The second ever Bluff Oyster Fringe Festival has been judged a success after a week of entertainment and fun for both locals and visitors around the 2021 Bluff Oyster & Food Festival was well received. 

The Open Mic Night at Oyster Allsorts Café on Wednesday night attracted an appreciative audience and enthusiastic performers with poetry, commentary, comedy and original songs combined with some classic favourites. There was  great feedback and requests for more of these events in the future.

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The Art Attack exhibition was very popular throughout the week. 

Tammi Topi’s photograph entitled The Slip won both the Adults Section and the popular People’s Choice Awards. ‘Ships’ submitted by Helen Leigh was runner-up in the Adults Section with a Bluffing Around collage by the Green Wizard third. Joel Ryan’s ‘East Coast Swell’ was second in the People’s Choice Awards while Emma Mitchell’s entry Vintage Travel – Bluff was third.

The Slip by Tammi Topi held by judges Joel Ryan and John Barrow.

The children’s sections were well supported with 32 entries. Nine-year-old Arabella Newport won The World Is My Oyster category from four-year-old Penny Sloan with Ciera Te Au third.

The Southern Sea Creatures section was won by six-year-old Hannah Sloan from Daphne Newport and Ayanna Booker.

The Oyster Shell Decoration Section was won by Mikaere Rogers-Hoff with Amaia Rogers-Hoff both second and third while in the Decorated Oyster Shells Amaia Rogers-Hoff won from Anahera Lineker and Tracker Lush. 

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The Art Attack was supported by primary sponsor Bluff Real Estate along with Oyster Allsorts, Bluff 4 Square, Shark Experience Bluff and Bluff Promotions while Bluff Liquor supported three extra prizes which went to The Green Wizard for getting the most into one entry, Alison Patrick for first time exhibiting photos and Jocelyn Newport from Auckland for the most far out entry with her painting of 92 Barrow Street in Bluff. 

People of all ages tried their hand at the pop up games around the town during the week while a street market on Festival day drew a range of stalls.

A movie screening, two nights of live music at the Bluff RSA and a static Fashion Show which will expand in the future rounded out the week.