Every once in a while, an event comes along that captures the soul of a community, its generosity, its joy, and its togetherness. This Charity Fair is precisely that kind of event. Set in Phoenix, KwaZulu-Natal, this annual celebration is more than just an attraction, it’s a high-spirited festival of giving, proudly hosted and sponsored by Goldrush Phoenix.
While Goldrush is nationally known for its premium gaming lounges and top-tier Electronic Bingo Terminals (EBTs), the Phoenix branch has carved out a special place for itself as a community anchor. And nothing exemplifies that more clearly than the Charity Fair, a multiday event that blends rides, food, games, music, and, crucially, charity, into one unmissable celebration.
From Gaming Floor to Fairgrounds
Goldrush Phoenix is usually synonymous with high-quality entertainment, welcoming gamers into a secure, stylish, and energised casino space with state-of-the-art EBTs and an attentive, professional team. But during the event, the spirit of Goldrush spills out beyond the walls of the casino and into the heart of Phoenix itself.
For one week, parking lots and open spaces are transformed into a buzzing carnival site. There are pop-up stages, food stalls offering everything from spicy bunny chows to creamy soft serve, and of course, the kind of exhilarating rides that make both kids and adults scream with delight. Whether it’s a spinning octopus, a pirate ship, or classic bumper cars, the rides become a playground of memories.
And it’s not just about entertainment. Every ticket bought, every meal ordered, and every prize won feeds into a greater purpose, funding local causes that directly uplift the Phoenix community.
At the core of the Charity Fair lies a driving question, how can we bring people together in a way that entertains and empowers? The answer, channel the energy of a public festival into real social change.
Proceeds go to a rotating selection of local initiatives. These include feeding schemes for under-resourced schools, bursary funds for local students, and support for shelters and social workers assisting vulnerable families. In past years, funds have been directed towards purchasing school supplies, upgrading community creches, and even providing mobility aids to disabled residents.
Phoenix is one of the most diverse and dynamic suburbs in KwaZulu-Natal, and the Charity Fair reflects this richness. Attendees can expect a celebration of local culture, including live performances from Indian classical dance troupes, maskandi guitarists, gospel choirs, and local DJs spinning everything from gqom to golden oldies.
For younger attendees, face painting, pony rides, and magic shows ensure a full day of excitement. For adults, the live music and opportunity to sample local artisan products or tuck into Durban-style street food makes this event as entertaining as it is nostalgic. The diversity of the lineup sends a powerful message, this is a space for everyone.
Small Businesses, Big Opportunities
While the Charity Fair is a crowd-puller, it’s also an economic platform. Local vendors, many of them microbusinesses or sole traders, are given access to stalls to sell handmade jewellery, crafts, home-baked treats, clothing, and more. This creates a temporary market where entrepreneurship is encouraged and celebrated.
For many stallholders, it’s more than a chance to make some sales, it’s a chance to build customer relationships, grow word-of-mouth support, and gain the kind of visibility that can be hard to come by otherwise. It’s easy for a casino to position itself as a place for fun and luck. But what sets Goldrush apart, especially in Phoenix, is its genuine investment in community wellbeing.
The Charity Fair is part of a broader local outreach strategy. Staff often volunteer, assisting with ticketing, logistics, and clean-up. You’ll find casino managers handing out water bottles or helping children onto rides. This hands-on involvement reflects an important ethos, corporate success must come with social responsibility.
What Makes the Goldrush Phoenix Charity Fair Special?
Plenty of events in South Africa aim to raise money or provide entertainment, but few strike the balance so effortlessly, they are planning for a next event. But even as it grows, the commitment to community, kindness, and quality remains unchanged. If you haven’t been yet, put it in your calendar. If you’ve attended before, you already know, it’s not just worth the trip, it’s worth the wait.
It is not about flashy branding or corporate slogans. It’s about real people, doing real good, while having real fun. And in today’s world, that’s something worth celebrating.