The Knysna Oyster Festival was started in 1983 in Western Cape, South Africa. The initiator was the late Dick Ginsberg, a successful local businessman. The inaugural ‘Knysna Winter Festival’ organized by the Knysna Publicity Committee drew huge audiences and participants who made the marathon, golf, rugby, and bowls tournament an instant success.
During the 1984 Knysna Oyster Festival, the Navy got involved in the organization process. The Chief of the Navy visited Knysna accompanied by a navy minesweeper and several crew members. Again in 1988, a conferment was made on the army during the Freedom of Entry event that marked the historic participation of the municipal authorities in Knysna. The aim of the festival remains to attract as many people to the sporting competitions during the winter period when many people are characteristically passive.
Oyster eating competition
The 1985 event saw the inclusion of Argus cycling tours into the Knysna Oyser festival. As the attention slowly shifts to the 2009 event, it is the dream of every South African career cyclist to feature in the challenging and adventurous Knysna Forest Marathon that always comes with a great fun for both the participants and the spectators.
The Knysna Oyster Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and it is expected that a visit by navy officials will make all South African people shift the spotlight to the amazing sporting event. The minesweepers will come in two fleets and the events will be extremely spectacular this time round. Thesen Island Jetty will be the ultimate destination of the minesweepers as the spotlight shines on the festival fun that has always been maintained in past events.
Navy band concerts also add to its popularity. Their concert at the seaside attracts attention. Navy band entertain people during street parade, too.
Oysters constitute a major component of the festival. The Knysna Oyster Company, which was established 1949, has always been involved in the festival from the beginning before finally becoming its sponsor. You can taste the best oysters cooked in different ways during the festival. Tequila, wine and whiskey are served with oysters that increase the fun of the festival.
Traditional favorites have never disappointed visitors, most of who are first-time tourists in South Africa with high expectations on unique dances, traditional African music, costumes, masks and the great fun of African culture. The Oyster Cooking Competition recently changed its name to Oyster Mardi Gras but the attractiveness of this event remains at an all time high, owing to the enduring and artistic qualities that are expected all the participants. Oyster related events are not limited to oyster cooking. Oyster eating competition and oyster shucking competition are great fun activities of the Knysna Oyster Festival.
Thesen Island
During the whole festival in Knysna, live music goes on. Jazz groups also participate in the festival. You can also visit crafts and arts exhibitions of the Knysna Oyster Festival. Kynsna Oyster Festival offers whatever one may expect from an African festival.
The Bowls Tournament and Waitron Race, both remain major events that attract both local and international participants. As each of these events kicks off, the air of excitement that dominates the winter atmosphere is just wonderful. Everyone who attends always comes with high expectations fueled by the huge success of previous events. The event has never failed to print a permanent image of a true African festival experience, complete with carnival costumes, masks and all the stuff that is undoubtedly naturally African. This is what makes it keep on getting bigger and better with time.
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