The 26th Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival

Click here to download a copy of the WINNING OYSTER RECIPE

Imagine.....65,000 pounds of oysters. Two tractor-trailers full of oysters will roll onto the grounds at Boone Hall Plantation on Sunday, January 25, 2009 to kick off the 26th Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival. This event has been named in the "top 20 events in the southeast" by the Southeastern Tourism Society.

Held by the Greater Charleston Restaurant Association, the "Oyster Fest" gates will be open from 10:30 am – 5:00 pm, with plenty of free parking. Besides having plenty of oysters available, the "Food Court" will showcase a variety of local favorite restaurants to satisfy everyone’s taste: Gilligan’s, A.W. Shucks, Red’s Icehouse, Northtowne Grill and Seafood, Wild Wing Café, and Pearlz.


Activities on the main stage include local live entertainment, the "Oyster Shucking Contest", and the "Oyster Eating Contest,” a favorite to watch or participate in!  And the kids will love the "Children's Area," which is designed to keep them happy and having fun the entire day.

Oysters are sold by the bucket (approximately 3-4 dozen) for just $8 per bucket and served with cocktail sauce and crackers. You can BYO knife and glove or you can purchase them at the event. Beer, soft drinks and other beverages will be sold.

To date, the Charleston Restaurant Association has raised over $1 million to benefit the Ronald McDonald House, Hollings Cancer Center, Travel Council and Charleston County Science Materials Resource Center.


Advance tickets are available for $10 and may be purchased at any Charleston area Applebee’s, the GCRA office, all local Charleston Area Visitor Centers, and by going to our website at www.charlestonrestaurantassociation.com.  (Please note that advance tickets are non-refundable). You can also buy tickets the day of the event for $12 at the gate (kids 10 years old and younger are admitted free when accompanied by an adult).  Please no pets, no coolers, and no tailgating.

For more information, call Kathy Britzius at (843) 452-6088