Attention slurpers and shuckers. I am so excited to announce that the Okanagan will be hosting the first ever OOOyster Festival this year.
The Oliver Osoyoos Oyster Festival was created to bring the ocean to Valley residents and allow us to celebrate this luxurious crustacean on home turf, paired with the award-winning wines represented by the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association.
The festival will run April 14 to 23 and includes an amazing list of events. Walnut Beach Resort, a sponsor of the festival, will be offering room rates starting at $79 so you can get “eff’d” (Effingham Oyster’s slogan) and not have to drive home. (www.walnutbeachosoyoos.com)
The OOOyster Festival is a result of the annual Osoyoos Volunteer Firefighter’s Oyster Feed – an event so popular it sells out every year with more than 400 people attending this year.
Rob “Effing” Tryon from NW Aquaculture Ltd. and representatives from Outlandish Oysters are both coming to the festival and bringing their delicious wares.
A big thanks goes out to our local fishmonger with the mostest, Jon Crofts from Kelowna’s Codfather’s Seafood Market, for being a major sponsor of the event . He was also the salt-loving guy who helped bring us the B.C. Spot Prawn Festival last year (www.codfathers.ca) B.C. Food & Wine Trails Magazine is also a sponsor.
Here is a taste of what’s on the agenda, For more information go to the official website (www.oooysterfestival.com) .
April 21—Art of the Oyster signature event, with wine pairings from participating Oliver and Osoyoos wineries.
An elegant afternoon soiree, featuring oyster creations from Oliver and Osoyoos’ best restaurants and chefs with wonderful wine pairings from participating wineries from the Oliver Osoyoos Winery Association. Freshly shucked oysters will also be featured from Codfather’s, Buy the Sea and Helens Seafood Cove. Enjoy oysters, wine and the background music of nHarmonix Music. For oyster and wine lovers, this is one of the highlight events of the festival.
Oyster stations: Mica, Miradoro, Sonora Room, Terrafina, Walnut Beach Resort and Watermark Beach Resort
Wineries: Black Hills Estate Winery, Burrowing Owl, Castoro de Oro Estate Winery, Fairview Cellars, Gehringer Brothers, Hester Creek, NK’MIP Cellars, Oliver Twist Estate Winery, Road 13, Rustico Farm & Cellars, Stoneboat Vineyards & Tinhorn Creek.
Location: Walnut Beach Resort.
Time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Price: $45 plus HST.
Tickets available by calling Walnut Beach Resort at 1-877-936-5400 or on sale at Kelowna, Buy & Helen’s Sea Food Cove in Osoyoos.
April 20—The Oyster Beach Brew Party presented by the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce.
Admission covers entertainment, a beer mug, two oysters, sausage or a beer sample. Join the fun under the tent for a beach party featuring live entertainment with Dianne Ball and special guest oyster farmer Rob Tryon from Effingham oysters. This will be a beach party, so appropriate footwear is advised.
In case of bad weather, the beach party will be moved into the Walnut Beach Resort’s ballroom.
Location: Walnut Beach Resort .
Time: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Price: $35
(Additional food and beverage tickets will be available on site)
Tickets available at Imperial Office Pro, email manager@sochamber.ca or call (250) 498-6321 ext. 1
April 21—Amateur shuck and suck competition
Helen’s Seafood Cove and the Sage Pub will host the first Okanagan amateur shuck and suck competition.
Come cheer on the teams as they compete to claim the title of Best Shuck N’ Sucker team in the Okanagan. Enjoy fresh-shucked oysters and an evening of music and dancing.
Enter your team for the competition by April 15.
Prizes include one forfor best dressed team.
Location: Sage Pub.
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Price: $10 registration fee.
Jennifer Schell is editor of B.C. Wine Trails Magazine.
