One of New Orleans' greatest delicacies is celebrated this weekend in the French Quarter.
The 10th annual New Orleans Oyster Festival is two days of shucking and slurping our region’s favorite bivalve on the banks of the Mississippi.
"To bring a blanket out there and just sit on Woldenberg Park field and listen to music, have a couple of cocktails and, of course, eat a charbroiled oyster or two...it's going to be fun," says Tommy Cvitanovich, of Drago's Seafood Restaurant.
Among the nearly dozen performers this year are Amanda Shaw, the Bucktown Allstars, the Brass-A-Holics and Bag of Donuts. There's a kids' tent, arts and crafts and some interesting entertainment.
"They've got an oyster shucking contest, cooking demonstrations, and then just watching the Black Widow, that young lady, eat oysters and eat 40 to 50 dozen or whatever that crazy number is...is just spectacular to watch," says Cvitanovich.
There's also the Largest Oyster Contest. "And that's actually pretty impressive. That's definitely a knife-and fork type of oyster," Cvitanovich says. "There's no eating that with one slurp. At least I can't."
More than 20 of the best seafood restaurants New Orleans has to offer will be showing off the versatility of Louisiana oysters.
"You're going to have lots of restaurants out there, "There's a very wide variety of food out there, Everybody's going to be happy."
Festival hours are 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission is free.
The New Orleans Oyster Festival will educate the country about the benefits of the Louisiana Gulf Oyster, honor and celebrate the restaurateurs and oyster farmers who have solidified the New Orleans French Quarter’s position as the “Oyster Capital of America,” and help raise funds for “Coastal Restoration.”
More events this weekend:
- 5/1-2 - Volksfest (Deutsches Haus, 1700 Moss St.) - The festival celebrates the start of summer with maypole dancing, live German music, German food, beer and wine, beer stein-holding contests, chicken dances and a children's area. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. $5, free for children 11 years and younger and Deutsches Haus members. www.deutscheshaus.org
- 5/1-2 - Overlook Film Festival (Various locations in the French Quarter) - It's the last two days of the festival of new and classic independent horror cinema. It also offers live shows, alternate reality games and interactive activities. Hours vary. Weekend passes $250-$650. Limited individual event passes will be available. www.overlookfilmfest.com
- 5/1 - Birdfoot Festival (Various locations in New Orleans) - It's the final day of the chamber music festival, which includes performances, open rehearsals, free concerts and more. Hours and admissions vary. www.birdfootfestival.org
- 5/1-2 - Cajun Heartland State Fair (444 Cajundome Blvd., Lafayette) - The fair includes amusement rides, carnival games, a battle of the bands contest, live music, food and activities. Hours TBA. $5, free for children 12 and younger. www.cajundome.com
- 5/1-2 - Symphony Book Fair (University of New Orleans Lakefront Arena, 6801 Franklin Ave) - The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra's volunteers present the annual book sale, which includes collectible books, art, sheet music, CDs, DVDs, puzzles and games. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. $15 Friday admittance before 3 p.m., free Friday after 3 p.m.-Sunday. www.lpovolunteers.org
- 5/1-2 - Walker Percy Weekend (Various locations in St. Francisville) - The literary festival celebrates the life and works of author Walker Percy, with panel discussions, discussions with Percy scholars, culinary events, live music and more. Hours vary. $160-$225. www.walkerpercyweekend.org
- Also, the Parade of Homes kicks off this weekend. 29 homes across the metro area will be featured this weekend and next. It's the largest parade in recent years. Tour new homes and see the latest innovations in building techniques and industry trends. https://www.hbagno.org/parade-of-homes
