About the Festival

Who’s ready to do some oyster shucking? How does 60,000 pounds of oysters sound? The Lowcountry Oyster Festival is the world’s largest oyster festival! Highlights include live music on the main stage by Andrew Beam and the Bluestone Ramblers, raw oyster eating and shucking contests, wine, a selection of domestic and imported beers, a Children’s Area and a “Food Court” showcasing a variety of local favorite restaurants to satisfy everyone’s taste.

*Please note: this year’s event is cashless.  Guest will purchase food & beverage tickets with a credit/debit card at satellite ticket tents throughout the event.

The Charleston Restaurant Foundation (CRF) mission is to support the charitable deeds of the Lowcountry Hospitality Association, which serves the geographical area of Charleston, South Carolina.   Its focus is to advocate its member restaurants by providing them the resources they need so that their guests can savor and celebrate Lowcountry cuisine.  Annual fundraising events enable the CRF to give back to the community that has so generously supported its members.  To date, those fundraising efforts have enabled the CRF to donate over One Million ($1,000,000) Dollars to local charities.

Entertainment:

• Bluestone Ramblers – bluegrass band opening
• Andrew Beam – headliner

Schedule of Events

• 10:00 am Event begins
• Main Stage: Bluestone Ramblers
• 12:00 pm By Main Stage: Oyster Shucking Contest
• 12:00 pm Children’s Area: Theatre on the Half-Shell starring a S.T.E.A.M-ing show by JET STREAM JENNY
• 1:00 pm By Main Stage: Oyster Eating Contest
• 1:00 pm Children’s Area: Theatre on the Half-Shell starring a S.T.E.A.M-ing show by JET STREAM JENNY
• 1:30 pm Main Stage: Andrew Beam Raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the son of a bluegrass picking preacher, Andrew learned about roots music at its actual roots: bluegrass festival, church socials and front porch get-togethers. A Clemson University alum, Andrew has built a strong fanbase in the Southeast and assembled an all-star band, so welcome to Beam Country…Beam like the whiskey, Country like the music!
• 2:00 pm Children’s Area: Theatre on the Half-Shell starring a S.T.E.A.M-ing show by JET STREAM JENNY
• 5:00 pm Event ends

Kids Area: PLUFF-A-PALLOOZA

• 2 BOUNCY HOUSES; 1 FOR UNDER 5 AND ONE FOR 6 UP (open 10:30am-4pm)
• THEATRE ON THE HALF-SHELL starring a S.T.E.A.M-ing show by JET STREAM JENNY (12, 1, 2pm)
• SPARKY in the Air – aerialist ongoing
• BUBBLE THERAPY
• CLIMBING WALL
• LOWCOUNTRY MARINE MAMMAL NETWORK LEARN ABOUT  OCEAN MAMMALS
• NOISY OYSTER  PERCUSSION PLAY AREA
• COOKIE DECORATING WITH “PLUFF-MUDD” FROSTING
• “SWEETGRASS PALACE”  MISS TRUDIE QUEEN OF SWEETGRASS
• LOWCOUNTRY TRADITION OF SWEETGRASS WEAVING
• LOWCOUNTRY OYSTER CRAFTS
• PHOTO BOOTH
• S.T.E.A.M Machine – Pedal Powered Spin Art
• LIMBO WITH LOCAL MASCOTS  – CLYDE THE COUGAR- COLLEGE OFCHARLESTON
• LEO – CHARLESTON BATTERY   CHARLIE FROM THE RIVERDOGS COOL RAY SC STINGRAYS
• JUGGLING WITH DEENA-JUGGLEENA
• HOOPING THROUGHOUT THE DAY
• STILT PERFORMERS
• EGG TOSS
• MARSHMALLOW HURRICANE

     *scheduling and performers subject to change without notice

Frequently asked Questions

• How much does it cost and what is included?

  General Admission – $22 –  (online & official Visitor Centers). Children 10 and under are free with an adult general admission ticket. Includes entry into event.  The general admission ticket grants you access into the festival. Once inside, you may purchase food & beverage tickets separately with a debit or credit card. This is a cashless event.

  VIP – $175. These frequently sell out, so encouraged to buy in advance. VIP has its own supply of unlimited food (including steamed oysters) and beverages under the tent. Food not within VIP is not included and can be purchased separately with a debit or credit card.  This is a cashless event.

• What am I allowed to bring inside of the festival?

  Allowed: Strollers | Wagons | Foldable Chairs | Oyster Knives and Gloves | Collapsable Tables

  Not allowed: Pets | Coolers | Outside Food and Beverages | Oversize, Folding Tables

• Is the event rain or shine?

  Yes, the event will be rain or shine!  Think of the Oyster Festival like you do mail delivery – good anytime!

• How much does the food cost?

  Food can be purchased from a variety of vendors. Food items range from $2-$12.

  Buckets of Steamed Oysters: Chesapeake Bay Selects Oysters $20 and Local Lowcountry Oyster Co. Cluster Oysters $22 will be served. One bucket is around 2 1/2 dozen oysters. Must purchase food & beverage tickets to purchase a bucket of oysters.