To signal Cape Town’s hospitality, the event on Thursday, 10 June will include a 2 000-strong carnival parade; the switching on of special soccer-themed lights in Adderley Street; and a star-studded concert at the Grand Parade.

"The City wants to position itself as the party capital of the world. This party promises to be bigger; better; and safer than any of previous parties" says Cape Town Executive Mayor, Dan Plato.

"This milestone event consists of a ten-hour concert at the Fan Fest on the Parade; a rainbow carnival procession; and the switch-on of the colourful streetlight displays in Adderley Street," he says.

The same safety and security measures as for the 2010 FIFA World Cup will be in place in and around the party area. This includes the South African Police Services (SAPS); Metro Police; Traffic Services; Law Enforcement; Disaster Risk Management; and private security companies.

"This party is a culmination of the City’s many hospitality initiatives, welcoming the world to South Africa’s oldest city at the most southerly tip of the African continent," says Pieter Cronjé, Communication Director and 2010 Spokesman for the City of Cape Town.

About 17 000 revellers are expected to gather at the FIFA Fan Fest on the Grand Parade and another 50 000 in the streets of Cape Town’s inner city.

The star-studded concert caters for all tastes, and includes the internationally renowned Haindling Bavarian Band. All other performers are South African, including several new Cape Town acts.

The programme includes popular South African stars such as HHP; JR; Kurt Darren; Vicky Sampson; Flip a Coin; Fancy Galada; Locnville; Emo Adams; Joey Rasdien; the Lindiwe Suttle Band; DJ Reddy; as well as Soli Philander. Some of the stage acts selected during the city’s five-week-long public auditions will also be performing.

The free concert kicks off at 14:00 and will build up to a symbolic highlight with flaming torches to light a cauldron on the historic balcony of the City Hall at 19:00. This will signal the start of the carnival parade and the switch on of Adderley Street’s spectacular soccer lights. From 21:00 until midnight some of South Africa’s biggest music icons will entertain the crowds at the Fan Fest.

There will be eight colourful soccer-themed light installation on Adderley Street, starting from the Heerengracht Fountain Circle up to Wale Street. Some 10km of rope lights was used which use 55% less energy than the traditional incandescent light bulbs.

"As this takes place at the start of the school holidays, the City has arranged for Metrorail services to be available until 01:00 on Friday morning. The normal Golden Arrow scheduled bus services will also be available," says Cronjé.

Cape Town’s new MYCiTi bus service will continue its newly introduced service between the airport, as well as the inner city circular route. This arrangement will alleviate parking pressure in the city centre as people can park at parking garages and catch one of these buses to the Grand Parade.

"This is a family celebration where adults and children can enjoy the festivities in a safe environment. As part of the City’s overall child protection plan, all children – even if accompanied by an adult – will be tagged at the entrance to the Fan Fest. No children will be allowed in the tents where alcohol is on sale. This will be the first event where the plan will be tested.

"As with the Final Draw event in December and the various test events at Cape Town Stadium, this major event will test the access control and operational and safety initiatives at the Fan Fest," he says.

The food and art stalls at the Grand Parade and Adderley Street will be up and running with ample toilet facilities in both areas.

In addition to the Fan Fest concert, a 2 000-strong carnival parade, led by Cape Town’s signature minstrels, will proceed from Buitenkant Street, up Darling Street into Adderley Street, and then Wale Street before ending in Queen Victoria Street.
The City will announce details of road closures and dedicated parking areas closer to the time.

"A dedicated team is currently considering which roads need to be closed with the least inconvenience to business and residents in the city centre. We invite all Capetonians and visitors to join in this spectacular party which will confirm Cape Town as the party capital of the world," Cronjé says.