Aw, Shucks

With its beauty pageant, parade, speed shucking contests and, of course, mountains of fresh oysters, the International Oyster Festival (galwayoysterfest.com) in Galway, Ireland, is four days of fun and feasting, guaranteed to satiate the appetites of even the most ardent bivalve lover. Now in its 51st year, the mouth-watering event runs from Sept. 22-25.

Proceedings kick off with the Irish oyster opening championship, but the highlight for most visitors is the international shucking contest, when contestants from as far afield as Singapore and Estonia compete for the world title. Scandinavians have held the top spot in recent years (in 2004, Oslo chef Ola Nilsson unseated the previous year's Swedish winner). The trick is to combine speed with precision. Competitors are penalized if their oysters contain grit, or if flesh is damaged or improperly detached from the shells.

During the festival, make sure you visit local pubs, which come alive with DJs, folk groups and rock bands. And don't miss the gala ball and parade on Sept. 24. For oyster professionals and fans alike, it's a gleaming pearl in the social calendar.