Festival veteran Ron Kilburn, of Tauranga, was attending his eighth festival on Saturday. He said the $4000 cost of flights and accommodation for himself and his wife made the $50 per dozen for ... : Oyster enthusiasts gather for festival

After queuing from 7.30am for the 10.30am opening, Kat Kaiwai, of Ruatoria, was one of the first to the sale tables as she sought a seafood breakfast. One hundred and twenty dollars later, she tucked into two buckets of kina and four servings of pāua... : Oyster enthusiasts gather for festival

Barnes Oysters manager Graeme Wright with his team of helpers. : Oyster enthusiasts gather for festival

Plates by the hundreds ready for customers at the Bluff Oyster and Food Festival on Saturday. : Oyster enthusiasts gather for festival

The marquee was packed for the oyster racing competitions. : Oyster enthusiasts gather for festival

Ricci Grant (second from left) secured bragging rights after winning the men’s oyster-opening contest. Also in the race were (from left) Max Russell, OJ Abraham, Tim Shelton and Keith Lovett. : Oyster enthusiasts gather for festival

Behind the scenes, Natasha Leigh, of Bluff’s Fresh is Best, cooked 44kg of whitebait and 400 pāua patties for the waiting crowds. : Oyster enthusiasts gather for festival

The Bluff School Kapa Haka performs at the festival. : Oyster enthusiasts gather for festival

Former Bluff mayor Bruce Pagan is piped into the festival carrying a dozen oysters for the sombre ‘‘Ode to the Oyster’’. : Oyster enthusiasts gather for festival