THE ST. MARY'S COUNTY OYSTER FESTIVAL
and NATIONAL OYSTER SHUCKING CONTEST

The Fair Grounds
2 Miles South on Rte. 5
Leonardtown, MD

Mid October Every Year
Website:  Click Here

I've been here a couple of times.  Wish the drive was a little less. St. Mary's county is way south in Maryland, where the Chesapeake and the Potomac come together.

It's all about oysters.  The National Oyster Shucking Contest.  Winners go to the World Oyster Shucking Contest in Ireland, run by Guiness.  The Oyster Cook-off - people from around the country submit recipes and the top submissions are invited to the Saturday Morning cook-off.

And, of course, oyster eating.   Fresh, very fresh oysters.  Raw, scalded (steamed), fried, in stew, and in a bag to haul home.  

There's also a local delicacy, the Stuffed Ham sandwich.  Ham is pickled like corned beef, instead of smoked, and topped with a stuffing of pureed cabbage and pickle, seasoned with mustard.  If ever there was a sandwich invented to be washed down by a pitcher of beer.....