We look forward to seeing you at the Maryland Seafood Festival. Some of the most frequently asked questions are highlighted below. However, if you have additional questions, please don’t hesitate to call us at 443.926.1464.
What are the festival hours?
- Saturday, Sept. 10 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Sunday, Sept. 11 – 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
What is the Festival’s Cancellation Policy in Case of Inclement Weather?
The Festival is open rain or shine. The event is held in an open air setting, however there are multiple eat under tents provided on the Festival grounds. The Arts and Crafts and VIP ticket holder areas are also under a tent. Please visit the Festival’s website to view a layout of the event. http://www.mdseafoodfestival.com/general-info/2011-festival-grounds-map
What is the Admission Price for the Festival?
General Adult Admission – $12 online thru September 6th. Plenty of tickets available at the Gate ($14 at gate)
Seniors – (65+) – $9 Saturday & Sunday
Military – (Card Holders Only) – $9 Saturday & Sunday
Kids – (12 & Under) – Free
VIP Tickets – $75 single / $140 couple (must designate Saturday or Sunday)
Includes admission, seafood sampler card, beer/wine/soda/water, private eat under tent, private bathroom.
$2 Discount – Win-Win! You and the Maryland Food Bank
Get $2 off your general admission at the Gate with a non-perishable food donation to benefit the Maryland Food Bank.
How can I purchase tickets?
Tickets can be purchased at the gate or online thru September 9th. Tickets purchased after September 6th will be available for pickup at Will Call. Plenty of tickets will be available at the Gate. Click here for Admission Prices and to Purchase Online.
Does Admission include all you can eat food/drink?
General Admission does not include food or drink. Food inside the festival is purchased with tickets. Food tickets are sold in $1 increments and the food tickets can be redeemed for food, soda, water, beer and wine. Most everything except for arts & crafts (by local artisans) is purchased with food tickets the day of the event. The purchase of food tickets helps support local organizations and charities. Food tickets can be purchased at the festival with cash or credit card. There are also ATM’s located on grounds. The Seafood Sampler Card and Crab Soup Cook off are not included in general admission and these tickets can be purchased separately. The VIP Package however does include beer and soda as well as a seafood sampler card.
What does the VIP Package include?
VIP Tickets: Includes admission, seafood sampler card, beer/soda, private eat under tent, private bathroom. The seafood sampler card allows you one tasting item at participating food vendors. This is a small tasting sample the food vendor has chosen for our event. (sampler food items include: crab ball, rockfish fillet, 2-0.75 oz crab cake, shrimp salad, 1 buffalo wing, crabmeat quesadilla, blackened shrimp, oyster shooter, fudge puppy, and 1 freshly shucked oyster or clam)
What do I get with the Seafood Sampler Card and how much does it cost?
The seafood sampler card can be purchased for $15 and allows you one tasting item at participating food vendors. This is a small tasting sample the food vendor has chosen for our event. (sampler food items include: crab ball, rockfish fillet, 2-0.75 oz crab cake, shrimp salad, 1 buffalo wing, crabmeat quesadilla, blackened shrimp, oyster shooter, fudge puppy, and 1 freshly shucked oyster or clam). Note: The sampler card is included when you purchase a VIP ticket.
Is there a fee to enter the crab cake eating or crab picking contests?
These contests are free and you can sign up at the festival.
The Phillips crab cake eating contest on Saturday/Sunday – signups begin when the festival opens at the Phillips food tent. Last year they had 8 people per day. They took extra names in case those 8 didn’t show up at the start of the contest. You must be 18+ to compete in this particular contest. The actual contest begins at 4:30 pm on Saturday and at 2:30 pm on Sunday. (Times Subject to Change)
For the Cantler’s crab picking contest, signups will be at the Crab Towne Tent on Sunday beginning at 11am. There will be 3 heats of 8 people each. 1 at 12:00, 1 at 1pm and 1 at 2pm with the champions of each heat being in the finals at 4:30 pm on the main stage. (Times Subject to Change)
What is there to do besides taste seafood?
Live entertainment is provided during the weekend long event. Special events include the 21st annual crab soup cookoff, crab picking contests, crab cake eating contest, variety of demonstrations and much more. The Festival also features a sports bar and beer garden, an entire tent featuring artisans and vendors, variety of children activities, and much more. There is plenty to do, for all members of the family, including:
- Live music performances
- Catch the game on our TVs and have a microbrew in the Sideline Sportsbar
- Local charities selling delicious treats
- The Capital’s Crab Soup Cook-Off Saturday
- Creative craft booths
- Phillips Crab Eating Contest Saturday and Sunday
- Cantler’s Crab Picking Contest Sunday
- Wine Demos Saturday & Sunday
- Brewery Demo Sunday
- Giant Food Cooking Shows
- Healthcraft Cooking Shows
Also Featuring:
- Professional food vendors– enjoy food from Phillip’s Seafood Restaurant, Red Hot & Blue, Chili’s, Stan & Joe’s Saloon, and more. Menus
- Castles in the Sand - watch as Randy Hofman builds sculptures in the sand all weekend long. Chances are you’ve seen his work in Ocean City.
Is the Festival Handicap Accessible?
Sandy Point is a State Park that includes paved parking lots, grassy areas, dirt walkways, and sandy beaches. The park is handicap accessible. Visit the Park’s website to see more about their accessibility http://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/accessforall.asp.
Please note, the Festival is held on the South Beach area which has a majority of hard packed dirt and beach access. Some of the Festival events/activities do include the sandy beach, but no stairs. To get a better idea of the grounds, visit our link for the 2011 Festival Grounds Map http://www.mdseafoodfestival.com/general-info/2011-festival-grounds-map or you can also visit http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/southern/sandypointmap.html to see a map of Sandy Point State Park.
What does the Festival Offer for Kids?
Visit the Festival’s “Just for Kids” page.
What is the Entertainment Line Up?
Visit the Festival’s Performers Page and the Event Schedule.
How can I volunteer?
Please visit our Volunteer sign up site.
Where can I Park?
Please visit the Festival’s parking information page.
Are there Hotel Recommendations?
Country Inn Suites is the official accommodations of the Maryland Seafood Festival. Visit www.countryinns.com/mdseafood for our special rate.
Can I bring coolers or outside food/beverages to the Festival?
Coolers and outside food/beverages are not permitted at the Festival. The purchase of food and beverages inside the Festival helps support local organizations and charities. The Festival offers a wide variety of food, beer, wine, soda, tea and water. Check out our website for the Festival’s menu. http://www.mdseafoodfestival.com/food/menus
Should I Bring a Chair to the Festival?
The Festival offers a large eat under tent where chairs and tables are provided. Seating is also provided at both stages. You are more than welcome to bring your own chairs if you would like. Keep in mind the festival spans about 2-3 football fields.
Can I bring my dog to the Festival?
Dogs are not allowed on Festival Grounds in accordance with State Park Regulations. Please visit the following website for additional information. http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/pets.asp
For more information contact 443.926.1464
