Share: 

Delaware Seafood Festival is the catch of the day at Schellville

Having a great time eating crabs are (l-r) Megan Rash, Ashley and Jamie Delp, Bill Rash, Ernie Ricci, and Jamie and Brittany Rotonda. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
September 28, 2025

Crustaceans, mollusks and bivalves, oh my! 

That line could have been the order of the day Sept. 20, as the Stevenson Foundation presented the Delaware Seafood Festival at Schellville near Rehoboth Beach. 

The Stevenson Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) dedicated to giving back to local small businesses, students and other nonprofits in the area.

“What an incredible showing from our community this weekend,” said event organizer Ryan Stevenson. “Delaware may be a small state, but when it comes to supporting great causes, we show up in a major way. The food was absolutely amazing, the music kept everyone smiling, and the crowd was something truly special. A huge thank you to all of the sponsors, vendors, volunteers and attendees. None of this would have been possible without them.” 

Proceeds from this event benefit the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays and the Delaware Restaurant Foundation. 

Food and craft vendors, family-friendly activities, live music, cooking demos, beer and seafood pairing, contests, raffle baskets and a Boat of Booze raffle were just a few of the many activities at the event.  

The crowd goes wild during the oyster shucking contest.
Carlito Rodriguez, left, is presented the oyster shucking trophy from event organizer Ryan Stevenson. He shucked 12 oysters in the race. Rodriguez represented Fins in the contest.
Barbara Hess slurps a tasty mollusk.
Kristen Kwolek of Kristen and the Noise entertains the crowd at the event.
Sharing a birthday at the event are Neva Anderson, left, and Robin Danzy.
Enjoying the event from The Crab Cake Company are in back (l-r) Sheila Capretti, Carol Kinkade Molly McLaughlin and Veronica Augustus. In front are Ray Capretti, Michael Kinkade, Drew Flatau and Jill Giorgio.
Oyster shucking contestant Duffry Smith is a longtime shucker.
Ryan Stevenson, left, and Jim Clark display the commemorative T-shirts sold at the event.
Having a great time at the event are (l-r) Mary and Steve Nietz, Dennis Bunting, Kathleen Crowley, Rick Sapio and Carol King.
Eating crabs are Cheyenne Roy, left, and Tom Leed.
Jennifer Rubenstein, left, and Diane Scobey dance to the music of Kristen and the Noise.
Working the Little Connie’s Kettle Corn booth is Dreama Jester.
Contestants rush to eat as many shrimp as they can in 10 minutes.
John Gaglione, left, and Rich Coyle scarfs down shrimp during the eating contest.
The shrimp eating contest winner is presented with the trophy by event organizer Ryan Stevenson.
Lower Case Blues entertains the crowd during the event.
Jim McMullin shows off crabs from Crab Connect.
It’s never too early to sled down Schellville’s hill.
Sharon Godwin slides down the tube slide with Alyanh Godwin, 5.
Representing the Inland Bays are (l-r) Lori and Tom Whitehaus and Bryan Ochs, deputy director at the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays.
Dani Noilte, 6, enjoys some fruit kabob.
Noah Denehy, 5, gets a Spiderman mask from face painter Ashley Jeanne Dimeglio.
Anthony Daughtry bites into a giant crab cake sandwich. Daughtry drove from North Carolina to attend the event.
Dipping out cream of crab soup for the taste contest is Terry Gantt.
The food vendors stay busy.
The Schellville train takes attendees on a trip around the Christmas area.
Rick Reese shops at the one of the many vendors at the event.
Bryan Ochs, deputy director at the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, speaks to the crowd about the importance of oysters and other shellfish.
Meghan Gardner, vice president of the Delaware Restaurant Foundation, speaks to the crowd at the event.
The Starboard Crush Bar is hopping at the event.
Volunteers at the train station are Patty Thomas, left, and Kerry Roth-Shaver.

Most Popular

Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

Most Popular