Oyster Festival marks pearl anniversary

"We've already confirmed that the Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour and the Pick n Pay Cape Times Knysna Forest Marathon are taking place this year, with entries to both already open," said festival manager Nicci Rousseau-Schmidt. "All our major sporting events are taking place again this year, many of which make up the Oyster Festival Big 5 Challenge.

"The festival takes place during the school holidays, which means that everyone will be able to join in the fun of the midweek events. 2013 will see the return of the popular Knysna Wine Festival and Night Food Market, the Oyster Shucking and Oyster Eating competitions, as well as the Pick n Pay Flavours of Knysna gourmet evening. We are also looking forward to a gala event with the return of the Admiral's Ball, plus whiskey and jazz connoisseurs can prepare for an all-new Lagoon Cruise evening.

"These are only some of the events we have lined up. With over 100 sporting, lifestyle and gourmet events on the cards this year, our programme will be updated as arrangements are finalised and to ensure that every member of the family is well catered for, the Young Oyster Festival will be filled with even more safe fun than ever before, from art lessons and movie screenings to sport clinics and competitions."

GM of marketing at Pick n Pay, Malcolm Mycroft is pleased at the development of the programme. "We are happy that the event developments for 2013 will make the festival even more appealing to people from diverse backgrounds and, since every event directly benefits a charity, we hope to better the R1.5 million that was distributed amongst local non-profit organisations last year."

For more information, go to www.pnpoysterfestival.co.za.