Osoyoos Oyster Festival Pops Back to Rave Reviews
“Sip, slurp and stay in the beautiful South Okanagan” was the theme as the Osoyoos Oyster Festival popped back, April 19 and 20.
Sponsored by Oliver Osoyoos Wine Country, Destination Osoyoos, South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce, and Times Chronicle, the event returned after a few years hiatus so guests could once again experience award winning wines featured with fresh west coast oysters.
Codfathers Seafood Market of Kelowna was on hand with Effingham Oyster Inc to shuck the briny gems. Friday, the ‘Sip & Shuck’ at the Osoyoos Golf and Country Club sold out quickly. The onsite culinary team prepared delicious morsels in addition to the fresh oysters with accompaniments which the crowd sampled while enjoying live acoustic entertainment. Pairing with the food were samples of wines from local wineries, Kismet Estate Winery, Nostalgia Wines, Nk’Mip Cellars, Gold Hill Winery, and Road 13.
Pearls in the Desert Gala
Penticton neighbours/friends Cliff and Sherry Jury as part of her birthday celebrations drove down to join us at Walnut Beach Resort, host of the ‘Pearls in the Desert Gala’ for Osoyoos Oyster Festival 2024. It was especially fun to share in the festivities with friends and compare best bites and sips.
Walnut Beach was an ideal backdrop for the delicious extravaganza where Codfathers set up two fresh oyster stations, one inside the ballroom and the other on the resort’s picturesque patio.
We could wander indoors and outdoors exploring the local wineries’ booths, enjoying appetizers prepared and presented by Walnut Beach Chef Bilel Lasmar and his team while enjoying local entertainment throughout the evening.
Even the weather cooperated to deliver the joy of spring scents and lakeside scenes that give you pause to be grateful for your time in the Okanagan. The event went well with more freshly shucked oysters than even we could eat – and believe me, we gave it our best!
The wineries included River Stone Winery, Moon Curser Vineyards, Culmina Estate Winery, Gold Hill Winery, Nostalgia Wines, and Kismet Estate Winery with each offering about four choices with bubbly, whites, roses, and big reds.
The appetizers were an array of tempting small bites such as smoked salmon, shrimp, bruschetta, caviar, and steak bites on mashed potatoes. The pasta station was the busiest corner as you pondered your choices like smoked salmon, shrimp, ham, and vegetables with your preferred pasta for the chef to prepare under your watchful eye.
Entertainment was by Walnut Beach’s own Leslee Hatherly and headlined by Diane Ball. Participants were encouraged to wear their dancing shoes and special room rates were available at the resort for the weekend. Organizers provided a free shuttle from convenient pick-up points for guests who choose other Osoyoos accommodation.
About Effingham Oysters
From their oyster farm located on the Pacific side of Vancouver Island at Barkley Sound, Effingham oysters are some of the finest oysters in the world. Influenced by the cold, pristine deep-water fjord, they provide a unique, sweet and sea salty flavour and buttery finish with deep, beautifully coloured cup.
Watch for the 2025 Osoyoos Oyster Festival
With such a delightful return for the popular festival, watch for the announcements for Osoyoos Oyster Festival 2025 and dive in quickly to secure your tickets!
In the meantime, if you are experiencing FOMO (fear of missing out), check out Codfathers where fresh, sustainable seafood awaits. Or check out Codfathers’ recently launched ‘Fish For Life’ seafood delivery service for the Okanagan and Similkameen. You can opt into the seasonally curated $65 catch-of-the-week box or create your own selections from Codfathers’ online store.
