David Seybold, coordinator of the Maine Champion Oyster Shucking Contest, has issued a challenge to oyster shuckers statewide: “You may think you’re the best shucker in the state, but there’s only one way to prove it — by winning the Maine Champion Oyster Shucking Contest.”

The Maine Champion Oyster Shucking Contest will be held at the Pemaquid Oyster Festival, on Sunday, Sept. 27. The festival, now in its 15th year, is a rollicking celebration of Maine’s working waterfront and the primary fundraiser for the Edward A. Myers Marine Conservation Fund. The fund is named after Edward Myers, a Walpole resident who pioneered aquaculture in the Damariscotta River and many other areas. Over $100,000 in grants have been issued by the fund since its inception in 2003.

"This fund is intended to continue Edward Myers’ vision of having a sustainable working waterfront as well as protecting our marine environment; implemented through education and research projects with a focus on marine conservation," said Chris Davis of the Pemaquid Oyster Company, a primary sponsor of the Pemaquid Oyster Festival.

The Maine Champion Oyster Shucking Contest has become a popular event at the festival, with the winner qualified to enter the U.S. National Oyster Shucking Contest at the St. Mary’s County Oyster Festival in Maryland. The winner of that event is qualified to go to the World Oyster Opening Championship in Galway, Ireland, which is the most highly regarded oyster shucking contest in the world, and the winner is considered to be the international champion oyster shucker.

A past winner of the Maine Champion Oyster Shucking Contest, William “Chopper” Young, did move on to the national championship, and then to Galway; but was unable to prevail in the international championship.

Seybold is hoping that his statewide challenge will bring in a fresh and eager group of competitors ready to compete locally and internationally while representing Maine and the Pemaquid Oyster Festival.

“I know there’s both men and women out there, perhaps working at restaurants, who think they’re pretty quick with a shucking knife,” Seybold said. “Here’s their chance to prove it.”

Valuable prizes are also awarded at the Maine Champion Oyster Shucking Contest, with cash prizes as well as a custom belt buckle. Larry Sidelinger of Yankee Pride Transportation, long-time emcee of the Maine Champion Oyster Shucking Contest, has offered a $100 first prize and $50 second prize for the 2015 event.

The winner is also awarded a custom oyster belt buckle and belt designed by Alan McKinnon of Narragansett Leathers in Damariscotta Mills.

The Maine Champion Oyster Shucking Contest will kick off at approximately 2 p.m. during the Pemaquid Oyster Festival with a starting cry of: “Get ready, get set,  get shucking!”

Contestants in the Maine Champion Oyster Shucking Contest will be timed while shucking 12 oysters. Demerits against that time will be given based on the quality of the shucked oyster, including any shell pieces left and how much liquid (called “liquor”) is left in the oyster.

Three eminent oyster aficionados will judge the contest: John Reny of Renys, Laura Cabot of Laura Cabot Catering, and Bobby Whear of the Mill Pond Inn.

Entry is free of charge, but limited to 15 participants. Ten of those contestants may enter in advance on a first-come first-served basis by contacting Seybold at 207-380-4027 or email dcsinmaine@yahoo.com. Five more contestants, also on a first-come first-served basis, may register at the festival, which opens at noon.

As always, the Pemaquid Oyster Festival will feature a great line-up of entertainment, food, and educational exhibits.

While the event is held outdoors on Schooner Landing’s riverside deck, there are tents to cover the educational exhibits, entertainment stage, and other locations so that the Pemaquid Oyster Festival can be held rain or shine.

The Pemaquid Oyster Festival is also seeking volunteers to fill a variety of positions. Some of the activities volunteers will be needed for include: stage management, festival set-up and take-down, boat deck hands, boat ride gate management, oyster shucking, general assistance on the food line, and contest management.

For more information on volunteer work or sponsorships please contact Greg Latimer at 207-380-9912 orpemaquidoysterfest@gmail.com.