Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) today officially unveiled its programme for the 2008 Vodacom Splash Festival. The launch was held at the Algoa Bay Yacht Club, located in the Port Elizabeth Harbour – the new home of the festival.

The festival, dubbed as a waterspots festival, will take place over the Easter period from 21 – 24 March 2008. It is the 18th consecutive time that the festival will be held in Nelson Mandela Bay.

Expressing enthusiasm about the venue change for the festival, NMBT chief executive, Mr. Fezekile Tshiwula said that Port Elizabeth Harbour will afford them more room to grow the festival.

“We are very excited about the new venue, as it brings with it a well deserved change to the festival. Part of the challenges we have been faced with in the past is the need to add new elements to the festival. The Port Elizabeth Harbour will afford us that opportunity, offering more space and a safe enclosed environment,” he said.

Themed as a weekend of rhythm, cuisine, carnival and culture - the festival this year promises loads of family entertainment, featuring a multicultural parade to kick off the festival, a food court to tantalize taste buds, a wide-ranging music line-up including a Divas in Divine Duets Concert, As well as the popular fireworks display, which will be held at Kings Beach on Saturday, March 22nd at 20h30pm.

Other activities on the programme include a Beer tent, a kids adventure zone, a Splash Harbour Dash obstacle course, demo shows including an NSRI demo, tug boat display on the water, air show and various educational exhibitions, as well as loads of sporting fun, including canoeing, regatta, as well as touch rugby and a celebrity beach cricket match.

Keeping to its traditional offering, the festival crowd pullers such as the Splash Win-A-Car competition, the Easter Egg Hunt and the Sand Sculpting competition will also be retained.

There will be three main hubs at this year’s festival i.e. Palm Tree Lane, where the main stage will be situated; the Algoa Bay Yacht Club area where there will be an open exhibition area, a beer tent, a sand arena and the Kids Adventure zone; and Kings Beach, where the majority of the watersports will take place.

Designated parking for festival goers will be permitted under the bridge on Baakens Street, on Flemming Street across the Newspaper House, the grass area at the Pier Street Mosque, grass area at The Anchor Pub, as well as at the Kings Beach parking area. There will be a regular shuttle service which will be taking people to and from each festival point.

Due to the stringent security requirements at the Harbour, no public vehicles will be allowed inside the Harbour.

For more information on the festival, contact Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism on 041- 582 2575 or log on to http://www.nmbt.co.za.