Every last Saturday of every month it’s time for the Steenbokfontein market. People flock here to find local produce coupled with entertainment.
It’s essentially a farmers’ market where kids can play while adults can imbibe some wine, should they so choose.
The responsible market goers start with a mug of Jan Pierewiet boeretroos (coffee – usually strong) whilst surveying the market scene before moving on to their next beverage. Should you develop a particular fondness for the coffee, take some coffee beans home.
A market is not a market unless there are pancakes. Steenbokfontein delivers in this regard too. Meet up – over a cinnamon pancake – with old friends, or meet new ones, from the West Coast!
Young and old gather and enjoy from freshly shucked oysters to organic farm vegetables like carrots extra-long leeks, and onions; from home-made jams, chutney and pickles to a happie straight from the coals; from something sweet (like chocolate or almond croissants, plain or chocolate fudge and brownies) to venison – kudu and springbuck – and cold meats, including salami, pancetta, black forest ham and carpaccio, and sausages; from roosterkoek delivered with flair to deepfried potato bites on a sosatie skewer. Add veldplante for your city garden, handmade wooden bedside lamps or funky flared pants for the summer holiday.
As the Saturday morning progresses more and more people arrive – bring your own well-behaved dog if you crave extra company – to make themselves comfortable on straw bales, the way it used to be done decades ago. Makes one want to sokkie… especially when the music starts.
Pack a sun hat to protect your face whilst listening to some good ole boeremusiek, something more modern added to the mix or the nostalgic tjoiiing tjoiiing of a guitar, or two.
For extra flavour to the day, head to the jalapeno popper stall.
Open every last Saturday of the month
Distance from Cape Town: 238km
Where: Steenbokfontein, R365, Lamberts Bay
Coordinates: S 33°58′ 23.3″ E 018°50′ 51.0″
Contact: +27 (0)60 458 8650 | [email protected]