Oyster Festival raises funds for charity
KNYSNA NEWS – The Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival is around the corner and the town, festival organisers, sponsors and event managers are all set to ensure that this year’s festival (July 1 to 10) is an even greater success than the previous.
The Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival is not only a welcome cash injection during a period when Knysna’s tourism economy slows down, but also a generator of much-needed funds to benefit charity organisations essential in supporting the well-being of the greater community.
In 2010 the festival raised more than R1.1 million, and it is hoped that the expected more than 65 000 visitors to this year’s festivities will contribute even more for charity.
Last year the Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour raised the largest sum of over R500 000, followed by the Pick n Pay Cape Times Knysna Forest Marathon and Half-Marathon with R217 000. The Pick n Pay Oyster and Wine Mardi Gras raised R37 000.
Funds raised are distributed to the charity organisations of the organisers’ choice, and some of the beneficiaries include the Knysna Education Trust, Knysna Animal Welfare Society (KAWS), Knysna Canoe Club Sport Development, Disabled Golf, Hospice, Sandy Shires Feeding the Hungry scheme, Sinethemba Youth Development Centre and the Knysna Alcohol and Drug Rehabilitation Centre.