Raw, steamed, or fried! Enjoy oysters served any way you like at the Captain Avery Museum’s 27th Annual Oyster Festival. The festival will take place at the museum on Saturday, October 12 from 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm. It will also feature other delicious food, kids activities, live music, and a cash-prize raffle!
Good food is usually the highlight of any festival, and this one is no exception. The Anne Arundel County Watermen’s Association will be shucking fresh oysters on site. Follow those up with an oyster shooter made with Old Bay vodka, courtesy of George’s Beverage Company, for a fun flavorful experience. If you have someone in the family with allergies or who doesn’t like oysters, Skipper’s Pier and Chesapeake Grille will also be serving food including crab soup, burgers, and hotdogs. The annual Avery Cafe bake sale will also offer families the opportunity to enjoy sweet treats, as well as coffee, tea, and cider. Other beverages available will include mixed drinks courtesy of George’s Beverage Company, beer, wine, water, and soft drinks. Please bring cash. ATMs may not be available on-site and use of credit cards may come with a payment processing fee.
In between satisfying your taste buds, let the kids get expressive! Children can enjoy painting pumpkins provided by Greenstreet Growers or get their faces painted. They may also join the arts and crafts table with the Arts Lab of South County or go on a story walk hosted by the Anne Arundel County Public Library’s Deale branch.
Want to take a load off amid the hustle and bustle? Stop and listen to some music. The whole family can enjoy live performances by local entertainers Tim and Savannah Finch with the Eastman String Band, and Red Sammy. Tim and Savannah’s crew return to the Oyster Festival stage with music that melds bluegrass with Americana for an “Alt-grass Sound.” Adam Trice and his ensemble that makes up Red Sammy will perform a blend of “slow-burning americana folk-rock.”
Adults can also participate in a 50/50 cash raffle. Last year’s winner took home almost $2,000! Tickets can be purchased in advance. Plus, you can visit the Choose It! booth to find unique gifts and experiences, generously donated, at discounted prices.
Admission into the Oyster Festival is $10 for museum members, $20 for Non-members, and free for volunteers and children 8 years old and younger. On-site parking is only for musicians, vendors, and attendees with wheelchairs or walkers. All other attendees must park off-site at either Shady Side Park (1355 E. West Shady Side Rd.) or Clarks Landing (1442 Ford Rd., Shady Side). A shuttle service will run between the festival and the off-site parking lots.
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