This weekend, May 30-31, the 2015 New Orleans Oyster Festival returns to the Woldenberg Riverfront Park at the Mississippi River.

Photo by Kim Welsh

The festival is free and open to the public, and will feature highly anticipated oyster contests including the Acme Oyster Eating Contest, the P&J Oyster Shucking Competition, and the New Orleans Fish House’s Largest Oyster Contest.

Highlights from last year’s competitions included the winner of the oyster eating contest downing a whopping 40 dozen oysters.

In addition to competitions, 20 of New Orleans’ best oyster restaurants will be in attendance delivering outstanding dishes to festival goers.

The festival’s all-star musical lineup includes performances by Treme Brass Band, Colin Lake, Cory Henry’s Treme Funktet, Royal Southern Brotherhood, and Marcia Ball.

Proceeds from the festival support the Louisiana oyster industry by helping fishermen and their families, as well as preserving and rebuilding oyster habitat.

For more information visit neworleansoysterfestival.org or call the festival hotline at (504) 888-7608.

Here’s the schedule of events:

Saturday, May 30

10:30am to 11:45am Treme Brass Band
12:00pm to 12:45pm P&J Oyster Shucking Contest
1:00pm to 2:00pm Colin Lake
2:15pm to 3:15pm Bucktown All-Stars
3:45pm to 4:45pm Corey Henry’s Treme Funktet
5:15pm to 6:30pm Royal Southern Brotherhood

Sunday, May 31

10:30am to 11:30am One A Chord Gospel Choir
11:45pm to 1:00pm Acme Oyster Eating Contest
1:15pm to 2:30pm The Mulligan Brothers
3:00pm to 4:30pm Rockin’ Dopsie
5:00pm to 6:30pm Marcia Ball