One of the most successful festivals in the state, the Urbanna Oyster Festival is one of Urbanna, Virginia’s most beloved traditions. With live music, parades, activities for the kids, street sales from vendors state wide, contests, and of course the great food, the Oyster Festival has become well known—and not only by the locals. From South Caro- lina to Kentucky to New York State, people travel from all over the east coast to visit what is officially designated as the official oyster festival for the Commonwealth of Virginia.
by Kate Tressler T
here is a good chance as locals that we have attended the festival put on each year by The Urbanna Oyster Festival Foundation and know what it’s all about. As children we ride the rides, ask our parents for things bought at the many vendors, and taste our first oysters. As adults we enjoy the wine tastings, the dance after the Fireman’s arade Friday night, and more of our favorite oysters. But what many of us don’t know is that while on the surface the Urbanna Oyster Festival is a two day event filled with fun, there is a more meaningful purpose that runs deep within the community.
The Foundation
The Urbanna Oyster Festival Foundation is an entirely volunteer run foundation except for their one full time employee Pamela Simon who is the Event Administrator and spends all year working to arrange everything that is needed to run such a large event. While’s she’s busy hammering out the details and making sure that everything run smoothly when November comes around, there is a board of volunteers who also spend their time working with sponsors, arranging community service projects, and figuring
Left: Photograph by Sonia Valadez, winner of the 2012 Urbanna Oyster Festival Poster Contest.
The House & Home Magazine 83
Photo courtesy of the Southside Sentinel
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