It's that time of year once again! The 52nd Annual U. S. Oyster Festival in St. Mary's County will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 20th and 21 st at the Fairgrounds on Route 5 just south of Leonardtown. For oyster lovers, fairgrounds transform to nirvana. Oysters served up raw, scalded, grilled, on bread, on the half shell, stewed, nude, cooked in savory sauces, in salads, and just about every way imaginable and then some. They're here for the eating and enjoying!
The Festival is home to the US National Oyster Shucking Competition and the National Oyster Cook-Off. This year's Shucking Competition includes 35 contenders, including the reigning champion, Honor Allen, who placed fifth in the International Competition in Galway, Ireland in September. Thirty-two of these shuckers come from the eastern seaboard, New Hampshire to Florida. Two come from the Gulf Coast and one comes all the way from Colorado. For the first time this year one of the shuckers will also be competing in the CookOff. The shucking competition always includes a number of familial relations: a husband and wife, a mother and son, a father and son, an uncle and nephew, and a set of sisters. But this year it also includes a father and son, with mom competing in the Cook-Off. This is another first! The Oyster Festival is truly a family affair for both the participants and the attendees!
Along with all of the food vendors you have come to expect, two new ones have been added this year. A map and complete menu listing is available on the Oyster Festival's website. You can also find a complete list of entertainment there. This year as always there are a number of different local bands playing all day both days. We are happy to welcome SOMAR Drummers as one of the new act this year.
The ever-popular Far-raised Oyster Tasting Tent will be back this year and will include a guest farm from Virginia. This is a great opportunity to try a variety of oysters and learn first-hand the difference the location makes in the taste. Some are saltier than others, some taste a little earthier. Come try them all and see which you prefer! The Craft Beer Tent is also coming back, and will be combined with the Oyster Tasting Tent so you can try oysters, craft beers, and a local wine all under the same "roof".
The Oyster Festival is hosted by the Rotary Club of Lexington Park, and is their biggest fund-raiser of the year. Proceeds raised by the Festival are given back to the community by the Rotary Club in the form of grants and scholarships throughout the year. Stop by the Information Booth right inside the front gate to learn more about Rotary and their good works. If you would like to get involved in the Festival or the Rotary Club, it is not too late! Just send an email to usoysterfestival@gmail.com.
The gates open at 10am on Saturday and 11am on Sunday, and close at 6pm both days. Admission is $10; children 12 and under are free. For more information, visit usoysterfest.com See you there!
For additional information contact Karen Stone, Festival Administrator, at usoysterfestival@gmail.com or 301-863-5015.
Photo: Ellyne Bryce Davis a last year's National Oyster Cook-Off
The Festival is home to the US National Oyster Shucking Competition and the National Oyster Cook-Off. This year's Shucking Competition includes 35 contenders, including the reigning champion, Honor Allen, who placed fifth in the International Competition in Galway, Ireland in September. Thirty-two of these shuckers come from the eastern seaboard, New Hampshire to Florida. Two come from the Gulf Coast and one comes all the way from Colorado. For the first time this year one of the shuckers will also be competing in the CookOff. The shucking competition always includes a number of familial relations: a husband and wife, a mother and son, a father and son, an uncle and nephew, and a set of sisters. But this year it also includes a father and son, with mom competing in the Cook-Off. This is another first! The Oyster Festival is truly a family affair for both the participants and the attendees!
Along with all of the food vendors you have come to expect, two new ones have been added this year. A map and complete menu listing is available on the Oyster Festival's website. You can also find a complete list of entertainment there. This year as always there are a number of different local bands playing all day both days. We are happy to welcome SOMAR Drummers as one of the new act this year.
The ever-popular Far-raised Oyster Tasting Tent will be back this year and will include a guest farm from Virginia. This is a great opportunity to try a variety of oysters and learn first-hand the difference the location makes in the taste. Some are saltier than others, some taste a little earthier. Come try them all and see which you prefer! The Craft Beer Tent is also coming back, and will be combined with the Oyster Tasting Tent so you can try oysters, craft beers, and a local wine all under the same "roof".
The Oyster Festival is hosted by the Rotary Club of Lexington Park, and is their biggest fund-raiser of the year. Proceeds raised by the Festival are given back to the community by the Rotary Club in the form of grants and scholarships throughout the year. Stop by the Information Booth right inside the front gate to learn more about Rotary and their good works. If you would like to get involved in the Festival or the Rotary Club, it is not too late! Just send an email to usoysterfestival@gmail.com.
The gates open at 10am on Saturday and 11am on Sunday, and close at 6pm both days. Admission is $10; children 12 and under are free. For more information, visit usoysterfest.com See you there!
For additional information contact Karen Stone, Festival Administrator, at usoysterfestival@gmail.com or 301-863-5015.
Photo: Ellyne Bryce Davis a last year's National Oyster Cook-Off
