Fort Morgan Oyster Festival to bring salty fun Feb. 25

By MELANIE LECROY
Lifestyle Editor
melanie@gulfcoastmedia.com
Posted 2/10/23

GULF SHORES — Calling all oyster fanatics: There is a festival themed around the crustacean coming this month, and you do not want to miss it.

The Fort Morgan Oyster Festival is a celebration of …

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Fort Morgan Oyster Festival to bring salty fun Feb. 25

Posted

GULF SHORES — Calling all oyster fanatics: There is a festival themed around the crustacean coming this month, and you do not want to miss it.

The Fort Morgan Oyster Festival is a celebration of the oyster farming industry in the Alabama Gulf Coast area. Tickets are on sale now.

Spectrum Resorts has partnered with Navy Cove Oysters and Sassy Bass to host the event at The Beach Club Resort and Spa in Gulf Shores on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.


An inaugural Fort Morgan Oyster Festival was held in February 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down the beaches. The festival was a trial run, and the community turnout was bigger than expected. Organizers knew the event would need a bigger space with more parking in the future. The response that initial year is why organizers partnered with Spectrum Resorts.

Charles “Chuck” Wilson, one of the founders of Navy Cove Oysters, said the festival is an opportunity to talk about coastal Alabama and the oyster industry and to get people together for a party.

“The festival is timed to coincide with the last big weekend the snowbirds are all here because snowbirds are big fans of Sassy Bass, oyster festivals and big fans of The Beach Club,” Wilson said.

The festival will shine a spotlight on oysters grown in the salty waters surrounding the Fort Morgan peninsula. Festival guests will have the opportunity to sample Admiral Shellfish Company oysters in addition to Navy Cove Oysters.

When asked what people can expect, Wilson said, “good food, oysters six or seven ways and other food like hot dogs and hamburgers.”

One of the events Wilson is excited about is crowning the first Alabama Oyster Shucking Champion. If you feel you have the shucking skills to take the title, you can register now.

In addition to oysters prepared a variety of ways and other food, there will be arts and crafts vendors, an educational area, a cooking demonstration by Spectrum Resorts Executive Chef John Hamme, live music and oyster shell-focused games. The event is family-friendly and will have something for everyone to enjoy.

Wilson and his partners, John Supan and Eric Bradley, want to bring attention to the oyster farming industry in Fort Morgan.

“We used to have more farms in Fort Morgan. We are hoping it is going to build interest for more farms in this area,” Wilson said. “There are some wonderful sites over on Saint Elizabeth’s Bay, which is right near Pilot Town. Hopefully, we will see more oyster farms move into this area and helps improve habitat and build the name of Fort Morgan Oysters.”

Admission is $30 and includes access to the event, parking and a sampling book good for 10 oyster samples. Tickets purchased the day of the event are $35 at the gate. Additional books may be purchased at the event. It is encouraged to purchase tickets in advance by going to www.fortmorganoysterfest.com.