On Saturday, Oct. 17 and Sunday Oct. 18 the St. Mary’s 2009 Oyster Festival was held at the St. Mary’s County Fairgrounds in Leonardtown. While attendance was down, the dreary, drizzly, weather did not stop oyster lovers from eating hundreds oysters and devouring other great foods.

One of the much anticipated events each year is the National Oyster Cook-Off. This year was no exception. Taking the top prize on the main dish category was Jackie Hardin who delighted judges and the audience with her delicious Oyster Tacos with Chipotle Sauce.

Local chef, Loic Jeffres, while coming in third in the hors d’oeuvres category, won over the crowd and took home the People’s Choice Award for his Oysters Bourguignon in Puffs. During the tasty competition, the bands were playing and people were enjoying the festive atmosphere.

Over the weekend, the oyster shucking competition was fast and furious, culminating on Sunday with the crowning of the national champion.

The 2009 competition came down to a final contest between men’s champion, Scott O’Lear and women’s champion, Deborah Pratt going head to head in the finals. O’Lear edged out Pratt by 0:23:06 (23 seconds and 06 hundredths of a second!).

O’Lear shucked his 24 oysters in 01:58:61 while Pratt managed 02:05:67, but when the penalty seconds were added for presentation and style, O’Lear took the crown.

Event organizer, David Taylor reported that the event was not as well attended as prior years, but “There were a whole lot of oyster lovers there that didn’t care about the weather. They walked around in their rain hats and under umbrellas, gobbling up oysters and food.”

Taylor was surprised that Saturday’s crowd, despite the bad weather was larger that Sundays. “It still was a success,” said Taylor.

Based on the smiles TheBAYNET.com found throughout the event. Taylor might be right! Take a look and see if you were “Caught in the Net!”