KNYSNA NEWS - This year's Knysna Oyster Festival (KOF) - the 42nd - is gearing up to be a bumper money-spinning occasion for the town.
The festival is expected to attract up to 50 000 people during a 10-day period between 4 and 13 July - injecting tens of millions of rands into the town's economy.
What makes this year's version so much more vibrant is the smorgasbord of events and attractions, from eating, drinking and entertainment to the jewels in the crown - the Knysna Forest Marathon and the Knysna Cycle Tour.
Bigger picture
Oysters give the festival its name, but the Knysna Forest Marathon and the cycling events are what draw people from across the country.
The marathon draws about 8 000 participants and was fully subscribed two months after entries opened. Cycling attracts over 2 000. This combination has made KOF the third biggest festival in South Africa.
That's the engine that powers the festival and brings Knysna alive during what used to be the quiet winter period.
"It's the bigger picture that matters," says Andrew Finn, the founder of the Knysna Cycle Tour and twice Rotary club president.
Growth in Knysna
Finn says the financial effect on the local tourism industry is enormous. For every one participant, marketing calculations are that two and a half others accompany the participants and spend between R1 500 and R2 000 a day for two to three days.
Both the marathon and cycle tour attract 66% of participants from the Western Cape, 13 % from the Eastern Cape and the balance from the rest of South Africa, mostly Gauteng.
"I believe these activities have led to the growth in Knysna and Sedgefield since the mid-1980s."
Attractions
This, with related events, is significant, and amounts to a projected R50m injection into the town, according to marketing calculations.
"The growth picture is enormous. So that's why it's the big picture we should look at, as this keeps the economy in the area growing," Finn says.
"People visit the area and enjoy what Knysna has to offer with the potential of relocating, opening a business, retire to, or invest in."
On the events side, attractions include the Knysna Wine Festival held at the Simola Hotel on Friday and Saturday, 4 and 5 July. There will also be a "Dessert Warfare" aimed at the sweet-toothed to find the dessert champion.
Dressed oysters
Another attraction will be the Oyster Cooking and Shucking Competition, presented by Stella Artois, that takes place at the festival hub on the Knysna High School sports grounds.
The cooking and shucking competition takes place in the Castle Lite Tent on Tuesday 8 July from 17:30-22:00.
What began as a friendly rivalry between village restaurants has evolved into one of the most anticipated highlights of the festival, this year with the spotlight on wild coastal oysters.
Eight local restaurants will compete to create the most deliciously dressed oysters. Guests will taste, vote, and help crown the 2025 Oyster Cooking Competition winner, says the organiser of this competition, Picca de Bruin.
Selected wine estates will be offering curated tastings to perfectly complement the oyster creations.
200 000 oysters
There will also be the Oyster Shucking Championships, where contestants have just 60 seconds to shuck as many oysters as possible - neatly and skilfully. In 2024, Justin de Agrela wowed the crowd with a record-breaking 12 oysters in the 60 seconds.
In all, an estimated 200 000 oysters will be devoured during KOF.
But KOF is not only about enjoyment - there is also the idea of giving back, says De Bruin.
"A portion of proceeds will be donated to Fur the Love of Animals Steri drive in support of KAWS (Knysna Animal Welfare Society) and CX Animals in Need.
"Our 2025 initiative focused on sterilisation and neutering efforts. This campaign plays a vital role in reducing the stray animal population - just one dog or cat can lead to over 6 600 offspring in six years," De Bruin says.
"We are passionate about the welfare of underprivileged domestic animals; our mission is to stop overpopulation."
For more information, go to https://www.knysnaoysterfestival.co.za/.
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