Sport, music, food and fun at J’Bay Shell Festival

Sport, music, food and fun at J’Bay Shell Festival

 JEFFREYS Bay is gearing up for what promises to be one of the best ever Shell Festivals.

The 2011 J’Bay Shell Festival will take place along the main beachfront of the popular coastal town from Friday to Sunday, September 30 to October 2.

 “Some fantastic events have been lined up for this year’s festival,” said Kouga’s Tourism portfolio councillor, Virginia Camealio-Benjamin.

A national beach volleyball tournament tops the sports line-up and will run over the full three days of the festival.

On Saturday the annual Pellsrus Rugby and Netball Seniors Tournament will kick off at the nearby Pellsrus Stadium. A fun run will also be held on the same day from the Fountains Mall to the festival terrain.

A highlight on the programme is the first-ever J’Bay Dive Festival, organised by the J’Bay Underwater Club on conjunction with Bay FM. Up to 1000 divers from across South Africa are expected to flock to Jeffreys Bay for the event which will also take place over the full three days of the Shell Festival.

The Eastern Cape finals of the Miss Earth SA pageant will be another first hosted at the Shell Festival. This countrywide competition aims to involve young women in caring for the environment.

The music programme will feature big names such as Southern Gypsey Queen and the Blues Broer as well as local groups such as the Second Kruisfontein Kompanjie Band.

Those who fancy a shot at fame can enter the Wowstar Talent Search.

No festival is complete without good food and there will be plenty to choose from, be it from J’Bay host of eateries or food stalls at the beachfront market. Seafood restaurant Catch of the Day will also be hosting its first Oyster Festival.

A fun fair, baby competition, the annual Miss Pebbles pageant, a cultural village, arts, crafts and a flea market will round off what promises to be a festive weekend in Jeffreys Bay.

For more info visit the website shellfest.wordpress.com.