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Break Out of Your Shell at the Austin Oyster Fest

Austin is a can't-miss destination that sets cultural trends through the entire world.  “The Capital of Live Music” will have visitors falling head over heels for music-themed events like South by Southwest and the sheer amount of live music venues. The city has something for everyone from its unique culinary scene or to a variety of world-class festivals.

 

The Austin Oyster Fest returns for its fifth year in 2017, providing patrons with different meals featuring the ocean's tastiest mollusk. The festival takes place February 25 (12:00 pm to 6:00 pm) at the French Legation Museum in downtown Austin. Patrons will encounter a seafood wonderland with fried, roasted, grilled, and raw oysters, which come from the Gulf of Mexico and the East Coast. Live entertainment will include a variety of local music acts playing Americana, Bluegrass, and Cajun music. The event aims to serve the community, teaming up with The HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere) Campaign and the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas this year. We got the chance to interview Emily Horvath, a representative for the event, to talk about this unique food festival.

 

RAL: How long has the event been running?

EH: This year is the fifth anniversary.

   

RAL: How many annual participants do you draw?

EH: We anticipate roughly 2,000 attendees.

   

RAL: What is the typical demographic makeup of the event?

EH: It's a young, affluent group of foodies. Most attendees come with a group of friends or in couples. We do get some children, but not very many.

   

RAL: What makes this event unique?

EH: Our event pays homage to the oyster, both in the form of food and also in the form of environmental education about reef building and sustainability.

 

RAL: What activities will patrons encounter?

EH: We have activities for everyone including:

  • Assorted yard games

  • Educational booths about oyster shell reclamation (www.oysterSTORM.com)

  • Three bands on the Premiere Events Stage

  • Charity raffle

  • Bands

  • DJ

 

RAL: Will there be any guest appearances?

EH: This year we will be featuring three bands covering various genres including Zydeco, Bluegrass, and more.

   

RAL: What dining options will there be?

EH: It's all about the oyster. We will have two oyster tents with different themes such as Texas Gulf Coast oysters from Jeri’s Seafood and East Coast Specialty oysters. A hot food tent with a grill and fry station will be serving Oysters Rockefeller, gumbo, shrimp toast, and Deep Eddy Vodka Grilled Shrimp with the newly launched vodka flavor of the year. Also, a second hot food tent will have oyster and shrimp po boys, fried oyster Bahn Mi, pomme frits, and Gruyere Fritters. Also, 3 Bar Tents will be serving Bloody Mary's from Austin's own Bloody Revolution and Deep Eddy Vodka along with great local beer, wine, and champagne selections.

 

RAL: What is the overall environment like?

EH: Guests will find a laid back and relaxed environment. Our patrons always enjoy the high-quality food, drinks, and live music.

 

RAL: What can an attendee expect to find for local lodging?

EH: Austin is full of unique lodging options including hotels like the Driskel, Stephen F. Austin, Kimber Modern, and Hotel Ella, which is located just south of the river. Plus, right across the street from the event is the new Hotel Van Zandt.

   

RAL: Does this drive business to your local economy?

EH: Austin has many great seafood restaurants despite its landlocked location. We feature chef tastings in our VIP section that highlight several of these great restaurants. Many of our patrons visit these restaurants and other local businesses during their stay.

   

RAL: Does the event support a special cause in the community?

EH: The Oyster Festival benefits both The HOPE (Helping Other People Everywhere) Campaign.  The HOPE goal is to connect creatives with causes, allowing artists, musicians, and producers to lend their talents and influence to causes around the globe. We also support the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas.

 

RAL: Why should people come to your event?

EH: Austin is a unique city that has something for everyone. At the Austin Oyster Festival you can see much of what makes this city great in one place. We have an abundance of food, music, philanthropy, education, and fun.


For more information about the Austin Oyster Festival, please visit the event website.