It's all fun and games with a full programme for the kids at the 2013 Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival

Children are guaranteed the time of their lives at the 2013 Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival, from 28 June - 7 July. Presented by Humpty Dumpty Windmeul Eggs, the Pick n Pay Young Oyster Festival will take place daily at the Festival Pavilion on Waterfront Drive and offers a full programme of activities, from sport clinics and races, to cultural and culinary workshops, and live kiddies’ entertainment, plus a dedicated Kids Zone complete with popcorn, candyfloss and more.

“The Festival has always taken place during the winter school holidays,” Festival Manager Nicci Rousseau Schmidt explains. “This year is no different, with the celebrations happening right in the middle of the vacation. With a full children's programme on offer, moms and dads can compete in the popular racing events, enjoy lunch together at the Tabasco® Oyster Hotspots, or participate in the over 100 other festival activities, knowing that the kids are having fun in a safe environment.”

The Young Oyster Festival will entertain children ages 2-12 years old with cooking lessons, arts and crafts, face painting, movie screenings, puppet shows, children's theatre, sport clinics and some exciting competitions. Plus, the older kids can take advantage of our all-new funfair - complete with inflatable fun and knock out games.

Children aged 6-14 years old can also take part in the Totalsports XTERRA Kids Race at 14h00 on Wednesday, 3 July, which includes both running and cycling, and will take place at the magnificent Conrad Pezula Private Estate Field of Dreams. Every entrant will receive a goody bag, and medals will be awarded to all finishers!

Plus, children aged 2-9 years old can take part in the Spur Rotary Knysna Children’s Tour (an official event of the Pick n Pay Weekend Argus Rotary Knysna Cycle Tour)  from 10h00 onwards on Sunday, 30 June at Steenbok Park on Leisure Island. For more information contact Megan Franz on 076 274 8958 or email rotary@123.co.za.

Holiday care is also on offer by professional child-minders for children aged 2-10 years old at the Knysna Sunbird Play School from 07h30-13h30 for R120 per day throughout the Festival, or on the weekends for children ages 5-11 years at Stepping Stones, Knysna's private pre-primary school, for R50 per child per hour, including snacks, juice, lunch and activities. Parents must pre-book their place into the holiday care programme. For more information on Sunbird Play School visit www.sunbirdschool.co.za or phone Kim on 081 270 3441, or for more information on Stepping Stones visit www.steppingstonesschool.co.za or phone Janet Canny on 082 569 8974 or Magda Harris on 084 282 0129.

For kids aged 8-14 years old that just want to be in the kitchen, the Junior Kom Braai Competition with Pick n Pay is sure to light their fire. Free to enter, all competitors will receive a t-shirt and braai meat, which they will use to cook up a storm in a bid to win the title “Best Braaier” and a chance at one of three Pick n Pay Braai Hampers.

For family fun, pack everyone into the car for an adventure in the deep forest on the legendary Harkerville trails as part of the Hi-Tec Family Forest Hike on 1, 3 and 5 July. Each participant will receive a goodie bag and breakfast complete with coffee for the folks and juice for the kids. End off with the optional lunch, or take advantage of the on-site braai facilities – where even Dad can relax since the fires will be supplied! Priced at Adults: R275, including a Hi-Tec Dakota Fleece Top valued at R250; Children: R95; Family Special: R585 – 2 adults and up to 2 kids. Adults receive the Dakota Fleece Top. For more info e-mail robyn@electricink.co.za or click here to book: http://ow.ly/kMHtO.

Finally, from 1-5 July kids can line up for free fun at the Knysna Library and the community libraries – including Hornlee, Fairview, Karatara, Khayalethu, Masifunde, Rheenedal, Rudolph Bali and Smutsville – where they can decorate cupcakes and gingerbread men, learn about recycling, colour in and play games.

“You’ll be hard pressed to find a more family friendly festival than the 2013 Pick n Pay Oyster Festival” Nicci concluded. “With over 100 sporting, lifestyle, foodie and kiddie events on offer – each of which benefits local communities and charities, the festival truly offers something for everyone. All you have to do is arrive – we’ll take care of the rest.”

For more information about the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival, contact Knysna Tourism on 044 382 5510, visit www.pnpoysterfestival.co.za, or if you have a smart phone, be sure to get the innovative Festival App for the complete programme, mobile news and on-the-go information. To get it, go to Google Play or Apple iTunes, or simply scan the barcode on the festival website. 

Issued by:

FinePlaces Marketing & PR on behalf of 2013 Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival