Crowds Turn Out for Chilly Bluff Oyster & Food Festival

It was a chilly day but the crowds still turned out for the 2018 Bluff Oyster & Food Festival in Bluff today.

Tickets had sold out by early February and people came from all over New Zealand and beyond including on board Air New Zealand day trips from Auckland and Wellington. The moment the gates opened the crowds poured in and headed for the food stalls. A short time later the star of the show, the Bluff Oyster, was piped into the venue and as is tradition Tony Laker recited the Ode To The Oyster and the Festival was under way.

As the capacity crowd streamed into the venue Festival Chairman John Edminstin said “rain stay away”. Sadly it did arrive for short periods during the afternoon but the crowd were undaunted and the fun continued. Edminstin also acknowledged the great crowd and praised his committee and volunteers for delivering another great Festival.

The food and beverage providers did a roaring trade while entertainment featuring the Bluff School Kapa Haka Group, Southland Entertainer of the Year Lachie Hayes, Invercargill band Otepuni Moonshine, USA based Helen Henderson, Gore born, Nashville domiciled, Jackie Bristow and Dunedin rock quartet, The River Jesters kept the crowd happy.

The Oyster Competitions always draw a large and enthusiastic audience and this year was no exception. Shane Wixon of Ngai Tahu Fisheries won the Men’s Opening race, opening 50 Bluff Oysters in a time of 2 minutes 50 seconds. Penalties took his time to 3 minutes 2 seconds but it was still good enough to take the title. Wixon also won the Blindfold Race, opening 10 oysters in 51.57 seconds.

Vic Pearsey made it eight in a row in the Ladies Opening race with a time of 3 minutes 28 seconds while Team Barnes (Pearsey, Ricci Grant, KZ Matangi and O J Abraham) won the Relay event in a time of 5 minutes 12 seconds. Two new events this year were the Novice race, won by Xavier Fife of Direct Fish in 3 minutes 22 seconds, and the Boat Challenge won by Marvin Ihaia.

Daryl ‘Dagwood’ MacDonald of Blenheim has been to the Festival three times now and each time he has won the Oyster Eating title. A new feature this year was the Wasabi/Chilli Challenge where competitors were required to eat a plate of Oysters doused in wasabi and chilli oil. Dave Vaile of Oamaru made short work of the competition, admitting afterwards that he and his workmates frequently have their own chilli eating competitions.

Tickets for the 2019 Bluff Oyster & Food Festival scheduled for 25 May 2019 went on sale the moment the 2018 event closed with tickets available on Trade Me (authorised seller – OysterFestival) and at ticketdirect 0800 224 224 – service fees apply. Over the counter sales will be available from the Southland Chamber Of Commerce in the SIT Arcade at 48 Esk Street, Invercargill, the Foveaux Dairy, 268 Gore Street, Bluff and Dough Sea Dough at 26 McNulty Road, Cromwell. Tickets are $35 each while children 14 & under are $15 although children must be accompanied by an adult.

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