Inland Bays Oyster Week, culminating in Delaware Seafood Festival, set to kick off in Sussex

Seafood lovers, take note.

The first-ever Inland Bays Oyster Week at the Delaware beaches, featuring a slate of events that culminate in the Delaware Seafood Festival in Millsboro on Saturday, kicks off Monday.

Inland Bays Oyster Week is the result of “a decade of efforts to bring locally grown oysters to raw bars and dinner tables,” a news release from Southern Delaware Tourism said. Southern Delaware Tourism is organizing and sponsoring the week alongside the Delaware Sea Grant at the University of Delaware.

Here’s a rundown of oyster-themed events Aug. 5-10.

Sip ‘n Slurp: Meet the Grower

Big Oyster Brewery, 6152 S. Rehoboth Blvd., Milford, 3-6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 5.

Enjoy a taste of a “Southern Delaware Delicacy,” featuring Nancy James Oysters from Rehoboth Bay, and learn more about aquaculture operations from owner/grower Jordan Nally. Attendees must be age 21 or older. Tickets are not required.

Inland Bays Oyster Experience Eco-Tour

Boat departs from the public dock at 511 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 6.

This Cape Water Tours and Taxi boat tour will feature a visit to one of the open-water shellfish lease areas in Rehoboth Bay, where participants will have a chance to learn about the growing process. The 1.5-hour event is open to all ages. Tickets are $14 per person and can be purchased at capewatertaxi.com.

Wine ‘n Brine: Meet the Grower

Lewes Oyster House, 108 2nd St., Lewes, 3-5 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Enjoy Arrowhead Point Oysters from Rehoboth Bay and learn more about aquaculture operations from the owner/operators. Attendees must be age 21 or older. Tickets are not required.

The Science of Aquaculture

University of Delaware Cannon Lab, Room 203, 700 Pilottown Road, Lewes, 1-2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 7.

Join Ed Hale, University of Delaware assistant professor and Delaware Sea Grant aquaculture and fisheries specialist, for a look at the “how’s” and “why’s” behind Inland Bays oysters. This is an all-ages event and tickets are not required.

Oyster Hatchery Tour

University of Delaware Cannon Lab, Room 203, 700 Pilottown Road, Lewes, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Take a tour of Delaware Sea Grant’s oyster hatchery in the Delaware Bay and learn what it takes to spawn and grow oysters. This is an all-ages event. Reservations are required.

Arts on the Half-Shell

Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, Delaware Seashore State Park, 39375 Inlet Road, Rehoboth Beach, 6-8:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 8.

“An unforgettable evening of culinary and visual arts inspired by the oyster” featuring celebrated local chefs including Hari Cameron, culinary director for The Chef’s Table at Touch of Italy; Lewes Oyster House chef Sean Corea; chef Ted Deptula, La Vida Hospitality Culinary director; and Taco Reho chef Billy Lucas. Together, they will create an array of small plates featuring fresh Inland Bays oysters. The evening will also feature a signature gin-based cocktail, and Baltimore-based artist Sherry Insley will present portions of two exhibits.

Tickets are $150 per person. All proceeds from the event will support the James Farm Ecological Preserve education campus project.

More: The artificial Redbird Reef, popular Delaware fishing spot, gets 2 more boats

Delaware Seafood Festival

American Legion Post 28, 31767 Legion Road, Millsboro, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10.

This all-ages festival will feature live music, vendors, food trucks, beer, a cornhole tournament, a kid’s zone, a shrimp-eating contest, an oyster-shucking contest, and of course, lots of seafood. A portion of the proceeds will support American Legion Post 28. Tickets are $5, with free admission for children younger than 12. Tickets can be purchased at the event or at delawareseafoodfestival.com.

Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.