A History of the Annual Clayoquot Oyster Festival

November 2, 1997 Held at Middle Beach Lodge
Guest: James Barber the Urban Peasant
Special Debut Appearance by the Oyster Bunny
First Annual Slurping Contest, Sally Mole judged "Sexiest Oyster Slurper"

November 28, 1998 Held at the Schooner Restaurant
Guests: Karen Barnaby and Barbara-jo McIntosh
Shirley Langer crowned "Overall Oyster Slurping Champion"

November 27, 1999 Held at the Tofino Legion Hall
Guest: Sushil Saini
Shirley Langer retains her title as "Grand Dame Slurper"

November 25, 2000 Held at the Tofino Legion Hall
Guests: Bill Jones and Ralph Alphonso
Despite slurping an oyster from a stranger's belly button,
Shirley Langer is defeated by unnamed "out of towners" for "Oyster Slurping Champion of the Year"

November 24, 2001 Held at the Tin Wis Calm Waters Hall
Guests: Mother of Pearl, 5 woman jazz ensemble
4,000 Oysters consumed in 4 hours in one night!

Nov. 23, 2002 Held at theTin Wis 'Oyster Palace'
Guest: Mother of Pearl and Andre Le Riviere of the Conscientious Kitchen
Nikki & Friends are 'Oyster Slurping Champions of the Year.