It is almost time for the annual Knysna Oyster Festival and its medley of marinated, pickled, and spiced molluscs! This year it will take place from 1 – 10 July 2016, and will continue its legacy of being one of the top sporting and lifestyle festivals in South Africa. Tourists and residents who visit the Knysna Oyster Festival, can rest assured that the oysters provided are the crème de la crème, and there’s plenty to keep even non-seafood lovers satisfied.
Food and Drinks
Apart from the divine selection of oysters and shellfish, there will be plenty of other tasty delights to enjoy, from classic pizzas to tapas, as well as the exclusive Glenfiddich Whiskey & Live Jazz cruise aboard the Paddle Cruiser! Don’t forget to stop in at the Wine Festival and Night Market, which is sure to be a crowd pleaser and where you will be able to nibble on cheeses from Fairview and Ganzvlei, and sip on wines from notable estates such as Vrede en Lust, De Grendel, and Peter Falke. With everything from live music to a dog agility and jumping trial on offer, not a single member of the family will feel left out. Be sure to book your seat at the Winter Looooong Table for a delicious spread of anything from bushpig casserole to bobotie and flourless chocolate roulade to apple filled pancake squares.
Knysna Sports
If you’re training for any of the marathons (half or full) taking place in Knysna during the Oyster Fest, you should definitely read the fitness diary of Natasha Clark, who is sharing her training stories with Women’s Health Magazine, though we hope you’ve booked your spot, as these are generally fully booked. The Houtkapper Trail Run on 10 July is a fun alternative. Those who like to test their metal in all spheres can consider the Big5 Challenge, which is set to be just as scenic and gruelling as last year’s, with participants swimming, cycling, running, and rowing their way through it. Don’t forget about the cycling events, held by the Rotary club which include the Children’s Tour, Forest Family Dam Ride, MTB events, and Road Races.
Children
Those with little ones can rest assured that their offspring will be well taken care of at the Pick ‘n Pay Young Oyster Festival. Activities will include fun cooking for kids, sporting activities, and cultural activities, which will be accompanied by live child-orientated entertainment. Keep an eye out for the Junior Golf Tournament, Obstacle Courses, a Canoe Polo Tournament, as well as a host of indoor games and art activities.
Entertainment
There will be plenty of entertainment available, including the side-splitting comedy act called the “Knysna Oyster Festival Shuckle”, which will feature celebrities such as Schalk Bezuidenhout and Kagiso Mokgadi. Also on offer is the FNB Forest Family Hike and the Artful Waste Challenge. The latter will start with a clean-up of a route along the estuary after which the teams will need to make ocean conservation themed art pieces, assisted by the local artist Jan Raats, and the best art pieces in each category will win a prize. For more information on the Artful Waste Challenge contact Louw Claassens on 082 928 9391.
Photography
Don’t forget to chronical your Knysna Oyster Festival Experience, and follow @OysterFestival on Twitter or @KnysnaOysterFestival on Instagram to see snapshots of what’s happening in and around Knysna during this period.
To find out more, visit the official Knysna Oyster Festival website, or follow them on Facebook. Don’t forget to use #KOF2016 on Twitter to record your trip. Let us know what part of the Knysna Oyster Festival you’re most looking forward to!
Main image credited to Headlands House Guest Lodge.
