KNYSNA NEWS - The Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival is around the corner and the town, festival organisers, sponsors and event managers are all set to ensure that this year’s festival (July 1 to 10) is an even greater success than the previous.

The Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival is not only a welcome cash injection during a period when Knysna’s tourism economy slows down, but also a generator of much-needed funds to benefit charity organisations essential in supporting the well-being of the greater community. In 2010 the festival raised more than R1.1 million, and it is hoped that the expected more than 65 000 visitors to this year’s festivities will contribute even more for charity.

Last year the Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour raised the largest sum of over R500 000, followed by the Pick n Pay Cape Times Knysna Forest Marathon and Half-Marathon with R217 000. The Pick n Pay Oyster and Wine Mardi Gras raised R37 000.

Funds raised are distributed to the charity organisations of the organisers’ choice, and some of the beneficiaries include the Knysna Education Trust, Knysna Animal Welfare Society (KAWS), Knysna Canoe Club Sport Development, Disabled Golf, Hospice, Sandy Shires Feeding the Hungry scheme, Sinethemba Youth Development Centre and the Knysna Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centre.

But financial gains are not the festival’s only contribution to Knysna’s welfare. The Oyster Festival also actively supports ventures to promote skills training and community involvement. In conjunction with Knysna Tourism, the festival’s Local Loeries Programme encourages community members’ participation in events at discounted rates while benefiting from training and mentorship opportunities.

An initiative driven by the organisers of the Salomon Featherbed Trail Run (presented by PETZL) is the TSiBA Eden and Magnetic South Community Project, which aims to teach TSiBA students the skills and background of putting together and selecting routes, as well as the marking and running of a trail event.

Says Bronwen Rohland, Pick n Pay’s director of Marketing and Sustainability, "The Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival goes a long way in alleviating need in communities in the greater Knysna area, and what is most heartening is the incredible support the festival receives, as well as the fact that the amount we are able to raise increases with each passing year. Our sincerest thanks goes to all those who work so hard to make the festival such an enormous success."

As always, this year’s 28th Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival will offer something for the enjoyment of everyone, from sport enthusiasts, families, food and wine lovers to adrenalin junkies. Visitors can choose from running events, cycling, golfing, bowling and adventure racing to wine and whiskey tasting, cooking competitions, food and wine pairings, gala evenings, live music, a specialised children’s programme and, of course, lots of oysters!

For further information visit www.oysterfestival.co.za, or contact Knysna Tourism on 044 382 5510.