In 1982, the Skookum Rotary Club in Shelton held its first OysterFest to raise money to invest in our community and the world.  Year round we are involved in planning and preparations for the annual event. For the past two years, we have not been able to hold an in person event in October; however, we have been able to hold virtual events to keep the spirit of OysterFest front and center.  

       In 2020, we purchased ‘OysterMan’, created by Shelton artist Rachel Hansen as part of her three Mason County icon rotating art display at Overlook Park in Shelton.  OysterMan greets visitors to our town from late summer to Thanksgiving each year.  And in 2021, we are partnering with Goose Point Oyster, Hama Hama Oyster Company and Taylor Shellfish Farms to create and deliver delicious shellfish meal kits to your home that will provide you with the delectable side of OysterFest.   

     Rotary has a notable history of active response to global public health concerns.  The most visible and obvious is Rotary International’s role in the effort to eradicate polio worldwide – an effort in which we are all supremely proud.  The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has upended lives here and around the world.  Our commitment is to find ways to assist our community remains solid and unchanged. The needs in our community continue and are exacerbated by the pandemic.  This makes it particularly ironic that we are unable to hold our traditional fundraiser again this year.  Nevertheless, this is a time when we find we must redouble our efforts.

      The generosity of OysterFest patrons and guests over the years has been amazing.  We would like to ask you to purchase a seafood meal kit, prepare your favorite OysterFest menu items at home, get into an OysterFest frame of mind, pour a glass of your favorite beverage, and make a contribution in the spirit of this tradition!  Please consider a donation of any level you are able – any amount is helpful.  These funds all go to help our neighbors here in Mason County as well as other parts of the world through Rotary International – just as the funds raised at our previous OysterFest events.

We’ll see you in October 1-2, 2022 – and thank you!

OysterFest proceeds at work