Organisers reported this week that they were extremely happy with the 28^th Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival and that it has been a huge success.

Festival manager Nicci Rousseau-Schmidt said that they are receiving positive feedback from local businesses, restaurant and accommodation owners. “Most of these establishments recorded increased turnover figures / bed nights sold compared to last year,” said Rousseau-Schmidt.

6 500 cyclists took part in the Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour and
8 500 runners in the Pick n Pay Cape Times Knysna Forest Marathon and Half Marathon – both breaking past attendance figures. The festival has become a must on the national sporting calendar offering sporting enthusiasts 10 days packed with cycling, mountain biking, running, canoeing, trail running, adventure racing, rugby, soccer, golf, bowls and boccia.

Said Malcolm Mycroft, general manager: marketing at Pick n Pay: “This year’s festival was another resounding success and we are thrilled with the turnout at all the activities, particularly the sporting events. The numbers speak for themselves – attendance figures for the cycle tour and both marathons were higher than ever and this bears testimony to the fact that the festival becomes more popular with each passing year.”

A further draw card this year for sporting enthusiasts and adrenalin junkies was the Negroup Investments Big 5 Challenge presented by Sport24.com which is only in its second year. The challenge involves athletes taking part in five of the top sporting events and this year saw the number of entries double up on last year.

The festival this year also boasted the most community events ever in its 28 year history. This included The Shebeen Experience which played host to a battle of the DJs competition, offering people the opportunity to experience the culture, daily lives, music and cuisine of a township. Another new event this year was for the surfers. Aptly named the Stand Up Paddle, surfers stand on their surf boards and use a paddle to race across the lagoon.

Back on the festival programme this year was the adrenalin-powered cult event The Hansa Waterfront Rush. Held at the Knysna Waterfront the Rush is a time-based obstacle course set on and in the water. It is a great spectator event and drew hundreds of visitors to the Knysna Waterfront.