Shady Side Oyster Festival 2011

The annual West River Heritage Day Oyster Festival will be host by Captain Salem Avery Museum on Sunday, October 16, in Shady Side, Maryland.

Oyster Festival will feature food from top caterers, music by talented artists and vendors with items for sale.

Oyster Festival will run from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at which time the Shady Side Rural Heritage Society will draw the winner of the $5,000 raffle. Tickets for the raffle have been for sale for several weeks at locations around South County.

Traditional foods of Oyster Festival include fried oysters, grilled oysters, oysters on the half-shell, plus hot dogs, funnel cakes, beer, wine, and sodas. Homemade desserts will be for sale on the porch where guests are invited to “sit a spell” and enjoy the view of the West River and festivities on the grounds.

Mrs. Avery’s Tea tours will bring visitors to the kitchen where samples of the cakes and cookies typical of the 1870s will be served.

Popular musicians will play throughout the day at Oyster Festival in Shady Side. Tim and Savannah Finch and The Eastman String Band will entertain with high energy instrumentals and soaring harmonies. The duo of Janie Meneely and Paul Di Blasi who make up the group “Calico Jack” will play songs about Bay traditions, and nautical lore. The Shady Side Sour Notes will also be playing toe tapping music.

Coastal Flats will be performing Jimmy Buffett songs, music of the Caribbean and cool jazz.

Community merriment will continue with artists, authors and craftsman.

In 2011, “Choose It and Use It” ticket purchases begin at the Oyster Festival. Individuals can pick a party, a service, or other items from the wide variety being offered. It is an easy way to host an event without any work.

For children, games and fun activities will take place in the children’s corner including face painting and harvest crafts.

Topping off the afternoon will be the drawing of the winner of the $5,000 raffle sponsored by the Society. Tickets, still $5, will be for sale at the festival or from local merchants before Sunday. Purchasers do not need to be present to win. All proceeds will benefit the Museum.

Admission to the West River Heritage Day Oyster Festival is $6. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Parking will be available at the nearby Shady Side ball fields with free shuttle service. There will be handicapped parking at the Museum. The museum is located at 1418 EW Shady Side Road in Shady Side.