Mussels, Oysters and Chowder Abound at the Prince Edward Island Shellfish Festival
Summer is an abundant time for food and festivals causing foodies everywhere to rejoice in the unlimited options available. For foodies with a preference for surf rather than turf, there’s the 16th annual Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival. The festival takes place from Sept. 15 -18 on the Historic Charlottetown Waterfront and offers up shucked, fried, steamed and sautéed goodness.
The PEI Shellfish Festival began in 1996 as a one-day event to celebrate PEI’s shellfish industry. It has evolved into a four-day event that draws tens of thousands of people to take in shellfish, shellfish and more shellfish. The festival offers up a whole calendar of events but there are a few highlights that are definitely worth checking out. The Shellfish Feast & Frolic event is new to the PEI Shellfish Festival and offers the chance to dine with Australian Chef Curtis Stone featuring the Culinary Institute of Canada. Stone will show off his prowess in the kitchen during some culinary demos. Also catch Annabelle Waugh and the Canadian Living Test Kitchen for more demonstrations.
Of course no festival is complete without a few competitions. PEI Shellfish Festival will host the world’s best oyster shuckers as they put their shucking skills to the test in some oyster shucking competitions. The PEI Potato and International chowder championships will give you plenty to sample as well. Don’t forget to vote for your favorite! When it comes to sampling, there will also be plenty of shellfish. Feast on mussels, oysters, lobster, clams, quahogs and more.
When all of that tasting and shucking gets a little much relax at The Holman Grand Hotel, Charlottetown’s newest boutique-style hotel. Feast your eyes on magnificent panoramic views of Charlottetown and the Charlottetown Harbour. Rest your head on luxurious pillow-top beds in the signature tenth floor Penthouse suite. You’ll be close to all festivities of the PEI Shellfish Festival as well as The Shops of Confederation Court Mall and Confederation Centre of the Arts.
If all that shellfish cuisine gets you in the mood for something a little different, The Holman Grand Hotel houses the Redwater Rustic Grille offering fresh regional rustic cuisine and award-winning wine lists.
Another option is the refined sophistication offered by the Holiday Inn Express Charlottetown. The hotel is located right at the city’s harbor at the heart of Prince Edward Island.
The hotel offers comfortable convenience with proximity to all Prince Edward Island’s main attractions as well as a well-equipped business center for that can’t-wait business transaction. Work out at the hotel’s fitness center, featuring free weights, treadmills and stair climbers, go for a swim in the heated, indoor pool or relax in the whirlpool. When you’re not relaxing and feasting on fresh seafood, hit the links at Fox Meadow Golf and Country Club or take a ride on one of the numerous nearby cycling paths through Head of Hillsborough, the Tea Hill or the South Shore loop.
Prince Edward Island is a feast for the senses, make your hotel reservations and jet on over to savor it all in style.