NC Oyster Festival in Brunswick: What you need to know about the bands, parking and vendors

Cheryl M. Whitaker, Wilmington StarNews
·3 min read
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Steve McIntosh of the Shriners Club volunteers his time supplying steamed oysters to during the 33rd annual NC Oyster Festival. The 42nd festival will be held Oct. 21-22.
Steve McIntosh of the Shriners Club volunteers his time supplying steamed oysters to during the 33rd annual NC Oyster Festival. The 42nd festival will be held Oct. 21-22.

There is a chill in the air and the month of October is a great time for oysters. If you love meaty bivalves, then you must attend the North Carolina Oyster Festival.

What's happening?

The area's first oyster festival dates back to October 1978 in Ocean Isle Beach. The festival has had celebrities such as NASCAR legend Richard Petty in 1980. Now in its 42nd year, the annual North Carolina Oyster Festival will be held from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 21 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22 at 8 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach. Admission is $5 per adult (cash only) and free for ages 12 and under. The Oyster Stew participating restaurants are Jinks Creek Waterfront Grille and Moore Street Oyster Bar.

A free community night kickoff will be held 5-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20 with town officials and festival facilitators and more. The Band of Oz will be performing from 6-8 p.m.

Pets are not permitted within the festival grounds. Only service animals are welcome. For guidelines, please visit ADA Requirements: Service Animals.

More: First look: New raw bar and seafood restaurant opening soon in Wilmington

Entertainment

Bands: There will be a variety of music ― beach, R&B, pop and soul. Scheduled to perform Saturday are Ryan Perry, 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Terry Douglas, 1-3 p.m. and Gary Lowder & Smokin' Hot, 4-6 p.m. Sunday's performance will be Chocolate Chip & Company, 10 a.m.-noon and Too Much Sylvia, 2-4 p.m.

Oyster shucking contest: You can show off your speed and skill at the annual contest to be held Saturday. It is free to enter, and prizes will be awarded. Applications can fill out form in advance, but participants must register in person. Two categories ― professional (11:30 a.m.) and amateur (noon).

Oyster eating contest: Want to show off your oyster eating skills? You can compete at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The cost is $5 per bucket.

Oyster stew cook-off: Are you a great cook? Show off your cooking skills to impress the judges and you can earn the "Oyster Stew Champion" title. The time will be 1 p.m. on Sunday. The cost is $5 per ticket.

Vendors: There will be a variety of vendors for art and pottery, bath and body, clothing, handmade clothes, jewelry, nonprofit organization, snack food, commercial food, woodcraft and more. Also there will be activities for children.

More: Helping rebuild North Carolina's oyster reefs, one broken hockey stick at a time

Parking

A free shuttle service will be provided, running nonstop during festival hours, Saturday and Sunday. Please remember not to park in non-designated lots, your vehicle will be towed.

There will be free parking at Lowes Foods, 7278 Beach Drive and Odell Williamson Municipal Airport, 6080 Beach Drive.

The Ocean Isle Pier, located at 1 W. First Street will be offering parking for a fee.

There will be limited handicapped parking at 2 W. Third St. A golf cart shuttle service will transport from there to the festival grounds. The N.C. Oyster Festival is navigable for wheelchairs.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: What's happening at the NC Oyster Festival in Brunswick County