Inland Bays Oyster Week offers variety of activities Aug. 3-7

The Cape Region will celebrate locally grown Inland Bays oysters, a Southern Delaware delicacy, with events set from Sunday, Aug. 3 through Thursday, Aug. 7.

Organized and sponsored by Delaware Sea Grant at the University of Delaware and Southern Delaware Tourism, the 2nd Annual Inland Bays Oyster Week will feature boat and kayak excursions, arts and educational events, an oyster hatchery tour and numerous social activities including Meet the Grower happy hour events at local raw bars and restaurants.

The Developing Artist Collaboration will host a new event, Soundbite Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Aug. 3, at West Side Creative Market, 19826 Central St., Rehoboth Beach. Patrons can grab a bite from one of the oyster-inspired chefs, enjoy beverage options from the market bar and soak in the sounds of live musical entertainment.

The Delaware Center for the Inland Bays will host a paddling excursion in the Indian River Bay from 12 to 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 5, starting from the James Farm Ecological Preserve in Ocean View. Participants will visit the center's new Pasture Point oyster reef with CIB Science Technician Morgan Krell, followed by a one-hour paddle around the bay with Ecobay guides. Space is limited and registration required by Friday, Aug. 1; call Janet at 302-562-4217.

The University of Delaware will host both an educational seminar and a group tour of its pilot-scale oyster hatchery Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the Sharp Campus in Lewes. Dr. Ed Hale, assistant professor and fisheries/aquaculture specialist, is pleased to open the hatchery to the public for tours. “UD is on the front line of supporting the Inland Bays oyster industry, and this small-scale hatchery managed by our coordinator, Alyssa Campbell, aims to help satisfy some of the needs of our local growers,” Hale said. The free seminar will take place from 1 to 2 p.m., Aug. 6, with Hale leading participants in a scientific field activity to learn about oyster data collection and processing, and the importance of scientific research and study of oysters. The hatchery tour, set for 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., Aug. 6, is free, but limited to 15 people; reserve a spot at eventbrite.com/e/oyster-hatchery-tour-tickets-949050945927.

In partnership with Delaware Sea Grant, Cape Water Tours and Taxi will present an Inland Bays Oyster Experience from 9 to 10:30 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 7, featuring a visit to one of the open-water shellfish lease areas in Rehoboth Bay. Participants will have a chance to learn from Dr. Ed Hale about the process of growing oysters from seed to market. He will explain some of the ecological services provided by a robust aquaculture industry and share information about where the public can purchase local oysters for their own enjoyment. Oyster grower Mark Casey will meet the tour onsite to share his stories about oyster farming in the Inland Bays.

Local artist Maggie Heffernan will offer a special art workshop at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Artpothecary space near the creative market. Participants will get hands-on instruction and create their own oyster-themed painting using acrylics while enjoying oyster and wine pairings.

For everyone’s safety, on-water and outdoor activities during Inland Bays Oyster Week are weather-dependent; a public announcement will be made if the weather is inclement or threatening. 

The celebration of Inland Bays oysters will continue at the 2nd Annual Delaware Seafood Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 20, at Schellville in Rehoboth Beach; watch for upcoming details.

For more information, go to inlandbays.org.