Join Us for the martha's Vineyard Oyster Fest!

The Martha's Vineyard Oyster Fest celebrates all things seafood, with something for everyone. Meet local oyster growers, gatherers, chefs, sommeliers, brewers, and mixologists as they share what they love to do. Eat local seafood, drink fine wine and local brews, groove to live music, learn about the superpowers of oysters. Let it all go, with fellow merrymakers, for some real good, salty fun. Tickets on sale here. 

The festival will take place on May 8th and 9th, 2020, at the new Martha’s Vineyard Museum in Vineyard Haven. We caught up with one of the founders of the Oyster Festival, Nevette Previd, and asked her a few questions about her oyster loving life!

What is it about oysters and the shellfish industry that excites you the most? 
Oysters/Shellfish have superpowers! And, a trifecta of positive impact. They are a delicious, healthy, versatile protein source, they work to mitigate the effects of humans and climate change on our local waters and have played a positive role in improving the local economy of the Island via the boom of oyster farming. Amazing! 

 It's an oyster and wine festival - so tell us, what would be your ideal wine for Island oysters? 
My obvious, ideal wine for oysters is Veuve Clicquot (anytime really). I also love Naissance Sauvignon Blanc from Jackson Family Wines or any Rosé. According to my co-producer John Clift, sommelier, and owner of MV Vintage Wines - Muscadet makes for a 'heavenly pairing' that makes oysters 'dance.' For fried or cooked oysters, my go-to is Brewer Clifton Chardonnay. 

 Did you grow up eating oysters? Can you recount an early oyster experience you had?
No! But my son has downed raw oysters and clams like a champ since he was two years old. My first experience with oysters was when I lived in London. On one fateful day, under a little friendly prodding from friends, I tried raw oysters, escargot, steamers, and sushi - and I never looked back.

Fun That Fuels the Future
The Martha’s Vineyard Oyster Fest (MVOF) is a mission-based festival that aims to drive long-term local, regional, and national awareness of Martha's Vineyard and Massachusetts-farmed oyster and native fish profiles.

Founded by Nevette Previd of Farm.Field.Sea., the Martha's Vineyard Shellfish Group (MVSG), and John Clift of the MV Wine Festival and purveyor of Vintage MV Wine & Spirits and 19 Raw, the festival gathers oyster farmers, the who’s who in the beverage industry, the area’s best chefs, and a fantastic cadre of special guests, to celebrate the bounty from the sea.

They aim to quench the ever-growing appetite for a cultural event that marries food, wine, education, and music. They hope guests take away a deeper understanding of this incredible class of mollusks, Bivalvia—their culinary versatility, health benefits, and real, positive environmental and ecosystem impact.

A portion of the MVOF proceeds will go to the Martha’s Vineyard Shell Recovery Partnership. This MVSG program reduces and recycles shell waste on the Island, provides a local source of shell for shellfish restoration, and improves shellfish production, which in turn improves local water quality. All shells from the MVOF will be recycled through this program.

Make sure to check out ticket sales online here and start planning your bivalve adventure to Martha’s Vineyard next May 2020!