Food News

A Shell of a Good Festival

Posted

Any true Rhode Islander knows that the Providence Riverwalk is the place to be on September 23 when the third annual Ocean State Oyster Festival returns to South Water Street. It’s no secret that our aquaculture game is on point, just look at the millions of dollars earned on the locally raised Rhode Island oysters sold annually. Frank Mullin, in charge of event programming and communications says we should be particularly excited for the 18 farms and wholesale oysters at the festival – including Moonstone Oysters from South Kingston, Walrus & Carpenter from Charlestown and Bluff Hill Cove Oyster Co. from Narragansett – as well as the range of varieties “from wild oysters to cultivated oysters from farms that are as large as multi-oyster farms to ones that are just half an acre.”

The event aims to not only celebrate this booming industry, but to also promote environmental sustainability with the help of Save The Bay. In fact, partial funds from your ticket purchase will go to Save The Bay after school programs. To top it all off the event is entirely sustainable and is working with The Compost Plant and Nature Conservancy to build reefs by re-using the oyster shells.

Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door, and you will get to try half a dozen oysters and a craft beer, wine, or other beverage. Loccal food trucks from all over Rhode Island – like Pat’s Pastured, Smoke ‘n Squeal and many more – plus live music and culinary exhibits will all be on hand from 1-7pm. And if you’re looking to get in on the action, you can try your hand in the shucking contest.

Ocean State Oyster Festival, Frank Mullin,

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here



X