The fourth annual Osoyoos Oyster Festival is ready to roll next week as hundreds are expected to gather for four days of fun and great food, wine and craft beer starting April 22. Once again, Codfathers from Kelowna will be providing hundreds of oysters for festival participants. (Keith Lacey file photo)
In three short years, the Osoyoos Oyster Festival has grown into one of the premier events that has been successful in attracting hundreds of participants outside of the busy tourist season.
“This is our fourth year and we continue to grow with each passing year,” said Brianne Hearle, marketing director for Destination Osoyoos, the town’s destination marketing and economic development organization that has taken over organizing this year’s festival.
“The number of people who have purchased tickets in advance to attend one or numerous events also continues to grow. “
Hearle is expecting more than 250 people from out of town to attend this year’s Osoyoos Oyster Festival, which is set to run from Wednesday, April 22 to Saturday, April 25.
“We have a new system which tells us where people are coming from when they purchase tickets and the vast majority of people coming to our festival are from Kelowna and further north,” she said.
The long-term goal will be to attempt to stretch the festival over two weekends, said Hearle.
“This year’s festival kicks off on Wednesday and if we could add some new events on the Monday and Tuesday, we would most certainly be looking at trying to stretch the festival over two weekends,” she said. “That might not happen next year, but that’s certainly the long-term goal if the festival continues to grow and we continue to offer more events.”
This year’s event will once again showcase oysters produced by West Coast fishermen, alongside Canadian wines and craft beers, said Hearle.
A number of events are happening during the festival, including the signature event of the festival, Art of the Oyster Pearl Gala at Watermark Beach Resort the evening of featuring oyster creations from South Okanagan chefs paired with wines from Oliver Osoyoos wineries.
This year’s Art of the Oyster Pearl Gala will take place on Saturday, April 25. Guests will enjoy oyster creations from South Okanagan restaurants and chefs, wine pairings from Oliver and Osoyoos wineries, and freshly shucked oyster and seafood stations. Results from the Oyster Wine Competition will be announced at the event. Tickets are $48.
Two other popular events are sure to be the Oysters, Bubbles and Pizza event at Terrafina at Hester Creek Estate Winery and the Oyster Catch and Brew Bash at Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort, featuring craft beer and ciders from local breweries, and live entertainment.
Two new events have been added to this year’s line-up include the Seaside to Greenside at the Osoyoos Golf Club, pairing oysters with scotch; and Oysters in the Garden, an afternoon event at Walnut Beach Resort.
Being able to add new events to this year’s festival is sure to attract interest and allow more people to attend more events, said Hearle.
In addition, two pairing competitions will take place during the festival. They include the Canadian Oyster Wine Competition and The Canadian Oyster Craft Beer Competition, with teams of expert judges determining which Canadian wines and craft beers pair best with oysters.
The complete line-up for the Osoyoos Oyster Festival, includes:
Miradoro Long Table Dinner, April 22
Miradoro Restaurant at Tinhorn Creek Winery offers a three-course dinner dedicated to the oyster.
Tickets are $39.
Under the Tuscan Sea – Oysters, Bubbles and Pizza at Terrafina, April 23
Terrafina at Hester Creek Estate Winery invites guests to sample pizza and oysters paired with spring releases from Hester Creek and tastings from the winery’s ‘bubbly’ neighbours.
Tickets are $45.
Seaside to Greenside at the Osoyoos Golf Club, April 24
A new event to this year’s festival, guests will enjoy oysters paired with exclusive scotch, including Glendronach 2003 KWM Cask 1820 and BenRiach 1997 Cask 4435, along with noteworthy gin from Gallagher Lake-based distillery, The Dubh Glas Distillery. Tickets are $50.
Oyster Catch and Brew Bash at Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa, April 24
An evening of oysters and culinary creations, craft beer and ciders from local breweries and live entertainment. Results from the Oyster Craft Beer Competition will be announced at the event. Tickets are $32.
Oysters in the Garden at Walnut Beach Resort, April 25
An afternoon event held in a beautiful garden setting at Walnut Beach Resort, guests will enjoy freshly shucked oysters with wine tastings from the winning wineries of the Oyster Wine Competition. Tickets are $30 (Early bird price is $25).
Amateur Shuck ‘n Suck Competition at The Sage Pub, April 25
Come to compete or come to cheer as teams of two compete to win the coveted title of the Best Shuck ‘n Suck Team in the Okanagan. One team member shucks while the other sucks back the oysters. Registration is $10 per team.
Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa, Walnut Beach Resort and Watermark Beach Resort are offering Oyster Festival room rates.
A special offer has been arranged that includes every two-night booking at any of the resorts (from April 21-26), receiving one complimentary ticket to the Oysters in the Garden event on April 25.
For more information and to purchase event tickets, please visit: osoyoosoysterfestival.com.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
