Potjiekos is such a great South African tradition and this year’s Texas Potjie Festival celebrated 20 years of great fun and sharing a heritage with friends and family. It all began when a group of friends decided to organise a South African get together with a potjie competition. Fred Reinhardt and his wife, Yvonne coordinated a Thanksgiving Dinner for South Africans in 2000 and due to its success, and the enthusiasm from the South African community living in the Houston area, there were calls for another gathering.
The festival was born and since its inception in 2001 the event has grown considerably. In the first year about 80 people attended, in 2002 it almost doubled to 140 and in 2003, with the total prize-winning purse being over $500 in cash and prizes, a total of 204 people rocked up. In 2004 the festival was moved to a new site at Canyon Lake. The rest is history.
Hundreds of Saffas joined the festival this year which was held at Yogi Bear Jellystone Resort in Waller, Texas. The festival boasted stalls with a jampacked programme which included added attractions like a wine tasting, sokkie and entertainment. Saffas could show off their skills at the potjiekos, boerewors, best camp, cabin or RV competitions. For the lekkerbekke there were bunny chow and boerewors roll tastings and the best droëwors and biltongs were judged.
The weekend was concluded with a Sunday service and dates are already being planned for next year’s Texas Potjie.
