The programme for the 2008 Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival has been finalised and includes a record number of events in celebration of the festival’s 25th birthday.

Festival Co-ordinator Nicci Rousseau says that the programme, which runs from 4-13 July, is the most exciting to date with over 80 sport and lifestyle events.

"We’re confident that this year the Oyster Festival will have something for everyone to enjoy, whether they are young or old, and whether they are coming for the sport and adventure, or just to eat, drink and relax."

The programme has been divided into sections with similar activities grouped together.

"We’ve made it as easy as possible for visitors to plan their visit to Knysna around the activities which appeal to them," says Rousseau.

Sport Events Highlights of the sports programme are the Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour on the first weekend of the festival, the Pick n Pay Cape Times Forest Marathon on the second weekend and the events between, which include an angling competition, soccer and bowls tournaments, a night run and night bike race, golf days, a lagoon mile, the DueSouth XTERRA and The Landrover Waterfront Rush.

Carnival Grounds A full programme of family-oriented events has been planned at the Carnival Grounds at the Knysna High School field, which will be open daily from 10am to 10pm. Events include tobogganing and snow boarding on a ski slope with 45 tons of real snow, and an international kite festival.

SA Navy The SA Navy which has been a guest of the festival for 20 years will honour the tradition, entering the Knysna Lagoon in two mine-hunters at 7.45am on 8 July, weather permitting. This is always a spectacular event that attracts hundreds of spectators as they sail through The Heads.

Miss Pearl Beauty Pageant This year the Oyster Festival programme includes a Miss Pearl Beauty Pageant for girls four-to-seven years and women 18-25 years at Simola Golf & Country Estate on Friday 4 July. To enter, email info@gosouthmodels.co.za.

Food & Wine The Oyster Festival’s big culinary events include a Whisky and Jazz Festival at Pledge Square (3-5 July) and the Wade Bales Wine Festival at the Pezula Club (7-8 July).

The highlight will be the Pick n Pay Oyster & Wine Mardi Gras presented by Tabasco at the Heineken Pavilion on 9 July. More than 40 food and wine exhibitors will serve nearly 16 000 oysters and 1000 litres of wine to 700 guests!

Two annual oyster events synonymous with the festival are the Knysna Oyster Company Oyster Opening (Shucking) Championships on 8 July and the Oyster Eating Competition at the Longbarn Tavern on 10 July.

Tabasco Oyster Hotspots Oysters will be freely available, fresh and naked or prepared in delectable ways by local chefs at 25 different restaurants in and around Knysna.

Entertainment & Heineken Rockspots Entertainment will be provided at a number of venues where musicians will play a variety of music to suit all tastes.

Pick n Pay Young Oyster Festival Programme A jam-packed programme for younger visitors will ensure that they are entertained at the festival in a safe and stimulating environment. Kids will love the art and cooking classes, puppet shows, costume making and dance clinics. Highlights include the Rotary Knysna Children’s Cycle Tour.

Says Rousseau: "The fact there that there are so many events on this year’s Oyster Festival programme is great for the festival and great for Knysna because we will be able to attract many more visitors to the town over the 10 days.

"Also, it’s fantastic for the community, because all the events have a charity component, which means they have to give a percentage of their profits to local charities or non-profit organisations. Last year we collected over R1-million for charity and we’re hoping that this year it will be even more."

The full Oyster Festival programme is on the website www.oysterfestival.co.za.