All that glitters... is Margate!

Of course the venue is still a pseudo-secret, although one can't keep a site large enough to clear for an event seating 2000 people very hush hush and all the locals deep south in Margate know exactly what's going down!

And yes, we know we said this last year - that everything would be in Margate, and the locals warned the events company about the weather in October - and they went ahead anyway... and half of Margate beach washed away and the tent was moved to St Michaels-on-Sea - not really in Margate. But it was technically the same ocean-stretch of beach, and anyway there was so much alcohol on the night(s) that not many remember the actual event except for those poor few who couldn't find their way home and ended up sleeping in a gutter halfway between Margate and Durban. (There were a few!)

The good news is that The Loerie Awards CEO, Andrew Human's ulcer has completely healed by now and everything, from the accommodation bookings system to the awards entries and new judging process seems to have gone far smoother to date this year. Possibly a benefit of hindsight and also possibly due to using events personnel on the ground in Margate and a triumvirate of eventing experts to drive the whole weekend fun in the sun and the actual awards ceremonies on the Saturday and Sunday nights, 16 - 17 September.

What we can say about the venue is that it won't be a tent on the breach "near" Margate. There won't be porta-potties too small to fit a ballgown in. There won't be buses. You won't have to break a heel walking very far. Organisers won't have to keep guests drinking outside the venue on the Sunday night while they frantically try prop up the tent pole with beanbags to stop the tent splitting in the high winds and scuppering the event... The venue does have a great view and is within walking distance of the Margate beachfront!

Margate hospitality

The local community in Margate - made up of local government structures, police, business, tourism and the wonderful community of eccentrics and escapees from big city life - were the ones who made Loeries such a success last year. And despite various drunken shenanigans by Loerie louts - now entrenched in Margate myth - over the weekend last year, they want the industry back. (And the industry's cash of course!)

For the first time in Margate, Mr Delivery will be open 24 hours so you can get your favourite burger or bunny chow at 4am. Free taxis (accessible to Loeries guests wearing their wristbands, only) will be on offer 24 hours for those guests who didn't book in time to get accommodation in Margate, or who went for comfortable luxury rather than the 'boere baroque' décor of the Margate beachfront apartments. Can someone please mention that purple and lime colours TOGETHER is so last millennium! And why does anyone need a braai with more power than the space shuttle???

And for the actively challenged, there are the advertising show reels at the Margate Cinema and the 2005 Loerie Award winners at the Art Museum. Finally, lest you forget, Margate is a seaside paradise of bars, bars and bars and hopefully, by moving the event from October to September, the weather might be a bit nicer - coastal weather is weird that way.

The Awards Festival Weekend takes place on Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17. Tickets and accommodation are selling fast, so if you haven't booked yet, visit www.theloerieawards.co.za/festival/ for all you need to know.

Flights with The Loerie Awards' airline partner Kulula.com must be confirmed by Friday, August 4, to get the specially discounted rates. Accommodation bookings with the official partner www.gomargate.co.za close on 18 August.

Festival Weekend Programme

There will be various activities during the day on Saturday, September 16 at the beachfront. In addition, confirmed activities for the day and the evening's Awards Ceremony include:
>16h00 - 18h00: Pre-drinks and tapas.
>Street parade leads guests to the awards venue.
>18h30 - 21h00: Saturday Awards Ceremony, hosted by Media 24 (show starts at 19h00).
>After Party at the Backline, hosted by SABC Radio, including lounge area for VIPs and gold winners.
>Heat House Party. Heat magazine will be hosting a private house party for invited guests and winners only.

And the indomitable can continue on Sunday, September 17. Confirmed activities at this stage include:
>08h30: Golf - Nashua Mobile's 18 holes to glory at San Lameer. Tickets for the golf are available at www.theloerieawards.co.za/festival/golf/.
>11h00: Inter-Agency Battle of the Bands. Time to really show your talents to the industry in an open stage competition for agency bands held on the Margate Beach. Best you start practising now.
>16h00 - 18h00: Pre-drinks and tapas.
>18h30 - 21h00: Sunday Awards Ceremony, hosted by the SABC (show starts at 19h00).
>Street Party at the Margate Beachfront, hosted by SABC Television, including lounge area for VIPs and gold winners.

Other activities taking place in and around Margate over the weekend include: