There are a couple of festivities which take place annually in Paarl, but not one as big as INTERSCHOOLS! Interschools takes place between the two/three biggest rival schools in Paarl - Paarl Boishaai (who team up with Paarl Girls' High) VS Paarl Gimnasium. It is the biggest Interschools in South Africa and well none across the globe (so we have been told). It takes place during the first weekend of August (this weekend), but already starts the week before. The town is filled with banners, flags, and stripes of the different colour schools... It really is insane. Not a single tree, lamppost, door or any object in the town for that matter is safe. Everything is filled with the blue, white and green vs the red, yellow and green banners.
Both the primary and high schools take part with the sports including; hockey, netball and rugby. Rugby is the main event (or the one that people look to for which team has won). The main game takes place on the Saturday afternoon at the Faure Street stadium and is packed, packed, packed! Even though it is a school event, I would have to say there are more "old boys" and "old girls" present than students. Paarl is filled with loyal people, each supporting their school and it is taken very seriously... However, it is very much about the celebrations. The drinking and socialising goes on ALL week long. One of the famous bars/ restaurants have informed us that they go through more than 40 Cases of Brandy alone over the weekend. So, you can just imagine the craziness! At the end of the day, no matter the score, it is pretty cool to be able to party with everyone, no matter the school they support.
So if you are looking for a perfect example of team spirit and good sportsmanship, you need look no further. Paarl during Interschools is the place to find it, and I guarantee you'll have an awesome time!
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