Special to this year’s festival will be the re-launch of the 1889 bugeye Edna E. Lockwood, whose nine-log hull has been restored by CBMM shipwrights and apprentices over the past two years. Edna Lockwood is the queen of CBMM’s floating fleet of historic boats and a National Historic Landmark. She will return to the Chesapeake Bay following a brief ceremony at 3pm, making her way back on the Miles River down CBMM’s marine railway.
CBMM’s OysterFest features oysters served a variety of ways, along with other local fare, craft beer, and spirits; live music on two stages, including a return performance by Swamp Donkey Newgrass; scenic river cruises aboard Winnie Estelle; an oyster stew competition; cooking presentations; Chesapeake Bay retriever and oystering demonstrations; children’s activities, and more.
Festival-goers can savor Chesapeake Bay wild and aquaculture oysters served steamed or raw, plus oyster fritters, crab cakes, fried shrimp, clam strips, pit beef, pit turkey, and pulled pork, among other offerings. Lyon Distilling Company will serve a specialty rum cocktail, with other drink options including oyster shooters and Chesapeake-style Bloody Marys, featuring George’s Bloody Mary mix. Sweets and treats include ice cream, funnel cakes, kettle corn, and more.
Local chefs will offer cooking demonstrations of signature oyster dishes throughout the day. Beginning at 11am, attendees can vote for their favorite oyster stew in a competition among local restaurants and chefs. Participation is limited to 500 people on a first-come, first-served basis, with a commemorative OysterFest mug and the tastings offered for $10.
This blind taste test awards bragging rights to the chef with the most votes, with the People’s Choice winner announced at the festival and later to the public. Last year’s People’s Choice award went to Sunflowers & Greens of Easton, Md., who will be returning for this year’s stew competition.
Family activities include Chesapeake-themed games, activities, and demonstrations; a scavenger hunt; face painting; and a chance to build a take-home model boat for $3. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief and Rescue club will also present retriever demonstrations on CBMM’s Navy Point.
Guests will also be able to explore CBMM’s exhibitions, including Oystering on the Chesapeake and Waterman’s Wharf, where they can try tonging or nippering for oysters. A spirited oyster slurping contest has competitions taking place on the hour from 1–3pm
OysterFest sponsors include Patriot Cruises of St. Michaels, Md.; Choptank Electric Cooperative; Ewing, Dietz, Fountain & Kaludis; Hummingbird Inn of Easton; and the Maryland State Arts Council.
OysterFest admission is $5 for CBMM adult members, or $18 for non-member adults; $15 for seniors and students with ID; and $6 for children ages 6 to 17. CBMM members at the Family & Friends level and above also receive the $5 discounted admission for two adult guests. Food, drinks, and boat rides are an additional cost, with carry-on alcohol prohibited. For safety reasons, non-service dogs need to be kept home during CBMM festivals, with leashed dogs permitted during regular operating hours.
Proceeds from the event support CBMM’s education, restoration, and exhibition programs, with advanced tickets and more information at cbmm.org/oysterfest.
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~ Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum