The 55th annual Oyster Festival in St. Mary’s County is Back!

Celebrate the annual opening of oyster season on the Chesapeake Bay at this two-day family fun oyster festival taking place at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds in Leonardtown, Maryland, on Saturday, October 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, October 17 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

See the championship and amateur oyster shucking contests and the U.S. Oyster Cook-off and enjoy good food and drinks, live music and a puppet show!

Enjoy oysters served up raw, scalded, grilled , on bread, on the half shell, stewed, cooked in savory sauces, in salads, even in desserts, just about every way imaginable. There will be local organizations creating tasty oyster dishes and many St. Mary’s County oyster restaurants and farmers showing off their best oyster recipes.

Tickets are $10 for one day, or purchase a two-day pass for $15. Children 12 and under are admitted free, no ticket is required.  Visit the Oysterfest website to purchase event tickets and find the schedule of contests, music and more. Proceeds from ticket sales support the community-building efforts of the Rotary Club of Lexington Park, organizer of the U.S. Oyster Festival.

Attendees are encouraged to act responsibly by practicing social distancing and wearing masks during the festival.