Richmond’s own restaurant businessman Johnny Giavos is responsible for bringing these delicacies of the sea from Cowart Seafood to Richmond this weekend, and will be offering almost every variety of oyster cuisine you can think of from cold and raw, hot and fried, even paired with some vodka and squeezed into a shooter.

And for those of you who may have taste and texture issues with this salty, meaty mollusk, traditional barbecue and fries will be available for purchase. An array of beer from Loveland Distributing will be available, as will non-alcoholic beverages.

New to the event this year is the increasingly popular Hokies vs. Hoos fundraising competition between the two Richmond alumni groups. As their third event of the year, the groups will be competing against each other for people, rather than money.

“Instead of having them raise money, they’re challenging each other to see who can get the most people to sign up for the National Bone Marrow Donor Program,” Lisa said. “We’re kicking this off at Oystoberfest, but there will be various events that the Hokies vs. Hoos club will put together, ending with the football game between the schools at UVA on November 24th.”

Increasing in size this year is the children’s area, which will feature an inflatable moon bounce and slide; arts and crafts; face painting; a soccer area; and pony rides.

Keeping guests entertained are six local bands ready to rock the St. Thomas Episcopal parking lot with a variety of classic and modern rock, country, blues, and even some Irish American pub music. The bands Crossbones, Marna and Macy, Rockfish Willie, Uisce Beatha, The Bart Chucker Band and The Silverbacks will be on hand.

The second annual Oystoberfest will be held from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20 at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Ginter Park. Tickets for food and beverages can be purchased the day of the event. The event is free, but a suggested $2 is appreciated. All proceeds go to benefit Connor’s Heroes to fight childhood cancer and St. Thomas Episcopal Church. For more information, call Connor’s Heroes at (804) 221-8991 or visit oystoberfest.com.