Oyster And Seafood Festivals

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The World's Best Oyster And Seafood Festivals

How fast can you shuck? World oyster shucking champion, Belgian Xavier Caille, recently popped 30 succulent bivalves open in two minutes, twenty-five seconds, or 4.8 seconds each. Of course, if you can't shuck 'em you can still join 'em.

Oyster and seafood festivals kick into high gear this season, and in addition to great eats there's always high drama at the shucking competitions where speed must be matched with perfectionism. Cut an oyster or leave grit in the shell and penalties will ruin a quick time.

Shells are sure to fly when the pros take the stage at these events, armed with custom made knives, to compete for glory -- and cash. Three, two, one: Shuck!


Wellfleet OysterFest: October 15 -16, 2011

Now in its 11th year, the Wellfleet OysterFest has grown into a two-day street fair where thousands flock to Massachusetts to slurp down succulent bivalves and sample chowder and other specialties prepared by local restaurants.

In addition to its famous oysters, Wellfleet is home to shellfisherman William "Chopper" Young, two-time national shucking champion, and the first American to win the internationals in Galway in 32 years at the 2008 event. Other activities include live entertainment, a 5k race, cooking demos, arts and crafts and lectures on the marine environment.

Photo: Necee Regis


St. Mary's County Oyster Festival: October 15-16, 2011

Video→ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxQHZ2Z-t1U&feature=player_embedded

Leonardtown, Maryland hosts this two-day extravaganza on the third weekend of October. Now in its 45th year, the shucking competition attracts those who vie to claim the title as best in the nation -- and win the grand prize ticket to Galway, Ireland for the international championship. In true country-fair tradition, there are arts and crafts, a livestock barn, entertainment tent, historic displays, amusement park and the National Oyster Cook Off. Enjoy oyster chowder, grilled oysters, raw oysters, Maryland ham, BBQ beef and deep-fried funnel cake


Florida Seafood Festival: November 4- 5, 2011

Travis Tritt is headlining this year's Florida Seafood Festival in Apalachicola, but the true stars are the shuckers who compete to win a spot in the national competition. Look for the crew from Dusty's Oyster Bar in Panama City, including this trifecta of winners: Mike Martin, Scotty O'Lear and Robert Daffin who'll open eighteen Apalachicola Bay oysters in record-breaking time. Weekend festivities also feature an oyster-eating contest, a parade with bands and floats, a blessing of the fleet and 5000-meter road race.


Narooma Oyster Festival: May 5, 2012

The serene and pristine coastal haven of Narooma in New South Wales, Australia overflows with visitors during the annual Oyster Festival. Last year, more than 21,000 oysters were freshly shucked and slurped during a weekend that celebrated the region's finest offerings. There is, of course, an oyster shucking competition, plus an oyster-recipe contest, Aboriginal fire ceremony, a lantern parade, a funky dance party and fireworks.


Knysna Oyster Festival: July 6-16, 2012

The annual Knysna Oyster Festival is one of South Africa's most popular festivals, attracting over 65,000 visitors for a rollicking 10-day party that combines sports, entertainment and oysters. Bivalve-themed events include the popular oyster-opening competition, an oyster-eating competition and the Oyster & Wine Mardi Gras, an evening extravaganza combing oysters with wine tasting. Sport enthusiasts arrive for cycling, running, kayaking and adventure races.


Tyne Valley Oyster Festival: August 1 -5, 2012

Canada's best shuckers sharpen their knives and converge on bucolic Prince Edward Island every August for the Tyne Valley Oyster Festival. The stakes are high as the winner here will snag a coveted spot at the World Oyster Shucking Championship in Galway, Ireland. The rest of the five-day festival has an old-timey feel, featuring horse pulls, a strong man contest, fiddling competitions, step dancing, the Miss Oyster Pearl pagent and a singing competition.


Glasgow Riverside Seafood Festival: August 4-5, 2012

It isn't far from Glasgow to Galway but to win a spot at the world championship a Scottish shucker must win the Loch Fyne Scottish Oyster Opening Championships, part of the Glasgow Riverside Festival. Live music on the bandstand serenades the crowds all day with jazz, traditional and contemporary Scottish Music. Sample the best wares of seafood local producers: smoked and fresh salmon, BBQ fish, hot and smoked mackerel, scallops and -- you guessed it -- oysters!


PEI International Shellfish Festival: September 13-16, 2012

A white tent on the historic Charlottetown waterfront hosts thousands of foodies who flock to the Prince Edward Island International Shellfish Festival, a four-day event packed with culinary demos, celebrity chefs, chowder championships and oyster shucking competitions.

You might meet "Oyster Bob" from Vancouver, current Canadian champ Eamon Clark, Toronto chef Patrick McMurray, local restaurant owner John Bil (who hosts the "Unofficial Shucker's Ball") and Daniel Notkin, a Jewish shucker from Montreal who reports that his rabbi blessed his knife. Sample all the PEI shellfish you can eat as live music plays all day and night.


Galway International Oyster Festival: September 2012

The crème de la crème of shuckers from America to Singapore compete for the world title at the World Oyster Shucking Championship in Galway. Party the Irish way at this four-day gala event that starts with a shuck-off to determine the Irish competitor. The medieval city is a striking backdrop for the non-stop events including sumptuous buffets, a parade with pom pom-shaking young women, live music, Irish step dancing, Guinness galore, dancing on chairs and the crowning of the new world champ.

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