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Festival Queen sponsors wanted

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce has called for businesses to sponsor an entrant in this year's Queen of the Brisbane Water Oyster Festival to raise money for the Cancer Council's Breast Cancer Challenge.

The festival will be held on Sunday, November 11, on the Ettalong Beach waterfront, sponsored by the Ettalong Beach Club and the Mantra Resort.

Festival chairperson Ms Debra Wales said last year's event attracted thousands of people in "beautiful warm weather" with a variety of entertainment, food and wine stalls and "the famous Brisbane Water oysters known as 'Sydney rock oysters'".

Ms Wales said the entrants in the Queen of the Festival exceeded all expectations last year and raised over $42,000 for the Breast Cancer Challenge.

Ms Wales said organisers would strive this year to improve on the day and to support Cancer Council in their endeavours to find a cure for breast cancer.

"Originally we started the Oyster Festival to showcase the beautiful Brisbane Waters and the Peninsula but it has exceeded our expectations with fantastic people becoming involved to help raise funds to fight breast cancer," Ms Wales said.

"By sponsoring an entrant in the festival, it not only gives businesses the opportunity to promote themselves but also to raise money for such a worthy cause.

"We have interest from potential entrants varying in ages from 16 to over 70 and an interested young man.

"We are certainly not restricting our entrants so long as they are over 16 years of age and prepared to get out there and raise funds for the Breast Cancer Challenge.

"This year promises great entertainment on stage with the big band sounds of Wayne Cornel and the Cornell Big Band leading into the afternoon with rock 'n roll band 'On the Prowl'."

Ms Wales said the Blessing of the Boats would be held once again on the Ettalong Beach waterfront reserve with an ecumenical service led by the Reverend Bruce Edgell of the Uniting Church and Greg Saunders of the Salvation Army.

The Brisbane Water Oyster Festival Ball would be held on the Friday, November 9, at the Ettalong Beach Club.

The Queen of the Festival and the Charity Queen would be announced on the night and both Queens would each receive a holiday to Queensland courtesy of Tony Arico Deepwater Plaza Woy Woy plus beauty packages.

"Also, each entrant will each receive a basket of gifts in appreciation of their hard work," Ms Wales said.

Ms Wales said they are receiving bookings for food and wine stalls plus homemade craft goods and all bookings or inquiries could be made through Sue of Peninsula Promotions & Events on 0408 208 550.

"We are presently working on the festival to be bigger with more amusements for young children and lots more food and wine stalls for the sampling and great entertainment," Ms Wales said.

"There will be more shaded areas and seating plus a shuttle bus to make the day more convenient and comfortable for all ages."

Press release, 18 Jul 2007 Debra Wales, Brisbane Water Oyster Festival