Rock the Boat Returns to the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival

This year’s lineup to include Trooper, The Trews

Rock the Boat MusicFest is coming back for its third year to the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival. The show has become a popular component of the annual festival, capping off a week of festival activities with a bang.

Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister Responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Honourable Heath MacDonald, PEI Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, today announced funding for Tyne Valley Oyster Festival Inc. for equipment and marketing costs related to the show. The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Business Development Program, and the Government of Prince Edward Island are each contributing $27,000 to the project.

The Tyne Valley Oyster Festival, established in 1974, is the home of the Canadian Oyster Shucking Championship. Last year’s Festival attracted over 15,000 visitors, including many from off-island, with Rock the Boat proving to be a major additional draw. The Festival will run from August 3 to 7, with Rock the Boat taking place on Saturday, August 6th. This year’s lineup includes The Trews, Trooper, Trinity Bradshaw, Ellis Family Band, and Amanda Jackson Band.

Tourism initiatives like this one build on the Government of Canada’s commitment to drive economic growth in Atlantic Canada, as announced in July 2016 in PEI as part of the Atlantic Growth Strategy.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada recognizes the significant contribution that tourism makes to Prince Edward Island’s economy. Small communities, such as Tyne Valley, reap tremendous economic benefit from events like the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival and Rock the Boat, and I wish everyone all the best for another successful year.

-     Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)

“Tourism is a key driver of economic development on Prince Edward Island, especially in rural areas like
Tyne Valley. Hosting exciting festivals and events draws Islanders and tourists alike to these smaller
communities and allows them to truly experience all that rural Prince Edward Island has to offer.”

-    Honourable Heath MacDonald, PEI Minister of Economic Development and Tourism

““For more than five decades, the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival has been the heart and soul of our community.
Rock the Boat Musicfest has given us the opportunity to combine some of the best talent in Canadian music
with PEI’s world famous oysters, together in one unforgettable event.

-    Jeff Noye, Chair, Tyne Valley Oyster Festival Inc.

Media contact:
Lucas MacArthur
Economic Development and Tourism
902-393-7403
lujmacarthur@gov.pe.ca