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• photo by bob doran
• Oysters!

The $10 price tag may be strange and new, but Oyster Fest 2013 promises to make this year's event as bivalve-filled and beer-soaked as always (maybe even a little bit more). Center stage of the fest goes to the delicious, local Kumamoto oysters, of course, but the silver and slippery shellfish will have to share the glory with an impressive musical line-up and more than 30 food and beverage vendors offering their own summertime fare. Basically, on Saturday, June 15, the world is your oyster!

Oyster Fest overruns the Arcata Plaza from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with bands and contests alternating throughout the day. DJ Stirfry Willie starts the day, and lays down the jams at 10 a.m., followed by the Oyster Calling Contest at 10:30 a.m. How do you call an oyster, you ask? Loudly and originally, that's how. As the day gains momentum and people start to get in the true spirit of oyster festivities, Yogoman Burning Band will take the stage at 11:15 a.m. Whether you're a hippie who likes to dance freely or a hipster who just wants to tap your feet to the beat, the eclectic dance music of Yogoman is sure to please. It's a combination of jazz, soul and funk; but, mostly, just amazingly awesome.

The Shuck and Swallow contest is at 12:45 p.m., and it's always a crowd-pleaser; who doesn't love watching people shove as many oysters down their gullet as physically possible?! No one, that's who. After that, everyone could use a little funky hip-hop. Lyrics Born performs at 1:30 p.m., adding a little more value to that $10 ticket.

Winners for the best oysters will be announced at 3:30 p.m., and the last musical performance of the day starts at 3:30 p.m. with Motherlode. The group is described as "Greasy Soul Funk," and should fit in with the celebratory vibe just perfectly. Last call for beer is at 4:30 p.m., and the event winds down at 5:30 p.m. We all know the party usually carries itself over to the bars along the plaza, so plan on really making a day of it. For more information on performers, or information on where you can pick up tickets, head over to the Arcata Main Street's Oyster Fest 2013 website, http://www.oysterfestival.net.