Delaware’s Inland Bays Oyster Week Returns with Bigger Lineup and Local Flavor

Delaware’s coastal resort region is preparing to once again celebrate one of its most prized culinary treasures—locally grown Inland Bays oysters—during the 2nd Annual Inland Bays Oyster Week (IBOW25). Taking place from Sunday, August 3 through Thursday, August 7, the weeklong event will spotlight “A Southern Delaware Delicacy” with a packed schedule of tastings, tours, excursions, and educational events for oyster lovers of all kinds.

A Week of Oysters, Art, and Aquaculture

Organized by Delaware Sea Grant at the University of Delaware and Southern Delaware Tourism, IBOW25 is more than a food festival—it’s a celebration of local aquaculture and the vibrant coastal community supporting it.

This year’s festivities kick off with a brand-new event: Soundbite Sunday, held from 11 AM to 3 PM on August 3 at the West Side Creative Market in Rehoboth Beach. Guests can sample oyster creations from local chefs, sip craft beverages from the Market Bar, and enjoy live music in a festive, family-friendly setting.

“The addition of Soundbite Sunday and a wine and oyster cruise with Cape Water Tours is really helping IBOW grow,” said Ed Lewandowski, Community & Economic Development Specialist at Delaware Sea Grant. “We’re proud to showcase our local oyster aquaculture industry in such fun and accessible ways.”

Tasting the Bay: Meet the Growers, Sip & Slurp

Throughout the week, raw bars and restaurants will host "Meet the Grower" happy hours, offering patrons the chance to enjoy fresh oysters while meeting the farmers who raise them.

Returning participant Tim Bartley of Lewes Oyster House expressed his excitement: “There’s real pride in serving fresh, cold oysters that are grown right here in Delaware’s waters—and our guests love learning where their food comes from.”

Happy hour highlights include:

• Sip ‘n Slurp at Big Chill Beach Club with grower Mark Casey (Aug. 4)

• Pearls and Pours at Henlopen City Oyster House with Jesse Atkinson (Aug. 5)

• Beer and Bivalves at Chesapeake & Maine with Alan Davis (Aug. 6)

• Wine ‘n Brine at Lewes Oyster House with Jordan Nally (Aug. 7)

  
  

On the Water: Cruises and Kayaks

For those wanting a deeper dive—literally—Cape Water Tours will offer two boat excursions: the Oyster & Wine Cruise on August 4, and the Inland Bays Oyster Experience on August 7, featuring expert commentary from aquaculture specialist Dr. Ed Hale and oyster grower Mark Casey.

More adventurous participants can opt for a kayak tour on August 5 to visit an oyster reef at the James Farm Ecological Preserve, led by Ecobay Kayak/SUP and the Center for the Inland Bays. Proceeds from the $40 tour support local environmental efforts.

Science, Hatcheries, and Hands-On Learning

Oyster Week isn’t just about tasting—it’s also about learning. The University of Delaware’s Sharp Campus in Lewes will host an educational seminar (“The Science of Oysters”, Aug. 6 at 1 PM) followed by a rare public hatchery tour (2:30 PM), where visitors can see firsthand how oysters are cultivated from seed to slurp.

“Oyster hatcheries are the backbone of sustainable shellfish aquaculture,” said Dr. Hale. “Opening our doors during IBOW allows us to connect with the community and inspire the next generation of aquaculture leaders.”

Art on the Half-Shell

Closing out the week is Art on the Half-Shell, an oyster-themed painting workshop on August 7 at Artpothecary in Rehoboth Beach. Local artist Maggie Heffernan will guide participants through an acrylic painting session, complete with local oysters and wine. Tickets are $40 and include all materials.

Looking Ahead: Delaware Seafood Festival

The celebration doesn’t stop in August. The 2nd Annual Delaware Seafood Festival is set for Saturday, September 20 at Schellville Village in Rehoboth Beach. Event co-founder Ryan Stevenson promises even more local flavor: “We’re proud to source our oysters from Delaware growers like Nancy James Oysters and showcase them during the Delaware Oyster Shucking Finals.”

IBOW25 Event Lineup at a Glance:

Soundbite Sunday

🗓 Sunday, August 3 | 🕚 11 AM–3 PM📍 West Side Creative Market, Rehoboth Beach🎶 Live music, oyster-inspired eats, craft drinks

Oyster & Wine Cruise

🗓 Monday, August 4 | 🕞 3:30 PM–5:30 PM📍 Cape Water Tours & Taxi🍷 Sauvignon Blanc + Inland Bays oysters

Sip ‘n Slurp/Meet the Grower

🗓 Monday, August 4 | 🕓 4 PM–6 PM📍 Big Chill Beach Club👨‍🌾 Featuring Mark Casey of Delaware Cultured Seafoods

Oyster Reef Kayak Exploration

🗓 Tuesday, August 5 | 🕛 12 PM–1:30 PM📍 James Farm Ecological Preserve, Ocean View🚣 $40 | Call 302-562-4217 to reserve

Pearls and Pours

🗓 Tuesday, August 5 | 🕓 4 PM–6 PM📍 Henlopen City Oyster House👨‍🌾 Featuring Jesse Atkinson with Delaware Delicious Oysters

The Science of Oysters

🗓 Wednesday, August 6 | 🕐 1 PM–2 PM📍 UD Sharp Campus, Lewes🔬 Free educational session with Dr. Ed Hale

Oyster Hatchery Tour

🗓 Wednesday, August 6 | 🕝 2:30 PM–3:30 PM📍 UD Hatchery, Lewes🔗 Reserve: Eventbrite Link

Beer and Bivalves

🗓 Wednesday, August 6 | 🕓 4 PM–6 PM📍 Chesapeake & Maine, Rehoboth Beach🍺 Dogfish Head beer + Arrowhead Point Oysters

Inland Bays Oyster Experience

🗓 Thursday, August 7 | 🕘 9 AM–10:30 AM📍 Cape Water Tours🔗 Reserve: www.capewatertaxi.com

Wine ‘n Brine/Meet the Grower

🗓 Thursday, August 7 | 🕒 3 PM–5 PM📍 Lewes Oyster House🍷 Featuring Nancy James Oysters

Art on the Half-Shell

🗓 Thursday, August 7 | 🕡 6:30 PM–8 PM📍 Artpothecary, Rehoboth Beach🎨 $40 | Register: Eventbrite Link