Four-day oyster extravaganza features West Coast oysters and Canadian wines at the Best of the Okanagan resorts and restaurants
The Osoyoos Oyster Festival returns to the South Okanagan, April 22-25. Now in its fourth year, the event showcases oysters produced by West Coast fishermen, alongside Canadian wines and craft beers.
A number of delicious events are happening during the festival, including: the signature event of the festival, Art of the Oyster Pearl Gala at Best of the Okanagan award wining Watermark Beach Resort (a finalist for Best Romantic Weekend Getaway), featuring oyster creations from South Okanagan chefs paired with wines from Oliver Osoyoos wineries; the Oysters, Bubbles and Pizza event at award-winning Best Restaurant Terrafina at Hester Creek Estate Winery; and the Oyster Catch and Brew Bash at Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort, (finalist for Best Wine Bar) featuring craft beer and ciders from local breweries, and live entertainment.
Two new events have been added to this year’s line-up: Seaside to Greenside at the Osoyoos Golf Club, pairing oysters with scotch; and Oysters in the Garden, an afternoon event at Walnut Beach Resort (a finalist for Best Romantic Weekend Getaway).
In addition, two pairing competitions will take place during the festival: The Canadian Oyster Wine Competition and The Canadian Oyster Craft Beer Competition, with teams of expert judges determining which Canadian wines and craft beers pair best with oysters.
The complete line-up for the Osoyoos Oyster Festival, includes:
Miradoro Long Table Dinner, April 22
Miradoro Restaurant at Tinhorn Creek Winery offers a three-course dinner dedicated to the oyster.
Tickets: $39.
Under the Tuscan Sea – Oysters, Bubbles and Pizza at Terrafina, April 23
Terrafina at Hester Creek Estate Winery invites guests to sample pizza and oysters paired with spring releases from Hester Creek and tastings from the winery’s ‘bubbly’ neighbours.
Tickets: $45.
Seaside to Greenside at the Osoyoos Golf Club, April 24
A new event to this year’s festival, guests will enjoy oysters paired with exclusive scotch, including Glendronach 2003 KWM Cask 1820 and BenRiach 1997 Cask 4435, along with noteworthy gin from Gallagher Lake-based distillery, The Dubh Glas Distillery.
Tickets: $50
Oyster Catch and Brew Bash at Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa, April 24
An evening of oysters and culinary creations, craft beer and ciders from local breweries and live entertainment. Results from the Oyster Craft Beer Competition will be announced at the event.
Tickets: $32.
Oysters in the Garden at Walnut Beach Resort, April 25
An afternoon event held in a beautiful garden setting at Walnut Beach Resort, guests will enjoy freshly shucked oysters with wine tastings from the winning wineries of the Oyster Wine Competition.
Tickets: $30 (Early bird: $25).
Art of the Oyster Pearl Gala at Watermark Beach Resort, April 25
Guests will enjoy oyster creations from South Okanagan restaurants and chefs, wine pairings from Oliver Osoyoos wineries, and freshly shucked oyster and seafood stations. Results from the Oyster Wine Competition will be announced at the event.
Tickets: $48.
Amateur Shuck ‘n Suck Competition at The Sage Pub, April 25
Come to compete or come to cheer as teams of two compete to win the coveted title of the Best Shuck ‘n Suck Team in the Okanagan. One team member shucks while the other sucks back the oysters.
Registration: $10 per team.
Stay in Osoyoos
Spirit Ridge Vineyard Resort & Spa, Walnut Beach Resort and Watermark Beach Resort are offering Oyster Festival room rates. Special offer: For every two-night booking at any of the resorts (from April 21-26), receive one complimentary ticket to the Oysters in the Garden event on April 25.
For more information and to purchase event tickets, please visit: osoyoosoysterfestival.com.
About Osoyoos
At the gateway to the Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys lies Canada’s only desert, and the lakeside town of Osoyoos. A year-round destination, Osoyoos offers something for everyone; for First Nations culture and natural history buffs; for water, sand, snow and sun lovers; for fans of wine and wildlife; and for active families and business people. destinationosoyoos.com
TOP PHOTO: Take in Oysters in the Garden on April 25 at Walnut Beach Resort (a finalist for Best Romantic Weekend Getaway).
