A jug o’ wine, some pork and “things from the sea” will greet this year’s participants of the 4th annual “Pig Out!” at Covert Farms on May 2.
But you better get your tickets now because they’re selling out fast.
So says organizer Tony Munday from Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country Association.
More than two-thirds of the 500 tickets have been sold.
“We really want to encourage the locals to not wait until the last minute,” he stated.
Munday said less than four per cent of ticket sales have come from Oliver and Osoyoos participants. The rest come from outside the area, including Ontario and San Francisco.
“We are really getting known as a wine and food culinary destination,” Munday said.
The theme of this year’s event is “If Pigs Could Swim.”
Chefs from nine restaurants will be challenged with coming up with tantalizing dishes from the sea, including scallops, shellfish and Arctic char from a local fish farm.
“What they create will be really exciting,” Munday said.
People are invited to interact with the chefs and watch their pig roasting skills, while enjoying wines from 36 wineries and live music provided by cowboy rockers “Wined it Up.”
Admission is $49, which includes a souvenir glass.
Helicopter rides will be available. The cost is $50 based on a four-person occupancy.
Have you ever wanted to see McIntyre Bluff from the air? Now is your chance.
Munday said they have some great sponsors this year, such as Watermark Beach Resort, Landsea Okanagan, DelicaSea Fish Co., BC Pork, Johnston’s, Salmon Safe, the Osoyoos Times and the Oliver Chronicle.
Munday said the Pig Out is the first kick-off event for the Spring Wine Festival and attracts a lot of people from out of the area.
“If you like to drink (wine) and like to eat, this is the event to go to.”
The fun begins at 1 p.m. and ends at 4 p.m.
Covert Farms is located on top of Secrest Hill Road north of Oliver.
Tickets are available at www.oliverosoyooswine.ca or at the Oliver Visitor Centre at 6431 Station Street. Or call 1-866-498-6321.
Munday noted there will be transportation available, with pickups in Oliver and Osoyoos. The cost is $25 per person.
LYONEL DOHERTY
Special to the Times
