LEONARDTOWN, Md. – Directly from their website, here is your hourly weekend schedule for the 2024 National Oyster Festival!

Here’s a fun fact about the National Oyster Festival in Leonardtown, Maryland, which will take place on October 19-20, 2024: It’s not just a celebration of oysters but also home to the U.S. National Oyster Shucking Competition. This event draws shuckers from all over the country to compete for a chance to represent the U.S. at the World Oyster Opening Championship in Galway, Ireland. So, you’re not only getting delicious oysters in every style imaginable—raw, grilled, steamed, and fried—you’re also witnessing potential world champions at work.

Additionally, the festival offers more than just food. Families can enjoy live music, educational activities (like the “Chesapeake Mermaid” experience), and community projects supported by the event’s proceeds. If you visit, make sure to stop by the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association booth to learn about their oyster shell recycling efforts.

Event Agenda:

Saturday October 19, 2024

• 10:00am – The 58th Annual US Oyster Festival Begins! (Gates Open)
• 10:30am –  Water Nymph Story Time: Performed by Adrianna Reloba  ( Fair Stage – Auditorium)
• 11:00am – 1:00pm – Cooking Demonstration with Chef’s John Shields and Gwyn Novak (Auditorium)
• 1:00pm – The Chesapeake Mermaid: Educational Storytime Experience (Fair Stage – Auditorium)
• 2:00pm – At the Shucking Stage:
  • Presentation of Colors by BSA Troops 560G and 561
  • followed by the National Anthem performed by Megan Rankin Herring
  • The Shucking Competitions begin (Qualifying Rounds)

• 2:30 –  St Mary’s River Watershed Association presents  (Fair Stage – Auditorium)
• 3:30 – The Chesapeake Mermaid: Educational Storytime Experience (Fair Stage – Auditorium)

Band Line-Up:

• Main Shucking Stage
  • 10:00am – 6:00pm – DJ Rock’n Country Carl
• Pavilion Bands
  • 10am-11:00am – Blair Rich Project
  • 11:30-12:30 – Cougar Flash
  • 1:00pm-2:00pm – One Trick Pony
  • 2:30pm-3:30pm – Honey Trap
  • 4:00pm-5:00pm – Wiskers

Sunday October 20, 2024

• 11:00am – The 58th Annual US Oyster Festival Continues! (Gates Open)
• 12:00pm – The Chesapeake Mermaid Experience (Fair Stage – Auditorium)
• 12:00pm- Mystic Caravan-Belly Dancing (Shucking Stage)
• 2:30pm – At the Shucking Stage:
  • Presentation of Colors by BSA Troops 560G and 561
  • followed by the National Anthem
  • The Shucking Competitions continues (Championship Rounds)

• 2:30 – St Mary’s River Watershed Association presents  (Fair Stage – Auditorium)
• 3:00 –  The Chesapeake Mermaid Experience (Fair Stage – Auditorium)
• 5:00pm –  Water Nymph Story Time: Performed by Adrianna Reloba  (Fair Stage – Auditorium)

Band Line-Up:

• Main Shucking Stage
  • 11:00am – 6:00pm – HydraFX
• Pavilion Bands
  • 11:00am-12:00pm – Kung Fusion
  • 12:30-1:30pm – Monkey Business
  • 2:00pm-3:00pm – Bootleggers
  • 3:30pm-4:30 – Fast Eddie & The Boyz