St. Mary's County Oyster Festival

St. Mary's County Oyster Festival

Third weekend in OctoberOyster festivals are common in areas where the oyster industry has survived. But the festival that has been held at the start of the oyster season in Leonardtown, Maryland, since 1967 has a special significance for those skilled in the fine art of oyster shucking. The highlight of the October festival is the National Oyster Shucking Championship to see who can open the most oysters as quickly and neatly as possible. The winner of this contest goes on to compete in the Galway Oyster Festival in Ireland the following year.
The season's new oysters are served in every imaginable way: raw on the half-shell with sauce, steamed, fried, and stewed in a broth. The two-day festival also offers cooking demonstations and live musical entertainment.
CONTACTS:
St. Mary's County Oyster Festival
P.O. Box 653
Leonardtown, MD 20650
301-475-4200; fax: 301-475-4414
www.usoysterfest.com
SOURCES:
GdUSFest-1985, p. 83