The 15th Annual PEI International Shellfish Festival, sponsored by Global Television, is set to hit the Historic Charlottetown Waterfront September 17-19, 2010. Atlantic Canada's biggest kitchen party promises world class seafood, the best of Island hospitality and Maritime entertainment.
"Our Government is proud to support the 2010 PEI International Shellfish Festival," said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. "This popular three-day festival continues to draw thousands of visitors to PEI and successfully showcases famous Island seafood cuisine, entertainment and hospitality."
The Shellfish Festival has seen outstanding growth since its inception in 1996. Since 2004 alone, visitation to the Festival has increased by more than 42.2%. The 2009 Festival boasted close to 15,000 attendees, with almost 50% of attendance coming from off Island visitors. Total consumer spending, including accommodations, contributed to an economic impact of almost $1,000,000 in 2009.
"This great event continues to be a huge success, year after year, by featuring island seafood, chefs, fishers, and artists," said the Honourable Robert Vessey, Minister of Tourism and Culture. "On behalf of the Provincial Government, I would like to thank the Prince Edward Island Aquaculture Alliance, the Prince Edward Island Shellfish Association, and all other partners who come together to ensure that each Shellfish Festival is a success."
Organizers describe the Festival as the "biggest kitchen party in Atlantic Canada" boasting "good friends, good times, good music and lots of world famous Prince Edward Island Shellfish." In addition to being a major draw for off-Island visitors, the Festival also attracts world-renowned chefs and world champion oyster shuckers, who compete in first-class industry events. The Festival has also been awarded Top 100 Events for 2010 by the American Bus Association.
"I couldn't be more excited that this festival is in its 15th year," said Liam Dolan, co-chair of the event. "It's hard to believe how much it has grown. The Festival promises to be bigger and better than ever this year, with a larger seafood selection in the food pavilion than in previous years and a new shellfish and wine pairing activity."
Musical acts will be featured all weekend long, including Sons of Maxwell, Shanneyganock, College of Piping, JJ & Tim Chaisson, The Grass Mountain Hobos, Cynthia Macleod, Nudie & The Turks, The Richard Wood Trio, La Famille Arsenault and more.
Tickets are available online at www.peishellfish.com, or by phone at 1-866-311-9090. Daily admission ticket cost is $10.
Returning this year is the ever popular Chef Challenge which takes place at the Culinary Institute of Canada on Saturday, September 18, 2010. This black box competition draws in some of the most talented chefs from around the world to compete for a grand prize of $10,000. A gala dinner served by the Culinary Institute of Canada will be held that evening, featuring a five-course meal prepared by the participating chefs. This exquisite meal of fine dining, relaxation, PEI seafood, and Island hospitality can be experienced for only $100 per person. Tickets must be purchased in advance and seating is limited. Tickets are available online at www.peishellfish.com, by calling 1-866-955-2003, or by contacting Lorna Jay at 902.629.1655.
In addition, a number of Charlottetown restaurants will be featured in this year's Restaurant Program. The following featured restaurants will be showcasing PEI Shellfish and offering in-house restaurant specials: The Pilot House, Globe World Flavours, Fishbone's Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill, Hunter's Alehouse, Sims Corner Steakhouse & Oyster Bar, Olde Dublin Pub/Claddagh Oyster House, Peake's Quay Restaurant & Bar, Sirenella Ristorante, Merchantman Pub, Lobster on the Wharf, The Gahan House and St. James Gate.
The PEI International Shellfish Festival is a project of the PEI Aquaculture Alliance and the PEI Shellfish Association. This year, the Shellfish Festival is also part of the month-long Fall Falvours Festival taking place from September 3 to 30.