KEYPORT, NJ – The fastest shucker in town at The Americana Festival of Sails and Oyster/Seafood Festival on July 6 and 7 was awarded $150 for his winning way with the bivalve.

The winner and runners-up all had a professional edge as employees or former employees of New Jersey’s only remaining shucking house, a 26-stall facility at the southern tip of the state. Oysters enjoyed by Keyport festivalgoers were harvested from that area’s Delaware Bay seed beds.

Winner Orville Crandell, of Millville, shucked 50 oysters in 3 minutes and 35 seconds. Second-prize winner Donald Cisrow, of Port Norris, who took away $100, shucked the same number in 4 minutes and 8 seconds. Crandell’s sister, Ida Williams, of Millville, won $50 for her 4 minutes and 34 seconds of effort.

Following the competition, Walt Canzonier, president of the New Jersey Aquaculture Association and the state’s Aquaculture Advisory Council, offered the crowds an oyster-shucking demonstration and instruction.

Canzonier, a retired but active faculty member at the Rutgers University Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory in Port Norris, says he demonstrated the hinge-popping oyster shucking-technique that he prefers. Canzonier says other shuckers, including some of the winners, “are breakers, crackers, stabbers or chippers.” Each method, according to Canzonier, requires a different type of knife and degree of skill – and frequently strong hands and arm muscles – to execute.

The state Department of Agriculture’s Fish & Seafood Development Program set up guidelines for the shucking competition, which was judged on speed, cleanliness of serving, and presentation. Canzonier said a bushel of oysters, (about 300 bivalves) were provided for the event.

Two Keyport-based restaurants each took away $150 and a medallion as winners of the seafood chowder cook-off, selected by people’s choice. McEwan’s Coffee House won for its spicy red chowder, and Michael’s Catering for a white crab and clam chowder.

The inaugural Americana Festival of Sails and Oyster/Seafood Festival was hosted by the Keyport Business Alliance. KBA spokeswoman Kathaleen Shaw said the event attracted more than 12,000 visitors over its two-day run.

For additional information on special events in Keyport, visit the Borough’s Website at www.keyportonline.com or call Allen Consulting Inc. at 732-946-2711.