Lots of food, fun and fellowship in a relaxed, rural atmosphere. That's the perfect formula for a great festival, and it's the formula organizers of the annual St. Mary's County Oyster adopted 39 years ago when they took on the task of creating the first festival.  Each year's festival  is held on the third Saturday and Sunday in October at the County Fairgrounds on Route 5 near Leonardtown, Maryland.  (Oct 21-22, 2006). Since its inception in 1967 the Oyster Festival has grown to

become one of the eastern seaboard's leading folk festivals.  The festival showcases the opening of the oyster season on the Chesapeake and celebrates the tradition of men & women making their living working the waters of the Chesapeake Bay and it's tributaries. Good food, quality entertainment and two nationally recognized contests in which men and women compete on equal terms are the elements that attract visitors from across the country each year. Click the list below for more detailed descriptions. Gates open at 9 AM on Saturday and 11 AM on Sunday.

2005 Press Release

OYSTER FESTIVAL WEB SITE MAP OYSTER FESTIVAL  SHUCKING CHAMPIONSHIP    OYSTER SHUCKING CONTEST    HOW THE CONTEST WORKS     WINNERS OYSTER COOK-OFF   COOK-OFF CONTEST    ANNUAL RESULTS  COOKBOOKS    DEMONSTRATIONS     ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS   GALA GREAT FOOD    OUR MANY VENUES AND MENUS     ENJOYING THE OYSTER   PREPARING TASTY MUSCLES AND MORSELS ENTERTAINMENT  ENTERTAINERS    PARTICIPATING GROUPS  EVENTS DIRECTIONS  HOTELS/MOTELS   SPONSORS  LINKS   CONTACT US  EVENTS

The St. Mary's County Oyster Festival is sponsored by the St. Mary's County (Lexington Park) Rotary Club

$5 admission fee (Over 12 years of age) all goes towards local charities. Food sold separately. Free Parking

   Learn more about Rotary International in the greater Washington D.C. regional area, visit the District 7620 Site 

Visit the St. Mary's County (Lexington Park) Rotary Club