Barbie Perkins-Cooper, Author

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          Media Contact:

September 17, 2012                                                                            VC Oysterfest

      vcoysterfest@gmail.com

First Annual Ventura Oysterfest Celebrates Oysters, Sustainable Living

Ventura, CA – The uniquely Ventura Oysterfest is an event that will show off the best of what’s local: exceptional cuisine, great music, crafted beers and outstanding local wines. The theme of the event is oysters and there will be representation from Oyster Farms throughout California and Greater California with the local The Jolly Oyster, Drakes Bay Oyster Company, Tomales Bay Oyster Company, Pickleweed Point Oyster Co. and Carlsbad Aquafarm all attending.

 Some of Ventura County’s top restaurants who have a history of purchasing locally and sustainably have signed on to be food vendors. To date The Sidecar Restaurant, Osteria Monte Grappa, Twenty88 Food & Drink, Ventura Meat Company, Loo Hoo’s Asian Comfort Food, Watermark Restaurant and Chef Gabe Garcia with Rio Gozo Farm have confirmed with more to follow.

Five bands will play the main stage throughout the day with local favorites Rey Fresco headlining. Other acts include The Silent Comedy and Amanda Shaw and The Cute Guys, Jeff Hershey and the Heartbeats and Charles Johnson.

Beverages continue the local theme with crafted beers from Surf Brewery, Anacapa Brewing Company, Firestone Walker Brewing Co. and Ouroboros Brewing Co.

Old Creek Ranch Winery, Vino V Wines, Four Brix Winery, Ojai Vineyard, San Vicente Cellars, Magnavino Cellars and Malibu Family Wines from the Ventura County Wine Trail will delight with wines perfectly selected for the foods available.

Other items of interest:

This a “green” sustainable event. Only compostable or reusable beverage containers will be used, only compostable food containers and utensils, paperless ticketing, and reusable signage. Cooking oil will be recycled, there will be free parking for bikes and car poolers. No bottled water will be served at the event which has a goal of 5% maximum landfill.

A kid’s area will be provided by Friends of Channel Coast State Parks and all kids under 14 are free accompanied by an adult.

Putt frisbee golf, horseshoes, bean bag games and novelty photo booths will be throughout the event for patrons amusement.

The Marquee Tent will include cooking demos from three renowned chefs, a shuck and suck competition and a town hall forum on sustainable farming featuring Mark Reynolds from The Jolly Oyster, John Fonteyn from Rio Gozo Farm, Erik Oberholtzer from Tender Greens Restaurant Group, and Brian Brennan from the California Coastal Commission (South Central Coast). This will be chaired by Lisa McKinnon from the VC Star.

Proceeds from the event will be channeled back into the community through the non-profit Friends of Channel Coast State Parks. Their work benefits the environment through their invaluable, educational and voluntary contributions.

What: Ventura Oysterfest

When: Saturday, October 13, 2012 11am-6pm

Where: San Buenaventura State Beach Park, Ventura, CA 93003

Who: Rey Fresco, Amanda Shaw, The Silent Comedy, Jeff Hershey & The Heartbeats, Charles Johnson Cost: $20.00 (kids under 14 free)

Website: http://www.vcoysterfest.com Email: vcoysterfest@gmail.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/venturaoysterfest