There’s so much oyster activity going on this month that I can barely keep track of it all. After the off-the-charts success of the Wellfleet OysterFest, there are TWO events this weekend worth mentioning. I wish I could be at one or the other but—alas—I can’t.
First, if anyone is in the Baltimore/DC area I suggest you make a beeline down to Leonardtown, Maryland for the 46th annual St. Mary’s County Oyster Festival. I visited in 2007—the year William “Chopper” Young of Wellfleet won first place and catapulted onto the international stage. (Where he won in Galway in 2008, though that’s another story.)
First, if anyone is in the Baltimore/DC area I suggest you make a beeline down to Leonardtown, Maryland for the 46th annual St. Mary’s County Oyster Festival. I visited in 2007—the year William “Chopper” Young of Wellfleet won first place and catapulted onto the international stage. (Where he won in Galway in 2008, though that’s another story.)
It’s a fun event, kind of like an old fashioned country fair (with rides, games, and tractor displays) combined with all things oysters, including an oyster cooking competition and the national shucking competition. I’m not 100% sure of the roster of competitors this year, though I’m guessing the crew from Dusty’s in Panama City, Florida will be there (Mike Martin, Scotty O’Lear) and of course Robert Daffin and Mama, plus a Baltimore contingent including George “Hannibal” Hastings and his brother Robert. Women are strong contenders too. If Deborah Pratt of Virginia shows up these guys had better sharpen their knives.
Deets: This year's festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday, October 20th and 21st at the Fairgrounds on Route 5 just south of Leonardtown. The gates open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and from 11:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults, no charge for children 12 and under and there is plenty of free parking. The festival events continue, rain or shine, since adequate buildings and tents are provided on the grounds. Proceeds from the Oyster Festival go to local charities.
To read my complete story on the festival in American Way magazine, click the link:
To read my complete story on the festival in American Way magazine, click the link:
| oysters_07.pdf |
Second, here’s a shout out to pals attending the Danish Oyster Cup and World Oyster Cup taking place on Frederiksberg Runddel in Copenhagen on October 20th.
The participants will shuck 30 Danish oysters from Limfjorden, which I’m told are pretty demanding to open because of the thick shells they grow in the cold waters of Denmark and the large size of the actual oyster-meat in the shell.
The participants will shuck 30 Danish oysters from Limfjorden, which I’m told are pretty demanding to open because of the thick shells they grow in the cold waters of Denmark and the large size of the actual oyster-meat in the shell.
Good luck to Danish competitors Jonas and Simon Tønsager who I met in Galway. The first and second place winners of the Danish Cup will go on to compete with Heini Petersen (Norway), Daniel Notkin (Canada), William "Chopper" Young (USA), Frederik Lindfors (England), Lars Karlsson (Sweden), Angus Vajk (Scotland), Johan Malm (Sweden), Michael Moran (Ireland), Stephen Nolan (Ireland), Xavier Caille (France), Martin Söderström (Finland), Antii Lepik (Estland) and Urs Müller (Germany).
Apologies to anyone I may have forgotten or missed.
Good luck to all. Shuck off and shuck on!
Apologies to anyone I may have forgotten or missed.
Good luck to all. Shuck off and shuck on!
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