district. The variants of the planted cherries included Giant Heidelfinger, Elton, Early Red, Early River, and Bing. This specific cluster of cherries is still grown in the area today. Some of the original cherry trees that were planted in 1905 can still be found on the farm. It is estimated that there are over 500 hectares of cherry trees in the Eastern Free State mainly in the Ficksburg, Clocolan and Fouriesburg area. There are approximately 250 cherry trees per hectare which average a yield of 10 tons per hectare. The maraschino cherry, a sweet cherry, originated in Yugoslavia and northern Italy where traders added a liqueur to a cherry called the “Marasca.” The first Ficksburg Cherry Festival happened in 1968 and was started by the local Jaycees. Entertainment The festival offers a variety of events that cater for different age groups. These events include children's entertainment, wine & chocolate pairing, stalls, various competitions, sporting activities like golf & soccer, workshops, exhibitions, product sales and all things associated with cherries. Popular local performers, that has performed at the festival include Jaunita du Plessis, Ezulka van Zyl, Glaskas, Romanz, Marimba Band, Refentse, The Soweto String Quartet and the Lipizzaner horses from Johannesburg. However, performers are announced annually. The Festival also offers special tours of the surrounding cherry and asparagus farms where visitors can see the harvesting and production process of cherries in the community. Visitors can also participate in cherry picking on local farms. A festival favorite includes the 'cherry mampoer' (South African 'Moonshine') competition. There are also events and activities surrounding the Ficksburg Cherry Festival that can be attended during November including the White Mischief Cruise which sails around the Meulspruit dam on the "White Mischief " with seating for 22 people. There are also heritage steam train rides, and heritage tractors to see, at Sandstone Estates 14 kilometers away. Visitors can also see game in the Thaba Imperani Nature Reserve 8 km from Ficksburg on the Hammonia road. The game reserve borders the Meulspruit Dam. References External links Ficksburg Map of Ficksburg showing landmarks Setsoto Municipality Ficksburg Tourism Populated places in the Setsoto Local Municipality Lesotho–South Africa border crossings Populated places established in 1891 1891 establishments in the Orange Free State Cherries