Get ready to stomp your feet! The Rock the Boat Music Festival is coming back to the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival. The 2014 Oyster Festival attracted over 15,000 visitors to its longstanding and successful tourism event in western PEI, with Rock the Boat proving to be a major additional draw in its inaugural year.
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), and the Honourable J. Heath MacDonald, PEI Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, today announced government funding to support the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival’s Rock the Boat.
The Tyne Valley Oyster Festival, established in 1974, is the home of the Canadian Oyster Shucking Championship. Rock the Boat made its first appearance last year with assistance from the PEI 2014 Fund as part of the 150 anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference, and it was a huge success. The show, which attracts musical artists of national and international recognition, will now be an integral component of the festival and serve as a significant draw for attendees from off-island.
Quick Facts:
The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Business Development Program, is providing a $30,000 contribution to support Tyne Valley Oyster Festival Inc. with infrastructure, equipment and marketing requirements necessary to produce and market the show.
The Government of Prince Edward Island, through the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, will contribute $30,000 to the project.
The Tyne Valley Oyster Festival will run from July 29 to August 2, with Rock the Boat taking place on Saturday, August 1st.
Rock the Boat 2015 will feature Tom Cochrane and Red Rider, Matt Andersen, the Stanfields, the Irish Descendents, and Amy and Rachel Beck.
Quotes:
“Tourism is a significant economic driver of our Island economy. I am pleased to announce our Government’s support for the popular Rock the Boat Music Festival a new feature of the long-running Tyne Valley Oyster Festival. Expanding and updating this popular event will attract even more visitors from near and far, resulting in positive economic gains across western PEI.”
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable
Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“The first Rock the Boat Festival in 2014 was a great success with thousands of people turning out. The one night event is a great complement to the already well established and internationally renowned Tyne Valley Oyster Festival. Our support helps attract big name talent to the event. We are confident the Rock the Boat Festival will attract even more visitors to the western part of the Island, and will provide direct benefit to many rural businesses and tourism operators.”
- The Honourable J. Heath MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism
“We like to think big here in Tyne Valley. Just because we have a small population doesn't mean we can't throw a huge event. The Tyne valley oyster festival is a perfect example of what a small rural PEI community can do if we work together."
- Jeff Noye, Chair, Tyne Valley Oyster Festival Inc.