A barrel of shucked oysters at the 2023 Fells Point Oyster Fest. Photo courtesy of Fells Point Oyster Fest/Facebook

A squeeze of lemon juice, a dash of hot sauce, or a dip of mignonette—however you top them, get ready to savor the flavor at this year’s Fells Point Oyster Fest.

Presented by Koopers Tavern, the event will take place on Broadway Square (1641 Lancaster St.) from Sept. 12–14 and feature live music, drinks, and local vendors. Times are as follows: Friday from 4-10 p.m; Saturday from 11 a.m.- 9 p.m; Sunday from 11 a.m.- 5 p.m.

The festival includes a vast menu of different types of oysters:

  • Choptank Sweet – Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. A robust, meaty oyster with rich texture. A sweet, buttery flavor with a clean finish.
  • Locals – Lower Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. Plump and juicy, low salinity.
  • Skinny Dipper – Chesapeake Bay, Maryland. A plump oyster with an exceptionally deep cup. Buttery flavor, soft salt.
  • White Stones – Chesapeake Bay, Virginia. Clean, surface grown shells. Deep cup with full meat. Soft, buttery, and creamy finish.
  • Happy Oysters – Northern Neck, Virginia. Sweetgrass and butter with just enough brine and a clean finish.
  • Blue Point – Long Island Sound, New York. Fresh, crisp, firm texture, sweet aftertaste. Smooth mild flavor.
  • Malpeque – Malpeque Bay, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Briny flavor, very clean, large standards.
  • Chincoteagues – Chincoteague, Virginia. A salty farm-raised oyster with sharp distinct brine and earthy finish..
  • Salt Grass Point – Malpeque Bay, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Salty up front with a very clean, crisp finish.
  • West Islands – Nasketucket Bay, Massachusetts. Plump, silky meat with strong salt with a sweet finish.

Every year, the festival partners with the nonprofit Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP). ORP works to restore the Chesapeake Bay’s native oyster population through “sanctuary reefs, rebuilding public fishery reefs, supporting the aquaculture (oyster farming) industry, recycling oyster shell, and getting the public involved through hands-on volunteering and events.” 

ORP will have designated bins for recycling empty oyster shells. ORP also has 70 public drop sites across Maryland. By recycling one shell, it “can become a home for 10+ baby oysters” said ORP. 

The proceeds from the event will benefit Fells Point Main Street. 

To learn more, visit www.fellspointoysterfest.com.

Jenna Mattern is an intern for the Baltimore Fishbowl and is originally from Hasbrouck Heights, New Jersey. She is currently a senior at Loyola University Maryland. She is majoring in Journalism and Digital...