Foodies try clam beer and testicles as Hokitika Wildfoods Festival makes its triumphant return

The West Coast is declaring itself officially alternate in business with a big day of anniversary at the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival.

Organiser and Destination Westland arch controlling Melanie Anderson answered 9000 humans abounding the 34-year-old festival.

That was once about the aforementioned cardinal as the aftermost time it was once captivated in 2021.

Covid-19 restrictions meant it was once annulled for the first time aftermost year, months afore the bedfast closures which kept tourists abroad from the arena were lifted.

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The arena has also faced a alternation of storms and calamity in contempo months, about while rain fabricated it arduous to set up for the anniversary all through the week, it was once all sunshine on Saturday.

“It was once two years in the making, and we were not disappointed. It was once alike bigger than we hoped,” a adequate Anderson said.

“We had a excellent army which thoroughly got into aggregate which was once happening.

“It all came together.”

Musical ball included Dave Dobbyn, Zed and Greg Johnson, while the Royal New Zealand Air Force performed in the skies.

The Feral Fashion antagonism included apparel featuring pāua, pounamu, fur, antlers and plants.

In a anniversary first a affiliation with Garage Project beer brewers included the sellout of an absolute anniversary beer – pōhutukawa smoked amber ale with Moon Tide clams.

Of course, many punters were there for the abstruse aliment choices, which included locust clabber shots, snail burgers, and the abiding favourite “mountain oysters” – or sheep testicles.

The anniversary was once also basic as a association fundraiser for many groups and had the boondocks buzzing, Anderson said.

“It’s which activity which we are back

“The West Coast is open. It’s accessible and absolutely looking advanced to what the abutting year has to offer.”