The Knysna Oyster Festival kicks off this weekend and Knysna is gearing up for an influx of thousands of visitors ready to have a shucking good time!
Executive Mayor of Knysna, Cllr Aubrey Tsengwa said that he is looking forward to welcoming the throngs of festival-goers. “Our popular festival showcases the very best of Knysna’s natural beauty, culinary delights, and vibrant community spirit,” he said. “We are eagerly anticipating the arrival of our visitors and look forward to sharing with them the unique charm and unforgettable experiences that make Knysna such a special destination and the Knysna Oyster Festival such a popular annual event.”
The festival kicks off with the much-anticipated Knysna Forest Marathon, already fully subscribed. However, there are still entries available for other exciting sporting events including the Knysna Cycle Tour on 29 and 30 June.
“We are also very excited about our first ever Oyster Roast event,” said Cllr Tsengwa. According to him, this will be the first oyster roast in South Africa and will see oysters being roasted in their shells on an open fire. Popularised in the US, roasting oysters in this way ensures that they are plump, juicy and bursting with flavour. These delectable treats will be served with various dipping sauces and fresh bread. For the purists, however, there will also be uncooked oysters served naked or dressed with delicious sauces.
The event, dubbed Oysters: Roasted, Dressed or Naked? will take place from 5 pm on Tuesday, 25 June at the Festival Hub on the Knysna High School sport field, with chefs from local restaurants 34 South, On Brenton and Butterfly Blu roasting local and cultivated oysters. The event promises to be a fantastic family affair with food stalls, a kids’ play area with inflatables, and live music. Don’t miss the Oyster Shucking Competition at 6 pm, where contestants will attempt to break the world record of shucking 38 oysters in one minute!
This year’s Oyster Festival has over 100 events on the packed programme, including food, art, sport and community events. The detailed programme is available from the Visit Knysna tourism offices in Main Street, or you can download the digital version from the festival website.
Cllr Tsengwa says: “We hope that both visitors and local residents will support the programme, which has taken months to put together to ensure that there is something for everyone and that it is family-friendly. Many of the events have a charity component and the festival brings a much-needed injection to the Knysna economy during the quiet winter months.
“We look forward to seeing you out and about in Knysna!”
For more info about the festival visit www.knysnaoysterfestival.co.za.
ALSO SEE: Get ready to shuck, sizzle, and savour at the Knysna Oyster Festival!
Get ready to shuck, sizzle, and savour at the Knysna Oyster Festival!
Feature image: Unsplash
