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Take a generous portion of authentic tastes and traditions. Blend with a heaping helping of succulent shellfish, then combine to produce the biggest kitchen party in Atlantic Canada.

Going into its 18th year, the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival is excited to announce a stellar entertainment lineup. “We have compiled the best acts in Atlantic Canada to bring you the largest East Coast Kitchen Party,” says Liam Dolan, Festival Chair. “Be prepared to dance the night away in the big white tent at the Charlottetown Event Grounds.” Kicking off the Festival on Friday September 13 is The Trews, a Canadian hard rock band from Antigonish, Nova Scotia. Coming up to the 10th anniversary of their debut studio album, the foursome has received a truckload of Juno Award nominations and East Coast Music Award and Independent Music Award wins, and a couple of gold records. Opening up for The Trews is Bang On The Ear, a Celtic folk rock band back for a second year to rock the tent.

Joining the party on Saturday September 14 is Signal Hill, a popular Atlantic Canadian band born in St. John’s, Newfoundland, raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia and performing across Canada. Taking the stage to open for Signal Hill is a local Charlottetown-based band performing a variety of classics to brand new chart toppers, Sunday Punch. Also expected are lively performances by Celtic Ladies and Men, Eastern Front featuring Joey Kitson, Eddie Quinn, Boys In The Kitchen, and The Chaisson Family.

“Tourism is a key economic driver in our region that requires a collaborative approach with partners to build and market Atlantic Canada as a premier travel destination,” said the Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency). “The PEI International Shellfish Festival is a prime example of the success of that collaboration and an excellent opportunity for our region to showcase our famous seafood, entertainment and hospitality.”

Chef Michael Smith is back to entertain you all weekend with live culinary demos, cookbook signings, photo ops and non-stop story telling. One of Canada’s best-known chefs, Michael is a passionate advocate for simple, sustainable home cooking and an inspiration for families creating their own healthy food lifestyle. Don’t miss him at Feast and Frolic for an evening of hijinks and hilarity that’s anything but just a dinner. “Tickets are on sale now for the four-course meal and a brand new menu has been created this year,” adds Dolan. “For the third year in a row we are expecting a sell-out crowd.” Tickets are $135 plus taxes and are available online at www.peishellfish.com.

“The Government of Prince Edward Island is a proud sponsor of the International Shellfish Festival,” said Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development Minister Ron MacKinley. “The Shellfish Festival has grown into an internationally recognized event where we celebrate and promote the high quality and distinctive flavour of our seafood products to writers, chefs and industry representatives from around the world.”

Chefs, shuckers, music lovers and a host of shellfish fans will gather in Charlottetown for four days of festivities, all built around the Island’s superb shellfish industry. Come down to the Festival to cheer on the shuckers as they race the clock. Taste delicious chowder samples at the PEI Potato Seafood Chowder and Atlantic Superstore International Seafood Chowder Competitions. Sit on the edge of your seats as you watch 10 of the world’s top chefs compete head to head in a black box competition for $10,000 cash. Learn the basics of cooking shellfish and how to make a cooking show “Behind The Scenes” at Chef Michael Smith’s culinary demos. “There is non-stop entertainment for you all weekend long,” adds Dolan. “We will be giving away over $24,000 in cash prizes.”

“We once again welcome the Shellfish Festival to the Capital City,” said Mayor Clifford Lee. “This fantastic event showcases world class entertainment and cuisine, and the City is proud to be a sponsor. Charlottetown is becoming a premier fall tourism destination because of great events such as this and we welcome tourists to the City during this beautiful time of year.”

Get the best deal on tickets and get them early! Daily admission is $12 in advance or $15 at the door on Friday September 13 and Saturday September 14; and $7 in advance or $10 at the door on Sunday September 15. Sunday is also Islander Day – Buy One Get One Free for Islanders at the door. For a limited time only, advance weekend passes are available for $20 plus tax. Late-night tickets to The Trews at the door (after 8 p.m.) are $20 tax inclusive. Tickets are available online at www.peishellfish.com, the Confederation Centre of the Arts Box Office or by calling 1-866-955-2003.

The PEI International Shellfish Festival is a joint effort of the PEI Aquaculture Alliance and the PEI Shellfish Association and is supported by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency; Prince Edward Island Departments of Tourism and Culture, Agriculture and Forestry, Innovation and Advanced Learning, Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development; the City of Charlottetown and the Special Events Reserve Fund.

About the PEI International Shellfish Festival

A signature event as part of the PEI Fall Flavours Festival, the PEI International Shellfish Festival continues to put Prince Edward Island on the Culinary Map by showcasing indigenous foods and PEI Food Experiences and by creating new opportunities to showcase PEI Shellfish and agricultural products. The Fall Flavours Festival, a culinary celebration highlighting authentic Island tastes and traditions, takes place during September in communities across Prince Edward Island. This year’s Festival features a selection of acclaimed Food Network personalities hosting a wide range of unique culinary experiences.

The festival promises to educate and entertain people of all ages. In 1996, a one-day, shellfish-centric event was held in Charlottetown to celebrate PEI’s shellfish industry. That event has evolved into what is now known as the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival, a four-day festival packed with culinary demos, celebrity chefs, delicious dining experiences, the best-of-the-best potato seafood chowder and oyster shucking competitions.

As a joint effort of the PEI Aquaculture Alliance and the PEI Shellfish Association, the PEI International Shellfish Festival is organized by an active committee and under the project management of Versatile Management Group.

Vision: To create a world-class festival that is an iconic culinary event for Prince Edward Island and a leading shellfish/seafood festival in North America.