The Pemaquid Oyster Festival, Damariscotta’s annual celebration of the working waterfront, marine conservation, and the Pemaquid oyster, is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 30 from noon to dusk. The popular event is an important fundraiser for the Edward A. Myers Marine Conservation Fund, which has issued over $100,000 in grants to a wide range of local groups in support of marine conservation and education.

As always, the Pemaquid Oyster Festival will feature a great line-up of entertainment, food, educational exhibits and thousands of oysters fresh from the Damariscotta River. (There is also a menu with plenty of choices other than oysters!) The festival is held right on the banks of the Damariscotta River at Schooner Landing Restaurant & Marina on Main Street in Damariscotta.

Boat tours to the oyster farms will be provided by Damariscotta River Cruises aboard their vessel RiverTripper.

While the event is held outdoors on Schooner Landing’s riverside deck, there is large tent provided by Renys 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 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.

"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.

Since the first Pemaquid Oyster Festival in 2001, the event has been hosted by the Pemaquid Oyster Co. and Schooner Landing. Both of these hosts contribute all of their profits from the day to the Edward A. Myers Marine Conservation Fund. The fundraising efforts of these hosts are supported by sponsors that help cover expenses including entertainment, tents, and fuel for the boat rides.

The generous sponsors last year were The First, Damariscotta Bank & Trust, Renys, Narragansett Leathers, Mexicali Blues, Colby & Gale, the Cheney Companies, Ames Supply, Mine Oyster restaurant, River Bottom Raw Bar, Waldo Stone Farm, Marshall Wharf Brewing Co., Yankee Pride Transportation, Damariscotta River Cruises, Easter Traders, Northeast Foods, and The Lincoln County News.

New sponsors are welcome to join this effort to support the working waterfront.

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, oyster shucking, and general assistance.

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