Party in the UFA (Underberg Farmer Show)

One thing that we learned in the past few months is that it’s not because you think you are going to the middle of nowhere that it’s not going to be a happening place. Quite the contrary and Underburg has proved to be no exception. 

Last week end was the Underberg Farmer’s Association (UFA) agricultural show. It was exactly how you would imagine an agricultural show (yes, all of you who have never set foot in one) except that there’s an awful lot of eating and drinking going on at the same time. People from as far as 100-200 km came to participate. Over the three days there was a big bicycle race, some show jumping and of course polo. 

On the first day, by evening the bar was packed with people. There was a very good live performance which was interrupted by live bidding for the advertising space in the local phone book. I can’t remember the last time I have seen a phone book but I can tell you it was a pretty lively atmosphere. 

During Happy Hour the bar had a system by which people could donate money so that everyone else could drink for free. It worked very well and we all had plenty of drinks. The evening continued late into the night with live performance. 

The next day we went on a splurge to discover the local delicacies: Boer Vos and Bunny Chow. Boer Vos, I was told, literally means ‘farmer’s sausage’. 

the making of Boer vos

the eating of Boer vos

Bunny Chow

We then ended up at the local pub (which was packed) to watch the SA vs Samoa rugby match amid cheers and screams of excitement. (I’ve actually kind of had to learn the rule of rugby. Man, it’s a complicated sport.)

The evening was followed back at the fair’s ground with an amazing performance with comic/singers to a full house. You wouldn’t believe you were in the middle of the South African country side.

horse agility show with kids

more food

'braai' means to barbecue 

decorative trees made out of wire

arts & crafts

and of course the obligatory polo matches....