Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt was one of more than 3000 who turned out for yesterday's Bluff Oyster and Food Festival. Photo / Eveline Jenkin
An Australian won the oyster eating contest and the rain made for a muddy afternoon but that didn't stop more than 3000 people turning out for yesterday's Bluff Oyster and Food Festival.
Just six months after a proposed change of venue to Invercargill nearly derailed the popular annual
event, Bluff locals were hard at work opening thousands of the Southland town's famous shellfish.
"We reckon we've probably opened 500 dozen today," Max Russell told nzherald.co.nz while expertly prying open another few.
And those game enough to try the slippery morsels were singing the oyster's praises.
Ruakaka couple Christina and Dave Campbell said they had polished off a couple of dozen each upon arriving in Invercargill the night before the festival.
"We've probably eaten at least that many again today... they're just so good," admitted Mrs Campbell.
Contestants in the oyster eating competition also got their fill of the salty delicacy, with an entrants from as far afield as Japan and Ireland stepping up for the heats.
In the end it was a Southland v Australia final though, with Queenstown-based Australian Adam Nagy narrowly beating his fellow countrymen and locals from Invercargill and Stewart Island.
Mr Nagy thanked the onlookers for their support and promised he'd be back next year to defend his title.
For the Campbells and most of the others at the festival, raw was the only way to eat the oysters, which were fresh off the boat.
"Straight out of the shell with a little bit of lemon or a little bit of vinegar," agreed Auckland woman Emily Delaney, as she sampled some of the day's first offerings.
The community spirit which ensured the festival stayed in Bluff was apparent and even those from Invercargill - the mooted alternative venue - appeared to support the final decision.
"I wanted to come back this year to say it's good it (the festival) is back in the hands of the Bluff community," said Lisa Hook.
Given the turnout and the happy faces at yesterday's event, this small South Island town should have no problem keeping its new-look oyster festival for many years to come.
