The first oyster festival in St. Mary’s County was held on Saturday, October 7, 1967 at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds.  A charge of $2 for adults, and $1 for children was collected and the advertising read: “Delicious bivalves served raw, steamed, scaled, fried with traditional trimmings and all you can eat”.  The festival ran from 3pm to 9pm and around a thousand visitors came out that first year to get their fill of oysters.  

Over the years attendance steadily grew and so did the festival.  In 1974, the festival expanded to a two-day event and, after three consecutive years of bad weather, a decision was made to move from the first weekend in October to the third, where it has remained since.   The festival was cancelled only once - in 2020 due to COVID-19 pandemic protocols.

The first oyster festival was co-sponsored by the St. Mary’s County Watermen’s Association.  As the festival grew, other community groups joined the party, and today, over 20 civic and service organizations participate and rely on the festival as their primary annual fundraising event.  Many of these crusaders for our community provide the local favorites and specialties that remain a part of the festival today.  Oysters are still the main feature – fried, stewed, scalded, smoked, grilled, and “nude”- but now crab cakes and soup, clam chowder, po’boys, tacos, shrimp, lumpia, and of course St. Mary’s famous stuffed ham, add to the flavorful feast that’s sure to please every palette! 

Over the years, the US Oyster Festival has added more entertainment, exhibits, and other unique attractions, to become the party of the season in St. Mary’s County and the largest collaborative fundraiser in the region.  It has remained, at its core, a festival about people helping people.  The US Oyster Festival embodies the Rotary creed “Service Above Self” and showcases the best of community celebrating community.  Join in the festivities this Fall for a weekend of food, music, artisan wares, and generosity culminating in a fast-paced national championship competition that's nothing short of shucking awesome!