Tourism News

This year’s Brisbane Water Oyster Festival at Ettalong Beach drew a crowd of over 15,000 visitors to the waterfront to enjoy the local oysters and an array of food and wine.

Organiser of this year’s Festival, Debra Wales said, “The atmosphere was one of great fun and enjoyment with over fifty stalls winding around the streets of Ettalong Beach waterfront.”

The Campbells Building Materials ‘Woodchopping Spectacular’ drew an excited crowd to watch the famous woodchoppers in action throughout the day.

Over 4,000 dozen oysters and kilos of fresh prawns were consumed at the Festival, with Brisbane Water and Hawkesbury farmers along with local sellers having a successful day. The food, wine and craft stalls reported a great day with many selling out by the end of the day.

The ‘How many oyster can you eat in 30 seconds’ competition, sponsored by Coast radio station Star104.5 FM, drew hundreds of spectators to the centre stage to watch nine contestants compete for the Festival trophy and a lunch for two on Captain Cook Cruise thanks to Harvey World Travel Umina Beach.

Mrs Wales said that apart from such a wonderful family day out, the great success story from the Festival was unveiling the total amount raised for the Cancer Council’s Pink Ribbon Events at the Festival Ball on the Friday night.

The seven entrants in the Queen competition, each sponsored by a local business, raised a total of $37,600.

Remmi Grainger, sponsored by Club Umina, was crowned 2009 Queen of the Oyster Festival and Tenielle Reeson, sponsored by Ettalong/Woy Woy Centrelink, was crowned Miss Charity Queen, having raised nearly $12,000.

“Our success is acknowledged by the fact that we have great sponsors supporting the festival each year,” said Mrs Wales.

“Without the outstanding marketing and promotions from Star104.5 FM, Central Coast Express Advocate, Central Coast Tourism Inc. and Tourism NSW, we would not have had such a successful event.”

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