The 20th Wellfleet OysterFest may have been cancelled due to Covid concerns, but you can still cheer for your favorite shucker this year at the first-ever Virtual All-Star Shuck Off. In the spirit of the Shucking-Show-Must-Go-On, the local non-profit Wellfleet Promotion and Tasting organization (S.P.A.T.) will broadcast a two-hour shucking extravaganza with cooking tips from celebrity chef hosts Ming Tsai, Jamie Bissonette and Elle Simone Scott; music events filmed at scenic Wellfleet locales; two short films about the town's deep history as the heart of America's oyster growing community; and more.
The online gala will culminate with a reimagining of the festival's most popular event--the oyster shucking competition--showcasing ten legendary shuckers from the past 19 years going head to head for the ultimate crown: Wellfleet's all-time greatest, best of the best, all-star oyster shucker. The team of 3 judges include Toronto's own super-star John Baby, and returning Wellfleet all-stars Mike May and yours truly, accompanied by tabulator-supreme, Nik Watkins.
Mark your calendars for the event, streamed on the internet at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday October 17th from the Wellfleet Harbor Actor's Theater. Free! YouTube Channel linked HERE.
