Content Courtesy of Explore Hood Canal | Photos by Jordan Sylva Photography

When the first weekend of October arrives in Mason County, the air turns crisp, the leaves begin to change, and the irresistible aroma of sizzling oysters fills the air at Shelton’s Sanderson Field. For more than forty years, OysterFest has been more than just a seafood festival — it has been the heartbeat of autumn on the Olympic Peninsula, a celebration of food, family, and community giving.

The tradition began in 1982, thanks to local visionary Dick Oltman — a Rotarian, travel agent, and graduate student in tourism who believed Shelton needed a fall celebration to complement the springtime Mason County Forest Festival. The newly formed Skookum Rotary Club embraced the idea, and with a little help from weather research showing the first weekend in October usually brings a break from rain, OysterFest was born.

That first year, organizers hoped only to cover costs, but the festival exceeded expectations as hungry crowds kept vendors scrambling for more oysters and supplies. For 35 years, OysterFest was held at the Mason County Fairgrounds before moving to Sanderson Field in 2012. Though the location changed, the spirit has remained the same: an all-hands-on-deck community effort that now supports more than thirty local nonprofits, raising nearly $200,000 for local causes each year.

Yes, the food is at the center of the celebration — fresh oysters, seafood delicacies, and local libations — but OysterFest is so much more. The weekend features family-friendly activities, live music, hands-on educational exhibits, and the unforgettable West Coast Oyster Shucking Championship, where the fastest shuckers in the region compete for cash prizes, bragging rights, and a shot at national recognition. Between bites, festivalgoers can explore exhibits that highlight the importance of clean water and healthy shorelines, reminding everyone that OysterFest celebrates not only the harvest but the environment that sustains it.

Through the years, the festival has collected countless legendary moments — from a skydiver’s surprise landing on a county commissioner, to Senator Scoop Jackson’s encounter with a local bee, to organizers drilling a hole in the asphalt to drain a puddle only to make it worse. At the heart of it all are the volunteers. Skookum Rotary members lead the charge, but service clubs, Scouts, church groups, scholarship programs, and dozens of nonprofits keep the festival humming, ensuring that every dollar raised goes right back into the community.

The celebration begins Friday night, October 3, with OysterFunk — a lively, 21+ kickoff with food, music, and fun. The main event runs Saturday, October 4 (10 AM – 6 PM) and Sunday, October 5 (10 AM – 5 PM), drawing more than 10,000 visitors, 400 RV campers, and thousands of volunteers who bring OysterFest to life.

This year’s official OysterFest poster, “Oyster Bay Harvest” by Janette Stiles, captures the spirit of the season. Signed posters, along with T-shirts, hats, glasses, and other souvenirs, will be available at the merchandise tent. CLICK HERE to see the 2025 OysterFest event program!

• When: October 4–5 (Saturday 10 AM – 6 PM, Sunday 10 AM – 5 PM)
• Where: Shelton Airport, 250 W Sanderson Way
• Tickets: Adults $15, Kids Free, Two-day pass $25
• Parking: Free onsite & shuttle service from designated park-and-rides
• Camping: RV/dry camping available (reserve online early)
• Note: Pets not allowed (service animals only)
• Kickoff: OysterFunk, Friday, October 3 (6–10 PM), $5 admission, 21+ only

Whether you come for the oysters, the beer garden, the music, or the small-town camaraderie, OysterFest is Mason County at its finest — spirited, generous, and full of flavor.

For more information, tickets, and camping reservations, visit www.oysterfest.org.