General News
21 March, 2023
Crayfest set to be a hive of activity
CRAYFEST returns for its third year with a degustation dinner to open the event on Friday night, new events planned for Saturday, and crowd favourites on the Sunday.
CRAYFEST returns for its third year with a degustation dinner to open the event on Friday night, new events planned for Saturday, and crowd favourites on the Sunday.
The Eat Cray Love six-course degustation dinner will be held from 6pm on Friday in the Sunset Room at Port Campbell Surf Club.
The menu features local crayfish, jellyfish, octopus, abalone and duck prepared by The Perch’s Dean Davison, and dessert prepared by Schulz Organic’s Hila Perry.
Crayfest committee president Lee McLeod said Eat Cray Love was about encouraging people to stay overnight in Port Campbell and make a weekend of it.
“Eat Cray Love fits with showcasing local produce and supporting local chefs,” she said.
Tickets are still available for the event.
New events planned for Saturday include free fishing clinics off the pier and Seas the Day afternoon platters and entertainment by Flynn Gurry from 2.30 pm at the surf club.
Ms McLeod said bookings were essential for both events at www.crayfest.com.au
Crayfest activities will start on Sunday from 9.30 am with a Welcome to Country on the foreshore followed by the beach treasure hunt at 10am.
Entry is free and there are three prizes up for grabs in two age categories (seven years and under, 8-12 years).
A street parade will start at 11.30 am, starting near the surf club in Tregea Street and heading clockwise around Morris, Lord and Cairns streets.
It will finish at the Public Purpose Reserve (tennis courts area) after one and half laps of the town centre.
Ms McLeod said there was a $500 prize for the best float in the street parade.
“The street parade is always a lot of fun and a bit of a highlight for the youngsters,” she said.
From midday, the focus shifts to the tennis courts area with a food market and live music featuring Mr M Adventures (12 pm), The Tin Shed Singers (12:40 pm), Andrei O’Connor (12:55 pm), Evie May (1:40 pm), Matt Langoustine and the Kitchen Rhythm Section (2:30 pm), Black Swan (2:45 pm), Melt (3:40 pm) and Leslie D King and the Trembling Shakes (4:35 pm).
Crayfish rolls, dumplings, oysters and ice cream will be on the menu, as well as local beer, wine, whisky, cocktails and cordial. Other food options include a barbecue, potato twisttos, kebabs and hot dogs.
Ms McLeod said entry was free to Crayfest, however patrons would be encouraged to bring their own or buy a reusable Crayfest cup for $15.
“We are making a genuine effort to reduce waste and there will be no single-use plastic at the event,” she said.
Kids will be entertained with face painting and other activities and ‘karao-cray’ in the nearby playspace, while a ‘Flotsam and Jetsam’ exhibition by local artists will be held at the Arts Space.
Patrons will also be able to deep dive beneath the waves of our southern marine parks with a virtual reality experience by Marine Parks Australia.
Ms McLeod thanked major supporters Corangamite Shire, Victorian Fisheries Authority, Bendigo Bank, Wannon Water, TOPs (Timboon Opportunity Shop), Port Campbell Surf Club and Marine Parks Australia.
For more details and a full program visit www.crayfest.com.au.