TYNE VALLEY, P.E.I. — The mayor of Tyne Valley thinks the 2020 Tyne Valley Oyster Festival could be the best one yet.
“I think this will be the biggest turn-out yet,” said Jeff Noye, who is also a past-chairman of the festival.
“I think a lot of people will be supporting it. I think the crowds are going to be bigger. I think people are going to want to support the rink, and what better way to support the rink than to buy a Rock the Boat ticket or come Friday night to the Oyster Festival?"
Funds from the festival support the Tyne Valley and Area Community Sports Centre, and this year’s proceeds will be going towards the cost of building a new arena.
Noye said shuckers from across Canada started reaching out to him on Dec 29, the day the old rink in his community was destroyed by fire.
“It’s a big thing for them, too,” he said.
“We think it’s our arena, but it’s also theirs, no matter where they are in the country. It’s a big deal to them and it’s kind of their P.E.I. home. It meant a lot to a lot of people.”
Organizers of the 2020 Tyne Valley Oyster Festival are still finalizing the exact location for this year’s key festival activities, but MacLennan is expressing confidence of a great event, wherever it is held.
There is speculation the venue would be an events tent in the parking lot of the fire-destroyed Tyne Valley Community Sports Centre.
“We are confident oyster festival activities will take place in a large outdoor space by the rink,” MacLennan clarified. “With not having a rink to host this side of the festival and the unforeseen costs to host the events, we are working to minimize the financial costs for the 2020 festival.”
MacLennan said organizers are looking over the schedule and, in partnership with sponsors, are working to produce the largest, most successful lineup in the festival’s 57-year history.
The festival’s Rock the Boat Music Fest on Festival dates are July 29 to Aug. 2, and Aug. 1 will be held at its regular location, the Green Park campground.
Editor's note: This story has been modified as organizers search for a location for this year's festival.
