Coolest 10 days of winter

KNYSNA NEWS - The Knysna Oyster Festival is fast approaching and with so many fun and exciting events on the programme, Knysna is sure to be abuzz with activity from 21 to 30 June.

"There is so much to look forward to," said Knysna mayor Mark Willemse. "Sport, entertainment, food and wine – all served with a decidedly local flavour."

Sports spectacle
Sports enthusiasts will enjoy old favourites like the Knysna Cycle Tour and Knysna Forest Marathon. "There's also boxing, soccer, rugby, basketball, a colour run, mountain bike meander, boules, bowling and many more challenges for active attendees," said Willemse. "The FNB Family Forest Hike is a fantastic outing for families, and the Spur Children's Cycle Tour is only one of the many fun events for kids."

Food and wine
The festival has long been synonymous with good food and wine. "This has definitely not changed," he continued. "This year we're being spoiled with two separate wine festivals, local gin and craft beers, gourmet burgers and live music. Always a firm personal favourite, I'm looking forward to a throwback party at this year's Flavours of Knysna."

Local participation
According to event organiser Picca de Bruin, the event has introduced canapés as the competition element, allowing more local restaurants to take part. "With the support we've received from local businesses, local really is lekker!" she said. "Everyone's invited to a throwback party with music provided by local DJ Alan Sass from Knysna's legendary Al's Nightclub.

"We're ringing in a new phase for the festival at a new venue, with good food, local beers and plenty of fun."

Local buy-in
Buy-in from local businesses and residents has been instrumental in planning this year's festival. "When we asked the community to take ownership again of the festival that was initially theirs, they really stepped up to the challenge," said Visit Knysna general manager Colleen Durant. "Thanks to the support of the Greater Knysna community, the Visit Knysna Information & Promotion Office has collated an offering of events during this year's Knysna Oyster Festival which will be continuously updated on the website at www.knysnaoysterfestival.co.za. We, as Visit Knysna, are certainly looking forward to the 'coolest 10 days of winter' and encourage our community to get out in support of the events too."

Entertainment
Entertainment includes a karaoke competition, murder mystery dinner, music extravaganza, live performances by Robin Auld and Rocco De Villiers and, of course, the Knysna Oyster Festival Afterparty.

"These are only a few of the events that will take place from 21 to 30 June," said Willemse.

"You will find many more fun and exciting things to choose from at www.knysnaoysterfestival.co.za. Many restaurants will also run specials on oysters, meals and drinks throughout the run of the festival. I feel like a child counting down the sleeps until the Knysna Oyster Festival, but that's just how excited I am!"

See the festival programme here.

The Knysna Oyster Festival is from 21 - 30 June.