Narooma Oyster Festival (4-5 May) celebrates its 10th birthday this year with unprecedented support from its major partners who recognise the Festival’s increasing profile as a unique quality event.
Narooma Chamber of Commerce President Niels Bendixsen said the Chamber instigated the Oyster Festival as a signature experience ‘to showcase the region’s quality produce, especially its oysters, and its unique visitor experiences to visitors from outside the area at a traditionally slower time of year’.
‘It’s grown significantly over the years and the Chamber sees the Festival becoming regional NSW’s premier oyster, seafood and cultural festival’ Mr Bendixsen said.
‘Last year we put a lot of work into increasing the Festival’s profile in our target markets and branding Narooma as a destination, thanks to significant funding from Destination NSW.
‘That’s been recognised by our major Festival partners this year including Club Narooma, Eurobodalla Shire Council, Australia’s Oyster Coast and Estia Health who have doubled their investment in the Festival because if its economic and social benefits to the region.
‘New partners like Katungul Aboriginal Corporation, Betta Home Living and Momsen Motors Hyundai have been attracted by the positive brand association.
‘We couldn’t stage an event like this without their support as well as that of our other smaller but significant sponsors and the widespread support of the community. It now costs over $100,000 to put on which includes world class cooking demonstrations, an extensive music line-up, free kids’ activities and fireworks.’
Mr Bendixsen said Destination NSW Regional Flagship funding allows the Chamber to market both our town and the Festival to visitors from outside the region particularly Sydney, Canberra, Illawarra and Shoalhaven, and the Southern Highlands.
‘This is important for Narooma’s economic development and something the Chamber would not normally be able to do,’ he said.
Narooma is at the heart of Australia’s Oyster Coast representing eight different estuaries in one of the world’s most environmentally sustainable oyster growing regions.
For more information, please check the Festival website www.naroomaoysterfestival.com
Above: Narooma Oyster Festival (4-5 May) celebrates the region's oysters and their growers, its other natural clean quality produce, the country’s finest seafood chefs, and the area’s rich artistic and cultural talents.
