Festival
U.S. Oyster Festival
Enjoy fresh oysters, oyster shucking contests, an oyster cook-off, live entertainment, and more at the U.S. Oyster Festival held annually in St. Mary's County.
58th Annual U.S. Oyster Festival
Saturday, October 19th & Sunday, October 20th, 2024
St. Mary's County Fairgrounds
42455 Fairgrounds Road
Leonardtown, Maryland 20650
Tickets on sale soon!
With over 500 miles of shoreline and an abundance of fresh seafood, it's fitting that St. Mary's County, Maryland is home to the Annual U.S. Oyster Festival, hosted each year by the Rotary Club of Lexington Park. Proceeds from the event are used to support local community projects.
This weekend-long event brings fresh and local oysters by the bucket load. You can enjoy them raw, grilled, fried, steamed, and everything in between!
Watch as contestants put together amazing oyster dishes for the cook-off and gather for the main event, the shucking competition. Plus, enjoy live music, artisan vendors, and loads of family-friendly fun all weekend long!
Cook-Off Competition
The Cook-off features contestants preparing their own oyster recipes for hors d'oeuvres, soups, and stews, and a main dish. Enjoy a sample of these handmade dishes as the judges decide which dish will be the winner. If you love them all, you can purchase a cookbook that has the recipes for you to try at home!
Oyster Shucking Competition
The main event of the U.S. Oyster Festival is the U.S. National Oyster Shucking Championship Contest. Saturday and Sunday features the fastest men and women shuckers representing ten states and the fastest local tidewater shuckers for the championship spot. In previous years, the winners have traveled to Ireland to compete in the International Oyster Festival. Watch in awe as you witness the speed and precision of oyster shucking by the best of the best, and even get the chance to eat the oysters after judging!
