What is Oyster Festival?

The Island Creek Oysters Foundation (ICOF) “Oyster Festival” is an afternoon-long, sustainable event set to take place on Saturday, September 10th, 2011 from 3 to 11 p.m. on Duxbury Beach, Duxbury, MA. Now in its sixth year, the Festival highlights the best in local oysters, food, music, and drinks.

Who does Oyster Festival benefit?

The proceeds of the event go to the Island Creek Oysters Foundation. Your $50 entry fee is a tax deductible donation to the Foundation and supports our mission to provide funding, expertise, and compassion to help build sustainable aquaculture systems in impoverished regions worldwide. Proceeds from the Oyster Festival will fund the ongoing work of the Foundation including our collaboration with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in Zanzibar where a shellfish hatchery is being successfully developed, as well as towards future projects where sustainable aquaculture can bring relief and hope to impoverished areas around the globe.

The Party

3,000 attendees will flood Duxbury Beach to hang out under our massive tent where they'll be able to enjoy live music from two bands and a mid-afternoon DJ. They'll also find 20 of Boston’s most celebrated chefs dishing out small tastings made from locally sourced ingredients (these bites are included with your donation). Guests can purchase food and drink tickets for $5 (each ticket is good for 1 beer or wine or 6 oysters; all proceeds go to the Foundation). Narragansett Beer will be pouring beer and we'll also be pouring some great wines. And, of course, we'll have oysters. More than 30,000 Island Creeks to be exact, all of which are donated and shucked by ICO farmers as well as dozens of volunteer shuckers from up and down the East Coast.

In 2011 we are adding another event, "Friends for Haiti" the night before Oyster Festival, on Friday, September 9th, to benefit our project with Caribbean Harvest in Haiti. Click here for more information.

Kids' Zone

Our younger guests can explore the beach and all of its wonders inside the family friendly Kids Zone (presented with the Duxbury Student Union) from 3 to 5 p.m. Interactive activities and games will keep the children entertained. New in 2011, we are adding an Oyster Bar ($5 ticket for 6 oysters) and a Chef’s Station under the Kids Zone tent. Chef Jeremy Sewall of Eastern Standard Kitchen will turn out delicious food for the kids and their families. There will even be a pint-sized oyster tasting station – we like to start them young! Children under the age of 12 are admitted for free and their parents are invited to use their admission bracelet to re-enter the Festival later in the evening.

ICOF Green Team

The Island Creek Oyster’s Foundation “Oyster Festival” strives to be as green as possible. In 2010, our efforts were acknowledged with the MassRecycle’s 2010 Institution Non-profit Recycling Award. Our work continues in 2011. ICOF Oyster Festival will donate all oyster shells to the New Hampshire oyster shell recycling project; chefs and beverage sponsors will use compostable plates, glassware, and utensils; and attendees will be asked to participate by lending a hand in all recycling efforts.

Tickets

Tickets for the ICOF Oyster Festival go on sale July 4, 2011 (online here or by stopping by Island Creek Oysters Headquarters, between 7am and 2pm Monday-Friday, at 286 Parks Street in Duxbury; cash or check only). Tickets are $50 for general admission (children under age 12 are free) which includes admission into the event, live music, and small bites by our chefs. Your $50 ticket is fully tax deductible. Drink/Oyster tickets can be purchased at the event for $5 (each ticket is good for 1 beer or wine or 6 Island Creek Oysters)

Drink/Oyster tickets can be purchased at the event for $5 (each ticket is good for 1 beer or wine or 6 Island Creek Oysters)

Schedule of Events

3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Kids Zone, Narragansett Beer, Island Creek Oysters, Local Favorite Cheech and the Reggae Bubblers hit the Stage

5:00 – 8:00 p.m. 20 of Boston's Premiere Chefs prepare dishes, Narragansett Beer, Island Creek Oysters, DJ Ryan Brown spins some tunes.

8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Late Night Grill provided by Green Street Grill, Headlining Band: Joe Bachman & The Crew

10:30 p.m. Last Call

Interested in helping? Volunteer at the Festival.

Tickets can be purchased here.

(Note: There will be an ATM on site.)