A Guide To The 2011 Bluff Oyster & Food Festival

May 20, 2011 - 30,000 Bluff Oysters will be ready and waiting for the crowds at the Bluff Oyster & Food Festival in Bluff on Saturday.

The succulent Bluff Oyster is the major drawcard that brings people from all over New Zealand to the Festival each year. While there will be plenty of Bluff Oysters - raw, cooked or in pies - the taste experience will extend to scallops, blue cod, paua sausages, marinated mussels, chowder and a range of non seafood treats such as Kapuka Pork. Great food should be accompanied by great beverage and there will fine beers and wines to enjoy.

This years entertainment programme is superb!

Greg Johnson will be the star attraction. The Los Angeles based kiwi who first hit the charts with his single "Isabelle" in the early 90's will perform on stage during the early part of the day thanks to grabaseat. A special grabaseat flight, part of New Zealand Music Month, will bring Johnson and his entourage south along with those lucky ones who have claimed seats on grabaseat plus ten prizewinners from a More FM radio competition. There will also be a media contingent on board. More FM Drive Host, Clarke Gayford will be the MC on board the special flight.

Other entertainment on the outdoor stage comes from Terry Bradshaw and ContraBand, The Bragg Brothers, Soul Manor and The New Entrants. The very popular Bluff Community School Kapa Haka Group will also perform.

Meanwhile on the indoor 'Abalone Stage' many of the unique Festival events take place. These commence with the Kayes Bakery Creativity Awards comprising of the Oyster Sack Fashion Parade and the Foveaux Fantasy Section. The Supreme Creativity Award is then presented to the best creation from all the sections of the fashion competitions. A performance by the Bluff Drama Club follows and then the very popular Oyster Opening and Eating races round out the day.

Stars of TV One's Good Morning show, Sarah Bradley and Astar, will be special Festival guests this year. They will be involved with various events throughout the day and will have plenty of opportunity to enjoy the festivities and mingle with festival goers.

The Festival takes place at the Real Journeys site in Foreshore Road, Bluff and opens with the traditional Piping ln Of The Oyster and the Opening Ceremony at 11am.

Tickets cost just $18 each while tickets for children 12 & under cost $5 each.

The tickets can be obtained from the Invercargill City Council Booking Office in Esk Street, Invercargill, the Bluff Service Centre, Gore Street, Bluff, Barnes Oysters, Spey Street, Invercargill and at www.ticketdirect.co.nz . Bookings can also be made by phone at 03 211 1692 or 0800 484 2538 or online at service@icc.govt.nz in addition to www.ticketdirect.co.nz. Tickets are also available from Ticket Direct outlets throughout New Zealand.

Gate sales on the day commence from 10.30am.

Once again McDermotts Coachlines will operate a return bus service from Invercargill to the Festival. Details of the bus service and other information is available on the Festival website - www.bluffoysterfest.co.nz

ENDS

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