Mystic Oyster Festival Promises Music, History, Fun for the Whole Family

MYSTIC, CT – Guests are invited by Mystic Seaport to the first ever Mystic River Oyster Festival one-day event on Saturday.

Held as a celebration of all things to do with the oyster, the event seeks to highlight the popular shellfish's growing history and cuisine. The event is free with regular museum admission.

According to the Mystic Seaport website, the museum is opening its grounds to a variety of growers, restaurants, educational and advocacy organizations. Visitors will be able to sample all sorts of oysters, both raw and in prepared dishes.

Participants include Mystic’s Oyster Club and Engine Room, the Noank Aquaculture Cooperative, Matunuck Oyster Bar, Fishers Island Oyster Farm, Behan Family Farms, Jonathan Island Oyster Co., Norm Bloom & Son’s Copps Island Oysters, and Coastal Gourmet.

Connecticut Sea Grant, Save the Bay, and CUSH (Clean Up Sound and Harbors) will be present to share information on aquaculture, shellfish conservation efforts, and clean water initiatives in Long Island Sound and Narragansett Bay. Guest speakers from the Noank Aquaculture Cooperative and The Nature Conservancy will give presentations on oyster farming, aquaculture, and ocean preservation.

Throughout the day, the Museum’s historic interpreters will offers talks and demonstrations on the history of oystering and New England fisheries. Visitors can also check out the Thomas Oyster House exhibit and the 1891 oyster sloop Nellie.

Guests can also take part in an oyster-shucking contest. Live music will be provided by local musicians The Royal Boys and Don Sineti.

Image via Mystic Seaport website.