Take a generous portion of authentic tastes and traditions, blend with a heaping helping of succulent shellfish, then combine to produce the biggest kitchen party in Atlantic Canada.
This year, the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival is relocating to its new home at the Charlottetown Event Grounds located on the corner of Grafton and Water Street. “We’re excited about the new location,” says Liam Dolan, Festival Chair. “Attendees will find it easier to access the festival tent and there is lots of parking on site and at nearby parking lots on Grafton Street. We’ve also partnered with the Red Cross to coordinate parking by donation.”
“Our Government is pleased to support festivals and events like the PEI International Shellfish Festival,” said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of National Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Associate Minister of National Defence and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and La Francophonie. “This event promotes our region as one of the best tourist destinations in the world; showcases our famous seafood, entertainment and hospitality; and expands our tourism season into the autumn months.”
Rub shoulders, break bread and crack shells with two of the Food Network's most popular chefs. Feast and Frolic sold out in 2011 when it made its debut at the festival. On Thursday, September 13, Chefs Michael Smith and Mark McEwan will each prepare show-stopping dishes for our guests to enjoy. Cameras will take you behind the scenes and allow you to watch as the Culinary Institute of Canada prepares and plates the evening’s meals. This interactive night opens with a showcase of Island oyster growers followed by a four-course shellfish feast. Then dance off the oysters and mussels at our traditional Island Kitchen Party! “Tickets are $129 plus taxes and are currently fifty percent sold,” adds Dolan. “Once again, we're anticipating a sell-out crowd.”
“The Government of Prince Edward Island is very pleased to partner with industry on one of our most successful festivals,” said Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Ron MacKinley. “The Shellfish Festival has grown into an internationally recognized event where we celebrate and promote the high quality and distinctive flavour of our seafood products.”
Bang on the Ear and the Mellotones will headline on Friday, September 14. The Mellotones are a nine-piece ensemble and Halifax's premier dance band, and Bang on the Ear is a Celtic folk rock-band. The party continues on Saturday, September 15, when Signal Hill and Shanneyganouck, two of Atlantic Canada's most popular party bands, take to the festival stage. Expect lively performances by Tim & Tian, John Mathews, Chiassons, Eddie Quinn, Boys in the Kitchen and Sunday Punch.
“The City of Charlottetown is pleased to sponsor this fantastic event as it celebrates its 17th year,” said Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee. “Festival organizers have firmly positioned it as a great tradition in the Capital City. The festival garners national and international attention, promotes our tasty PEI shellfish products, and brings visitors to our city from all over North America. World-class events like this reinforce why Charlottetown is a premier fall tourism destination.”
Chefs, shuckers, mussel farmers and caesar experts will all meet in Charlottetown to compete for cash and titles. Over $24,000 in cash prizes will be given out during the weekend. Culinary demonstrations will also take place daily, featuring Chef Michael Smith and Chef Gordon Bailey.
Daily admission is $12 in advance or $15 at the door on Friday and Saturday; and $7 in advance or $10 at the door on Sunday. New for 2012, weekend bracelets will offer the best value for admission. Enjoy three days in the tent for only $20. Get your weekend bracelets early as only 500 tickets will be available at this great rate.
On Sunday, September 16, the Greater Charlottetown Airport Authority is sponsoring “Islander Day.” A new addition to the festival, Islander Day will feature “Buy One Get One” free admission upon presentation of a valid PEI drivers licence.
The PEI International Shellfish Festival is a joint effort of the PEI Aquaculture Alliance and the PEI Shellfish Association and is supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency; Prince Edward Island Departments of Tourism and Culture, Agriculture and Forestry, Innovation and Advanced Learning, and Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development; the City of Charlottetown; Agri Food Canada and the Special Events Reserve Fund.
Festival tickets are now on sale at the Confederation Centre of the Arts and www.peishellfish.com or by calling 1-866-955-2003.
About the PEI International Shellfish Festival
The PEI International Shellfish Festival is a Fall Flavours Signature Event. Fall Flavours is a month-long culinary event taking place from September 7-30, 2012 highlighting authentic Prince Edward Island tastes and traditions.
The festival promises to entertain and educate people of all ages. It's Atlantic Canada's largest kitchen party featuring performances by the East Coast's best entertainers. In 1996, a one-day shellfish-centric event was held in Charlottetown to celebrate PEI’s shellfish industry. That event has evolved into what is now known as the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival, a four-day festival packed with culinary demos, celebrity chefs, delicious dining experiences, the best best potato seafood chowder and oyster shucking competitions.