CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF LOVE WITH US
We are excited to introduce our 50 Days to Explore the Shore, a celebration of 50 Years of Love here in Virginia. From October 1- November 19, join us for a scavenger hunt across the Eastern Shore and discover our secret treasures. Pick up a brochure at any of our Welcome Centers, and explore festivals, museums, sights, and drinks. Finish all of our 5 visit requirements and be entered into a raffle to win a basket full of goodies from our partners!
How to participate:
- Must visit at least five locations.
- Must visit at least one festival, museum, and sight. The last two can be from any category.
- Must get a punch on the brochure at locations where there is someone available to punch your card for you, if not…
- Must post a photo on either Instagram or Facebook, tag VisitESVA and Virginia is for Lovers, and use hashtags #visitesva and #sharewhatyoulove.
- All participating locations will be listed on the brochure!
Brochures will be ready for pick-up soon, and October will be here before you know it. In the meantime, get excited for what’s to come and check out these upcoming local foodie festivals!
* signifies festival is participating in 50 Days to Explore the Shore
LOCAL EATS
Sandwiched between the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia’s Eastern Shore is home to dozens of festivals and celebrations centered around the region’s abundant fresh seafood and rich agricultural traditions.
FARM TO TABLE
A growing number of small organic farms, aqua farmers and small-batch food producers are both reviving historic food traditions and inventing new ones. The epicurean mix ranges from down-home cooking and big seafood fests to elegant, chef-led extravaganzas.
FALL OYSTER ROASTS
Oyster roasts are a long-standing tradition here as the weather begins to cool. Nearly every weekend is punctuated by an oyster roast or seafood feast, but we eat them all year round due to modern aqua farming. This symbol next to an event means oysters are on the menu:
MAY TO OCTOBER 2019
Fridays
Steamers, Suds & Sounds on C-Pier Concert Series
Cape Charles, VA
This Friday night outdoor concert series, right on the water, starts in May and goes through late summer. Feast on fresh local seafood — blue crabs, oysters, clams, shrimp — with sides of potatoes and sweet corn. It’s at The Oyster Farm at Kings Creek, a restaurant and marina with breathtaking views out over the Chesapeake Bay from every corner. Free admission; food and drink purchase optional.
Get Details
SEPTEMBER 2019
September 26-28
Eastern Shore Music and Soul Food Festival
Exmore, VA
Spend Friday night dancing and then come back Saturday for local and international soul food. Cuisines will include Ethiopian, Jamaican, Brazilian, soul food, vegan and vegetarian. Chopped and Cutthroat Kitchen contestant Jacoby Ponder will be on hand cooking and there will be fun for the whole family with kids activities and local artists and artisans.
Watch Here for Tickets
Saturday, September 28
Craft Beer Festival
Cape Charles, VA
Sample unlimited tastings of craft beer from around the region while enjoying beautiful views of the Chesapeake Bay at Chesapeake Bay KOA.
Call (757)331-1776 opt. 2 for tickets.
Saturday, September 28
Chincoteague Chili-Chowder Cookoff
Chincoteague, VA
Chincoteague Island is famous for its wild ponies but in September it’s all about chili and chowder. Contestants serve up everything from spicy five alarm chili to rich chowders overflowing with fresh, local seafood. Amateurs and professionals go head-to-head for this culinary throw down and the public can purchase bowls of everything. In addition to the soups and stews, look for famous crispy clam fritters (a local specialty) – – a deep fried, tender nugget of dough studded with local clams. Once you’ve had your fill of tasty treats you can take in some hot rods at the car show, enjoy the live music or get a dose of cuteness at the Little Mr. or Little Miss Hot Stuff children’s pageant.
This is a pay as you go event.
Learn More
OCTOBER 2019
Saturday, October 5
Brew-N-Que (and Oysters Too!)
Cape Charles, VA
This festival puts a spotlight on smoky scents and frothy craft beer at Sunset Beach Resort in Cape Charles. Brew ‘N’ Que (Oysters Too!) includes platters of smoky barbecue, craft beer and local oysters. Big fun is in store with lots of activities for families and children, as well as live music.
Watch Here for Tickets
Saturday, October 12
Chincoteague Oyster Festival*
Chincoteague, VA
Chincoteague oysters — known for their salty, briny flavor — bring the island community together every October to celebrate the famous bivalves, which are shipped all over the world. Sample crispy single-fried oysters, freshly shucked raw oysters, golden oyster fritter sandwiches, succulent steamed oysters and bowls of Eastern Shore style clam chowder. The feast is rounded out by some greens in the form of salads, and crispy onion-studded hushpuppies. Beer is available on site or you can load up your own cooler and bring it. Tickets for this party sell out quick!
Get Tickets
Saturday, October 12
Exmore Rotary Soule Arnold Oyster Roast*
Exmore, VA
Gathering in a town park to feast on fresh, local seafood is just about as down-home as it gets on the Eastern Shore of Virginia and the Soule Arnold Oyster Roast and Clam Steam offers just that! This annual event boasts an all you can eat buffet of salty, roasted seaside oysters, fresh steamed clams, barbecue, clam chowder, sides and desserts. A cash bar is available for the purchase of beer and wine. There’s a silent auction too! Tickets go on sale August 1st.
Saturday, October 19
Swine and Wine*
Accomac, VA
There’s a long tradition of pig roasts in the south. Just like our oyster roasts, these feasts brought communities together. Get a taste of a traditional pig roast at Swine and Wine. You can load your plate with roasted pork barbecue, barbecue chicken, all the fixings and desserts. There will also be a cash bar, live music and a silent auction.
Watch Here for Tickets
Saturday, October 19
Meet at the Table*
Painter, VA
Local chefs and farmers will be paired up to create delicious farm to table dishes at this intimate affair. Only 125 tickets will be sold for this seated dinner held on a working flower farm with a historic home that dates to 1770. Local artists and artisans will also be displaying their works and there will be a live auction.
NOVEMBER 2019
Saturday, November 2
Saxis Island Oyster Roast*
Saxis, VA
Saxis Island is one of the Eastern Shore’s best-kept secrets, tucked away on the Chesapeake Bay coastline of the 70-mile peninsula. Visitors have the perfect opportunity to explore this unique area at the Saxis Island Oyster Roast. Unlike many other oyster festivals, this oyster roast is held indoors – and features table service. Just hold up a sign and a volunteer delivers steamed oysters, clam chowder and barbecue to your table. You can also gather around a shucking table and slurp fresh, raw oysters. If you like, bring a cooler with your choice of (alcoholic) beverages since there is no alcohol served on site.
Watch Here for Tickets
NOVEMBER is Virginia’s Eastern Shore Wine and Brine
During the month of November, Virginia Wine and Brine spotlights the sheer delight of tasting wines and oysters grown side-by-side here on the Eastern Shore. There are only a few places in the world where these two delicacies are grown in the same watershed, and Virginia’s Eastern Shore is one of them. So feast on roasted oysters and clams and sip award-winning wine from Chatham Vineyards. The month-long fete includes culinary tours, cultural events and special Wine and Brine hotel packages
Saturday, November 9
Terrior & Merrior Oyster Extravaganza*
Machipongo, VA
This Virginia Wine and Brine feast is a food and wine lovers dream. Based on the concept that a wine’s taste reflects the region it is grown in, or terroir, this event, held on the grounds of Chatham Vineyards, pairs Chatham Vineyard’s wines with oysters that are cultivated in the waters surrounding the winery. Just as wines are flavored by their region, oysters are also known for developing a distinct flavor, or Merroir, based on where they are grown. The winery perches on Church Creek and is dotted with buildings that date to the early 1800’s.
Watch Here for More Information
Sunday, November 17
Champagne & Oyster Tasting
Onancock, VA
The Champagne and Oyster Tasting event is perfect for anyone who loves oysters and a little bubbly! Try oysters four ways and five various wines that accent sweet, salty, and briny tastes of locally sourced oysters. A fundraiser hosted by the Historic Onancock School, proceeds will benefit the Shore’s wonderful collection of local artists. There will also be a live auction.
Buy Tickets Here
Date: TBA
Ducks Unlimited Oyster Roast
Machipongo, VA
During the annual Ducks Unlimited Oyster Roast, on the grounds of the Barrier Island Center, which was formally a historic almshouse, feast on smoky, roasted oysters and clams, and juicy pork barbecue, baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw and assorted desserts. Festival goers can unleash their competitive side with both a silent and live auction.
Watch Here for More Information
Date: TBA
Cape Charles Historical Society Oyster Roast
Cape Charles, VA
Oysters are the star of this traditional Eastern Shore roast on the grounds of the Cape Charles Museum, and will be served both roasted and raw. Spicy bacon and potato studded clam chowder will also be available. Non-seafood lovers can chow down on fried chicken, three bean salad, potato salad and homemade rolls.
Watch Here for More Information
DECEMBER 2019
Sunday, December 9
Chowder Cook-Off
Cape Charles, VA
The Eastern Shore is one of the largest clam growing regions on the East Coast, so we know a thing or two about chowder. Get a taste of the best chowder local restaurants have to offer while enjoying views of the Chesapeake Bay from the Oyster Farm Seafood Eatery.
To plan your visit to Virginia’s Eastern Shore click here.
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