2013 Oyster Festivals

Steamed oysters, a cold beer, blue grass on a crisp sunny day ...  Ahh, the sights, sounds and smells of a perfect oyster festival. (Really, is there any other kind?) You can find festivals at wineries, in the city, on the beach, in a park, along the river, after a motorcycle ride, and even at the end of a 5K run. The West Coast is brimming with oyster festivals this summer and East Coasters can look forward to some of the world's greatest oyster festivals in the Fall. Can you fit one or two in during your summer vacations? I've compiled a comprehensive list of oyster festivals in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom this year. I hope you can fit in at least one. Have fun!

2013 - 2014 Festivals:

CALIFORNIA

San Francisco Oyster Fest. Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park. San Fran, CA.  June 1, 2013

San Diego Oyster Fest.  Marina Embarcadero North. San Diego, CA.  June 15, 2013

Arcata Bay Oyster Festival. Arcata, CA. June 15, 2013

Central Coast Oyster Festival. Morro Bay Oyster Farm.  Morro Bay, CA.  Oct. 19, 2013

CONNECTICUT

Mohegan Sun Oyster Open. Uncasville, CT.  Jan. 27, 2013

Milford Oyster Festival.  Milford, CT.  Aug. 17, 2013

Norwalk Oyster Festival.  Norwalk, CT.  Sept. 6-8, 2013

FLORIDA

Goodwood Museum & Garden's Oyster Roast.  Tallahassee, FL.  Mar. 1, 2013

Fort Pierce Oyster Festival, Ft. Pierce, FL.  Apr. 6, 2013

Halifax Oyster Festival.  Daytona Beach, FL.  Apr. 27, 2013

Franklin County Oyster Festival.  Eastpoint, FL.  CANCELLED

Apalachicola Oyster Roast.  Apalachicola, FL.  Nov. 1, 2013

GEORGIA

Oyster Mardi Gras Fest.  Atkins Park Restaurant.  Smyrna, GA.  Feb. 12, 2013

Steamhouse Lounge Oyster Fest.  Atlanta, GA.  Feb. 23-24, 2013

Georgia Conservancy Oyster Roast.  Savannah, GA.  Mar. 2, 2013

ILLINOIS

Springfield Oyster & Beer Festival.  Springfield, IL.  Sept. 7, 2013

Guiness Oyster Fest.  Roscoe Village.  Chicago, IL.  Sept. 7, 2013

Royster with the Oyster.  Chicago, IL. Oct. 8-12, 2012 

LOUISIANA

Louisiana Oyster Jubilee. New Orleans, LA.  Mar. 9, 2013

Amite Oyster Festival.  Amite, LA.  Mar. 15-17, 2013

New Orleans Oyster Festival.  New Orleans, LA.  June 1-2, 2013

St. Cletus Oyster Festival.  Gretna, LA.  Oct. 19-21, 2012

Violet Oyster Festival.  Violet, LA.  Oct. 19-21, 2012

MAINE

Pemaquid Oyster Festival.  Damariscotta, ME.  Sept. 29, 2013

MARYLAND

Chesapeake Oyster & Beer Festival.  National Harbor, MD.  CANCELLED.

Ducks Unlimited Annual Bull & Oyster Roast.  Havre de Grace, MD.  Apr. 20, 2013

Ryleigh's Oysterfest and Baltimore Oyster Shucking Contest.  Baltimore, MD.  Oct. 5-6, 2013

St. Mary's Oyster Festival.  Leonardtown, MD.  Oct. 19-20, 2013

Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum OysterFest.  St. Michael's, MD.  Nov. 2, 2013

MASSACHUSETTS

B&G Oyster Festival.  Boston, MA.  May 5, 2013

Island Creek Oyster Festival.  Duxbury, MA.  CANCELLED

Wellfleet Oyster Festival.  Wellfleet, MA.  Oct. 19-20, 2013

MISSISSIPPI

Pass Christian Oyster Festival.  Pass Christian, MS.  Jan. 25-27, 2013

MISSOURI

Schlafly Stout and Oyster Festival.  St. Louis, MO.  Mar. 8-9, 2013

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Piscatagua Oysterpalooza.  Piscataqua, NH.  Sept. 22, 2013

NEW JERSEY

Asbury Park Oysterfest.  Asbury Park, NJ.  Sept. 6-8, 2013

Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival.  Red Bank, NJ.  Sept. 22, 2013

NEW YORK

Oyster and Wine Festival at Lieb Cellars.  North Fork, Long Island, NY.  Apr. 27, 2013

Stone Street Oyster Festival.  Stone Street, New York, NY.  Sept. 21, 2013.

Oyster Week.  New York City and Long Island, NY.  Sept. 21-29, 2013.

Aureole's Oyster Social. New York City, NY.  Sept. 22, 2013

Empire Oyster. New York City, NY. Sept. 25, 2013

Oyster Frenzy. (Pro Oyster Shucking Contest).  Sept. 28, 2013 

Oyster Bay Oyster Festival.  Oyster Bay, NY.  Oct. 19-20, 2013

NORTH CAROLINA

Core Sound Waterfowl Museum. Harkers Island, NC. Jan. 25, 2014

Stumpy Point Oyster Festival. Stumpy Point, NC. Feb. 8, 2014

Dogwood Oyster Roast. Statesville, NC. April 26, 2013

First Flight Rotary Oink and Oyster Roast. Kitty Hawk, NC. Oct. 6, 2012

Airlie Gardens Oyster Roast. Wilmington, NC. Oct. 18, 2013

Burke Arts Council Oyster Outing. Morganton, NC. Oct. 19, 2013

NC Oyster Festival. Ocean Isle, NC. Oct. 19-20, 2013

Dixon Chapel Oyster Roast. Varnamtown, NC. Nov. 3, 2012

Pamlico-Tar River Foundation Oyster Roast. Washington, NC. Nov. 10, 2012 

SOUTH CAROLINA
New Year's Day Oyster Roast.  Folly Beach, SC.  Jan. 1, 2014

Save the Light Oyster Roast.  Charleston, SC.  Jan. 6, 2013

Music & Oysters for Wildlife.  Awendaw, SC.  Jan. 12, 2013

Oyster Roast at Dill Sanctuary.  Charleston, SC.  Jan. 13, 2013

Lowcountry Oyster Festival.  Mt. Pleasant, SC.  Jan. 26, 2014

Charitable Society of Charleston Oyster Roast.  Charleston, SC.  Feb. 2, 2013

Southeastern Wildlife Exposition.  Charleston, SC.  Feb. 16, 2013

Shuckin in the Park Oyster Roast.  Moncks Corner, SC.  Mar. 9, 2013

Pet Helpers Oyster Roast (Shuck Your Paws Off).  Charleston, SC.  Mar. 16, 2013

Beaufort Twilight Run & Oyster Roast. Beaufort, SC.  Mar. 23, 2013

Spartanburg Ducks Unlimited Oyster Roast.  Spartanburg, SC.  Apr. 5, 2013

Hilton Head Oyster Festival.  Hilton Head, SC.  Nov. 9-10, 2013

Summerville Family YMCA Oyster Shindig.  Summerville, SC.  Nov. 9, 2012

Celebrity Chili Cook-Off & Oyster Roast.  Charleston, SC.  Nov. 23, 2013

South Carolina Oyster Festival.  Columbia, SC.  Nov. 24, 2013

Palmetto Society Oyster Roast.  Charleston, SC.  Dec. 7, 2012

CCA (Waccamaw Chapter) Lowcountry Oyster Roast & BBQ Dinner.  Dec. 8, 2012

PENNSYLVANIA

Berks County Celtic Festival.  Mohnton, PA.  CANCELLED 

Annie Bailey's Irish Pub & Restaurant Guiness Oyster Festival.   Lancaster, PA.  Sept. 22, 2012

TEXAS

Oysterfest.  Fulton, TX.  Mar. 7-10, 2013

Fiesta Oyster Bake.  San Antonio, TX.  April 19-29, 2013

World Championship Rocky Mountain Oyster Festival. Throckmorton, TX.  May 18-19, 2012

Austin Oyster Festival.  Austin, TX.  Nov. 9, 2012

VIRGINIA

Barrier Islands Center Oyster Roast.  Machipongo, VA.  Feb. 23, 2013

Virginia Beach Volunteer Rescue Squad Oyster Roast. Virginia Beach, VA.  Mar. 24, 2013

Blue Ridge Oyster Festival.  Roseland, VA.  CANCELLED

Lynnhaven Oyster Roast, Virginia Beach, VA.  Apr. 20, 2013

Chincoteague Oyster Festival, Chincoteague Island, Oct. 12, 2013

City Center Oyster Roast.  Newport News, VA.  Oct. 18, 2013

Urbanna Oyster Festival.  Urbanna, VA.  Nov. 1-2, 2013

Oyster Roast at Cardinal Point Vineyard.  Afton, VA.  Nov. 9-10, 2013

The Mimslyn Inn Oysterfest.  Luray, VA.  Nov. 10, 2012

TOGA Half-Shell Oyster Tasting.  Gloucester, VA.  Nov. 10, 2012

Watermen's Museum Oyster Roast.  Yorktown, VA.  Dec. 1, 2012

Oysters and Oldies Christmas Oyster Roast.  Heathsville, VA.  Dec. 1, 2012

WASHINGTON

Hama Hama Oyster Rama.  Lilliwaup, WA.  Apr. 27, 2013

PCSGA Shellfish SLURP.  Olympia, WA.  May 5, 2013

Jazz & Oysters (Watermusic Festival).  Oysterville, WA.  Aug. 18, 2013

Samish Bay Bivalve Bash.  Samish Bay, WA.  CANCELLED

Oyster Run.  Anacortes, WA.  Sept. 22, 2013

Oysterfest & West Coast Shucking Championship.  Shelton, WA.  Oct. 5-6, 2013

Flying Fish Oyster Frenzy.  Seattle, WA.  Oct. 27, 2013

Elliott's Oyster New Year Bash.  Seattle, WA.  Nov. 2, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C

Oysterstock. April 22, 2012

Oyster Riot at Old Ebbitt Grill. Nov. 15-16, 2013

WISCONSIN

Milwaukee Oyster Roast. Milwaukee, WI.  Apr. 20, 2013

CANADA

Lund Shellfish Festival. May 24-36, 2013

BC Shellfish Festival. Comox. June 14-15, 2013

Ontario Oyster Festival. Toronto. July 21, 2013

Tyne Valley Water Oyster Festival. PEI. July 31-Aug. 4, 2013

PEI Shellfish Festival. PEI. Sept. 19-22, 2013

Clayoquot Oyster Festival. Tofino. Nov. 15-17, 2012

UNITED KINGDOM

Colchester Oyster Fayre Market.  Essex, UK.  June 1-2, 2013

Whitstable Oyster Festival. Whitstable, Canterbury, UK.  July 20-26, 2013

Carlingford Oyster Festival. Carlingford, Louth, Ireland.  Aug. 8-13, 2013

Hillsborough Oyster Festival .  Hillsborough, N Ireland.  Sept. 5-8, 2013

Clarenbridge Oyster Festival.  Galway, Ireland.  Sept. 13-15, 2013.

Galway International Oyster Festival. Galway City, Ireland.  Sept. 27-29, 2013

Falmouth Oyster Festival. Falmouth, UK.  Oct. 10-13, 2013

Anglesey Oyster & Welsh Produce Festival. Isle of Anglesey, North Wales, UK.  Oct. 12-13, 2013

Did I miss one?  Please let me know the name of the event, the event website, the date and the city.

I Heart Union Oyster House

You gotta love a classic.  That's why, to celebrate Valentine's Day this year, I'm featuring ye olde Union Oyster House. Usually, I write about the oysters when I visit a restaurant.  This time, however, I think the building and its history should be center stage.

Union Oyster House is America's oldest restaurant.  That's right.  AN OYSTER HOUSE IS THE OLDEST RESTAURANT IN THE COUNTRY.  

Atwood and Bacon Oyster House
Est. 1826

In a sure sign that the building is really, really old, no one is quite sure when the building was erected.  The first records show that in 1742, the building housed a fancy dress shop (which later expanded to include dry goods).  In 1771, on the top floor of the building, Isaiah Thomas published the first newspaper in America called "The Massachusetts Spy."  Later, the building also became the headquarters for Federal troops to receive their war wages and served as a workshop for women to sew and mend clothes for the colonists fighting the war.  

Original menu from
Atwood and Bacon Oyster House

Oysters entered the building in 1826 when Atwood and Bacon Oyster House opened.  They installed the famous semi-circular Oyster Bar that still remains today.  From the Union Street House website: "It was at the Oyster Bar that Daniel Webster, a constant customer, daily drank his tall tumbler of brandy and water with each half-dozen oysters, seldom having less than six plates."  It's also known as the birthplace of the modern day toothpick. 

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Fast forward to 2013 when, on a cold day in January, I visited this historic landmark.  It was only fitting that the raw bar featured two New England classics: Wellfleets and Blue Points.  Fred Pagano, a five-year shucking veteran, was as much a shucker as he was a friend.  A few customers casually sat down at the semi-circle oyster bar and - like Daniel Webster before them - ordered six raw oysters and a beer.  I fully expected Sam and Norm to stroll in after having escaped the Cheers bar down the street.   

In between conversations, Pagano shucked oysters for diners up on the second floor, placing them in a dumb waiter behind the bar.  You can see it in the picture below to the left of Pagano.  In the picture, it looks like two black boxes stacked on top of one another.

Fred Pagano shucks oysters at the famous semi-circle oyster bar.
Daniel Webster and other notable Bostonians have slurped down oysters here.

A dollhouse captures
life in the 1800's

The brick building is warm, cozy, and tight - made for smaller people in a different time.  I wound my way up from the first floor oyster bar to the second floor, where patrons nestled together in booths.  (OK, the people weren't as small as the dollhouse below suggests, but you can catch a glimpse at a moment in time at ye olde Union Oyster House.

JFK's booth at Union Oyster House

On the second floor I found The Kennedy Booth, where JFK himself dined many times.  A climb to the fourth floor was also worth it.  I could picture the newspaper printers whirling - setting the seeds for the Revolutionary War.  (Keep an eye out for the 42-pound stuffed lobster proudly displayed in the stairwell.  The kids went nuts.)

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I talk often about my oyster bucket list.  A visit to Union Oyster House was certainly near the top of that list and I'm honored to check it off.  If you get the chance to visit, you won't find nouveau oysters.  You won't find a Pacific oyster. You won't find a chef pushing the envelop of oyster innovation.  You will, however, find a gem.  A piece of history that, thankfully, hasn't changed much since our oyster eating forefathers slurped down the bivalves.  I believe that the taste of an oyster is affected by it's ambiance.  In this case, Union Oyster House elevates the oyster in ways no one can match.

"Eat Oysters.  Live Longer."
Valentine's window at Union Oyster House

One last note:
Alas, even our oldest restaurant gets in on a Hallmark holiday.  Perhaps as a nod to its retail roots, the Union Oyster House retail shop window was decked out in Valentine wishes during my January visit.

Happy Valentine's Day everyone.  Enjoy your oysters.  And remember, scientists have now proven that two amino acids and high levels of zinc found in oysters can improve your sex life.  I'm just saying.

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Union Oyster House

41 Union Street

Boston, MA  02108
p: 617.227.2750
www.unionoysterhouse.com

6 Naked Oysters: Island Creeks, Ichabod Flats, Beach Points, Rocky Nooks, Chatham, and Wild Wellfleets

If you're a regular at Oyster Stew, you know that I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Island Creek Oyster Bar in Boston. (Check out my blog post here.) While I was there, co-owner and Chef Jeremy Sewall hand-picked a half-dozen raw, naked oysters for me to try.  Here's what he chose:

1. Island Creeks (Duxbury, MA)
Obviously, the Island Creeks were a star at Island Creek Oyster Bar.  Not only are they served on the half shell, Chef Jeremy uses them elsewhere on the menu: try the fried oyster sliders and Oysters Gregory.  They are briny and meaty and present.  Such a treat.

Island Creek Oysters (Duxbury, MA)

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2. Ichabod Flats (Plymouth, MA)
Oscar worthy.  Super briny.  Bold.  Perfect size.  And check out the shell.  Bring on the bling.

Ichabod Flat Oysters (Plymouth, MA)

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3. Beach Points (Barnstable, MA)
Beach Points have been grown by Mark Begley for more than 15 years in a southern harbor off Cape Cod Bay.  The oysters are tumbled, which give them deep cups, perfect for holding onto oyster liquor.  They have an elite fan base and often make the Top 10 list of ostreaphiles.  Sometimes compared to lobsters, Beach Points are less salty than their Wellfleet cousins.  I think they are great starter oysters, though oyster lovers will appreciate the nuances.

Beach Point Oysters  (Barnstable, MA)

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4. Rocky Nooks (Kingston, MA)
Co-owners Tom Taylor, Greg Parker and John Wheble are harvesting oysters in Kingston for the first time in 60 years.  We should all be thankful they dusted off the oyster industry there.  I find them similar to Beach Points.

Rocky Nook Oysters (Kingston, MA)

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5. Chatham (Chatham, MA)
Holy briny flavor.  Steven Wright grows these oysters on Chatham's Oyster Pond River.   They are a favorite among shuckers because they are easy to open.

Chatham Oysters  (Chatham, MA)

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6. Wild Wellfleets - (Wellfleet, MA)
You can taste the difference.  Wild Wellfleets, left to nature, soak up all of the sea's goodness.  While many Wellfleets are cultivated offshore by dozens of oystermen, wild Wellfleets take on the traits of the youngest child, breaking all the rules and never getting caught.  Wild Wellfleets finish with a lettucey taste.  In a good way.  The brininess tries to shine, but sea plants shine through.  I like when oysters surprise me.

Wild Wellfleet Oysters  (Wellfleet, MA)