Love oysters? Thirty coastal Maine oyster farms will be shucking and serving at the Maine Oyster Festival, which debuts in Freeport June 24-26, 2022. This celebration of all-things oyster takes place in L.L. Bean Discovery Park, Bean’s Moose Parking Lot, and the Bean’s Flagship Store patios. Admission is free.
What to expect at the Maine Oyster Festival
In addition to the opportunity to taste the nuanced differences between oysters grown in various locations, activities include:
- Oyster of the Year Award: Judged by industry experts in a blind tasting of all participating oyster farms.
- Shucking competitions: anyone can enter a heat on Saturday. The Big Shuck professional’s contest starts at 11 am on Sunday.
- Tastings: Try a flight of four signature wood-fired oysters with compound butters curated by sustainable seafood expert, chef, and author Barton Seavor. And taste the festival’s signature mignonette created by Seaver and FIORE Artisan Olive Oils and Vinegars.
- Opportunities to learn about the science of oyster faring from the Maine Aquaculture Association and Maine Sea Grant.
- Shop! (Of course, this is Freeport) Maine-made products used for preparing and serving as well as products made from oyster shells and other industry byproducts.
- Educational activities hosted by Maine non-profits dedicated to keeping Maine’s waters safe and clean.
- Free hands-on crafts programs for kids with the Boothbay Sea and Science Center.
- Evening events at the new! Freeport Oyster Bar: live music, local craft beer and drinks, and oysters, of course.
While admission to the festival is free, tastings and some activities are not. Find more details here.
More about Maine oysters
More than 150 oyster farms salt Maine’s 3,500-mile coastline. You’ll see oyster farms on coastal rivers and in bays. Maine’s cold ocean waters allow oysters to grow slowly. And that gives them time to absorb the flavors of where they’re grown. Factors affecting taste include how salty the water is and what foods the oysters eat. In addition to flavor differences, oysters vary in size and somewhat in shape.
Maine food festivals make it easy to nibble and sip your way through Maine
