The eighth annual BC Shellfish & Seafood Festival – happening from June 13 to 22, 2014 – is expanding this year with a greater focus on expanding culinary activities, educational events and tours, helping to showcase the importance of the Valley’s role in the shellfish industry in British Columbia.

For 2014 BC Shellfish & Seafood Festival the shucking and chowder competitions, tastings and demonstrations will now be at Filberg Lodge & Park on the afternoon of June 21, 2014.

Along with these crowd favourites a number of new or expanded events are planned for the 2014, including:

June 14 Feast & Fire: a five course, long table seafood dinner at Coastal Black Estate Winery with Chef Andrew Stigan

June 14 Under the Sea with Chef Laura Agnew: A seafood and shellfish dinner paired with the award-winning wines of Blue Moon Winery

June 14 & 15 BC Family Fishing Weekend at the Courtenay District Fish and Game

June 14 & 15 Acrylics Workshop with Esther Sample at the Comox Valley Harbour Authority Office

June 15 Celebrate Shellfish of the Comox Valley with Chef Gaetane Palardy. A cooking class and dining experience at Blue Moon Winery

June 19 Land to Sea Tour with Island Gourmet Trails and Comox Harbour Charters

June 20 Gone Fishin’ Dinner and Wine pairing at The Westerly Restaurant

June 20 BCSGA 8th Annual Chefs’ Gala Dinner at Filberg Lodge & Park

June 21 Chef’s Beer Pairing Challenge four course dinner at the Westerly Restaurant

June 21 Seafood Feast & Casino Royale evening at Local’s and Old House Village Hotel and Spa

Tickets for the BC Shellfish & Seafood Festival are on sale now through www.discovercomoxvalley.com or by calling 250-890-7561.