PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

Voodoo Brewing Co. is bringing back a popular Homestead event, and they’re really shucking excited about it!

Oyster Fest will return to the borough on June 10 noon to 8 p.m. Voodoo’s pub and patio at 205 E. Ninth Ave., will serve as the hub and the surrounding block will be closed to motor vehicle traffic.

Admission is free to the family- and dog-friendly event, which will feature live music, beer, craft cocktails and food, including oysters and one-offs like oyster Po’Boys provided by What the Pho food truck. Not a pescatarian? There will be appetizers for that. 

An oyster list will be provided as the festivities near based on market availability. A portion of sales of every oyster sold will benefit the Best of the Batch Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Charlie Batch that supports Homestead’s kids and their families.

“Without a doubt this is a huge thing for us,” Voodoo partner Jake Voelker says. “With the Homestead location we’re making a long-term commitment to the community.” 

PHOTO BY KRISTY LOCKLIN

I think Mister Rogers would agree that resurrecting the popular Oyster Fest is a neighborly thing to do.

In the pre-pandemic world, the shellfish fiesta annually drew a sea of people from across the Monongahela Valley. For 11 years, Blue Dust, an awesome, unpretentious little gastropub at 601 Amity St., ran the fest that was as much about craft beer as ocean creatures.

The powers that be at Voodoo are happy to carry on the tradition.

Voodoo’s Raymond Velky, who is helming this year’s event, says the brewery team is getting a crash course in oysters from event sponsors Muddy Waters Oyster Bar in East Liberty and Samuels Seafood Co.

Voodoo’s other Pennsylvania locations include Erie, Homestead, State College, New Kensington, Houston, Meadville, Indiana and Pittsburgh’s North Shore.