Oysterfest on March 3-6 in Fulton

For 43 years, the Fulton Volunteer Fire Department has hosted Oysterfest, a weekend of fun, food, and frolicking. This year's event March 3-6 at Fulton Beach Park, 100 Deforest Loop in Fulton, promises a real treat for the Coastal Bend. 
Live music, a parade, oyster contests, amazing arts and crafts vendors, carnival rides, and contests will build up to a pearl of a weekend. The oyster-oriented activities offer all sorts of potential. 
Every day and evening, bands will entertain and delight. Included among the 10 performers are Larry Joe Taylor, Texas 3 Step, Rick Trevino, and Darrin Brown. The online Oysterfest schedule has the complete lineup. 
The oyster decorating contest Friday night has prizes of $125, $100, and $75 for first, second, and third places. 
The Oysterfest parade gets rolling Saturday at 11 a.m. Entrants can decorate their car, truck, RV, golf cart, antique vehicle, or float or walk, march, or play an instrument in a youth or adult category. The parade starts on Fulton Beach Road at Taylor. 
Oyster eating is always a delight, and at the outside stage on Saturday afternoon, you can watch men gobble down the raw oysters. Women can partake on Sunday afternoon. Prizes are $200 for first place, $100 for second, and $50 for third. 
For shoppers, a huge array of vendors will offer goods in a juried show, which means that a committee selects the vendors so you won’t see junk. Oysterfest has been called one of the most successful arts-and-crafts shows in Texas. 
Admission price on Thursday is $2 and free to active or retired military. On Friday-Sunday, it's $5 for everyone 12 and older. 
Oysterfest is a labor of love for the Fulton Volunteer Fire Department. Money raised over the past 42 years has gone to build a new fire station and provide lifesaving equipment to firefighters.  
For more information, visit the Oysterfest website.