True, not everyone loves oysters, but for those who have a true passion for the bivalve, the Fort Pierce Oyster Festival taking place this coming Saturday, April 4th, features a menu sure to satisfy: oysters grilled, Mexicali, casino, and, of course, raw on the half shell. Don’t eat oysters? Here’s a partial list of what else you’ll find: conch fritters and conch salad, crabs, coconut shrimp, chowder, lobster bisque, a grouper basket, jambalaya, crawfish platters… It ain’t all seafood either – you can score some BBQ, burgers, Italian sausage, gator – but, yeah, it’s mostly seafood.

Getting at the meat takes a little skill.

Getting at the meat takes a little skill.

The festival is presented by the Sea-Life Habitat Improvement Project. As part of their efforts to create and restore offshore reefs in St. Lucie County, oyster shells reclaimed from the festival will be used for the Oyster Reef Restoration Project. The Oyster Festival is a celebration of the waterfront, where you can take a lagoon tour, see a presentation on the 1715 Treasure Fleet and learn how to search for treasure, and tour marine eco exhibits. There will also be a marine discount market.

How about a plate of steamed clams?

How about a plate of steamed clams?

Enjoy live musical performances with your oysters, browse the vendors, and take your kids to the Manatee Center for face painting, arts and crafts, a touch tank, a demonstration of oyster bagging, and, at 11 a.m., an Oyster Egg Hunt. There will also be an exhibit by the “pirate artist” Don Maitz (he designed the Captain Morgan label). For further information, see the festival website.