Oyster Roast

Join us for the seventh annual Oyster Roast for a Reason, a fundraising event hosted by Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. The event will take place on Saturday, Nov. 18, from 1-4 p.m. on the bluff next to the UGA Aquarium on Skidaway Island, Georgia. Guests will enjoy live music by City Hotel and have the opportunity to eat locally harvested Georgia oysters.

Early registration tickets are $125. Prices will increase to $150 on Nov. 4, 2023.

Tickets for this year’s event have SOLD OUT.

Oyster Roast for a Reason is an event tailored for adults. All attendees, regardless of age, must have a ticket. We do encourage those with children to explore our public aquarium, which has several exhibits for younger audiences, on a separate occasion. Learn more here.

Funds raised through Oyster Roast for a Reason will support environmental education experiences at the UGA Aquarium, aquaculture research and training opportunities and new internships for college students. Learn more about these initiatives as well as sponsorship sponsorship below.

Questions about the event?
Contact Stephanie Edgecombe at mared@uga.edu or call 912-598-2335.

Location:
UGA Aquarium
30 Ocean Science Circle
Savannah, GA 31411

Guests enjoy eating oysters and socializing at Oyster Roast for a Reason.
Georgia-grown oysters on ice.
Supporting the oyster hatchery and programs at Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. Held at UGA aquarium on Skidaway Island
Bushels of Georgia-grown oysters ready to be roasted.
Two guests stop for a photo at Oyster Roast for a Reason.
Oyster Roast for a Reason guests receive their oysters.
Two guests stop for a photo at Oyster Roast for a Reason.
Guests at Oyster Roast for a Reason enjoy eating oysters and socializing on the bluff.
Guests at Oyster Roast for a Reason shucking oysters.
Guests socializing and enjoying drinks.
A guest holds a Georgia-grown oyster.
Two guests stop for a photo at Oyster Roast for a Reason.
A group stops for a photo on the bluff during Oyster Roast for a Reason.
Oysters are poured onto a table to be eaten at Oyster Roast for a Reason.
Guests socialize while eating oysters on the bluff.
The beginning of sunset over the Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant dock on the Skidaway River.
John "Crawfish" Crawford and John Pelli roast oysters over fire on the bluff.
A group of guests stop for a photo at Oyster Roast for a Reason.
Guests fill their plates at the Oyster Roast for a Reason buffet.
Guests shucking Georgia-grown oysters at Oyster Roast for a Reason.
Guests browse the silent auction event at the 2018 Oyster Roast for a Reason event.
Guests eat Georgia-grown oysters beneath the lights on the bluff at the UGA Marine Education Center Aquarium.
Guests sitting beneath a tent at the 2018 Oyster Roast for a Reason's silent auction.
Guests gathered around the oyster roasting fire pits on the bluff of the UGA Marine Education Center Aquarium.
Supporting the oyster hatchery and programs at Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. Held at UGA aquarium on Skidaway Island

Guests enjoy eating oysters and socializing at Oyster Roast for a Reason.

Bushels of Georgia-grown oysters ready to be roasted.

Two guests stop for a photo at Oyster Roast for a Reason.

Oyster Roast for a Reason guests receive their oysters.

Guests at Oyster Roast for a Reason enjoy eating oysters and socializing on the bluff.

Guests at Oyster Roast for a Reason shucking oysters.

A group stops for a photo on the bluff during Oyster Roast for a Reason.

Oysters are poured onto a table to be eaten at Oyster Roast for a Reason.

Guests socialize while eating oysters on the bluff.

The beginning of sunset over the Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant dock on the Skidaway River.

John "Crawfish" Crawford and John Pelli roast oysters over fire on the bluff.

A group of guests stop for a photo at Oyster Roast for a Reason.

Guests fill their plates at the Oyster Roast for a Reason buffet.

Guests shucking Georgia-grown oysters at Oyster Roast for a Reason.

Guests browse the silent auction event at the 2018 Oyster Roast for a Reason event.

Guests eat Georgia-grown oysters beneath the lights on the bluff at the UGA Marine Education Center Aquarium.

Guests sitting beneath a tent at the 2018 Oyster Roast for a Reason's silent auction.

Guests gathered around the oyster roasting fire pits on the bluff of the UGA Marine Education Center Aquarium.

Funds raised from Oyster Roast for a Reason will support the following:

UGA Aquarium Expansion

An ambitious campaign is underway to add 2,100 square feet of new exhibit space at the UGA Aquarium which will allow our educators to reach broad, diverse audiences and inspire more people to protect and preserve our coastal resources. The space will introduce visitors to the maritime forest ecosystem and deepen their understanding of this complex coastal environment. The expansion will allow us to enhance educational content, introduce new exhibits, improve animal displays and increase our capacity for visitors, summer campers and K-12 students.

Sustainable Oyster Aquaculture

Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant launched Georgia’s first oyster hatchery at its Shellfish Research Lab in 2015. At the lab, we spawn baby oysters, or spat, which are sold to local shellfish growers who cultivate the singles on state-approved leases along the Georgia coast. Our Shellfish Lab researchers study different methods of growing oysters in the water and share that information with current and future shellfish farmers. Our goal is to increase aquaculture research and training opportunities that benefit Georgia’s shellfish farmers as well as our coastal economy and environment.

Student Opportunities

Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant serves hundreds of communities throughout Georgia, and opportunities abound for students to work alongside staff and faculty who are addressing critical coastal challenges through research, education and extension. These student opportunities offer valuable real-world experiences, professional development and networking. Help us cultivate stewards of the natural environment who go on to work in coastal resource management, marine policy or environmental education.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsors of the 2023 Oyster Roast for a Reason are invited to showcase their brands and will be featured in advertisements, invitations and on-site signage. Click here to learn more about available sponsorship opportunities.

BECOME A SPONSOR

Questions? Contact Kathryn Reeves McHugh at 706-542-8883 or kathryn.reeves25@uga.edu.