Organisers of this year’s Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival which took place from 3-12 July, say that it was the best ever in terms of attendance and participation in events.

“We are delighted that numbers were up for all events this year,” said Festival Manager Nicci Rousseau-Schmidt, “despite our concerns about the effects of the global economic recession.”

The Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Knysna Cycle Tour was 20% up in the MTB races and 10% in the road races and the Pick n Pay Cape Times Forest Marathon had a record field of over 8,000 runners. “These are the two major sporting events of the festival and it is fantastic for the festival that they are growing in popularity,” said Rousseau-Schmidt.

The Salomon Adventure Nights, two popular events held on the Simola Estate and managed by local adventure events company Magnetic South, were 35% up in the Petzl Night Run and slightly up in the Capestorm Night Bike. Spokesman for Magnetic South, Chris Crewdson, said that the Salomon Featherbed Trail Run which was initiated at last year’s festival has grown enormously. “The race involves runners being ferried across the lagoon to the start at Featherbed. Last year we had one run, this year we introduced a second run, filling two ferries, but we actually could have filled a third ferry. So our numbers were more than 100% up.”

The Duesouth XTERRA at Pezula Private Estate had a 12% increase in entries and attracted top athletes from around the country.

A new event, the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival Disabled Fun Event, presented by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, proved a great success with 250 entries including wheelchair-bound athletes as well as physically or mentally challenged participants. According to event manager Picca de Bruin, the sponsors are committed to growing the event next year.

Another successful event, The Pick n Pay Soccer Tournament saw 52 teams vying for top honours which eventually went to FC United who beat Crossroads in a fiercely contested final.

Knysna Tourism CEO Shaun van Eck said that the festival had been a major success.

“I’m delighted to be able to report that even in these tough economic times almost every event saw growth,” he said. “Moreover, what is really important to us is that visitors stayed in Knysna for longer periods this year, something Knysna Tourism sees as a primary objective for the success of the festival because if that happens, all our members benefit.”

The organisers are also hoping that the amount raised for charity this year will equal or better last year’s amount of R1,16m. “We can’t tell at this stage,” said Rousseau-Schmidt, “however if we take into consideration the numbers attending the festival as well as the fact that there were some new events on the programme, we should do well.”