Organisers of Stranraer Oyster Festival are warning people to book tickets soon as some of the programmed events head towards sellout. The update comes as organisers extend sales of the Weekend Pass to the end of August in response to community requests.
Taking place from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th September celebrating the start of the UK’s native oyster season, Stranraer Oyster Festival is located on the waterfront just a short distance from the native oyster bed that inspired it. It is one of the south of Scotland’s most successful events, attracting thousands of visitors to Stranraer each September.
Romano Petrucci, Chair of Stranraer Development Trust, the community organisation that runs the festival, said:
“This year we are focusing very strongly on the quality of the visitor experience, and that includes being mindful of the comfortable capacity of the festival site. Last year was very busy, in hindsight perhaps too busy at some points, which is why we have changed our approach to ticketing.
“The Weekend Pass gives visitors fantastic value for money, but this year we need to set a limit on the number of Weekend Passes that we sell. We know that with the schools going back many people are only now thinking about their plans for the coming weeks. After speaking with members of our community we’ve decided to extend sales of the Weekend Pass to the end of August, but I would absolutely urge anyone who wants to spend the full weekend at the festival to book now.”
The 2024 festival programme reunites two TV chef double acts – BBC’s Spice Kings Tony Singh and Cyrus Todiwala, and STV’s Hot Wok stars Julie Lin and Jimmy Lee. They’ll be joined in the festival demo kitchen by Pam Brunton whose multiple award-winning restaurant Inver is the only restaurant in Scotland to receive a Michelin Green Star, which recognises restaurants that combine culinary excellence with outstanding eco-friendly commitments.
Ecosystem and community regeneration are strong themes in this year’s festival. Loch Ryan’s native oyster beds are an ecological treasure and one of the most important oyster beds in Europe. The festival will put the environmental story of their regeneration at the heart of the festival, alongside the story of the community-led regeneration of Stranraer, including how the festival itself has catalysed major regeneration projects in the town.
The festival is supported through Dumfries and Galloway Council’s Major Events Strategic Fund and EventScotland’s National Events Funding Programme. The work of Stranraer Development Trust is also supported by Kilgallioch Community Fund and South of Scotland Enterprise.
As well as providing funding support, Dumfries and Galloway Council are also supporting the environmental sustainability of the festival with waste management collaboration.
Councillor Ian Blake, from the Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee, said:
“The Oyster Festival has grown very quickly to become one of our region’s most popular events, and I’m delighted that our council and the festival continue to work together so positively. The focus on sustainability is well aligned to our region’s strategic priorities, and the promotion of local produce in the wonderful unspoilt environment next to Loch Ryan is something I’m very keen to support.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “I am delighted that EventScotland is once again supporting the Stranraer Oyster Festival through the National Funding Programme and that the event is set to offer another stellar showcase for the region’s natural larder. The Stranraer coastline with its native oyster beds provide the perfect stage for this festival as it continues to promote community regeneration and the area’s ecosystem.”
Allana Hardie of Stranraer Development Trust, added:
“We are seeing unprecedented media interest in the festival this year, which is really exciting. It definitely feels like Stranraer Oyster Festival has come of age, people are really interested in the story of this oyster bed and why it matters. I’m really looking forward to welcoming people to this year’s festival, it’s going to be a good one!”
Stranraer Oyster Festival takes place from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th September 2024. Weekend Tickets cost £15, and Day Tickets cost from £6, with concessions available. For more information details and to book tickets, head to www.stranraeroysterfestival.com
