The Virginia Oyster Shucking Contest will start at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, behind the Middlesex Volunteer Fire Department station (the Urbanna firehouse) at 335 Virginia St.
Since Urbanna is the home of Virginia’s “official” Oyster Festival, it is only appropriate that some of the best oyster shuckers in the world practice their trade near the town. The top professional shucker in the contest typically wins $300. The first place prize in each of the men’s and women’s divisions is $100; second, $50; and third, $25.
The winner is declared state champion and advances to compete in the National Oyster Shucking Contest in St. Mary’s County, Md., in October 2025. The National Champion then travels to Galway, Ireland to participate in the World Championship. Middlesex County’s Deborah Pratt has made several trips to Galway, Ireland to defend her championship. Although the emphasis is on speed, other factors on which the contestants are judged include the amount of shell fragments, clean separation of the oyster from the shell and damage to the meat of the oyster.
There will be an amateur shucking competition with a plaque for the winner, and an official Oyster Festival poster for second and third place finishers. Registration begins at 10 a.m. behind the firehouse.
Last year’s Urbanna Oyster Festival Shucking Contest winners. include:
Professional division
- Overall winner – Robert Minor, adjusted time, 3:08
- Second place – Hannah Bush, adjusted time, 4:55
Men’s professional division, six contestants
- First place — Robert Minor, Gwynn’s Island, adjusted time, 3:04
- Second place — Sam Davis, adjusted time, 3:06
- Third place — Joey McComas, Weems, adjusted time, 3:53
Women’s professional division, three contestants
- First place — Hannah Bush, Manassas, adjusted time, 3:58
- Second place — Jaime Southern-Kline, Norfolk, adjusted time, 4:35
- Third place — Deborah Pratt, Jamaica, adjusted time, 6:15
Amateur division, six contestants
- First place — Eric Speth, Cobbs Creek, adjusted time, 2:46
- Second place — Cyrus Brame, New Kent, adjusted time, 3:04
- Third place — George White, Shipman, adjusted time, 3:06
