IT HAS well and truly monopolised Melbourne’s molluscs and nobody is going to mussel in on its territory.
Portarlington will host its 12th annual Mussel Festival on January 13.
The event will give visitors the chance to sample mussels straight from the district, which promotes itself as the mussel capital of Australia.
There’s also the chance to sample other local produce including wines and olives, enjoy food from more than 100 food stalls and enjoy great entertainment from the likes of Barrie Edwards and The Jazz Connection, Blue Wax, The Hip Cats and The Eagles Tribute Show.
Festival president Richard Underwood said last year’s event attracted between 25,000 and 30,000 people and 67 per cent of visitors came from outside the Geelong area.
He said the event was all about showcasing the produce of the northern Bellarine area. “We hold the festival in early January because that is when the mussels are at their best and most plump and juicy.”
The festival is also about fun and will offer something for the whole family.
“We call it a community festival with a focus on the family and that’s certainly what it is,” Richard said.
