OysterFest

On Saturday, October 29, 2016, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is hosting OysterFest, a celebration of the Chesapeake’s favorite bivalve. The event features live music on two stages, an oyster stew competition, boat rides, retriever demonstrations, oysters and other local fare, and cooking demonstrations, along with children’s activities, oystering demonstrations, harvesting displays, and more.

This year, Swamp Donkey — a high energy newgrass band with a twist of rock — is returning to OysterFest, playing live from the Tolchester Beach Bandstand. Performing on a second stage along the museum’s Fogg’s Cove will be the melodic Kent Island-based trio, Key Lime Pie, performing “barefoot-guitar” pop from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Family activities are in abundance at the event, with river cruises aboard Winnie Estelle, an oversized oyster puzzle game, an oyster nursery, and net-making and knot-tying demonstrations, a scavenger hunt, and face painting. Children can also build a take-home model boat for a $3 fee. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief and Rescue club will also present retriever demonstrations on CBMM’s Navy Point.

Admission to OysterFest is $5 for CBMM adult members, or $18 for adults; $15 for seniors and students with ID; and $6 for children 6-17. 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 museum festivals, as leashed dogs are permitted only during regular operating hours. Proceeds from the event support the non-profit museum’s education, restoration, and exhibition programs, with more information at www.cbmm.org/oysterfest or 410-745-2916.