'More to Sea' at Ceduna's Oysterfest
Ceduna's popular 'Oysterfest' is back in 2017, bringing with it a range of new events and entertainment, as well as some old favourites.
Anita spoke to the District Council of Ceduna's Tourism & Events Officer, Annette Plane, for all the details.
Promising a good dose of "Far West Coast hospitality", Oysterfest's focus this year will be on expanding the variety of local seafood available, to complement the signature Far West Coast Oysters, sourced from selected growers in Smoky Bay.
A preview of the program* has been provided to Flow FM by the District Council of Ceduna:
Thursday 28th September:
An exciting art exhibition of local artists is in development in conjunction with the Ceduna Arts & Cultural Centre to be held in the foyer of the Ceduna Memorial Hall in Poynton Street.
Friday 29th September:
Drumming performance and workshop with the Damushi Ensemble at 11am in the CBD. The Ceduna Business & Tourism Association will once more host their free Seafood Tasting in the CBD from 11:30am, with guest Chef Simon Bryant, alongside demonstrations of oyster opening and fish filleting.
The opening of the Oysterfest will be celebrated in style in the new Food & Wine Precinct at the Oysterfest site from 7pm. Stunning cocktail menu with canapes all night catered by Epicurean Tucker Box, full bar facilities including Clare Valley Wine Bar, entertainment by the Damushi Ensemble, Cue Duo and DJ KZ. Tickets will be available online. The SA Sail Training Vessel the One & All will again be returning to Ceduna for the Oysterfest, and for more information please visit their website on www.oneandallship.com.au.
For those ready to rock, Adelaide band Rushmore will be appearing at the Ceduna Blues Sports Club from 9pm to 1am. Tickets available from the Sports Club on 8625 2410.
Saturday 30th September:
Chris Sperou will once more take to the skies to let everyone know the Oysterfest has well and truly begun! Our Oysterfest Street Parade will lead everyone down from the CBD to the Oysterfest site on the shores of Murat Bay, where the official opening will take place. From there a series of community arts workshops, live music, kids activities, carnival amusements and competitions will be happening around the site, extending from the Ceduna Sailing Club to the Day Tce Carpark. Test your skills in the Fish Filleting competition, or learn how to play the drums with the Damushi Ensemble. Tasting Australia’s Creative Director Simon Bryant will host a cooking demonstration in the McEvoy Marquee.
The Oysterfest Art & Craft market will open from 11:30am until 6pm in the McEvoy Marquee, which will also host the Eyre Peninsula Tourist Lounge and performances by the Black String Puppet Theatre.
After the AFL Grand Final concludes a variety of musical entertainment will take us into the evening headlined by Ghana’s Damushi Ensemble and the Tamworth Country Music Festival regular Amber Joy Poulton. Local emerging artists will join Amber onstage for a Talent Showcase, with DJ KZ following through to 11pm.
Sunday 1st October:
Sunday morning will see the return of the revered Pancake Breakfast in the Food & Wine Precinct and the traditional combined Church Service in the McEvoy Marquee.
Popular events such as the Kids Iced Coffee Hold and Treasure Hunts will be happening alongside the coveted Stein Holding competition before the signature competition of Oysterfest – the Oyster Shuck & Eat! Before we get underway we’ll have a demonstration from some of our fastest professional shuckers to show us how it’s done!
The Damushi Ensemble and then Amber Joy Poulton return to the stage with her band for a concert performance. Or if you are looking for somewhere to wind down with the family, join Port Lincoln singer/songwriter Yamaya at the Ceduna Sailing Club for a relaxed gourmet bbq catered by Epicurean Tuckerbox, with activities for the kids to keep them occupied. Tickets for this event will be available soon online.
Once again the Ceduna Foreshore Hotel Fireworks Spectacular will light the skies over Murat Bay, but it doesn’t end there! We’ll be kicking on with local band Anchord and our Food & Wine Precinct will keep your hunger at bay until close at 11pm.
*Program subject to change.
The Council is also encouraging people to plan Ahead for Oysterfest into the future!
2018 Oysterfest: Friday 28th – Sunday 30th Sept (PH Monday 1st Oct)
2019 Oysterfest: Friday 4th Oct – Sunday 6th Oct 2019 (PH Monday 7th Oct)
2020 Oysterfest: 30th Anniversary – Friday 2nd Oct – Sunday 4th Oct 2020 (PH Monday 5th Oct)
For more information head to www.ceduna.sa.gov.au/Oysterfest.