Shucks, we wouldn’t forget about OystoberFest

I would like to meet and thank the first individual that looked at an oyster and said, “I don’t know what’s inside that shell but I want to eat it.” That brave culinary pioneer should get an award because a tasty oyster is a force that can’t be denied.

This Saturday, October 15th from 12-6 PM you’ll have a chance to enjoy delicious bivalve molluscs at OystoberFest X at St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church (3602 Hawthorne Ave.) in Ginter Park. This tasty event will benefit Benefit St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church and its 40+ Outreach Ministries.

Oysters the way you like them in a fun, family-friendly festival in Richmond’s Northside. Award-winning Rappahannock River Oysters are the main event. We’ll have fried, steamed and grilled oysters and brats and hotdogs ta’ boot. Beer and other refreshments will be available. A day full of live music including, The Neons, The Acoustipops, The Mills Family Band, Lenny and Vexine. The Kids’ Zone will include a moon-bounce, slides and more and new this year will be run as a fundraiser by the St. Thomas’ Day School.

FREE TO ATTEND ($2 Donation suggested) Food, drinks, kids’ zone charged separately.

All the events oyster shells will be collected by the Oyster Shell Recycling Program – run by the VCU Rice River Center. The shells will be used to help restore oyster bed habitats in Virginia waterways. Rice Rivers Center will be on hand to answers questions about their programs.

Here’s the biggest inside tip, so pay attention. Parking a car is for the birds. The weather is suppose to be perfect this weekend so ride a bike. The reason I suggest that isn’t just that I think you need a little more exercise. This is festival is a Virginia Green event and was honored with a 2015 Virginia Green Travel Stars Award.

To keep that green feeling going they’ll actually pay you to ride your bike with We-Pay-You Bike Valet – Each bike earns the rider $2 in tickets. Free money for being healthy.

A great way to spend your Saturday.