TWO unique events to be staged in Pietermaritzburg this year are expected to help the city shed its "Sleepy Hollow" image and to rev up the entertainment calendar.
Melanie Veness, the director of Pietermaritzburg Tourism, announced on Tuesday that Pietermaritzburg would stage an endurocross meeting and host an international town criers' championship - both unique events for the country - this year.
Veness said that Motorsport South Africa had awarded the first-ever Endurocross permit to Pietermaritzburg.
"Endurocross is an extreme sport, and a cross between enduro trials and motocross racing," she said.
The endurocross event would be staged over the weekend of January 27 and 28.
She said that endurocross was very popular in the United States, and that she was thrilled to have the event come to the capital, hosted by the Golden Horse Casino.
The second unique event will be more vocal, but perhaps no less deafening. Cries of "Oyez, Oyez" will ring out as town criers from around the world converge on Pietermaritzburg for the International Town Criers' Championship.
Veness said that the championships, to be held towards the end of the year, would comprise a colourful, week-long event. However, the dates and venues were still to be confirmed. The championships would be conducted in rounds, during which contestants would be eliminated until the champion was crowned.
"We will also treat the competitors and their companions to sightseeing trips, and the event will culminate in a loud parade around the city's streets," said Veness.
She said that Peter Southwood, the town crier of Pietermaritzburg, would be joined by the whale crier from Hermanus, Zolile Baleni, in competition with other criers from abroad.
Veness said that the successful Pietermaritzburg Air Show would be staged again this year.
In addition to these nationally appealing events, the city had a frenetic sports and entertainment events calendar which also drew people from all over the country.
Sports fever in the capital would climax with the Comrades Marathon, the Dusi Canoe Marathon, the Midmar Mile and the Amashovashova Cycle Race.
Light festivals, music events and trade expos were also included on the events calendar, details of which could be obtained from Pietermaritzburg Tourism at 033 345 1348.