Bucerías, Nayarit, Mexico - Playa El Punto will be the place to be at 12 Noon on Sunday, April 3, 2016, as Bucerías hosts the XVI edition of the Oyster Festival, an occasion created by the divers themselves for the coastal communities and their visitors.

Since oyster harvesting is the mainstay of the economy in Bucerías (which means "Place of the Divers") Nayarit, every year after Easter this laid-back seaside community hosts the Feria de Ostiones - a celebration filled with music, partying and plenty of food and fun.

Organized by the Fishing and Aquaculture Cooperative for Costa de Chila, La Peñita and Boca Ameca, the festival began as a way to honor of the local oyster divers and, since the yearly event is on the last day of oyster-culling season on El Punto Beach, every year the most anticipated event is the 'Biggest Oyster' contest. Contestants go after 'The Big One,' and the diver that pulls the largest oyster out of the sea will be awarded a complete set of scuba equipment.

Throughout the day, approximately 3,000 oysters will be given away along with 150 kilos of fried fish and 200 kilos of ceviche. In addition to all of that free food, there will also be fun cultural events, including live music and the crowning of a new Oyster Queen, who will be selected based on audience applause to represent the divers.

"Our goal is to hold a family-friendly event as well as honor the divers we've lost," said Modesto Ávalos, president of the Co-op. "We want to make more room so more people can come and have fun, so this year, we're considering just using chairs instead of tables so it's less crowded and all of our visitors can enjoy themselves."

A Mariachi group will kick off the festivities, followed by two bands playing regional Mexican music, a Marco Antonio Solis double, and many more surprises.

This event, sponsored by the Municipality of La Bahía de Banderas and the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau, is unique in the region and represents another fine attraction among the many already offered by 'Mexico's Pacific Treasure.'

Come out and enjoy the 16th Bucerías Oyster Festival - you'll be glad you did! For more information and updates, visit the Facebook event page.