The Knysna Oyster Festival takes over this jewel of the Garden Route from 02 to 11 July 2010.  One of South Africa’s most popular festivals, the Knysna Oyster Festival holds huge appeal for sports lovers, families and avid partygoers.

The 2010 festival, the 27th annual iteration, boasts a jam-packed programme of sport, entertainment and, of course, oysters!  More than one hundred exciting events ranging from cycling, running and adventure races, to wine tastings and gala evenings, are expected to draw nearly seventy thousand visitors.

The festival’s two main sporting events, the Pick ‘n Pay Cape Times Knysna Forest Marathon and the Pick ‘n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour, will give participants the unique opportunity to run and cycle through the ancient indigenous forests of Knysna and experience the scenic beauty of the area. A full programme  of adventure and soft sports for the whole family includes paddling, golf, bowls and soccer.

The annual oyster-shucking competition, oyster-eating competition and the Pick ‘n Pay Oyster and Wine Mardi Gras are the mainstays of this festival, and venues across the town are participating in and hosting Oyster Festival events. Venues included as hosts for the festival include the Knysna Art Gallery, Woodmill Lane Leisure Shopping, Knysna Golf Club and a wide variety of restaurants, schools and pubs.

The South African Navy will, once again, be making a grand entrance through the Knysna Heads in their huge minesweepers. The Navy’s internationally acclaimed band will entertain festival-goers during the street parade and live concert at the Waterfront.

The Pick ‘n Pay Young  Oyster Festival takes care of the kids and boasts youth theatre, puppet shows, creative art workshop and cooking programmes. The Knysna Sport School Fair lets children and youth try their hand at a variety of sports, free of charge.

Last year’s Knysna Oyster Festival raised over a million Rand for the designated charity, and 2010 should be no different.  In an effort to include all local communities in the festival, Knysna Tourism’s Local Loeries project offers sustainable opportunities for previously disadvantaged communities to get involved in the festival and reap the benefits for many years afterwards. The programme identifies individuals to be mentored in four areas: food and catering, entertainment, sports development and services. Mentors assist candidates to set up businesses that can provide services to the festival. Mentoring continues for as long as necessary and entrepreneurs are offered the chance to get involved in the town’s other festivals. The project also provides for the scrapping of entry fees for festival sport events for those who can’t afford them, and competitors with potential are identified by local clubs and NGOs. Local sports clubs provide mentors and the necessary equipment whilst waiving club fees to assist in their development. A similar project exists for children who are spotted as having sporting potential at the Knysna Sport School Sports Fair.

Explore the town of Knysna and join in all the fun that the Knysna Oyster Festival has to offer!