OysterFest brings seafood, service, and community together
For more than four decades, OysterFest has brought thousands of visitors to Mason County, Washington, for a celebration of seafood, music, and community spirit.
The festival began in 1982 when local Rotarian Dick Oltman proposed creating a fall event to increase tourism in the area. The Shelton Skookum Rotary Club, chartered on January 4, 1976, was still a relatively new club at the time. They decided to give the idea a try.
While there was much to learn in those early years, the event was embraced by the community from the very beginning.
In 2026, OysterFest will celebrate its 45th year.
A championship event with community roots
OysterFest is home to the West Coast Oyster Shucking Championship and the Washington State Seafood Festival.
Each year, attendees enjoy oyster shucking competitions, live music, and plenty of seafood. Microbrews, wine tasting, family activities, and marine and community exhibits make it a full weekend experience.
Over 10,000 visitors attend annually, traveling from across the Pacific Northwest, throughout the United States, and from Canada.
A large area is available for dry camping, and many groups return year after year, making OysterFest an annual tradition.
Purpose beyond the celebration
The goals of OysterFest are clear:
1. To provide a fun family event sponsored by the Shelton Skookum Rotary Club and supported by service clubs and organizations throughout Mason County.
2. To increase awareness of Mason County’s excellent seafood resources and promote the shellfish industry.
3. To increase tourism and awareness of Mason County.
4. To expand and promote community service activities through the profits generated by the festival.
OysterFest is unique in that there are no commercial vendors. Nonprofit organizations are invited to participate as food vendors, raising funds for their respective missions.
Exhibitors educate attendees about water quality, aquaculture, health, sanitation, and environmental stewardship. Shelton Skookum Rotary is proud to produce an event of this magnitude in support of these organizations.
Funds raised by the club through OysterFest support its annual service budget, allowing for scholarships, community grants, and local service projects.
OysterFest is a collaborative effort involving four Rotary clubs in Mason County.
Shelton Rotary Club hosts OysterFunk, a Friday night adults-only event featuring live music, food, and microbrews. They also operate a food booth during the weekend.
Salish Sea Rotary Club manages the Salish Sea Wine Pavilion, offering tastings from Washington State wineries.
North Mason Rotary Club operates its own food vendor booth during the festival.
This partnership highlights the strength of Rotary collaboration in delivering a large-scale community event.
Powered by volunteers
The success of OysterFest depends on hundreds of volunteers.
Each year, the club’s past president serves as the Grand Old Oyster, affectionately known as the “GOO.” In January, the GOO convenes the Skookum Oyster Board with committee chairs responsible for areas such as souvenirs, shucking competitions, security, finance, microbrews, volunteers, facilities, publicity, and entertainment.
Meetings increase in frequency as the event approaches, and volunteers are recruited to staff stations throughout the weekend.
Event details
OysterFunk
Friday, October 2
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. (21 and older only)
OysterFest
Saturday, October 3
10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 4
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location
250 W. Sanderson Way
Shelton, Washington
Port of Shelton Airport’s Sanderson Field
More information
www.oysterfest.org
www.facebook.com/oysterfestwa
As OysterFest celebrates 45 years, it remains a powerful example of how a Rotary idea rooted in service and partnership can grow into a regional tradition that strengthens community and supports meaningful local impact.
