2015 BC Shellfish & Seafood Festival
I’ve attended this twice and am crossing my fingers to get there this year again! Such an amazing region with the freshest seafood and an abundance of excellent restaurants, wineries, and food experiences. For the 2022 Festival website and tickets. BC Seafood Festival
The 9th annual BC Shellfish & Seafood Festival is the largest festival of its kind in British Columbia! Located in the Comox Valley, you can enjoy 10 days filled with culinary events, shellfish and seafood producer tours, celebrity chef demonstrations, and winery dinners that celebrate the bounty of the sea, coupled with aquaculture industry workshops, networking events and tradeshow. The festival takes place during BC Seafood Month, the perfect time to highlight seafood excellence!
The pristine waters that surround the Comox Valley produce more than 50% of all British Columbia’s shellfish. This stunning location and vibrant sector are the perfect combination for bringing visitors and industry together to educate, enhance and taste the absolute best aquaculture has to offer.
Friday, June 12 / Fresh Festival at the Marina
The kick-off event for this summer’s festival takes place at the scenic Comox Marina. Delicious salmon dishes and beer garden will be accompanied by a headlining concert. There’s no better way to start the festival; high-energy and great food complete with Comox Harbour and Beaufort Mountain range framing the backdrop.
Saturday, June 13 / Flying Lobster Extravaganza & Opening Reception
What do you get when you fly in 250 fresh Atlantic Lobster, mix in aquaculture industry enthusiasts and guests, and hold a gourmet dinner in a stunning riverside garden? A Saturday evening to remember, and the perfect way to celebrate the aquaculture industry! This unique, one-of-a-kind dinner and reception brings the East and West Coast together on the beautiful grounds at the Old House Hotel & Spa.
Sunday, June 14 – Monday, June 15 / BC Seafood Expo & Workshop Series
Takes place at the Best Western – Westerly Hotel and Convention Centre. Leaders in the fields of aquaculture research and development, exporting, shipping, innovation & knowledge mobilization and certifications, will present professional development and industry sessions for aquaculture produc- ers, suppliers and distribution chain providers, coupled by an Aquaculture Industry Tradeshow Expo. Concurrent seminars for the general public will feature Chefs, local shellfish and aquaculture educators and leaders to share cooking techniques, discuss environmental impacts on aquaculture, and more.
Friday, June 19 / BC Shellfish Growers Chef’s Gala Dinner
Hosted in the historic Filberg gardens overlooking the ocean, this decadent dining event begins with a raw oyster bar reception, sampling oysters of different regions of BC, shucked and served by farmers who grew them. Guests will enjoy sit down dinner of six courses, each one created by a different BC Chef and expertly paired with a BC wine or craft beer.
Saturday, June 2O / Comox by the Sea Celebration
A fun-filled, delicious and informative day for families and seafood lovers, Comox By the Sea showcases seafood producers from across BC at a stunning oceanside heritage park located in Comox Harbour. Enjoy shellfish and seafood tastings prepared by Chefs who live and breathe seafood, live music, beer garden, educational displays, livetouch-tanks and demos. The event supports the BC Shellfish Growers Association bursary for North Island College’s aquaculture program in its Centre for Applied Research Technology & Innovation division.
Harbour Air Scenic Charter Tours
Back by popular demand, Harbour Air partners with the festival once again to present a series of once in a lifetime float plane tours & charters. Take a stunning one-hour Comox Glacier Tour (the Island’s largest glacier) or charter a private flight to one of the innovative Shellfish or Salmon Farms dotted throughout the ocean waters of the central or north Island region.
Other Festival events include:
Oysters 101, Deep Bay Marine Field Station, Comox Harbour Charters Deep Water Oyster Farm Tour, Manatee Holdings Hatchery Tours, Fanny Bay Oysters Plant Tours, Best Caesar Competition, Seafood Feast & Casino Royal, Winery Gala and Cooking Class Events.
