The parade of dogs and their owners is the first give away. Then comes the parade of Clydesdale horses, vintage cars with white wall tyres and their owners with the wives waving gloves hands like the Queen. These were followed by a tractor who was then followed by a vintage tractor. The Narooma Oyster Festival had come to town! It was all so utterly country and Queen Viv and I just loved it.
There is a long queue that has formed out front. Entry to the Narooma Oyster festival is $5 and the show starts at 9am where the largest street parade on the South Coast winds it way around the riverside area and onto the streets. Queen Viv and do scout out the various stalls on offer. It’s surprisingly large with three rows of stalls covering crafts and food including a 12 metre oyster marquee plus a range of stalls.
Knitted bears (I purchased the one on the right lying down)
The craft stalls are manned and made by grandmothers and there are some absolutely gorgeous items at completely bargain prices. I nabbed myself a brand new knitted bear for $3 (stick a little scarf on him and a label and I can totally picture in a Woollahra shop window for $30!).
The trend here seems to be Dammit Dolls which are dolls that you can whack in times of frustration – kind of a more actionable figure than a voodoo doll I suppose!
The “Grey headed grannies” label – love the button and bow details
Dried lavender bags
Dried organic herbs-from $3.50
A fabulous looking chocolate caramel slice from the P&C stall
I buy some lovely organic nutmeg (for myself) and chamomile tea flowers (for a gift) and vow to come back for the potted chocolate mint and lemon thyme -although you know I totally forgot at the end to do so! There are stalls raising funds for the schools selling stapled together recipe books and goodies. I almost embarrass myself when I see a glad wrapped tray of cakes and see the price of $4. The $4 is not per cake slice but per plate of cakes-oops!
Plates of home baked goodies
Jams and spreads
Grandma’s Homemade Sausage Rolls- looking rather authentically home made.
A flotilla of sea creature sculptures makes it way out onto the water but we’re transfixed by the food. I buy Mr NQN a panforte from the Cranky Pants stall which is rich and fruity and nutty.
Panforte small loaf $5, larger round $8.50
Austrian goodies
Montague Coffee samples-said to be the best place to have coffee in Narooma
There are samples of organically raised farm venison sausage which they pair with disaster bay chilli sauce (great name!). It’s lightly gamey but the spicy chilli sauce offsets this.
I know little girl, I wanted to hug him too!
Fire breathing dragon sand sculpture
The fire breathing dragon sand sculpture keeps the children absolutely riveted when they’re not busy riding the fairground rides whilst the men folk stare at the various machinery in motion.
There’s some action in the tent when Narooma’s Michael Stokes, Bannister’s Head Chef Julian Lloyd and chefs from the Navy give a cooking demonstration. These go on for a few hours in a marquee while people ask questions from the audience and rush up to the front for a sample of food.
Sea sculpture
After walking around we are busy still digesting our breakfast so we go for a quick walk around the town of Narooma which is actually rather quiet with everyone in attendance at the oyster festival. We visit the Mill Bay Boardwalk which winds around the river and ends off with a group of pelicans grooming themselves (I warn Queen Viv of my love for pelicans and how I have dreams of putting one under an arm and kidnapping it only to discover that our bathtub is no home for a pelican).
We also visit Sugar Pie patisserie which does a roaring trade in pies and sausage rolls. They also sell tarts (traditional custard, strawberry and lemon), cupcakes and finger buns as well as cute cupcake decorating supplies and spoons. Queen Viv relaxes with a cup of chai tea.
Hunger well and truly worked up we return to stake claim on a dozen oysters. You can have them natural with a wedge of lemon or cooked in kilpatrick, garlic butter or mornay style. As Narooma’s oysters are out with an algae bloom the oysters are sourced from nearby Wapengo Lake, Tuross River, Clyde River and Pambula Lake. We have them natural and take them and a glass of wine over to a wine barrel where we meet a friendly local Alison Gowen who chats to us and explains that the timber for the whole oyster bar was made from wood that was sourced locally.
A dozen freshly shucked oysters $12
She also tells us that last year the oysters were sold in different stands but this year they’ve all come together which is a better arrangement. We swallow the Sydney Rock oysters and they are plump, juicy and delicious. She asks us if we’ve met David Maidment, one of the oyster growers and she brings him over. He grows Sydney Rocks as well as a rare flat species of oyster called the angasi which gets distributed to restaurants in Sydney. The flat oyster is a brother to the fabulous New Zealand Bluff oyster.
We stop by to see Michael who owns Michaels By The Sea. Having worked in Italian wineries in the past he now runs the beach front cafe in Narooma which is said to serve the South Coast’s best salt and pepper squid. He also uses local and sustainable produce and uses home made salami and other ingredients in his dishes. When we reach his stand, it’s one of the most popular and has an eager crowd gathered and he is busy tending the frypans with portions of squid.
Salt and pepper squid
Queen Viv and I take a seat and try a plate of the Salt and Pepper squid and it’s divinely tender inside and crunchy on the outside. Alison comes over and smiles “I see you’ve found the best salt and pepper squid on the South Coast!” and Queen Viv and I nod our faces full of the squid. It’s sitting atop a rocket salad with black pitted olives, cucumber and spanish onion. “I think that’s just about the best salt and pepper squid I’ve had” intones Queen Viv with authority.
David Maidment shows how to shuck an oyster
It’s 1 o’clock now and we make our way back to the tent where we see David giving an oyster demonstration showing how to shuck oysters. Basically you want to avoid cutting the tender oyster flesh with the knife so you run the knife along the top of the shell prising it open.
Then last year’s Masterchef winner and cookbook author Julie Goodwin comes out to judge the oyster cooking competition. At one side of the kitchen is the cooked oyster chef and on the other is the raw oyster chef. She is to try a total of 15 oysters and what we didn’t realise from her days on the show is that she is a bit of a comedian. “After 15 oysters Mick better watch out for me tonight! Someone better feed him some!” she jokes.
Finger Lime and Coconut Ice cream $4.50
Queen Viv buys some Cobargo home made ice cream in a finger lime and coconut flavour which is creamy and not too sweet. They grow their own finger limes (which seem very popular here). I absolutely adore finger limes as I like their caviar beaded texture.
Scones with jam and cream $3
Before we leave we buy a snack for the road, two Country Womens Association scones with jam and cream (the squirty aerosol kind 
). They slide a plate of them into a ziplock bag and give us a knife and off we go. With dozens of oysters consumed in a matter of a couple of days, Mr NQN had better watch out for me!
So tell me Dear Readers, are you a fan of oysters and if so, how do you like to eat them? Natural? Kilpatrick? Mornay? And do you believe in their aphrodisiac effects? 
Queen Viv’s purchase-a horse puppet!
NQN and Queen Viv attended the Narooma Oyster Festival as a guest of Eurobodalla Tourism
Narooma Oyster Festival
14-16 May 2010
Riverside Drive, Narooma, NSW
http://www.narooma.org.au/oysterfestival.html
If you enjoyed this post, why not share it with your friends?
What is NQN up to now? 
NQN on Facebook
RSS
52 Comments | Add your own
This looks like it was such a fun time! There are so many unique finds (your little bear is adorable!) and the homemade goodies look incredible, Lorraine!
My friend, you go to the BEST places! I loved the vintage car and the Dammit dolls and the giant koala. Not to mention the food. Brilliant stuff.
Narooma is great, we often go there for holidays. I’m almost sad that you blogged about it as I can see it getting more popular now, but I guess now everyone knows how fab it is!
GIANT WOMBATS! Vintage Cars! wish I was there!
oh that’s IT!!!! I am SO going next year. That is RIGHT up my alley!! Fabulous scenery, stalls, souvenirs, food and OYSTERS. Bliss!
This looks like great fun – but what is with the guy with the plastic bucket on his head?
oooh I have visited Narooma a number of times – but we have never been to the Oyster Festival….next year perhaps?!
I like oysters natural or with a tangy vinegarette. The garlic butter sounds nice.
Oh, that looks like so much fun, but now I’m seriously lemming for some on that coconut and finger lime ice cream!
I’m balking at the prices – what a great value for money festival. $5 rides all day! At all of the little fairs that I go to in Sydney it’s something like $5 for one slide down the slippery dip, it becomes an expensive day with the kids. I might have to check out some more country fairs in the future.
Bugger the housework, I’m going to Bingo… now thats funny
I love Julie Goodwin!!!
Oh how I wish that I had known about this festival. I would have loved to spend a day there. Oysters au naturale for me please… Yum…
My parents retired to Narooma and I’ve been unable to get to the Oyster Festival for the three years in which it has been held. Looks like a lot of fun though, so fingers crossed for next year!
As far as oysters go, I take the approach that you can’t improve on perfect, and I like Sydney Rock Oysters served natural
Mornay are nice and all, and I have a natural aversion to worcestershire sauce, so kilpatrick are out. The only time I’ll eat a pacific oyster is when it’s steamed with ginger and shallots at Golden Century – these are a dream! However, my favourite remains the simplest – chilled and natural.
What a fabulous street fair! I loved everyone of the photos, and would probably have spent money at each and every stall, and still had change from $50! It’s the kind of thing we dream about as we shop in our expensive polished city markets, no? Oh, and now I want a pie or sausage roll for lunch…
Hi Lorraine…sorry to have missed you on Saturday…I was excited to learn that you were there!!! The oysters were diviiiine…my favourite were the garlic ones!!! I actually tried the sausage that Julian Lloyd made along with a glass of Rick Stein’s wine…Had to have a scallop made by the navy boys…sounds like we both had a great day…Dzintra♥x
Yum, Yum, Yum those oysters for $12 look amazing. I love authentic old style markets they can have some great finds.
Sounds like a fantastic festival! Oysters are our favourite, always for birthdays & wedding anniversaries – generally natural with a squeeze of lime. Adding this to the Bucket List
I know someone who could use that damn-it doll. lol Looks like a fun day out. Glad you enjoyed yourself. xoxo Mum
Those markets remind me of my childhood! Julie Goodwin sounds really lovely too – I love it when people are even BETTER in real life!
This festival looks great! Too bad I don’t like oysters, huh?
I’d love to go just for the atmosphere…Looks like you & Queen Viv had a good day! Lots of food, and quite a few things to see!! 
You gotta love a country festival and I’m really liking those Dammt Dolls. Such a good idea!
Looks like a great time. My husband would go for the oysters and I the sweets. Cute home made things for sale. I love the one your picked out. Very different than what I have seen here in CA.
Five bucks for unlimited rides and twelve for a dozen oysters??Sign me up for next years please =)
Family and I visited the Narooma Oyster festival quite a few years ago, it was a fun and tiring day.
Oysters au natural for me, Divine!
Looks like a lovely trip you had there (again).
I like my oysters best natural … I like them deep fried in a light batter if they are pacific oysters. I can eat a few Kilpatrick, even less so the Mornay. But Natural is the way to go for me.
I can’t say the aphrodisiac qualities are evident but maybe it’s because my pilot light is always on.
all I can say is YUM, I love oysters and eat them pretty much any way they come. I don’t think I believe in the boost to your sex drive, although I am always in a good mood after fresh sea food as I don’t get it often.
Narooma Oyster Festival looks like loads of fun, I do love the south coast.
aww, how cute are those bingo signs. How does one even find out about such an event for oysters? Love the “Grandma’s home made sausage rolls” – just adorable!
I always feel a bit guilty eating oysters. It conjures up images of poor baby oysters being gobbled up by a greedy walrus, then the Walrus & the Carpenter song gets stuck in my head all day. It looks like a fun festival to visit one day.
I love oysters and this festival sounds right up my alley!
as usual narooma excelled it self with all its natural beauty and fine chefs and fantastic produce and products , thanks for visiting sugar pie , made our day
I was laughing so hard at those Dammit Dolls – I could use one right now. :p
You have to love a good old tractor parade, that make everything fun. The oysters look very fresh and a festival dedicated to them is a great idea.
so many fun finds–the homespun stuff is hard to beat! and aren’t clydesdales majestic and regal? i adore those critters.
Looks like such fun. I wonder how come I’ve never heard of it, even with in-laws who live near the CLyde river? I love oysters au naturel, although some dressing wouldn’t go amiss either.
I need a doll and that red car at the top, PLEASE!!! What a good time you must have had!
No idea where Narooma is but it looks like a fun place! The lamo babes are so cute! Love little country festivals with lots of rare goodies to find, I like my oysters natural so I can taste the sea.
I come from an area near Seattle, where they have wonderful oysters.Yes they eat them natural there, but the majority of oysters are lightly crumbed and pan fried until crispy.we would buy a shellfish license for ten u.s. dollars a year , so at low tides at the right time you can go out and get 18 a day plus 40 clams and crabs if you have a boat and traps- i do miss this about back home- i am going to cook up some crispy oysters soon, and that festival is on our calender for next year–yum!!!! thanks
Oh, what a darling festival! And the knitted bear! OMG! How much were they? I would have LOVED that Golliwog… So adorable!
What are Lamo Babes by the way?
I love mine au natural with a tnagy vinagrette. My family loves it with a Thai style salsa (not too sure if you call it that), Basically, it’s finely diced red onion, finely chopped coriander, garlic olive oil, lemon juice or lime juice, brown sugar, sweet chilli sauce, fish sauce mixed together. My Brother in law swears that his children were all conceived after consuming oysters! He reckons it’s the zinc in oysters that helped.
You have the neatest festivals! The dammit dolls are really funny and I love the horse puppet!
I love oysters on the half shell…with just a squeeze of lemon.
I adore, adore, adore oysters. Always order them as entree when I’m out at a fancy restaurant – and natural only, please! You can keep your fancy sorbet garnishes and baked sauces
Love the look of the festival too – seems really friendly and fun!
I was in the same tent watching the oyster cooking on Saturday! If only I knew you were there, I could have come and said hello!
Oh Oh I’ve died and gone to heaven! Please I want to come next year and spend all day there! I want to taste everything! Oh it looks fabulous! And I love oysters, usually au naturel, honey, with a splash of lemon or a spoonful of red wine vinegar and shallots (as eaten in Brittany). And I want some of the fried salt & pepper quid and one of those caramel chocolate bars. Please.
Oh, this takes me back to the little town where my family is from. It’s been too many years between shows there for me! My homemade preserve and crocheted toy collection is running low
My little town’s show doesn’t have oysters or salt & pepper squid though. Perhaps they should think of that to entice me back..
Hey – love your work!
Glad you had a good time at our little festival and come back soon!
Stan – the editor of the Narooma News
Bluff oysters are the only ones!I am a Kiwi living in Hamburg and love all the oysters especially Irish and French. Au natural, with maybe a dash of DYC vinegar!
Hi Faith-Isn’t he gorgeous?
Thankyou!
Hi Jeff-I have to agree, I’m very lucky!
Thankyou!
Hi LaLa-hehe but the fabulousness just has to be shared!
Hi Fiona-I know, that wombat was so cute!
Hi Liss-fabulous! I kept thinking about how much you guys would love it!
Hi Cakelaw-hehe I’m not quite sure about that one!
Hi Lisa- Absolutely! it’s lots of fun!
Hi sandra-yes I should have tried a couple of those at least
Hi MsCritique-Yes I must make some!
Hi Kristy-I know, isn’t it amazing!
Yes they’ve got all sorts of treats in regional areas! 
Hi Mokita-I know, I can imagine how many people say that!
Hi ljb-hehe she’s great!
Hi Melissa-Mmm yes naturale are great!
I can’t go past them!
Hi Amy-yes fingers crossed for you!
yes I don’t like to mess with naturals! 
Hi Celia-thankyou so much Celia!
I know, everything was such great value! 
Hi Dzintra-Oh yes what a shame to have missed you! I was the one lugging around a heavy camera
Sounds like you scored some great samples! 
x
Hi Linda-I know, incredible isn’t it!
Hi Vanessa-hehe absolutely bucket list material!
Hi Barbara-Ok next time I see them I’m buying you one mum!
xxx
Hi Emma-Thankyou for suggesting and arranging for it darlign!
I know, I hate being disappointed with people!
Hi Liv-hehe don’t worry there are plenty of other things too
Hi john-I know, I should have bought one!
Hi Darlene-it was!
Yes it’s so unique and designer looking (but not designer priced!) 
Hi Brianna-I know, isn’t it amazing!
Hi Matilda-yes it’s great isn’t it!
Mmm naturale-yumm!
Hi Peter-sounds like you like them all kinds of ways
haha you made me spit out my drink! 
Hi Saphire-yes I wonder if there is any evidence of it!
the South Coast is gorgeous yes!
Hi Renita-I know, everything is so cute isn’t it!
Hi SC-Oh really? I never thought of it like that!
Hi Gourmet Chick-It’s gorgeous!
Hi sharan-Yes Narooma is a gorgeous place, you must love living there. you’re welcome!
Hi Midge-haha I know, such a great idea!
Hi Mark-I know! how cute is it? Yes I love a good food festival!
Hi grace-they were gorgeous! I loved the atmosphere
Hi shaz-I think it’s only a few years old-it’s the third year for it! Ahh what kind of dressing?
Hi deana-haha I know! We had a ball!
Hi Moya-It’s 5.5 hours drive from Sydney
Yes that’s what I love too! 
Hi Randal-Oh how clever to get a license!
I wonder if you can do the same here? you’re welcome! 
Hi sophia-they were $3! Crazy fabulous huh?
I think they’re little lamingtons 
Hi Perthgal-Ahh I’ve had them like that at restaurants. wow, they sound interesting! Haha so it’s the zinc huh?
Hi Barbara-hehe we seem to yes!
Aren’t they cute!
Hi Hannah-You and me both!
Haha yes I don’t really like them with sorbet I must say. it kind of overwhelms them.
Hi Joanne-Oh yes that would have been great! I sort of snuck in and out
Hi Jamie-Absolutely you should Jamie!
I think you would love it!
Hi Conor-hehe time to revisit huh?
Absolutely, that has got to be a draw! 
Hi Stan-thanks Stan! We had a great time thankyou!
Hi Tony-Oh yes I do love Bluffs a lot!
I want the dammit doll!
OMG oysterfest. how come i didn’t know about this! i must put in my diary for next time
i love oysters!
2 Trackbacks/Pingbacks
[...] and Louise hit the road again! Ahem I mean I am hitting the road with Queen Viv to attend the Narooma Oyster Festival. When Mr NQN wasn’t able to get time off work I knew who to ask immediately-the woman who had [...]
[...] recall hearing about the rare flat Angassi oyster at the Narooma Oyster festival where oyster grower David Maidment tells me that the Angassi is a close breed to the New Zealand [...]
Post a Comment