What's on: Oyster Feastival, Kerikeri

OYSTER UP: Up to 1000 people turned out for the first day of the Old Packhouse Market - a year on, market organisers are gearing up to celebrate the market's first birthday. PHOTO/STEPHANIE SCHOLLUMBUSY

What's the most disgusting way you can think of eating an oyster?

You may be able to test whatever popped into your mind at tomorrow's Oyster Feastival.

Hosted to mark the Old Packhouse Market's first birthday, organiser Judy Hyland said it was the first time the festival would be held.

"We decided to have a bit of fun and thought this would be a good way of celebrating our birthday," said Ms Hyland.

To celebrate, some of the usual market stalls will be offering specials, there will also be lucky prize draws, a magician for the kids, a range of competitions and, of course, lots of oysters.

"We have shucked oysters, oysters in half shells, steak and oyster pies, deep fried oysters, oyster fritters and oyster shots - non-alcoholic," she said.

There will also be an oyster eating competition and a "most disgusting way to eat an oyster" contest. There will be three rounds of the oyster eating competition. Each round will see six people eating 12 oysters as fast as they can. However, the "most disgusting way to eat an oyster" competition, could be unpredictable. "We'll have to see ... if anyone will be up to eating an oyster out of a shoe or something," she said.

Competitions start at 9am to 1pm on the hour.

Ms Hyland said the event would not be huge but "a bit of fun". A birthday would not be complete without a birthday cake, which Ms Hyland said would be shared with attendees.

-The event will run from 8am-1.30pm at the The Old Packhouse, 505 Kerikeri Rd, Kerikeri.