Annapolis Oyster Festival Returns, Helps Chesapeake Bay Restoration

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Annapolis Oyster Fest returns this Sunday. The seafood celebration will run through March 19, supporting downtown restaurants and bay restoration efforts.

Some of the dishes available include oyster Rockefeller, po’boys and shooters. There will also be raw and grilled oysters on the half shell.

Event planners announced these menu items at participating eateries:

• Blackwall Hitch: Fried oysters on the half shell, roasted corn salsa, cherry pepper remoulade and pickled Fresno chili for $18
• Boatyard Bar & Grill: Oysters Rockefeller and local oysters
• Buddy's Crabs & Ribs: Local oysters on the half shell for $1.50 each, local oysters Rockefeller for $2 each and oyster Chesapeake for $3 each
• Federal House Bar & Grille: Oyster dish to be announced soon
• Harry Browne's Restaurant: Oysters on the half shell and baked oysters with chorizo along with melted mozzarella
• Latitude 38 Annapolis: Local oysters raw, smoked and Rockefeller style
• Luna Blu Ristorante Italiano: Baked oysters with leeks, parmesan and bacon
• McGarvey's Saloon and Oyster Bar: $1 local raw oysters, oysters Rockefeller, grilled oysters, fried oysters and oyster po'boys
• Middleton Tavern: Happy hour specials from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday with oysters and oyster shooters
• Paul's Homewood Cafe: Oysters Rockefeller and oysters on the half shell
• Sailor Oyster Bar: Maryland seafood from Harris Creek Oyster Co. is always offered. Oysters are $2 each or $20 per dozen
• Severn Inn Annapolis: Oysters on the half shell, baked and fried oysters
• Smashing Grapes: Baked oysters Rockefeller for $16 with sautéed garlic spinach, mushroom duxelles and gruyere cheese
• Stan and Joe's Saloon: $1 local shucked oysters during half-price happy hour. The deal is available Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture, which is the main sponsor, will give away 100 dozen oysters during the festival. Customers can enter by posting a picture of themselves and their meal on Facebook or Instagram using #AnnapolisOysterFest.

Organizers said the two-week event is an opportunity for restaurants, watermen and conservationists to bounce back. The coronavirus pandemic decreased oyster sales in eateries, hurting the businesses and their seafood suppliers.

Many oyster shells are also recycled to make new reefs in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. With fewer oysters eaten, fewer shells were available for these restoration efforts.

The festival will also fundraise for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to bolster these environmental projects.

Fundraisers hope to collect $500. Every dollar donated helps conservationists plant 100 baby oysters. Residents can donate at this link.

“This event supports our local restaurants, suppliers, [watermen], and the environment,” said Erik Evans, the executive director of the Downtown Annapolis Partnership.

Evans' organization also teamed with Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, the Katchef Brothers and the Annapolis Arts District to plan the festival.

Annapolis Restaurant Week will immediately follow the oyster fest. Restaurant Week will run from March 20 through March 27. It will feature special deals at new and classic eateries.

Maryland Day falls on the second weekend of Restaurant week. The Four Rivers Heritage Area will host more than 60 free or $1 events throughout Anne Arundel County from March 25 through March 27.

For more details visit:

• annapolisoysterfest.com
• downtownannapolispartnership.org/annapolis-restaurant-week
• marylandday.org

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