New jersey oyster festival brings shucking contests and coastal flavor to port norris

New Jersey Oyster Festival brings shucking contests and coastal flavor to Port Norris

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1 min read
October 17, 2025

PORT NORRIS, N.J. – Oyster lovers from across the state will gather Saturday for the New Jersey Oyster Festival, a celebration of the state’s maritime heritage and its world-class shellfish.

The event runs from noon to 5 p.m. at 2800 High Street and features tastings from local oyster purveyors, food trucks, and regional beverage makers.

Admission is $50 per person and includes a commemorative wine or beer glass along with oyster samples.


Key Points

  • New Jersey Oyster Festival takes place Saturday, October 18, from 12 to 5 p.m. in Port Norris.
  • Features oyster tastings, shucking contests, local food trucks, brewers, and winemakers.
  • Tickets cost $50 and include a souvenir glass and sampling of oysters.

A showcase of local shellfish

Festivalgoers can taste oysters from multiple New Jersey purveyors and cast their votes in the People’s Choice Award for the state’s favorite oyster. Organizers said the event is designed to highlight the sustainability and quality of local aquaculture.

Shucking, sipping, and celebrating

In addition to the oyster sampling, guests can watch competitors face off in a high-energy oyster shucking contest. Local brewing companies and wineries will be on-site pouring tastings, while a silent auction and guest speakers add to the afternoon’s festivities.

Local flavor from surf to turf

For attendees who prefer land-based fare, several food trucks will offer a range of regional dishes, from barbecue to vegetarian options. Artisan vendors will also sell coastal-themed goods and handmade products.

Event details and community connection

The New Jersey Oyster Festival begins at 12 p.m. Saturday at 2800 High Street in Port Norris. The event continues until 5 p.m., celebrating New Jersey’s long-standing oyster industry and the fishermen who sustain it.

Tickets are $50 and can be purchased in advance or at the gate, with proceeds supporting local marine conservation and educational programs.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

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