Massey Hill Lions Club oyster roast returning to Fayetteville after 2-year hiatus

Jacob Pucci, The Fayetteville Observer
·1 min read

After two years away, the Massey Hill Lions Club's oyster roast returns for its 49th year later this month.

The oyster roast will be held Jan. 29, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lions Club, 1613 Camden Road, Fayetteville.

The oyster dinner, the club's main fundraiser, was canceled in 2020 due to the high cost of oysters before being canceled again in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Tickets are $50 and include all-you-can-eat oysters, hushpuppies and other accompaniments, as well as beverages.

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Unlike past years, tickets are available by presale only. Club treasurer Jerry Scott said the change was made to help cut down on food waste and in turn, keep prices lower.

Scott said the club expects to roast around 300 bushels of oysters. At around 100 per bushel, that means the Lions Club will be roasting more than 30,000 oysters. Scott, who has been involved with the annual oyster roast since 1999, said some years the club sees upward of 670 people attend.

This year's oysters are coming out of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, Scott said.

For those who haven't attended prior oyster roasts, Scott said it's simple. Come hungry, bring an oyster knife and rag and "come and get your belly full."

"It's everyone gathering, gabbing and eating oysters," he said.

Tickets are available at Massey Hill Drug Co., 1072 Southern Ave., or from any Lions Club members. For more information, or to buy tickets, call Jerry Scott at 910-977-0885.

Jacob Pucci writes on food, restaurants and business. Contact him by email at jpucci@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter at @jacobpucci or on Facebook. Like talking food? Join our Fayetteville Foodies Facebook group.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Massey Hill Lions Club oyster roast to be held Jan. 29.