Get ready to \u201cshellebrate\u201d as North Carolina Oyster Month returns this October, bringing a variety of fun and flavorful events across the state. From oyster farm tours to seafood festivals, there\u2019s no shortage of ways to savor local oysters while supporting coastal conservation.<\/p>\n
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<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nAs a keystone species, oysters are crucial to North Carolina\u2019s marine and coastal environments. They provide food and shelter for a variety of other animals, reduce shoreline erosion by buffering waves, filter water, and bolster a thriving shellfish industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2022<\/a>, North Carolina\u2019s wild and farmed shellfish industry contributed $31.66 million to the state\u2019s economy. Of this, the farmed oyster industry provided almost half, $14.69 million in economic impact and 283 jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “Oysters continue to bring tremendous value to North Carolina,” says Jane Harrison, North Carolina Sea Grant’s coastal economist. “The events planned for North Carolina Oyster Month will introduce folks to shellfish culinary preparations, how oysters are grown, and their critical environmental role.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n North Carolina Sea Grant, the North Carolina Coastal Federation, and the North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources are once again organizing this year\u2019s NC Oyster Month in partnership with the NC Oyster Trail. Detailed event listings are available on the NC Oyster Trail<\/a> and NCDNCR<\/a> websites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cFrom oyster chef specials to kayak tours of oyster farms, there is something for everyone during NC Oyster Month,\u201d says Harrison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n NC Oyster Trail volunteer Bill Husted hosts an educational booth each year at the Outer Banks Seafood Festival. Bill says, \u201cYou meet fishers and learn what it takes to get fresh seafood to your table. The Trail booth will be in the Educational Tent and oyster growers will be shucking shellfish.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n North Carolina Oyster Month events will include cultivated and wild-caught oysters alike from new and returning participating organizations and businesses. Trail restaurants will be serving N.C. oysters all month long with various specials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, be sure to make lunch reservations for Seraphine Restaurant in Durham on Saturday, October 5. Chef Chris Garrett says \u201cWe will serve a special menu of 12 raw oysters, including three varieties from the N.C. coast: Croatan Selects from White Oak Oyster Company, Fat Belly’s from Crystal Coast Oysters, and Cherry Point Oysters.\u00a0 Also included is a half dozen of Seraphine\u2019s well-known Dragos Style roasted oysters, and my oyster gumbo served with Leidenheimer bread. Plus you can chat with oyster growers who will be with us all afternoon.\u201d Reservations can be made for noon or 2 pm.<\/p>\n For more information on North Carolina Oyster Month 2024 and to explore the NC Oyster Trail, visit ncoystertrail.org<\/a>. You can also read stories about oyster conservation and the people behind the industry in North Carolina Sea Grant\u2019s Coastwatch<\/em> magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oct. 1 | 5 – 8 pm | Surf City Brewing, Hampstead<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As you savor oysters from Ghost Fleet Oyster Company and enjoy a cold brew from Surf City Brewing, you\u2019ll be supporting a crucial conservation effort. All proceeds support the Coastal Land Trust\u2019s campaign to save the sound end of Topsail Island. The evening will also feature music, delicious offerings for purchase from the Fusion Blue food truck, and exciting raffle items. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Oct. 4 | 3:00 pm – 11 pm | Nags Head<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n To celebrate their one year anniversary, Dune Street Raw Bar will have drink specials throughout the day to complement their usual slate of culinary delights, then come evening it’ll be oysters galore with an oyster roast (from Kinnakeet, Little Star and Ocracoke Oyster Co) and live music by The Southern Split. Dune Street prioritizes their partnerships with local watermen, farmers, purveyors and artists, ensuring that every ingredient is not only fresh, but also a tribute to the rich tapestry of coastal Carolina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oct. 4-6 | Morehead City<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Spend your weekend at the North Carolina Seafood Festival to get a full sense of the importance of seafood to eastern North Carolina. Be sure to stop at Fisherman\u2019s Village (Jack\u2019s Waterfront Bar) on Saturday to meet fishermen, tour a trawler, witness cooking demos, and taste our local shrimp, fish and oysters! The NC Oyster Trail will have an educational table there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oct. 5 | 12-4pm | Seraphine, Durham<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Please join us for a celebration of the NC Oyster, October 5, 2024! This special menu will consist of 12 raw oysters – 3 varieties all from the NC Coast – Croatan Selects from White Oak Oyster Company, Fat Belly’s from Crystal Coast Oysters, and Cherry Point Oysters. Also included is 1\/2 Dozen of Seraphine’s well known Dragos Style roasted oysters, as well as chef Chris Garrett’s Oyster Gumbo – served with Leidenheimer Bread. $55 per person. The owners of all of these well known NC Oyster Farms will be at Seraphine to chat about their wonderful local oysters. We’ll be on the patio from 12pm – 4pm (rain or shine), when booking, you’ll have the option to select noon or 2pm arrival – you’re welcome to arrive anytime within an hour of your selected time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oct. 5 | 12 – 4 pm | Jolly Roger Restaurant, Kill Devil Hills<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n What\u2019s better than roasted oysters and live music? Join Jolly Roger for a great day of amazing slow roasted pork, fresh roasted oysters from Lighthouse Shoals Oyster Company, and live music with stylings from Phil Watson. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Oct. 5 | 10 am – 2 pm | UNCW Center for Marine Science, Wilmington<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Visit UNC Wilmington\u2019s Center for Marine Science for a fun day of science adventure with hands-on exhibits, tours of the Shellfish Research Hatchery, a visit to their oyster farm and food trucks too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Oct. 5 | 10 am – 6 pm | Empty Nest Studio & Gallery, Frisco<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Peruse the fine arts of Empty Nest Studio and enter their raffle to take home your own oyster jewelry. Oyster chowder will be served with a wine tasting from 4 – 6 pm. Come and enjoy some epicurean oyster delights and lots of fun!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oct. 9 | 5 -7 pm | Wrightsville Brewing, Wilmington<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Shellebrate the rich history, culture, economy, and ecology of North Carolina\u2019s oysters! From games and educational opportunities to oysters and beer\u2013this event has something for everyone! Wrightsville Brewing also will be donating 11% of proceeds from their \u2018Beer of the Month\u2019 to support the North Carolina Coastal Federation throughout October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oct. 19 | 10 am – 6 pm | Nags Head<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Outer Banks Seafood Festival will teach you about our state\u2019s fishing industry and heritage, let you savor local seafood, and treat you to live music. Meet fisher folk and see the boats that bring fresh seafood to your table. The NC Oyster Trail will have an educational booth. Be sure to visit!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oct. 20 | 12-6pm | Wrightsville Brewing, Wilmington<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Wrightsville Brewing\u2019s annual wild oyster season kickoff party & Oktoberfest celebration shouldn\u2019t be missed. Live music by Back Pocket Buddha and Birdwell Beat. Their best prices of the year for steamed and raw oysters!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sundays in October | Coquina Fish Bar, Wilmington<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Discounted oysters ($1.50) every Sunday in October all day long!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Each week in October | Coquina Fish Bar, Wilmington<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Every week in October Coquina will debut a new oyster preparation to be sold as a special all week. From Miso Butter Oysters to Corn Bread and Creamed Spinach grilled oysters, so many yummy things to come! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Each week in October | 2-4pm | Shuckin\u2019 Shack, Surf City<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Join Shuckin\u2019 Shack for their $1 local oyster happy hour Tuesday-Thursday 2-4 pm for the entire month of October.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oct. TBD | The Sandspur, Carolina Beach<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Enjoy an oyster roast in The Sandspur\u2019s backyard. Followed by live bluegrass music from South Hill Banks! <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/3432_20210617_by_Justin_Kase_Conder_3432-1-scaled.jpg\")
<\/div>NC Oyster Month Events<\/b><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Oyster Roast for the Coast<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Oyster Roast at Dune Street Raw Bar & Grill<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
NC Seafood Festival<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Seraphine Oyster Fest<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
23rd Annual Oink n Oyster Roast<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
UNCW Science Open House<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A Celebration of the Gilded Oyster<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Oysters and Brews with Wrightsville Brewing<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Outer Banks Seafood Festival<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Oysterberfest 2024<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Shellebration Sundays<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Oyster of the Week<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
$1 Happy Hour Oysters all October Long<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Sandspur Music and Oysters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Seed to Table Oyster Trail Tours<\/strong><\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n