And the Winners are....

The Solomons Co-op is proud to present our inaugural -Island Wide event—

Shuck It! Solomons—a celebration of our island’s oyster heritage, history, and coastal charm. For generations, oysters have been at the heart of Solomons, shaping our culture, our waters, and our way of life. This event honors that tradition while adding a fresh splash of fun for today’s community.

The celebration begins at our northernmost stop, Rudy Duck Brewery & Grill, and continues all along Solomons Island Road. Explore shops, restaurants, and family-friendly activities all the way to the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory. Pick up your Passport, collect stamps as you go, and enjoy exclusive oyster-themed specials at every stop. Along the route, don’t miss the whimsical scarecrows—specially decorated by local businesses and marked with an asterisk (*) on the list.

It’s a day filled with flavors, treasures, and the spirit of Solomons—past and present—that you won’t want to miss!

🅿️ Parking for Shuck It! Solomons
There’s plenty of convenient parking available for all the fun! Visitors can park in the grassy field across from the Calvert Marine Museum, in the lots in front of the Solomons Riverwalk, or in the Tiki Bar parking lot (take a right turn just after the Victorian Inn). From all parking areas, it’s just a short stroll to shops, restaurants, and waterfront activities—so grab your walking shoes and enjoy exploring all that Solomons has to offer during Shuck It! Solomons!

 Shuck It! Solomons 

Passport & Gift Basket Drawings
Join the fun and explore Solomons with your Shuck It! Solomons Passport for a chance to win amazing gift baskets! 

Passports are available starting at noon and can be picked up at any of these participating locations (event runs noon–6 PM): 

Boomerangs

Maertens Fine Jewelry
Calvert Marine Museum
The Big Kahuna
The Shuck It! Solomons T-Shirt & Info Tent (next to the Lore Oyster House)
Juice Buzz
The Blue Shell Gifts & Decor
Jacqueline Morgan Day Spa
Hooked Boutique
The Tiki Bar

The Rudy Duck

 Please Note: Some locations may close earlier—be sure to check individual business hours on their websites or social media pages before visiting.

How to Play:
Visit at least 10 participating businesses,(Businesses listed here in our "Savor", "Shop" and "Play" are all participating in the passport challenge collect stamps along the way, and turn in your completed Passport at the Shuck It! Solomons T-Shirt & Info Tent (next to Lore  Oyster House) by 6:15 PM for your chance to win one of three incredible gift baskets—packed with gift treasures, restaurant gift cards, overnight stays, concert tickets, a spa treat, and more!

 Prize Drawing: Winners will be announced at 7 PM on the Tiki Bar Stage.
Passports are limited—please limit to one per family.
Participants must be 18 or older to enter.

Our whimsical scarecrows are waiting to greet you all across Solomons October 1–31!

Each one has been creatively designed by local businesses and organizations, showcasing their unique style, personality, and community spirit.

✨ Look for the scarecrows marked with an asterisk (*) on the list, take a stroll, and enjoy the charm of fall on the island.
Snap some photos, share your favorites, and tag us—we can’t wait to see which ones make you smile! See them on our 

Solomons Scarecrow Stroll page

5–6 PM at The Tiki Bar | Sign-ups start at 1 PM

Think you’ve got what it takes to shuck like a pro?
Join the fun and show off your skills in this lighthearted, crowd-favorite competition!

It’s all about bragging rights, big laughs, and local pride — with cash prizes and local donations for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

 Family-friendly and full of cheers — come shuck, laugh, and root for your favorites at the Tiki Bar Sand Stage!

Be sure to visit these wonderful food and drink establishments, where you can collect Passport stamps and enjoy exclusive Shuck It! Solomons specials!

• Big Kahuna * – Raise a glass with special drinks aboard Big Kahuna’s Boat, paired with lively music!
• Boomerangs * – Enjoy Patuxent fried oysters for just $10.00 — a local favorite at a tasty price!
• Bugeye Grill * – Savor fried oysters with creamy Béchamel $5, plus two Oyster Shooters for only $5!
• Bunky’s Ice Cream Place – Treat yourself to warm funnel cakes — buy one, get one free!
• Captain Smith’s Seafood * – Food truck fun next to the Big Kahuna, serving up fresh oyster specials 
• CD Cafe*-Serving a Oyster Trio Special, (2 each) Motoyaki, fried and mignonette-6 oysters $12!
• Coast 2 Coast- Half off all oyster dishes, indulge without the splurge.
• Cryptic Pizza * – Serving  special Drewed Harvest and Captain Jimmy's Pizzas,   delight for your palate!
• Island Hideaway – Warm up with a hearty Oyster Chowder Special!
• Juice Buzz\– Buy a salad or wrap and enjoy a refreshing juice at half price!
• No Thyme to Cook * – Catch live Cooking Demonstrations, noon–2 PM — learn from the pros!
• The Lighthouse* – Discounted oysters on the half shell or by the steamed dozen!
• The Pier * – Dive into an Oyster Rockefeller Special you won’t want to miss!
• Rudy Duck-* Fried Oyster Po Boy Sandwiches
• The Tiki Bar * –  Enjoy the freshest flavors of the Chesapeake with a mix of local wild and farm-raised oysters, proudly supporting the Solomons Watermen Association, local watermen, and area oyster farms.
  Served grilled and raw—you can’t go wrong either way!     Drinks:
  We’re adding a few special sips to our already legendary cocktail menu!Try the Big Oyster Brewing “Shuck It” Oyster Stout on draft (see photo below) or enjoy Oyster Shooters featuring your choice of hot sauce—spice it up your way!Live Music: Kick back on the sand stage with local favorite Lookout Band, 

performing live from 1 PM – 4 PM.  

Don’t miss the special deals at these amazing businesses! Enjoy exclusive discounts, unique merchandise, and be sure to get your Passport stamped along the way.

•  Ally Catwalk Boutique * - Enjoy discounts on  oyster-themed fashion coastal chic at its best! Shop at Patuxent Plaza or at “Daisy” across from the Tiki Bar.
• The Blue Shell Gifts & Décor * – Take 20% off oyster shell wreaths and unique oyster art and décor — Don’t miss the demonstration on how to create decoupage oyster shell art (1 pm)
• Grand Mother's Store 2- Be sure to stop by for a discount on their Solomons themed merchandise
• Hooked Gifts & Boutique * – Stop by for Rita’s Ice Cream, fresh sourdough, and hands-on oyster painting fun!
• Jacqueline Morgan Day Spa * – Pamper yourself with 10% off all FarmHouse Fresh products!
• Maertens Fine Jewelry – Take 20% off stunning pearl jewelry — timeless treasures for less!
• Shuck It! Solomons T-shirts staffed by our wonderful Solomons Civic Association* – Stop by and grab your first edition Shuck It! T-shirts! and get more event details.
• Solomons Mission Center * – Join us for an Open House and children’s bike sale — community spirit in action! 

From live music and family festivals to oyster history, marine science, and community giveaways—these four spots each offer something unique for you to enjoy. 

• Calvert Marine Museum * –Celebrate Patuxent River Appreciation Day (PRAD) at the Calvert Marine Museum! Enjoy this FREE, family-friendly event featuring boat rides, museum admission, hands-on activities, environmental exhibits, unique arts and crafts vendors, a petting zoo, face-painting and so much more. (10am-4 pm)
• Chesapeake Biological Laboratory * – Explore oyster displays and fascinating marine information!
• Emily Cunningham State Farm * – Pick up giveaways including swag bags, coffee mugs, and fun items for kids.

🌺 THE BIG KAHUNA
Hawaiian Vibe Band — Shaun Gomban CALVERT MARINE MUSEUM
PRAD Festival Entertainment — 10 AM–4 PM

🎵 SOLOMONS PAVILION
12:30–1:30 • Jason C. Mitchell
3:45–4:45 • Bruce Rider Music
5:00–6:00 • Arkansas

🍹 THE TIKI BAR
1:00–4:00 • LookOut Band

Watch for updates!

We’re thrilled to introduce the newest member of the Shuck It! Solomons family — our very own Smiley Face Mascot!
More than 1,200 people voted to help name our cheerful new friend, and we can’t thank you enough for joining the fun. 🦪💙

The poll is officially closed, and the winning name will be revealed during the Shuck It! Solomons event at the Tiki Bar’s Sand Stage at 6:30 PM.
A huge thank you to everyone who voted and helped make our first mascot naming such a hit! 

Oysters have long been more than a delicacy in Solomons—they helped form the backbone of this island’s maritime identity. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the Chesapeake Bay teemed with oysters, fueling a booming industry that supported watermen, canneries, and waterfront communities. Using hand tongs, dredges, and skipjacks, watermen harvested vast quantities of oysters, which fed local families and supplied markets along the East Coast. 

Issac Solomon's Cannery

In 1867, Baltimore businessman Isaac Solomon purchased land on the island and established the first oyster cannery on the Patuxent River. He built housing, wharves, and supporting infrastructure around the site, creating jobs and drawing workers to the island. His enterprise transformed the community, and the island soon became known by his name—Solomons. 

The Lore Oyster House

As the oyster industry flourished, shucking and packing houses became vital to the local economy. Workers—often entire families—spent long hours preparing oysters for shipment to distant markets. One of these facilities, the J.C. Lore & Sons Oyster House, built in 1934, has been carefully preserved and today is part of the Calvert Marine Museum. 

Visitors can step inside and see original shucking tables and tools, gaining an authentic glimpse into the working waterfront of a bygone era. 

Decline and Renewal

By the mid-1900s, overharvesting, disease, and habitat loss had taken a heavy toll on Chesapeake oysters, and the once-thriving industry sharply declined. Yet in recent decades, conservation programs, aquaculture, and large-scale restoration projects have helped the oyster population begin to recover. Today, oysters are not only a beloved part of  the delicious Chesapeake cuisine, but also play a vital role in improving Bay health—each oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water per day, supporting cleaner waters and stronger ecosystems. 

Oysters Today

From Isaac Solomon’s pioneering cannery to the preserved Lore Oyster House and today’s restoration efforts, oysters tell the story of how Solomons grew from a working waterfront into the vibrant coastal village we cherish today. Events like Shuck It! Solomons carry forward that spirit—honoring the watermen and families who built this community while inviting new generations to savor the Bay’s bounty. 

The following businesses are not on the Passport, but have generously donated prizes for the Shuck It! Solomons Prize Baskets 

Victorian Inn · Back Creek Boathouse · Greenwave* · Habit Fitness* · The Beanery* · Simply Social Events* · Southern Roots Salon* · Solomons Civic Association* · Spooky Solomons* · The Shack & AirBNB Boathouses* · Trifecta at Harbor Island Marina* · Solomons Business Association* · Blue Heron Inn***

Your generosity and community spirit make Shuck It! Solomons truly shine — thank you for helping us celebrate our island’s heart and heritage!