Living on the Coast, we "Powell Riverites" are blessed with the gift of the sea and the food it provides us. In celebration of this gift, the community of Lund hosts the annual "Shellfish Festival," which includes three days of local music, boat tours, cooking demonstrations and of course, tons of seafood.
The festival kicks off with a bang at the Chowder Challenge on Friday, May 27 at the Lund Community hall from 6 to 9 p.m. Local restaurants will go head-to-head in order to earn the title of Best Chowder. Participating in this year's challenge include the Lund Hotel, the Boardwalk Cafe, Nancy's Bakery, the Laughing Oyster, Tree Frog Bistro, Manzanita, Savoury Bight, Hemingway B&B and the Lund Deli. The competitors will all come prepared with their most delectable chowder and festival goers will decide which one stands above the rest. Upon arrival, guests will receive numbered Dixie cups and a voter's card. Then, the chowder sampling will begin. Voters will then cast their vote and will receive a full serving of their favourite. The chowders range from cream-based to Manhattan-style, and everything in between. Along with their chowder, voters will enjoy an assortment of local food including salads, oysters, salmon and freshly steamed prawns. This year, there will also be a silent auction. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Powell River Visitors Centre or by calling 1-604-485-4701.
Can't make it out on Friday night? Well you can head out to Lund on Saturday or Sunday and take in the rest of this amazing festival. Local aquaculture farmers will be set up on the dock from noon to 5 p.m. on both days with some of the freshest seafood around. Come and see oysters being shucked right before your eyes.
On Sunday, there will be a pancake breakfast provided by the Lund volunteer firefighters, as well as an oyster contest. For the contest, judges come from all over B.C. in to sample and award the B.C.'s Top Oyster. There is also a People's Choice Award. The festival finishes with a cooking demonstration on Sunday night, followed by a sunset tour. So bring the entire family and head out to Lund and join in the celebration of B.C.'s coastal shellfish.
