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Wareham Oyster Festival

We regret to announce that our application to postpone the Wareham Oyster Festival to September 6, 2020, has been “constructively denied” by the Wareham Board of Selectmen.

While we understand concerns about the coronavirus and whether large gatherings would have been permitted at that point, in an email to us, Selectman Peter Teitelbaum also cited “traffic considerations on Labor Day weekend.”

This raises concerns about the future of the Festival, because our objective is to help our vendors and local businesses take advantage of a higher level of activity, and to give seasonal residents and day trip visitors something fun to do. It makes no sense for us to schedule the Festival for a time when there is a low level of traffic in town.

We wish everyone well, and look forward to providing an update about the 2021 festival when we are able.

About Us

Did you know… that the Wareham Oyster Festival Inc. is a private non-profit organization comprised entirely of volunteers? This small group puts on the Wareham Oyster Festival every May, and plans for the festival throughout the year.

The festival is funded almost entirely through donations from local businesses. As a 501(c)3 organization, we can provide donors with documentation that may make their donations tax-deductible. Our tax ID is 82-1744168.

Want to help? Email us for information!

Oysters 101: Environmental Benefits

Oysters are important in water filtration. A single mature oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day.

It’s estimated that a harvested mature wild oyster removes 0.5 grams of nitrogen and 0.16 grams of phosphorus from sea water.  Nutrient removal is slightly less for cultivated oysters. 

In addition to nutrients, they consume phytoplankton (algae and other microscopic organisms) which improves sunlight penetration thereby increasing photosynthesis. Increased photosynthesis helps to reduce CO2, reducing ocean acidification. Increased photosynthesis also promotes growth of eel grass beds and other beneficial aquatic plants, an important habitat for numerous ocean species.   

Much like coral reefs in tropical climates, oyster reefs act as aquatic nurseries, sheltering and supporting a myriad of temperate climate marine life.

Oyster aquaculture is a sustainable fishery which improves rather than harms the nearshore coastal environment.

Recycled shells placed in suitable locations helps to establish a habitat for wild oysters to build new reefs and helps to restore wild populations. Please recycle your shells today to assist in this effort.

Attention Artisans!

The Wareham Oyster Festival has become the biggest collection of handcrafted wares in the region. Don’t miss this opportunity to join artisans from all over New England!

Sign up on our website by clicking here. You can then pay by credit card (email us to let us know you want to do that) or mail us a check (and save the convenience fee). Either way, please make sure you write your vendor number, shown on your email confirmation, on your check and any correspondence.

Join Our E-Mail List

We would love to keep you informed about festival details! Sign up for our email list or let us know what you thought of last year’s festival, how you heard about us, or anything else you want us to know.