7th BC Shellfish Festival launches Thursday, June 6

What: The seventh annual BC Shellfish Festival, the largest of its kind on the West Coast is expanding to ten days of celebrating all things good from the sea running June 6 – 16, 2013.

Why: Oysters, clams and other shellfish contribute greatly to the Comox Valley’s deepening reputation as a culinary destination worthy of an extended visit, with its award-winning local wineries, diverse farming community and rich offering of dining establishments. The shellfish industry contributes more than $28M to the region and helps support an estimated 600 families.

The BC Shellfish Festival is a celebration of the prominence of the shellfish industry and has grown and become an integral part of the Comox Valley’s tourism mix.

Schedule of events:
June 6 at 7 p.m.: The second annual Mott’s Best Caesar in Town Competition, with buck-a-shuck oysters on offer.
Cost: No cover, drink specials.
Location: Flying Canoe West Coast Pub, 1590 Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay, BC

June 7 from 7 – 9 p.m.: Pearls of the Puntledge: Sample shellfish from Pentlatch Seafoods, clam chowder and chocolates from Island Gourmet Trails and Fanny Bay Oysters paired with Blue Moon Estate Winery award winning wines. The event will include live First Nation performances.
Cost: $35. Book in advance.
Location: Puntledge Campground, 4624 Condensory Road, Courtenay, BC

June 8 – 13: Deep Bay Marine Field Station is offering interpretive tours of their award winning facility boasting teaming aquariums and touch tanks.
Cost: $10 for tour. $5/no tour. Book direct.
Location: Deep Bay Marine Field Station, 370 Crome Point Road, Bowser, BC

June 10 – 13: Tour Fanny Bay Oysters, the world renowned growers, processors, and exporters of farm-raised Pacific oysters and Manila clams.
Cost: $10. Book in advance.
Location: Fanny Bay Oysters, 7480 Island Hwy South, Fanny Bay, BC

June 10 – 14: Manatee Holdings are providing free hatchery tours that feature industry best sustainable aquaculture practices with a tour including Geoduck, Sea Cucumbers, Scallops and Oysters.
Cost: Free, sampling extra.
Location: Manatee Holdings, 4097 Gartley Point Road, Courtenay, BC

June 14-16: Bike touring company Island Joy Rides has put together a special tour dubbed, “Love is in the Air…Ride a Bike and Eat Oysters!”
Contact: discovercomoxvalley.com to book your tour

June 15, at noon: Festival Day at Comox Marina Park. Packed with innovative tastings and shellfish shenanigans. Meet the farmers, sample food from the sea from more than 20 participating vendors. Professional Chef cooking demos, the Comox Valley Chowder Challenge, and an intense Fanny Bay Oysters Shucking Competition with grand prize trip to PEI for a shot to compete in a national title.
Cost: Free.
Location: Comox Marina Park, downtown Comox, BC

Visuals: This is an opportunity to capture visuals of shellfish hatcheries, aquariums, touch tanks, farms, aquaculture practices, competitions, chefs preparing dishes, wineries, First Nation performances, cycling routes.

Additional Information:
Local hotels, motels and resorts are offering Slurp and Stay packages, The Discover Comox Valley website lists the variety of accommodation options with packages ranging from $65 to $129 Cdn
Eight popular restaurants will put the, “BC Shellfish Festival on your plate,” by showcasing local oysters, geoducks, clams and other delectable shellfish on their daily fresh sheets throughout the festival. Participating restaurants include: Atlas Café, Avenue Bistro, Billy D’s Pub & Bistro, Bisque Restaurant Blackfin Pub Locals, Martine’s Bistro, The Prime Chophouse & Wine Bar

Tickets/Bookings: Vary in price. Space is limited for several of these events. To purchase, call 1-855-400-2882,or visit us at discovercomoxvalley.com