Pearsey Returns to Strive for Five

Pearsey Returns to Strive for Five

The abandonment of last years Bluff Oyster & Food Festival due to high winds meant that the popular Oyster Opening Competitions were not held in 2015 but with a superb new venue that scenario will not be repeated this year. Good entries have been received for the various Oyster Opening events - the Men's, Ladies, Blindfold races and the Factory Relay. The Oyster Openers were readying themselves for competition last year when the weather hit so it has been two years since they last demonstrated their amazing skills on stage.

For Vic Pearsey of Barnes Wild Oysters it has been a long wait. She had won the Ladies Oyster Opening title for four straight years and was aiming for five last year only to be denied the opportunity.

Meanwhile Jimmy Ryan-Thomas of Direct Fish & Oysters will be back to defend the Men's title he won in 2013 which ended nine time champion, Keith Lovett's long run of success. While he won't be competing Lovett won't be far from the action as he now assists organisers to run the Oyster Opening events after achieving his goal of dragging more people into the events which is what he originally set out to do. His goal has been achieved as this year will see fourteen men, four women and three factories represented with ten also competing in the blindfold races.

The Oyster Opening events take place in one of the new purpose built sheds on the indoor stage from 12.30pm and will be followed by the equally popular Oyster Eating races.

This year the Festival takes place at a new purpose built venue in Lee Street, Bluff. No BYO is permitted and Right Of Admission Is Reserved. Gates open at 10.30am on Saturday 23 May and tickets are available now from www.ticketdirect.co.nz and Ticket Direct outlets around New Zealand. Locally they are available from the Invercargill City Council, Esk Street, Invercargill 03 2111 692, at the Bluff Service Centre or Barnes Wild Bluff Oysters, Spey Street, Invercargill.

Once again McDermotts Coachlines will operate a return bus service from Invercargill to the Festival. Details of the bus service and other information is available on the Festival website -www.bluffoysterfest.co.nz

ENDS

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