Saturday ~ Noon to 4 pm
@ Tom’s Cove Park ~ 8128 Beebe Road

The native peoples of what is now Virginia’s eastern shore long valued the fruits of the sea. And when settlers established the little town of Chincoteague, it soon became a fishing and shellfishing village. Once the causeway was completed in 1922, the Chincoteague seafood industry really began to flourish with a trade in fish, crabs, clams and oysters to New York City and Philadelphia.

There’s no better way to honor this long and distinguished shellfishing tradition in Chincoteague…than by eating a ton of shellfish. The Chincoteague Oyster Festival has become a grand tradition among locals and visitors alike. It is a day of eating oysters, oysters and more oysters at Tom’s Cove Park, 8128 Beebe Road in Chincoteague. And if you need a break from all those fresh, delicious oysters, there will also be hot dogs, salad, steamed crab, clam chowder and more!

That ‘and more’ includes live music by the band, Island Boy. Their mix of rock and soul will make you get up and dance, whether or not you’re absolutely full to the gills with oysters. In addition to dancing and music, there will also be a contest with lots of opportunities to win great prizes–everything from tickets to next year’s Oyster Festival, to gift certificates for local businesses and cruises around the islands.

Tickets are $40 for ages 5 and over. That includes all you can eat oysters plus more food, entertainment and general good fun! Buy your tickets in advance online and learn more about this fun Chincoteague community event at ChincoteagueOysterFestival.com. This is a popular event, so get your tickets before they’re gone!

Special thanks to the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce for putting on such a great annual festival!