Center of the Oyster World for the Milford Oyster Festival

Milford - Center of the Oyster World for the Annual Milford Oyster Festival

The 44th Annual Milford Oyster Festival will be the center of the oyster universe on August 17th and 18th. The reigning U.S. oyster shucking champion, Honor Allen is coming up to Milford from Panama City, Florida. And the Guinness record holder for the most oysters shucked in one minute, Patrick McMurray, is coming down from Canada. They will competing against another twenty of the fastest shuckers in the world for a $1,000 first place prize. Also returning from Panama City is last year’s Milford champion, Max Dawson. On the ladies side, Lisa Bellamy from North Carolina will also be competing. Lisa has won the women’s side of the U.S. National shucking competition five times.

The Milford Festival shucking competition will kick off on Friday evening at 5:45 with two heats to determine the three competitors who will appear in the finals on Saturday. Saturday’s shucking finals will start at 11:00 AM. The Oyster Eating Competition will immediately follow at 11:15a.m. Both the Friday and Saturday competitions will be held on at Lisman Landing Harbor Stage.

The East Coast Shellfish Growers Association (ECSGA) sponsors the shucking contest and supplies oysters to the Festival. This year more than 20 varieties of oysters will be available. ECSGA and the Festival committee co-sponsor the Milford winner to compete in the U.S. national shucking championships held in St. Mary’s Maryland in October.

Come down and watch and see the oyster shells fly! Patrick McMurray’s Guinness record is 39 oysters opened in one minute.

Oyster Eve,a pre-festival tradition, will be on August 17th from 6:00p.m. to 10:00p.m. at Lisman Landing. Frontiers, the ultimate Journey Tribute Band will be playing. They will play at the festival on Saturday, as well. There is a $5.00 cover and children under 14 are free. All minors must be accompanied by an adult.

The Festival goes from10:00a.m. to 6:00p.m. on August 18th . This year we will host Eddie Money on a main stage, opening for Eddie Money will be John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band. Starting the show is Milford’s own Mark C. Daniel.

Besides great music and oysters visit the Classic Car Show, Children’s Stage, Harbor Activities, Arts and Crafts on the Green , amusement rides, craft beer garden, and great food to enjoy!

Please, no dogs or coolers.

For more information please visit our website milfordoysterfestival.com