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Comox Marina Park to be all things shellfish

June is World Oceans Month, designated by the United Nations to bring attention to the ocean’s inhabitants, its importance as a resource to protect and the bounty it provides.

There could be no better place than the Comox Valley to celebrate than the BC Shellfish Festival. Meet a farmer and savour the freshness of the sea while enjoying the best B.C. has to offer in live music and culinary demonstrations during an unforgettable day.

On June 18  in Comox Marina Park from noon to 10 p.m. guests will be immersed in all things shellfish, a unique opportunity to taste and learn more about sustainably grown B.C. shellfish.

Live music from the Luke Blu Guthrie Band, Nanaimo’s Skagway and the popular Blackberry Wood from Vancouver will take the stage throughout the festival day. Cooking demos will be offered by top chefs including Jonathan Chovancek, chef on CBC’s Village on a Diet, providing culinary tips from the pros on preparing B.C. shellfish products like sea cucumber, geoduck, mussels, oysters and scallops.

Programs including the Vancouver Aquarium’s Ocean Wise, DFO,

Comox Valley 30 Day Food Challenge and others will be on site educating guests while they nibble on delectables such as Oysters Rckerfeller, steamed clams, and scallop ceviche.

An oyster shucking competition will send the winner to represent B.C. at the International Oyster Shucking Competition in PEI in September, and a beer and wine garden will help wash down the many flavours with a perfect finish.

Local restaurants are set to compete in a chowder competition for bragging rights as the best seafood chowder in the Valley. A kid’s area will be on site with face painting, a touch tank from Vancouver Island University’s Centre for Shellfish Research and an arts and crafts booth run by 4Cats Art Studio.

The BC Shellfish Festival is a non-profit society with the purpose of positioning itself as a culinary event that highlights the province of British Columbia’s shellfish farmers and chefs.

To learn more about the 2011 BC Shellfish Festival visit www.bcshellfishfestival.ca, become a fan at facebook.com/bcshellfishfestival or follow us on twitter.com/BCSFestival.

— BC Shellfish Festival