- Kurt Darren Concert continues ! Sokkie floor is huge!!
• 3:30 pm :- Gifts, prizes and auction to be presented…. with thanks!
• 4:00 pm :- Picture time and SA Bazaar opens! (If you have baked goodies or goods you want to sell – this is your time!) Free stand.
• Party and music and sokkie and fun will continue… drive home safely or spend another night!

(Pick the “Austin TX” tickets)

Accommodation

Here are the accommodations available. They are all close to the venue. Use the discount code “South African Concert”:

1. River Front Motel
   7 great cabins walking distance – blocked for one week and only 7 cabins left!!
   Call Sheryl at : (830) 460-3690 asap. $99 per night
2. Bandera Lodge
   PHONE CALL FOR DISCOUNT
   Less than one mile away… $84 + tax per night.
   Call (830) 796-3093 or visit www.texashillcountrymall.com
3. Carriage House Inn (Behind concert venue)
   3 Units available (full apartments, sleeps 4)
   Call (830) 796-4086
4. River Oak Inn
   2 min drive away – on the river
   Double room $109 + tax per night
   Single king room – $99 per night
   Call (830) 796-7751 / 2 or visit www.riveroakinn.com
5. If you feel like camping… Cowboy Capital RV Park and Camping (SA Owned)
   5 miles away…
   Call Gerhard Retief on his cell : (832) 264-4580

This promises to be a fantastic pre-Valentines break-away weekend in the gorgeous Hill Country with friends and SA culture, music, braai, fun and sokkie !! 2 days of BLISS

See you there !!!

(Pick the “Austin TX” tickets)

 
Bandera Is The Place To Be On Feb 8 & 9!
 

Questions or Comments? Post them below and we’ll answer them.

Every year, hundreds of South Africans make a pilgrimage to the southern state of Texas, for what has become the single biggest South African Festival in the United States of America… The biggest celebration of S.A. culture, good food, and good company this side of the Atlantic!

Update – 11/9/2011: Unfortunately the creator of the video has removed it from Youtube. Please see texaspotjie.com for more information about the Texas Potjie Festival.

We have been to the Texas Potjie Festival 5 times, and I can tell you from experience that it is a big blast!!!

Have you attended the Festival before? What are your thoughts?

A few weeks ago the Texas Potjie Committee met up at the KOA campgrounds in Rusk, TX to discuss this year’s gathering.  Going up there just reaffirmed to us how nice the facilities and the surroundings actually are.  We just can’t wait for this year’s Potjie.

If you haven’t booked—do so now!!! Go to the Potjie website at www.texaspotjie.com to get the details.

We have decided that this year’s Set Category is BEEF.  So start getting your best recipes together and start practicing for this year’s Cook-off.

Besides the set category there are three other types of potjiekos one can submit for judging.  The Open Category includes all entrée dishes that are not beef—such as chicken, lamb, pork etc.  Then there is the bread category and finally the dessert category.

On the Saturday is the coveted Best in Boerewors in Texas Competition.   So start tweaking your favorite Boerewors recipes as well.

For the kids we have planned activities such as the watermelon eating contest, an outdoor movie night, and a piñata jamboree.  Of course we will also be having the cricket and touch-rugby friendly for all to participate in as well. And then of course there is the sokkie on Saturday night.

Lastly like in 2008, there will be an Afrikaans Kerkdiens led by Ds. Botha in the hall.

See you there!

Groete,

The Texas Potjie Festival Committee