October in North Carolina means one thing…oysters! Lots and lots of delicious oysters. For those who love oysters, there are few events as anticipated each year as the NC Oyster festival. So if you love oysters or are just looking for a great event on Ocean Isle Beach, then this post is for you.
The essentials
The NC Oyster Festival kicks off with a bang on Saturday, October 20, 2018, at 9 a.m. Saturday’s events continue until 6 p.m. On Sunday the fun begins at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are an affordable $5.00 for adults and admission for children under 12 is free. Remember to bring cash as they do not take credit/debit cards. Parking will be available on the mainland and a free shuttle will be provided.All events are wheelchair and handicap accessible. There is a lot to do and see so plan on spending the day at the event. Bring a chair if you want to ensure you’ll have a seat at the shows. Don’t forget to pick up some Oysters to take back home. If you need tips on preparing oysters, check out our previous post: How to Grill the Best Seafood On Your Ocean Isle Beach Vacation.Want to know more? Watch the video below for a behind the scenes look at the NC Oyster Festival
A little friendly competition
It is all fun and games at the NC Oyster Festival, but there are some serious bragging rights on the line for those with a competitive spirit. Here are a few details of the competitions during the NC Oyster Festival.
Oyster Eating Contest
We all know fans of Oysters love to have “just one more.” Here is your chance to take your passion for Oysters to a new level. The contest costs $5.00 to enter, and the rules are simple; the person who eats the most Oysters wins! There are four heats with the winners of each heat advancing to the final competition. The winner takes home the trophy and bragging rights for a year. This event is limited to 40 participants.
Oyster Stew Cook-Off
Oyster Stew is a specialty on Ocean Isle Beach, and we are sure just one dip of the spoon, and you will be hooked. Eight restaurants will compete for cash prizes and the title of North Carolina Oyster Champion on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. The best part of this competition is you get to try all the entries and vote for the People’s Choice award. Entry into the contests is $5.00.
Oyster Shucking Contest
How many oysters could you shuck, if you could shuck oysters? Well here is your chance to find out. Now for visitors this may seem a little strange, but this is serious business and a lot of fun to watch. The competition is open to amateurs and pros, so go ahead and jump on stage and give it a go. Now for the serious professional the stakes are high. This competition decides who will be crowned North Carolina Oyster Shucking Champion and advance to the National Oyster Shucking Championship. The winner receives $250.00 in prize money and another $200.00 towards travel expenses to attend the National Oyster Shucking Championships. Runner-up wins $100.00.
Live music
Move, Groove and Shag the afternoon away to the music of some of the best bands in the region. With five live acts, there is something to suit everyone. From Cowboy boots to boat shoes the festival has plenty of music to get the heart pumping, hips swaying, and the feet tapping.
Ready to enjoy the NC Oyster Festival? The best way to enjoy the festival is to spend a few days or a week in Ocean Isle Beach. Need help finding the perfect vacation home? We have a large inventory of homes to choose from. Give one of our friendly reservationists a call today at 800-727-9222 or click on the button below to begin planning your NC Oyster Festival.
Tell us about your favorite NC Oyster Festival memory.
