Raw, scalded, grilled, stewed, nude or on the half-shell visitors will find oysters just about any way they can imagine at the 45th Annual St. Mary’s County Oyster Festival this weekend at the county fairgrounds south of Leonardtown.
Bivalve buffs and casual connoisseurs can also witness two big-time competitions: the National Oyster Cook-off and the U.S. National Oyster Shucking Championship.
On Saturday, nine finalists from across the country will vie for the title of premier oyster chef in the National Oyster Cook-off. Chosen from nearly 150 entries submitted by contestant hopefuls coast to coast, this year’s competitors come from as far west as Oregon and as far south as Louisiana and include Loic Jaffres, Mike Strejc, Thomas Faglon, Rebecca S. Blake, Judy Armstrong, Rod Borowy, Jack Campbell, Ronna Farley and Amy Angelo.
The top recipes will be judged by a panel of six judges. People’s choice and presentation honors will also be awarded. Oyster Cook-off cookbooks featuring all of the recipes submitted this year will be available for purchase for $8, and oyster cooking demonstrations will be offered in conjunction with the competition.
The oyster shucking championship will feature the fastest, most efficient male and female shuckers in the nation contending for cash prizes totaling $1,800 and a trip to Galway, Ireland, where the winner will represent the United States in the World Oyster Opening Championship.
Tasked with the challenge of shucking 24 oysters, speed is the crucial element for contestants, though aesthetic presentation also plays a part; point deductions will be applied for broken shells, cut oysters and blood.
Shuckers will start on Saturday with several heats for men and women, and winners of the first round will compete on Sunday. The women’s final will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday and the men’s final at 3:30 p.m. At 4 p.m., the women’s champion and the men’s champion will face off for the U.S. crown. Entries will be accepted until 1 p.m. on Saturday at the fairgrounds office for a fee of $75.
Entertainment on Saturday will include performances by St. Mary’s College of Maryland Combo and Jazz Band; Ben Connelly; GeeZer; The Eastport Oyster Boys; Daughters of Veda Mid-Eastern Dance Troop; and the Southern Mix Chorus. On tap Sunday are Jay Armsworthy and Eastern Tradition; Danny Flynn and Pond Scum; The Sam Grow Band; Reggie Rice: Super Magic Man; Gary Rue and the Blue Crabs; and the Tri-County Chapter Barbershop Harmony Society.
There will also be carnival games and rides, and local arts and crafts will also be on display for sale.
“The annual oyster festival is the Rotary Club of Lexington Park’s major fundraiser and a significant tourism event for St. Mary’s County, drawing an average of 22,000 visitors each year,” said Robin Finnacom, president of the Rotary Club. “This is the Club’s 45th year of bringing friends and family together to enjoy oysters one of St. Mary’s County’s historic pleasures.”
“There’s really something for everyone,” said Beverly Brown, festival administrator. “For the kids, the petting zoo and the carnival rides are going to be a big hit (and, of course, the funnel cakes). We’ll also be featuring limited edition souvenir mugs at the beer stand.
“Most all of the money raised is distributed here locally in St. Mary’s County, so it’s really a wonderful thing,” Brown said.
Finnacom said the funds help finance nonprofit initiatives that provide food, shelter or energy assistance, and provide scholarships for local students. The money raised at last year’s festival allowed the club to distribute nearly $20,000 to groups such as the Three Oaks Center, Christmas in April, Mike’s Food Fund, Tri-County Community Action Agency Energy Assistance Program and Leah’s House. The Rotary Club also provides an annual grant to the St. Mary’s County Waterman’s Association from oyster festival proceeds.
“I love this festival, because it’s extremely local and features local foods and is just a really unique event in the county,” said Bill Moody, this year’s King Oyster. “It’s just a great time and a wonderful place to bring the family and experience all that the county has to offer.”
This year’s festival is dedicated to Kirk MacKinnon, who died in August. “He became president of the Rotary Club of Lexington Park on July 1 this year and was slated to be King Oyster for next year’s fest,” Brown said, “and the King Oyster always escorts the U.S. oyster shucking champ to Ireland for the world competition. So we want to dedicate this festival to his memory.”
Gates are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, no charge for children 12 and under and parking is free.
goolsby@somdnews.com
