(March 3, 2016) Blue skies and unseasonably warm weather greeted the 400 people lucky enough to get tickets for the sixth annual Snow Hill Oyster Roast last Sunday.
Passes sold out almost a month in advance for the popular event, which supports operations at the Snow Hill Chamber of Commerce.
“I think it went fantastic,” Chamber Vice President Lee Chisholm said. “The weather was our best friend, and it has been every year. The clouds kind of part for the oyster roast and the sun comes out, and we really have been very, very lucky with that.”
The oyster feast included stops inside Harvest Moon Tavern, which served fried oysters, buffalo oysters, and Maryland crab soup and clam chowder, as well as the American Legion, where guests could sample oysters Rockefeller and oysters casino.
Harrison Senior Living served pulled pork sandwiches, with four different barbeque sauces, and volunteers, including Snow Hill Economic Development Director Michael Day, shucked raw oysters inside the old fire department.
“It was my first time at the oyster fest, and I thought it was wonderful,” he said. “You couldn’t have asked for better weather. I was in charge of weather, so that was all I had to do.
“It was a lot of fun. There were a lot of people from Berlin and Salisbury and Pocomoke, and that was really neat to see,” Day added. “It sold out within two weeks, so it’s clearly a very popular event.”
Ann Coates, owner of Bishop’s Stock, said the event kept her busy during a day when the gallery normally would have been closed.
“It makes for a great day when the weather is perfect, and it gives us exposure,” she said. “I’ve had people in here who have never been in here before. I told one of them I’ve been here for 13 years and she was totally surprised.”
Count Coates among those who think Snow Hill is slowly becoming more of a destination in Worcester County, carving a niche out for itself thanks to its unique geography and ample outdoor activities.
“It’s trying to get there,” she said. “I think there’s a real emphasis now on what it is we have as our assets – not so much about what is empty on the street. We’re talking about being a green community, as far as having walkable trails, a state park system, state-managed forests, and the river, particularly.
“If you look at a Worcester County map, you suddenly see all this green around Snow Hill. That is state-owned property, and that’s all property that is managed for outdoor recreation. It’s really pretty amazing to see everything that is there. It’s a nice little package,” Coates added.
Terri Sexton, owner of the Treasure Chest in downtown Berlin, attended the oyster roast for the second straight year.
“I love it,” she said. “I love seeing what Snow Hill is all about. My dad is from Snow Hill, so I love seeing the resurgence here.”
In particular, Sexton said she enjoyed the intimate atmosphere of the town.
“Berlin has a bigger draw of people that come to their events, but for something like this, it’s phenomenal,” she said. “This is much more of a local’s event, which is nice to see.”
For Del. Charles Otto, the sixth annual oyster roast was his first.
“What a beautiful day,” he said. “I think it’s a great event. I love to see the camaraderie and the community. They need to keep it up.”
While Otto admitted Snow Hill was still something of a work in progress, he said that was not uncommon among Eastern Shore towns, many of which have struggled economically for decades.
“They’re doing all the right things now,” he said. “I think if we can keep that positive energy up going forward – and have people working together instead of against each other – I think we’ll have a good outcome.”
The next big event for the Snow Hill Chamber of Commerce is the Independence Day celebration, July 2, in Sturgis Park. Chisholm said the festival includes a fireworks display along the river, as well as activities and events geared towards children and families.
For more information, visit www.snowhillareachamber.com.
Passes sold out almost a month in advance for the popular event, which supports operations at the Snow Hill Chamber of Commerce.
“I think it went fantastic,” Chamber Vice President Lee Chisholm said. “The weather was our best friend, and it has been every year. The clouds kind of part for the oyster roast and the sun comes out, and we really have been very, very lucky with that.”
The oyster feast included stops inside Harvest Moon Tavern, which served fried oysters, buffalo oysters, and Maryland crab soup and clam chowder, as well as the American Legion, where guests could sample oysters Rockefeller and oysters casino.
Harrison Senior Living served pulled pork sandwiches, with four different barbeque sauces, and volunteers, including Snow Hill Economic Development Director Michael Day, shucked raw oysters inside the old fire department.
“It was my first time at the oyster fest, and I thought it was wonderful,” he said. “You couldn’t have asked for better weather. I was in charge of weather, so that was all I had to do.
“It was a lot of fun. There were a lot of people from Berlin and Salisbury and Pocomoke, and that was really neat to see,” Day added. “It sold out within two weeks, so it’s clearly a very popular event.”
Ann Coates, owner of Bishop’s Stock, said the event kept her busy during a day when the gallery normally would have been closed.
“It makes for a great day when the weather is perfect, and it gives us exposure,” she said. “I’ve had people in here who have never been in here before. I told one of them I’ve been here for 13 years and she was totally surprised.”
Count Coates among those who think Snow Hill is slowly becoming more of a destination in Worcester County, carving a niche out for itself thanks to its unique geography and ample outdoor activities.
“It’s trying to get there,” she said. “I think there’s a real emphasis now on what it is we have as our assets – not so much about what is empty on the street. We’re talking about being a green community, as far as having walkable trails, a state park system, state-managed forests, and the river, particularly.
“If you look at a Worcester County map, you suddenly see all this green around Snow Hill. That is state-owned property, and that’s all property that is managed for outdoor recreation. It’s really pretty amazing to see everything that is there. It’s a nice little package,” Coates added.
Terri Sexton, owner of the Treasure Chest in downtown Berlin, attended the oyster roast for the second straight year.
“I love it,” she said. “I love seeing what Snow Hill is all about. My dad is from Snow Hill, so I love seeing the resurgence here.”
In particular, Sexton said she enjoyed the intimate atmosphere of the town.
“Berlin has a bigger draw of people that come to their events, but for something like this, it’s phenomenal,” she said. “This is much more of a local’s event, which is nice to see.”
For Del. Charles Otto, the sixth annual oyster roast was his first.
“What a beautiful day,” he said. “I think it’s a great event. I love to see the camaraderie and the community. They need to keep it up.”
While Otto admitted Snow Hill was still something of a work in progress, he said that was not uncommon among Eastern Shore towns, many of which have struggled economically for decades.
“They’re doing all the right things now,” he said. “I think if we can keep that positive energy up going forward – and have people working together instead of against each other – I think we’ll have a good outcome.”
The next big event for the Snow Hill Chamber of Commerce is the Independence Day celebration, July 2, in Sturgis Park. Chisholm said the festival includes a fireworks display along the river, as well as activities and events geared towards children and families.
For more information, visit www.snowhillareachamber.com.