October is a great time for oysters, and the fall festival season provides plenty of opportunities for kids to have fun while mom and dad get their slurp on. Here are four oyster festivals going on this month in Maryland that have something for everyone — even if oysters aren’t your thing.
St. Mary’s County Oyster Festival, Leonardtown
St. Mary’s County Oyster Festival, LeonardtownOct. 17-18
Entertainment for families, food, arts and crafts, along with a shucking contest and oyster cook-off.
Cost is $5, children under 12 free. Hours are Sat., 10am- 6pm; Sun., 11am-6pm. St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds, Leonardtown. usoysterfest.com
Captain Avery Museum Oyster Festival, Shady Side
Oct. 18
There will be oyster specialities and other seafood favorites, music, crafters, authors, children’s activities and more. Fun for the kids includes live crab races, live touch tank, pirate mask making and more.
Cost is $6; $2 for ages 12 and under. Hours are 12:30- 5p.m. www.captainaverymuseum.org
Great Baltimore Oyster Festival, Baltimore
Oct. 24
This free event will feature educational activities for kids, oyster boat tours and live music from the Eastport Oyster Boys. There will also be plenty of oysters to eat.
Hours are 1-5 p.m., at West Shore Park in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. baltimorewaterfront.com
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum OysterFest, St. Michaels
Oct. 31
Live music, oysters, boat rides, retriever demonstrations, children’s activities and more. Children can play an oversized oyster puzzle game, explore and oyster nursery, watch net-making and more.
Cost is $18 for adults, $6 for children 6-18 and free for children 5 and younger. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. cbmm.org
Click here for more fun fall festivals.
