According to Michael Briggs, Georgetown Oyster Eat chair member, about 1,000 men showed up to the Georgetown Fire Hall Friday, Feb. 26, to eat oysters, drink beer and socialize.
The event started back in 1937 and remains one of the Georgetown Fire Department’s largest fundraisers. The fundraiser is so large, U.S. Congress has recognized the Oyster Eat for its historical significance.
Although the event started out as a Georgetown event, Delaware State Senator Ernie Lopez says the Georgetown Oyster Eat has grown into a state of Delaware event.
“I think it’s an important event for the fact it brings our community together and supports one of our main institutions, the Georgetown Fire Department. Even though it’s in Sussex County, it has turned into an event for all of Delaware,” Lopez said. “I try not to miss it, I always attend with my my father. It has become somewhat of a tradition.”
The Georgetown Fire Department partners with different local companies for the event, including 16 Mile Brewery.
“We started using them back when they first opened because we like to support Georgetown and Georgetown businesses,” Briggs said. “16 Mile has done a lot over the years for the fire company.”
Briggs says the event goes through a considerable amount of oysters but they are conscious of how they effect the shellfish population. Georgetown Fire Department works with the Inland Bays Center to put the shells back out for oyster reproduction.
