On Saturday, August 29, Orange County Coastkeeper welcomed hundreds of ocean advocates, seafood lovers, and curious community members to Sunset Beach for its first-ever oyster festival, Oysterpalooza. The free event featured raw oyster bars, science talks, a beach cleanup, local nonprofits and sustainable vendors, kids’ activities, and live music.
Coastkeeper’s Marine Restoration Director Kaysha Kenney and Marketing and Development Coordinator Taylor Voegelie spent months bringing their vision for the festival to life, and the result was unforgettable!
The day kicked off with a beach cleanup near 12th Street in Sunset Beach, where 160 volunteers removed 160 pounds of trash from the sand.
At 11 a.m., Jennifer Fonseca of the Juaneño Band of Mission Indians, Acjachemen Nation, opened the festival with a blessing, cleansing, and honoring of the Indigenous people who have cared for, and continue to care for, our waters.
Local nonprofits and research labs shared their missions with eventgoers, while sustainable vendors offered everything from upcycled tie-dye and sea glass jewelry to beeswax household products.
Children and families used recycled oyster and scallop shells to craft beautiful, one-of-a-kind artworks.
Roe Seafood, Hook & Anchor, Holdfast Aquaculture, and Water Cake kept attendees fed and refreshed throughout the day. Despite an oppressive heatwave, Oysterpalooza attendees showed up in droves, and vendors sold out of their inventory!
Dr. Danielle Zacherl and Dr. Christine Whitcraft shared insights into local wetland restoration and university partnerships, highlighting the important roles oysters, fish, and invertebrates play in healthy coastal ecosystems.
Local alternative band Miles Arcana closed out the festival with a live set featuring Coastkeeper’s own Savannah Terrazas on guitar.
From oysters and science to restoration and community, Oysterpalooza brought people together to celebrate our waterways and support the programs protecting them.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make Orange County’s first Oysterpalooza one to remember!
