Organisers were able to secure enough Bluff oysters to continue with their event.
Photo: Andrew Baird
The Bluff Oyster Festival will take the rare position of selling tickets at the gate, after a supply issue and rising fuel costs meant a sharp decline in sales, according to organisers.
The Southland festival, which celebrates the famous oysters, as well as plenty of other seafood, usually sells out early.
Bluff Oyster Festival publicity manager Lindsay Beer said, when it was planning this year’s event, it was originally not sure there would be enough Bluff oysters.
“With the possibility of a fuel crisis and the high cost of living, by the time we were able to confirm that there would be Bluff oysters in plentiful supply, I think a lot of people had made their plans.”
Beer hoped strong foot traffic at the event would make up for weak ticket sales.
“We just need a really good turnout to rebuild those finances and that will secure the future of the festival.”
Beer believed this years dip in sales was temporary, but admitted it was a difficult time to be operating.
“The festival’s been hugely successful over many years and it’s been very profitable.”
He said the event was a “real boon” for the regional economy in Southland.
“Hopefully, the local market realise that and, by turning out tomorrow, that will secure the future and bring plenty of economic benefit in future years to the region.”
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