The stage is set for Bluff's annual celebration of its southern delicacy.
Photo: Cawthron Institute
About 5000 people are expected to pack into the small Southland seaport tomorrow for the Bluff Oyster and Food Festival.
A festival committee member, Kylie Fowler said a parasite that led to the culling of farmed oysters in Stewart Island last year, has had no ill-effects on the wild, dredged oysters served at the Bluff festival.
"The festival is about celebrating the wild dredged Bluff oyster, so the only ones that have shown any effects from the disease have been farmed oysters over at Stewart Island. It's had no impact on the wild ones that we sell at the festival," she said.
Ms Fowler said tickets to this year's festival had sold out by Waitangi Day, as its popularity continues to grow.