THIS year’s Stranraer Oyster Festival is predicted to be a sell-out with organisers releasing more tickets for the hotly-anticipated event.
Taking place from Friday September 13 to Sunday September 15, the festival celebrates the start of the UK’s native oyster season, located on the waterfront just a short distance from the native oyster bed that inspired it.
It is one of the south of Scotland’s most successful events, attracting thousands of visitors to Stranraer.
This year organisers are looking to improve the festival experience of visitors as chair of Stranraer Development Trust, Romano Petrucci said: “This year we are focusing very strongly on the quality of the visitor experience, and that includes being mindful of the comfortable capacity of the festival site. Last year was very busy, in hindsight perhaps too busy at some points, which is why we have changed our approach to ticketing.
“The Weekend Pass gives visitors fantastic value for money, but this year we need to set a limit on the number of Weekend Passes that we sell. We know that with the schools going back many people are only now thinking about their plans for the coming weeks.
“After speaking with members of our community we’ve decided to extend sales of the Weekend Pass to the end of August, but I would absolutely urge anyone who wants to spend the full weekend at the festival to book now.”
The 2024 festival programme reunites two TV chef double acts – BBC’s Spice Kings Tony Singh and Cyrus Todiwala, and STV’s Hot Wok stars Julie Lin and Jimmy Lee. They’ll be joined in the festival demo kitchen by Pam Brunton whose multiple award-winning restaurant Inver is the only restaurant in Scotland to receive a Michelin Green Star, which recognises restaurants that combine culinary excellence with outstanding eco-friendly commitments.
Ecosystem and community regeneration are strong themes in this year’s festival.
Allana Hardie, of Stranraer Development Trust, added: “It definitely feels like Stranraer Oyster Festival has come of age, people are really interested in the story of this oyster bed and why it matters.
“I’m really looking forward to welcoming people to this year’s festival, it’s going to be a good one!”
