Many businesses and civic organizations from Middlesex and surrounding counties prepare floats and decorate automobiles for the viewing pleasure of the Oyster Festival visitors.

All units pass by the judges’ reviewing stand and awards are presented at the parade’s conclusion.  This exciting parade begins at 2:00 PM and is one that should not be missed.

Each year, young ladies compete for the honor of being selected as the Oyster Festival Queen. The contestants are Middlesex County high school seniors and each contestant picks a first grade girl to compete in the Little Miss Spat contest. (A “spat” is a baby oyster!) The queen contestants are judged on an individual community project, a written response to a random question, their high school transcripts and a judges’ interview. The winner and the first and second runners-up receive scholarships.

This year’s scholarship sponsors are: BB&T Bank, Bethpage Camp-Resort, Bristow-Faulkner Funeral Home, Cellular Services, Inc., C&F Bank, Colonial Virginia Bank, EVB Bank, GLF Lawn Care/Landscaping, Rappahannock Concrete Corporation, Thurston Properties and Urbanna Yachting Center/Urbanna Landing Condominiums. The Crowning is held at 4:00 P.M. at Taber Park – Festival Village.

Since its days as a crucial colonial port, Urbanna’s waterfront has always been an essential part of the town’s life. In its recent past, its docks were filled with Chesapeake buy boats and deadrises as watermen bought and sold oysters and crabs they had harvested. At the Urbanna Town Marina at Upton’s Point, the Oyster Festival Waterfront will showcase the area’s varied history and emphasize the conservation and restoration of the bay with boats and exhibits.    Visitors can dance to music from the concert stage throughout the weekend, while learning about the traditions of the oyster industry, learning to be a pirate, climbing aboard a traditional boat, or taking a cruise on the Schooner Serenity. For children of all ages, Seaworthy Small Ships will return with their model boat building program and sail boat pond. 

The waterfront will be open to the public during the festival on Friday and Saturday, November 6 and 7.  The Thursday before the Festival, November 5, is Oyster Festival Education Day, presented in cooperation with the Marine Science Legacy Program, when the waterfront is closed to the general public so that area schools have the opportunity to visit the exhibits.

The dinghy dock is available for use during the festival. No water taxis will be running.

The Marine Science Legacy Program was established in 2007 through the generosity of a grant by Dominion, which also was used to produce the 50th Anniversary documentary, Working on the Water. This program serves to bring an understanding of the Chesapeake Bay, its ecology, its history, its heritage, and its future to Middlesex County middle and high school students. The Legacy program works to involve students and teachers in active environmental learning by coordinating in-service opportunities, local field trips, both on and off the water, and educational enrichment within their classrooms.  

Oyster Festival Education Day, which brings the resources of the entire festival to a number of local schools, occurs on the Thursday before the festival. It is a cooperative effort of the Legacy program, the Oyster Festival Waterfront, and the Foundation.

This is Middlesex County’s representation of church, civic or novice demonstrators/education demonstrations of their crafts, i.e.:  weaving, jewelry, candle making, photography, bake sales, local information and raffles. 

EVB Bank is our 2009 sponsor.