On 9 and 10 May 2009 the Picnic on the Oder once again attracted thousands of Szczecin inhabitants and visitors from other parts of the country and abroad, interested in tourism, culture and regional Polish and foreign cuisine. The programme of the event included several major events.

The main element of the family feast was MARKET TOUR, the 18th Tourism Fair which attracted the majority of 120 exhibitors at the Picnic on the Oder. Thanks to its outdoor profile, exhibitors had a chance to contact roughly 50,000 people.

Stands were arranged into two MARKET TOUR avenues. Exhibitors included a Polish region of Podkarpackie, Wielkopolskie Regional Tourist Organisation, Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska, Świeradów Zdrój, Ciechocinek

and the majority of travel agencies, local governments situated in the Zachodniopomorskie Region, as well as culture centres, travel offices, and holiday centres from Poland, Germany, Slovakia and Scandinavia. Information brochures, discounted trips, as well as attractive stands and colourful uniforms were used to promote tourist offers, for example Międzyzdroje brought a piece of their beach to Szczecin, whereas Trzebiatów presented their knights. The stand of the Indonesian Embassy attracted much interest. The stand, apart from a unique decoration, organised a competition on knowledge about the country. Prizes included beautiful and unique dolls. During the entire weekend, visitors could participate in competitions with attractive prizes, such as a cruise by a Polferries ferry, a driving licence course by Mr. Driver, a summer camp for children by Travel Shop, cruises by sail and motor boats by Skagen.

Once again the Regional Cuisine Festival lured visitors with its tasty and aroma exuding dishes. In its part on the ‘Culinary Heritage of Western Pomerania’, funded by the Regional Government, the festival focused on promoting regional delicacies among inhabitants of Szczecin and visitors to the Picnic on the Oder. Some of the products included forgotten flavours which we could try again thanks to the Festival. Three of products offered are listed as Traditional Dishes of Western Pomerania: lake cucumber, Drahim honey and Koprzywień bread, whereas products made of Japanese rose are certified for the best Polish regional food. Gourmets could try meat (cured meat and sausages), vegetarian dishes (bean dumplings) and flour dishes (breads, cakes, and pasta).

PRZYGODA (or Adventure), the School Tourist Fair, generated much interest. It was organised in the fourth avenue. Exhibitors included children and youth from 11 Polish regions, altogether 500 students, teachers and caretakers. It was organised by the Tourist Forum of Regions and the Zachodniopomorskie Teacher Excellence Centre. Stands created an atmosphere of tourist regions in Poland and other corners of the world. Right next to the PRZYGODA avenue situated was a small stage used for art performances. On Saturday and Sunday the Picnic area welcomed colourful parades, including the Parade of Countries and the Parade of Polish Regions.

When exhibitors at MARKET TOUR, ADVENTURE and the Regional Cuisine Festival presented their tourist and cuisine products, the main stage offered music trips and dance shows by Remedium, Sprint Band, Be Free, The Big Baltic Band, Estilo Dance Studio and Save the Beat Dance Academy. On Saturday, a particular attention of the visitors was directed to the opening of the 6th Blue Knights Poland Club. Dozens of motorcycles parked under the stage, where an official enrolment took place to the Motorcycle Lawmen Club. Late in the evening, Nasty Ladies, a vocal band of five beautiful and energetic female teachers from Wałcz, known from the ‘Talent’ TV programme, gave their performance. During the break, spectators could admire those who harnessed fire – namely the Lascar Fire Theatre accompanied by a music band Czarne Złotka (Black Gold).

Fans of water sports could watch water skiers, support rowing teams of eight, and listen to comments made by Marek Kolbowicz and Konrad Wasilewski, world champions and gold medal winners from Beijing, or sail on Oder together with Skagen. The youngest visitors to the Picnic could try their chances sailing small Optimist boats.

The Great Cooking was a traditional item of the agenda. This time they cooked Szczecin Fish and Pepper. Cooking for 10,000 people was a huge challenge. However, cooks from the Culinary Theatre by Krzysztof Górski met it in the Saturday afternoon and everyone could try a bowl of Fish and Pepper. The first people were served by the City President Piotr Krzystek and the Chairman of City Council Bazyli Baran.

The Picnic on the Oder offered much attractions for children. Apart ADVENTURE, established were inflatable slides, colourful stands with balloons and toys as well as many delicacies – an excellent opportunity for the whole family to enjoy a sunny weekend in the city. More courageous participants could also boost their adrenaline with bungee jumping.

Already today, we would like to invite you to the Picnic on the Oder next year. It will be held on 8 and 9 May 2010. It is going to be a sensational weekend, as well as the best moment to plan summer and winter holidays. See you next year!