Veterans no strangers to wildfoods experience

Veterans no strangers to wildfoods experience

Veterans of the Armed Services – many of them well-used to living off the land – will swell the throng at the 17th Hokitika Wildfoods Festival on Saturday, March 11, as part of their celebration of the Year of the Veteran.

“Since 2006 has been named as the Year of the Veteran, we are issuing free tickets to the festival to our local RSA members,” festival organiser Mike Keenan said.

“Many of these veterans have had the experience during their years in the Armed Services at eating off the bush, the jungle or their wits. Nothing we can dish up at the wildfoods festival is going to scare them. Many are regular trampers and hunters anyway and are not in the least squeamish at surviving on a variety of bush fare.”

The weather is forecast to be fine for the festival weekend. “Basically, the only thing that will be dry over the weekend will be the weather,” Mr Keenan said.

“We haven't restricted good fun, bonfires, sunsets, wood-chopping or dancing in the streets but this year we have placed a ban on drinking in the streets down town.

“In the past couple of years, downtown Hokitika has become a wilder place than even the locals can cope with! We’re asking people not to drink on the streets. We have plenty of drinking locales where our publicans will do their best to cater for the public’s needs on licensed premises.

Every year new fare is introduced but the staples still remain the favourites: the smooth swallow of mountain oysters, huhu grubs and escargots, the crunch of cicada and pistachio ice cream, and the delicate bouquet of West Coast whitebait.

Tickets are available through the festival website http://www.wildfoods.co.nz/ or at Postie Plus shops. Book now to avoid disappointment.

ENDS

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