P.E.I. Shellfish Festival returning to Charlottetown for 29th year

The P.E.I. International Shellfish Festival is returning to Charlottetown in September. (Source: Facebook/PEI International Shellfish Festival)

The P.E.I. International Shellfish Festival is returning to Charlottetown in September, working closely with Public Health after a gastrointestinal illness outbreak at last year’s edition.

Liam Dolan, who founded the festival in the 1990s, said there will be increased inspections of the annual festival along with more handwashing stations and more general cleaning.

“We will be working diligently with the Department of Health,” he said. “We’re working on guidelines. I take it very seriously. We want people to be healthy.”

Public Health identified a gastrointestinal illness outbreak at the 2024 festival, with more than 550 symptomatic people. Dolan said they have strictly followed cleaning procedures at past events and they will take additional precautions if needed this year.

“As a chef and a businessperson, you never want to see this happen,” Dolan said. “We’ll take steps even further if we have to. I’m fully confident we’ll produce a great show again.”

Dolan said the festival is held in September to extend the shoulder season in P.E.I. Along with local shellfish, the event will feature seven culinary competitions with more than $24,000 in prizes.

There will be live music from bands The Trews, Vishtèn, Signal Hill and more.

“It’s exciting to see people come and enjoy the food of P.E.I. and that’s what I love about it,” Dolan said. “It’s food by day and kitchen party by night.”

The Shellfish Festival will run from Sept. 18 to 21. Tickets are now on sale and early bird prices will last until Aug. 31.

For more P.E.I. news, visit our dedicated provincial page.