By Nangamso Mabindla
30 March 2004

Already in celebration mode after the South Africa Games, East Londoners didn't need much encouragement to get down to the harbour on Saturday, 27 March, for the annual Port Festival.

By all accounts, the colourful family fun event - seen by many as the best two days of the year - was more spectacular than last year's.

Besides more standard fare like women's basketball, amateur boxing and muscle men showing off their bodies, a yellow python and other endangered snake species had the crowds enthralled.

Adding grace to the occasion, the popular Guild Theatre dance group, which also performed at the 2nd South Africa Games, kept the crowd entertained with some of their best dance acts.

For adrenaline junkies, the highlight of the show came when local speedboat fiends took to the harbour to show off their skills honed in the waters of the coastal town.

Evidently a festive time was had by all and regulars like Sinovuyo Nkonki had only good things to say: "The festival was everything I thought it would be and more. I would like to commend the organisers for giving us an unforgettable event. Roll on 2005."