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Georgetown Oyster Eat celebrates tradition

Georgetown fireman Spencer Sukar carries a basket of steaming oysters to a table of hungry, knife-welding mollusk lovers. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
March 4, 2026

The 89th annual Georgetown Fire Company Oyster Eat was held Feb. 27, drawing nearly 900 guests who slurped the tasty bivalve mollusks, washed ’em down with beer and added some egg salad sandwiches, hot dogs and popcorn. All proceeds go to the Georgetown Fire Company.

The event featured 125 bushels of shelled and 53 gallons of shucked oysters, 230 dozen eggs, 30 pounds of popcorn and 1,600 hot dogs. It was washed down with 40 kegs of light beer, seven kegs of IPA, water and sodas.

Established in 1933, the event draws locals and visitors annually on the last Friday of February to share a night of fellowship, music, stories, beer, tasty mollusks and a shucking good time.

The event has been recognized by U.S. Congress for its historical and cultural significance.

“We raised between $35,000 and $45,000 for the department,” said Georgetown Fire Company Vice President Michael Briggs, the Oyster Eat chair. “It  was a tremendous success, welcoming 850 to 900 attendees who continue to show their strong support. The oyster knife brought in $6,000, with Kenny Adams purchasing the winning bid, and the gun raffle – generously donated by Greg Davis – raised over $4,000 toward our new fire truck. Thanks to our community’s continued generosity, the proceeds from this event help fund our operational expenses and ensure we can continue serving Georgetown when it matters most.”

 

Sheriff Robert Lee, right, and Georgetown firefighter Spencer Sukar wrap hot dogs for the guests. The event featured 1,600 hot dogs.
Georgetown firefighter Jamie Locklear loads up the condiments before the crowd gets into the Georgetown fire hall.
Shucking oysters are (l-r) James Hanes, James Hitchens Sr. and James Hitchens Jr.
Waiting for the crowd are Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, and Georgetown Fire Chief Barrett Penuel.
Working the hot dog booth are retired Delaware State Trooper Lad Dick and Delaware State Trooper Lewis Briggs III.
Member Brenda Murphy unboxes the sweatshirts up for purchase at the event.
Dustin Oldfather and Cliff McCall got in early to beat the crowd.
Spencer Sukar unloads a basket of steaming saltwater bivalve mollusks.
A group of happy oyster eaters get a selfie remember the evening.
Carl Brzozowski slurps a tasty oyster.
Keith Bryan, left, life member of the fire company, organizes the gun raffle each year. He stands with Gregg Davis, right, who donates the gun to be raffled and comes to the event each year from his home in North Carolina.
Georgetown Fire Company volunteers get together before the crowd enters the event.
Michael Briggs, president of the Georgetown Fire Company, speaks with the volunteers before the doors open.
Life member Gregg Davis donated the gun to be raffled off to Jeff Oster. Davis comes to this event each year from his home in North Carolina.
Ricky Hudson and Rachel Shultz serve up some tasty popcorn. The event used 30 pounds of popcorn for the event.
Stephen Pfaffenhauser uses his double-fisted pour to get the beer ready for the event.
Selling the T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats are (l-r) fire company members Eric Swanson, Chief Engineer Kevin Thawley and Ladd Dick.
Robert Quirk enjoys a shucked bivalve mollusk.
Jevon Harmon carries a basket of steaming oysters to an awaiting table.
Having a laugh and a oyster are Jennifer Myers and her brother Greg.
Friends Ben McCall, left, and Shaun Palmer enjoy a cigar and a beer.
Georgetown firefighter Steven Norwood carries a basket of steaming saltwater bivalve mollusks.
Ricky Hudson handles the popcorn maker for the event.
Friends enjoying the event are Aaron Williams, left, and Don Burch.
Bill Messick slurps one down.
Father and son Marc, left, and Jason Fruchtman attend the even teach year.
Enjoying a stogie is Nicholas Caggiano Jr.
Brian Thompson makes a beer run.
Tyler Bryson throws one down.
Local John Souder displays his shucking knives. He is a veteran of numerous Oyster Eats.
Ready for some bivalve mollusks are (l-r) Ryan Batdorf, Joe Tuske, Sam Weiland, Brian Kellerman, Tyler Myers, Brad Fox, Jon Orlando and Christian Guidash.
Having a great time at the event are (l-r) Dominic Prestipino, Tommy Ashcraft and Nick Prestipino.
Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown, holds the knife to be auctioned at the event. The knife was made by father-and-son team of Rocky and Neal Greene.
Ben McCall, left, and Mark Cirillo raise a toast to the band
Nearly 900 people attend the event.
A oyster shucker records the band Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass.
Former Rep. Steve Smyk, the chief deputy for Sussex County, left, has a moment with Ken Adams, who bought the oyster knife for $6,000.
Michael Briggs, president of the Georgetown Fire Company and event chair, reads off the name of the 50/50 winner as Steve Smyk assists and Ryan Paisley, center, looks on.
Thad Hollis is ready to slurp.
Locals having a great time are (l-r) Tom Weeks and Liam, Owen and Jared Zolper.
Two senators at the event are Dave Wilson, left, and Brian Pettyjohn.
Danny Paisley and the Southern Grass entertains the crowd at the Georgetown Oyster Eat.

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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. 

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