I’ve never been an oyster lover, so I didn’t see any reason in attending this annual event, until I found out that it’s so much more than just shucking and socialising.
This year’s event happens from 1 to 10 July in the coastal Garden Route town of Knysna. Although over 200000 oysters are enjoyed during the festivities, there are also loads of other activities for those not entirely enamoured of mollusks.
The week kicks off with the Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour mountain (15, 50 and 85 km routes) and road (50 and 100 km routes) races. For the less active – there’s a blues and booze cruise on the lagoon and a whiskey and jazz festival, which takes place on a paddle cruiser. The rest of the week features bowling tournaments, golf days, wine festivals, trail running, the popular Due South XTERRA event (trail running and mountain biking), marathons, paddle racing on the lagoon and a concert by the SA Navy band, and that’s not even the complete list of activities.
For the kids, there are cycle races; laser tag games; arts and crafts; cooking, face painting, drama, music and storytelling workshops; and puppet shows.
Further afield there’s lots to do in Knysna and its surrounding areas. You can book township tours, elephant and wild cat interactions, paragliding sessions, adrenaline boating trips or a visit to the water park in Plettenberg Bay.
And, if you are just in it for the oysters, then bon appetit, you’re in for a treat!
For more information on the festival go to oysterfestival.co.za or call Knysna Tourism: Tel 0443825510
