(Feb. 25, 2016) The sixth annual Snow Hill Oyster Roast returns on Sunday, Feb. 28, from 1-5 p.m.
Tickets sold out more than a month ago, but those lucky enough to buy early – or win the ticket raffle hosted by the Snow Hill Chamber of Commerce – will be treated to all-you-can-eat oysters, free refills on beer, and live entertain in the downtown area.
Chamber Vice President Lee Chisholm, who helped organize the event each year since its inception, said the roast was not an immediate hit in the town.
“It’s something that had to grow into itself, and we’ve made small adjustments through the years,” he said. “Year one was, I would say, our test run. I’m surprised people actually came back. It was a rough event.”
Chisholm said long lines and inaccessible food made the roast frustrating for some during its inaugural year. Today, rather than try and cram several hundred people into the old firehouse, where the roast debuted, the event stretches between several locations.
“We decided that, really this is to showcase the restaurants. Let’s just have the restaurants serve out of their own locations,” Chisholm said. “We keep the raw bar in the old firehouse with the band, but then if you want to see what Harvest Moon has, you just leave the firehouse and you go there and have all-you-can-eat of four or five other preparations.”
This year, the roast also extends to the American Legion, which will prepare oysters casino and oysters Rockefeller. Harrison’s Senior Living will operate a tent with pulled pork sandwiches, and Snow Hill native Tommy Mason will run a tent with roasted oysters.
“It’s kind of a block party,” Chisholm said. “It’s turned into this free-flowing event where you can just walk up and down the street and visit different restaurants. It’s really meant to showcase the town, so you really get the chance to visit these businesses and see what Snow Hill is all about.”
Chisholm said the roast is also the top fundraising event for the chamber.
“It funds our chamber for the year, so [proceeds] go toward the development of the Snow Hill business community,” he said.
For more information, visit www.snowhillareachamber.com.
Tickets sold out more than a month ago, but those lucky enough to buy early – or win the ticket raffle hosted by the Snow Hill Chamber of Commerce – will be treated to all-you-can-eat oysters, free refills on beer, and live entertain in the downtown area.
Chamber Vice President Lee Chisholm, who helped organize the event each year since its inception, said the roast was not an immediate hit in the town.
“It’s something that had to grow into itself, and we’ve made small adjustments through the years,” he said. “Year one was, I would say, our test run. I’m surprised people actually came back. It was a rough event.”
Chisholm said long lines and inaccessible food made the roast frustrating for some during its inaugural year. Today, rather than try and cram several hundred people into the old firehouse, where the roast debuted, the event stretches between several locations.
“We decided that, really this is to showcase the restaurants. Let’s just have the restaurants serve out of their own locations,” Chisholm said. “We keep the raw bar in the old firehouse with the band, but then if you want to see what Harvest Moon has, you just leave the firehouse and you go there and have all-you-can-eat of four or five other preparations.”
This year, the roast also extends to the American Legion, which will prepare oysters casino and oysters Rockefeller. Harrison’s Senior Living will operate a tent with pulled pork sandwiches, and Snow Hill native Tommy Mason will run a tent with roasted oysters.
“It’s kind of a block party,” Chisholm said. “It’s turned into this free-flowing event where you can just walk up and down the street and visit different restaurants. It’s really meant to showcase the town, so you really get the chance to visit these businesses and see what Snow Hill is all about.”
Chisholm said the roast is also the top fundraising event for the chamber.
“It funds our chamber for the year, so [proceeds] go toward the development of the Snow Hill business community,” he said.
For more information, visit www.snowhillareachamber.com.