Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival opened

2 Jul 2009

The 26th Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival was officially opened tonight by the Executive Mayor of Knysna, Eleanore Bouw-Spies. At a well-attended function in the Heineken Pavilion at Loerie Park, sponsors, municipal officials, Knysna Tourism board members, media and events managers gathered to celebrate the start of one of South Africa's most popular and enduring festivals, which has been touted as the Best 10 Days of your Winter.

Welcoming the guests, CEO of Knysna Tourism; Shaun van Eck said that he was extremely grateful to the naming sponsors, Pick n Pay, for renewing their sponsorship agreement with the festival and to all the other sponsors who had come on board to make the event a success.

“The town is extremely grateful for the continued support of Pick n Pay in these difficult economic times. Generally in a recession festivals and major sporting events suffer because sponsorships are withdrawn, so we are delighted that Pick n Pay has been unfailing in its support for the Oyster Festival.”

Other sponsors include the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Cape Town Routes Unlimited, Heineken, Tabasco, Independent Newspapers, Arniston Bay Wines, The Mantis Collection and Pick n Pay 4Energi.

Speaking on behalf of Pick n Pay, Bruce Parker-Forsyth, MD of Worldsport (Pick n Pay's sponsorship agency) said that Pick n Pay's cornerstones are healthy living, family values and uplifting local communities. “We support the Oyster Festival because it has similar objectives. We are particularly pleased that the festival benefits the local Knysna community and local charities.”

Mayor Bouw-Spies said that with one day to go before the festivities begin, one can literally feel the excitement in the air. “The growth of the festival over the last 26 years has been extraordinary and on behalf of Knysna I want to convey my thanks to all the people who have been involved in making it happen. You will be part of Knysna's history.”

The festival kicks off with the Miss Pearl Pageant tomorrow night (Thursday 2 July). On Friday 3 July, thousands of cyclists will pour into Knysna to register for the Pick n Pay Cape Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour on Saturday and Sunday. There is a full programme of activities for the 10 days of the festival including many sport and lifestyle events and a Young Oyster Festival Programme. Oysters will be available at excellent prices throughout the festival, served hot or cold, garnished or naked at 30 different Tabasco Oyster Hot Spots in Knysna.

For full programme details visit www.oysterfestival.co.za. If you are in Knysna for the Oyster Festival you can collect a programme from Knysna Tourism in Main Street.