Cllr Lorraine Maree – MMC Finance and Economic Development, Hantie van der Westhuizen – St Francis Tourism and Hattingh Bornman – Executive Mayor of Kouga Municipality.

 

POPULAR ST FRANCIS CALAMARI FESTIVAL IS BACK

· Launched in 2017, St Francis Tourism’s annual seafood festival greatly benefits tourism and local businesses.

· At least 50 different stalls and food outlets on the menu.

· Calamari and wine tastings make St Francis Bay a leader in culinary tourism.

Do you want to know the secret to cooking delicious, tender calamari every time? Head to the 2023 Calamari Festival in St Francis Bay from 22 – 24 September 2023 to find out.

The coastal town in the Eastern Cape near Port Elizabeth holds its popular calamari, seafood, and sports events annually. After a break due to Covid-19, crowds of seafood lovers and their families flocked to St Francis Bay in 2022 to satisfy their tastebuds.

In 2023, visitors can expect tons of ocean-fresh calamari cooked in various ways – from fried to battered, in salads, soups, and sensational seafood potjie. Participating restaurants include the Big Time Taverna, Twenty-Two Eatery, St Francis Brewery, The Quays, and Bistro Vin de Boeuf.

It’s also a wine festival!

Hosted by St Francis Tourism, event planners have also sourced a wide variety of refreshing wines, craft gins and beers that pair perfectly with the basket of ocean-inspired dishes on sale over the weekend.

Join us in the beer tent, or sip and snack as you wander through the different stalls and food trucks. There will also be a big screen for the rugby on Saturday (September 23).

On Friday (September 22), the Tops Calamari Wine Festival brings together 20 top wine labels from the region and country, such as Raats, Beyerskloof, Durbanville Hills, Nitida and La Vierge. Tickets for the wine festival/wine tasting cost R300 per person, and doors open from 15H00. The afterparty with live music starts at 20H00.

Who will be crowned this year’s Calamari King or Queen?

Back for another run, the wildly popular St Francis Calamari Festival’s calamari cook-off gives amateurs and professional chefs a chance to show off their unique and delicious recipes and win great prizes. 

You can even enter your family as a group (maximum four cooks per team) for more fun together. There’s even a floating trophy for the Calamari King or Queen.

Entry for the cook-off is R200, and all funds will be donated to the National Sea Rescue Institute’s Station 21. Tasting tickets are R100 per person for three tastings.

Fun for the whole family

Every year, St Francis Bay’s Calamari Festival delivers fun and entertainment for the entire family. Children can look forward to games, live music, and other ocean-focused sideline events. 

On Sunday (September 24), the NSRI will give a thrilling live demo at Port St Francis. Families can also enjoy an ocean trip during their stay or have fun fishing from the shore. 

 Various sporting events will occur throughout the weekend, including a Calamari Classic Golf comp on September 21, Calamari Classic Bowls on September 22, and a Nautical Half Marathon on September 24 2023. 

The Calamari Festival is open all weekend as follows:

Friday, September 22, 15H00 – 23H30

Saturday, September 23, 10H00 – 23H30

Sunday, September 24, 10H30 – 15H30 

For more information and live festival updates, follow Calamari Festival on 

Facebook – https://web.facebook.com/calamarifestival/?_rdc=1&_rdr or 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/calamarifestival/?hl=en , or 

visit https://www.stfrancistourism.co.za.

Where can I get tickets?

Tickets for the 2023 Tops Calamari Festival are on sale via Quicket and at the door. https://www.quicket.co.za/events/230843-calamari-festival-2023/

 For any special requests, e-mail office@stfrancistourism.co.za or call 0422940076.

 

Calamari Tops Wine Festival

DATE: Friday, September 22 2023

TIMES 15H00 – 20H00

VENUE St Francis Bay

TICKETS R300 per person, including a wine glass, souvenir and afterparty ticket.

QUICKET         https://www.quicket.co.za/events/230843-calamari-festival-2023/#/

 

Calamari Tops Wine Festival Afterparty

DATE Friday, September 22 2023

TIMES 20H00 – 23H30

VENUE St Francis Bay

TICKETS R20 per person

QUICKET         https://www.quicket.co.za/events/230843-calamari-festival-2023/#/

 

Calamari Festival

DATES Saturday, September 23 2023

TIMES 10H00 – 23H30

VENUE St Francis Bay 

TICKETS R20 per person, R10 per child u/12 

QUICKET         https://www.quicket.co.za/events/230843-calamari-festival-2023/#/

 

DATES Sunday, September 24 2023

TIMES 10H00 – 15H30

VENUE Port St Francis Family Entertainment

TICKETS Free entry, Fees will apply to Fishing and ocean trips.  

QUICKET         https://www.quicket.co.za/events/230843-calamari-festival-2023/#/