The world-famous Hillsborough International Oyster Festival, supported by principal sponsors Turkish Airlines, Phoenix Natural Gas and Quilter Cheviot will return on Tuesday 30th August to Sunday 4th September 2016, with a spectacular showcase of the best in hospitality, local produce, arts and entertainment.
Now in its 24th year, this important event in the Northern Ireland Tourism calendar attracts over 14,000 visitors annually from across the world and this year boasts a packed programme of popular events and activities including;
Oyster Masters Golf Day, supported by GMcG Chartered Accountants
The ‘Magic of the Movies’ – Musical Evening in association with Lockton
The Smeg Pop-up Restaurant
The Quilter Cheviot Pearl and Oyster Ball
The Turkish Airlines World Oyster Eating Championship
The Phoenix Natural Gas Soapbox Derby
The Flash Harry Live Concert and BBQ, supported by New City Cabs
Supercar Sunday, supported by Charles Hurst Premium
Don Spence, Chairman of the Festival’s organising committee, said: “We are thrilled with the support the Hillsborough International Oyster Festival is receiving in the run-up to this year’s event. The number of big-name brands coming on-board in 2016 is testament to the Festival’s long-standing position as a successful and prestigious event. We are confident this additional support will help continue the Festival’s reputation as one of the best Festivals in the UK.”
The Festival’s signature oyster-eating showcase will be returning as challengers take on the reigning champion and Guinness World Record Holder, Colin Shirlow, at the Turkish Airlines World Oyster Eating Championship on Saturday 3rd September 2016. Julienne Marie Curran from sponsor, Turkish Airlines said: “The World Oyster Eating Championship attracts thousands of visitors from across the globe and Turkish Airlines is looking forward to partnering-up with the Hillsborough International Oyster Festival to welcome them to Northern Ireland.”
The Quilter Cheviot Pearl and Oyster Ball is a fabulous evening and a famous element of the Hillsborough International Oyster Festival’s longstanding calendar of events. Nigel Crawford from Quilter Cheviot said: “We are excited to be supporting one of Northern Ireland’s landmark events and Quilter Cheviot’s Belfast team looks forward to welcoming guests to the Ball.”
Community and youth groups are being invited once again to enter the Festival’s renowned Phoenix Natural Gas Soapbox Derby which is staged on Hillsborough’s Main Street on Saturday 3rd September 2016 and sees budding racers go bumper to bumper. Alastair Pollock, Business Development Director, from sponsor Phoenix Natural Gas said: “Phoenix Natural Gas is excited to be involved in this year’s Soapbox Derby. The competition is great fun and attracts support from local communities all over Northern Ireland. We are looking forward to seeing how creative, inventive, and passionate the entering teams are this year.”
This Festival is delighted to announce the Cystic Fibrosis Trust as the beneficiary of this year’s fundraising activities.
The Hillsborough International Oyster Festival also kindly acknowledges the support of Tourism Northern Ireland and Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council in the staging of this year’s event.
Ticket prices vary, based on events running throughout the Festival. For further information on all events taking place and to book tickets visit www.hillsboroughoysterfestival.com.