This morning’s JOC meeting for the organisers of the 2010 Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival went well and things are on track for a great festival this year!

Festival Manager Nicci Rousseau-Schmidt said that the festival should not be affected too much by the FIFA World Cup, despite the fact that Knysna is hosting two of the teams – France and Denmark. Even if these teams make the quarter finals (2 July) they will leave Knysna by 30 June.

Knysna Tourism members have committed to keeping their accommodation prices at the same level as last year or with just a small, acceptable increase. If you’re planning to come to the festival, check out the accommodation listed on our website.

Updates from event organisers:

·         Pick n Pay Cape Times Knysna Forest Marathon – online entries have opened and they already have 3,800 entries. To enter click here

·         Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour – online entries have opened and there are some exciting new routes. Click here for more

·         The Knysna Lagoon Challenge canoe race will follow the same format and entries will open at the end of March

·         Thesen Islands will be hosting a public viewing area for the World Cup soccer with a big stage and screen!

·         Knysna Education Trust is planning a kids play area at Knysna Primary School

·         This year’s Disabled Fun Event, launched at last year’s festival, will be bigger and better!

·         The Oyster & Wine Mardi Gras and the Oyster Shucking Competition are on….watch this space!

·         The Kids Pavement Art Competition at Woodmill Lane is growing each year and the organisers are planning for a great event this year

·         The Geo Oyster launched last year will be shortened by a day to accommodate marathon runners

·         The Longbarn Tavern, traditionally the host of the Oyster Eating Competition, is under new management and they are looking forward to hosting their first ever event!

·         The huge success of last year’s Salomon Featherbed Trail Run has prompted the organisers, Magnetic South, to add a third race on the day and a new exciting route which can accommodate a total of 600 runners and will take them to the top of Featherbed  www.magneticsouth.net

·         Garden Route Events is organising a 20km and 40km cycle event on Wednesday 7 July

·         Nights of 1000 Pictures, a two night exhibition of photography, illustrations and paintings, and also a great first time event last year, will be repeated over two nights - 7 & 8 July

·         The Navy Band has confirmed that it will be at the festival and perform its traditional, hugely popular concert at the Knysna Waterfront on Sunday 11 July

·         The Navy Gun Run and Drill Squad and the SAPS Band will also be at the festival

·         The Knysna Sports School will once again coordinate a sports festival of over 30 sports disciplines to introduce kids to popular and lesser known sports

·         The Pick n Pay Young Oyster Festival programme is almost finalised – watch this website for details of how you can keep your kids entertained for 10 days while you relax and enjoy the festival!

·         The Whisky & Jazz Festival, another first time event last year, is back by popular demand on the Paddle Cruiser and will host two cruises, one at midday and one at sunset. Tickets are already selling like hotcakes. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for more info

·         The popular Scottish Leader Bowls Tournament, one of the highlights of the festival, will see 250 bowlers from all over the country visit Knysna to compete in this four day event

·         Watch this space for more info on both the Oyster Festival Soccer and Rugby Tournaments!

·         And last, but by no means least, the very successful Proudly Knysna Secondary festival launched last year, will be repeated this year as the Proudly Knysna Festival and will include a golf day….details to follow.