Bluff Oyster Festival

I cannot say I used to give much thought to oysters.  Since oysters came in season here in Southland, I have eaten a lot more oysters in a few months than in prior years.  Lightly battered and fried is my favorite.  Today, 26 May 2012, Bluff is celebrating their annual oyster festival.  Lots of food and drink, people and music all about.  Helicopter pilots offer brief tours and Sea Scouts run a raffle fund-raiser in uniform as people walk along the docks where dozens of picturesque fishing boats are stationed for a brief respite.

Invercargill's promoter-in-chief, Mayor
Tim Shadbolt greets eager festival goers in full regalia and cooperates with photo ops on
request.
 Inside there are numerous food vendors and the main outdoor stage has a variety of local musicians to entertain.





 On stage a man gives away dozens of uncooked oysters to people a la Monty Hall.  "First person with a passport!...Tara ..., from the United States.  Can you speak English?"  Tara laughs and makes off with her prize.











Nearby, children parade in a fashion show clad in boats, starfish and rainbows.

Now home again.  Bluff is only about twenty kilometers from home.  Another pleasant weekend in Southland.