11th Annual BC Shellfish and Seafood Festival; Feature Event

For Immediate Release

Comox by the Sea Celebration

Comox Valley, B.C. May 17, 2017 – This year’s Comox by the Sea Celebration is the largest and signature event of the 11^th annual BC Shellfish and Seafood Festival. The popular event showcases British Columbia’s seafood and shellfish producers with demonstrations by renowned chefs, seafood competitions, and interactive ocean and aquaculture displays. Offering a wide variety for any age groups, the Shellfish and Seafood Festival attracting visitors and media from near and far.

The Comox by the Sea Celebration will be held on Sunday, June 18^th, from 11:00am – 5:00pm in Comox at The Filberg Heritage Lodge and Park. With a spectacular oceanfront location, the event brings together professional chefs, industry producers and educators, and those with a love for seafood. Along with cooking demonstrations, tasting booths, live entertainment, the Comox by the Sea Celebration will host two popular ‘seafood-offs’: the Fanny Bay Oyster Shucking Championship and the Ocean Wise Chowder Challenge. If you are, or know someone that has a love for a fresh oyster or a tasteful chowder, this is an event not to be missed.

Celebrity Chef Nathan Fong, an accomplished food & travel journalist and founder of Fong on Food, will be hosting the afternoon of festivities, as well as showcasing his own culinary talent. Cooking demonstrations and tasting booths will be provided by celebrity Vancouver Seafood Chefs: Pino Posteraro from Cioppino’s Mediterranean Grill; Quang Dang from West Restaurant; Taryn Wa from Savoury Chef Foods; and Chris Whittaker from Forage. Additionally, Guinness Book of World Record Oyster Shucker, Shucker Paddy, will be on hand to emcee the oyster shucking competition.

The BC Seafood and Shellfish Festival features 40+ events, tours and competitions June 9^th – June 18^th, and has firmly established itself as the largest seafood event in Western Canada, attracting international & national visitors, Chefs and media to Vancouver Island; over 25 media have been accredited to attend the Festival to date.

Comox Valley Economic Development and Tourism collaborates with an extensive group of seafood producers, associations and supporting businesses to undertake the festival annually, and would like to thank their Platinum Sponsors: Coast Capital Savings, Air Canada, Excel Career College, Fortis BC; and their Gold Sponsors: Comox Valley Airport, and the Comox BIA.

Ticket sales for the Comox by the Sea Celebration have been unprecedented this year, with Early Bird Admission tickets on sale now for $15 until June 16. Tasting Tickets can also be purchased online in increments of $10. Ticket for this and other Festival events are available at BCShellfishFestival.com or via the Vancouver Island Visitor Centre, 1-855-400-2882.

Other Festival highlights not to be missed:

• Fresh Fest, Coastal Black Estate Winery, June 10^th
• BC Seafood Expo and Trade Show, June 12th and 13^th
• Full and Half Day Wildlife Tours, daily, Pacific Pro Dive & Marine Adventures
• ‘Sea-off’ Caesar Competition, June 11^th, White Whale Restaurant
• Learn how to Catch and Cook Crab, June 13^th and 16^th, Comox Harbour Charters
• Seafood and Wine Pairing, June 14^th, Cascadia Liquor Store
• Gin & Oyster Happy Hour, June 15^th, Wayward Distillation House
• White Whale Shellfish Festival Collaboration Dinner, June 15^th, White Whale Restaurant
• Seafood Industry Producer Tours, throughout the Festival

Learn how sustainable BC seafood is grown and processed by taking an educational tour during the 10 days of the Festival. Tours are being provided by:

• Fanny Bay Oysters
• Manatee Holdings Shellfish Hatchery
• Macs Oysters
• BC Salmon Farmers Association
• Holliewood Oysters (with Comox Harbour Charters)
• Salish Sea Foods

For Media Inquiries:

Lara Greasley, Marketing and Communications
250-702-1298 or lgreasley@investcomoxvalley.com