17 March 2010

A recent meeting of the Bluff Oyster & Food Festival Committee saw a decision made to get behind the Bluff Pool fundraising effort in the town.

The Festival has become a part of two initiatives to assist with the fundraising effort to upgrade the pool. The Festival, which takes place on Saturday 22 May, will be the venue for the launch of a locally inspired 2011 calendar in which twelve Bluff fishermen bare it all for the sake of the town's pool.

The calendar is based on the 'Calendar Girls' concept using instead the 'Million Dollar Catch' theme. Bluff women Lorraine Bowen and Jean Jablonski have raised sponsorship from Bluff businesses which will cover the cost of printing the calendars and Karen Johnson has donated her photographic talents to the project. The calendars will be launched at the Festival and will be available to purchase for a cost of $20 with many of the models present to autograph their respective months for a gold coin donation which will of course also go towards the pool.   

The second initiative will see the Festival Committee match any donations from stallholders, bands, performers and groups who are involved with the Festival on the day who give to the pool fund. "Many who are involved with the Festival receive donations for their efforts and should they decide to pass any part of their fees from the Festival onto the pool then we will match them," says Festival Chairman John Edminstin. 

The Festival takes place at the Real Journeys site on Foreshore Road adjacent to the Old Town Wharf in Bluff from 11am on Saturday 22 May.

Tickets are on sale at a cost of $16 each while tickets for children 12 & under will sell at $5 each. The Festival venue is limited to 5000 people on the day so Festival organisers are urging people to pre-book to ensure they gain admission on the day.  

The Festival will feature a mouthwatering array of food and beverage with the Bluff Oyster the star of the show. Other activities include the Oyster Eating and Opening Races along with a varied programme of musical entertainment.