March 26, 2019 – Charlottetown, PE
The PEI Shellfish Association and the PEI Aquaculture Alliance are excited to announce the dates for the 24th annual Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival, returning to downtown Charlottetown September 19-22, 2019. Chefs and shuckers from around the world will come together to show off their skills, as shellfish lovers cheer them on while feasting on renowned PEI cultured mussels, oysters and lobster.
Celebrity chefs Lynn Crawford and Michael Smith of Food Network Canada will host the weekend’s festivities which include culinary competitions, live cooking demos, and the world’s largest oyster bar. An Atlantic Canadian festival would not be complete without plenty of traditional music, and evenings are capped off with Eastlink’s king-sized kitchen parties hosted by Signal Hill on Friday, and Big Bad Party Band on Saturday.
The weekend kicks off on Thursday evening with the popular Feast & Frolic Signature Event presented by the Lobster Fishers of PEI and hosted by Chef Michael Smith (tickets usually sell out for this dinner, so book early!) Other Festival highlights are the Garland Canada International Chef Challenge and the second annual Junior Chef Challenge, presented by the Dairy Farmers of Canada and hosted by Chef Michael Smith. As well, Restaurants Canada presents the annual Shellfish Excellence Award to a deserving PEI restaurant.
Registration is now open at this page for the following competitions:
- Raspberry Point International Oyster Shucking
- Shiny Sea PEI Oyster Shucking
- PEI Potato Chowder Championship
- Mott’s Clamato Best Caesar in Town
- Dairy Farmers of Canada Junior Chef Challenge
- Tie One On Mussel Competition
Tickets are on sale now at www.peishellfish.com, by phone at 902-629-6625, or at the Eastlink Centre box office. Advance ticket prices are $155 for the popular Feast & Frolic dinner and $35 for a Weekend Pass. Daily Pass price is $17 each for Friday and Saturday and $14 for Sunday; guests can save 10% by purchasing day passes before September 1. The PEI Shellfish Association will host an exciting new experience for Sunday visitors this year. “Eat the Raw Bar Dry” will feature delicious PEI wild oysters. The $29 tickets are limited, must be purchased in advance, and include Sunday daily admission with access to the Raw Oyster Bar from noon to 2 pm, and while supplies last after 2 pm.
And don’t forget that AIR MILES® Collectors can use Dream Miles to order Festival tickets. For more information please visit: www.airmiles.ca.
For all the information you need on the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival please visit: www.peishellfish.com. And, follow us at Facebook: www.facebook.com/PEIshellfish/, Twitter: @PEI_shellfish and Instagram: @peishellfish.
“The ongoing success of the PEI International Shellfish Festival is proof of our Province’s world-wide reputation for excellence in the culinary sector. This festive event plays an important role in showcasing PEI’s top-quality shellfish and food products, our spectacular Island Chefs and performing artists. The Festival is a key component of the Fall Flavours Culinary Festival and a major draw for off-island visitors in our growing fall tourism season, with 10,000 attendees over the weekend in the big tent to enjoy shellfish, chowder and music each year.”
– The Honourable Chris Palmer, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism“Charlottetown has developed a reputation as the host of many world-class events, and the PEI International Shellfish Festival is one of the first that helped put the City on the map. We have watched this festival grow over the past 23 years, and expect the 2019 event will draw many excited shellfish lovers from across the country and around the world.”
– Mayor Philip Brown, City of Charlottetown“We’re excited to release tickets for the 2019 edition of the PEI International Shellfish Festival. Watch for more details in July and stay tuned as we plan for the Festival’s 25th anniversary in 2020!”
– Liam Dolan, Chair, PEI International Shellfish Festival
Contacts
Tracey Singleton
Event Producer
902-940-3195
tracey@versatilegroup.ca
Andrew Sprague
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Economic Development and Tourism
902-368-5535
asgsprague@gov.pe.ca
Jennifer Gavin
Communications Officer
City of Charlottetown
902-629-4102
jgavin@charlottetown.ca
