Oyster Events Sure to Produce Worthy Champions 
 
Some epic contests are in store when the New Zealand Oyster Opening Championship Competitions take place at the Bluff Oyster & Food Festival in Bluff on Saturday 26 May.
 
This years competitions have drawn a record number of entries in both the men's and women's sections.
 
One entrant,Tony Goodman, formerly of Bluff has travelled from his home in Australia to take part but he will meet tough opposition with a star studded Men's Championship field. Multiple champion Keith Lovett leads the way while Clive Westwood, who caused an upset to take the title two years ago, plus old timer and perennial placegetter Keith Dawson are also in the field. Lovett opened his 50 Bluff Oysters in a record time of 2 minutes 24 seconds last year and then travelled to the Russell Oyster Festival later in the year where he was pitted against their champion in a unique match race. In a contest where Lovett and the Russell Oyster Festival Champion, Ben Warren, were required to open 24 Bluff Oysters and 24 Pacific Oysters Lovett prevailed by over 2 minutes to be crowned New Zealand Oyster Opening Champion. It is expected that Warren will travel south to the Bluff Festival this year this year to try and exact revenge.
 
Meanwhile in the Womens Section two time champion Vic Pearsey, who improves on her personal best each year, is the favourite in another strong line up.
 
The keenly contested factory relay and the blindfold events are also on the card again this year. In the blindfold section visitors will witness oysters being opened faster and cleaner than amateurs can manage with their eyes open - it really is fascinating stuff. The factory relay races are also keenly fought as factories seek bragging rights for the next 12 months.
 
Festival visitors, including many from overseas, can test their oyster eating prowess against the locals in the Oyster Eating races. Regular titleholder Tom Sawyer will unfortunately be absent this year, opening the way for pretenders to the title to show their stuff.
 
This years Festival is just days away now and will take place at the Real Journeys site on Foreshore Road adjacent to the Old Town Wharf in Bluff on Saturday 26 May.
 
Tickets for this years Festival are selling very well and organisers are reminding those intending to travel to the event to book their tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.
 
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 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. Purchases can also be made at Barnes Oysters, Spey Street, Invercargill.
 
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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