On July 4, a clue on the television game show “Jeopardy!” referred to the Urbanna Oyster Festival.
During Double Jeopardy in the category “U.S. Festivals” the answer stated, “At the Urbanna, Va. Oyster Festival, this contest is mainly about speed, but shell fragments and clean separation also count.”
The correct response, “What is (oyster) shucking?” earned the contestant $800.
The clue referred to the oyster shucking competition that was first offered on Nov. 6, 1982. The shucking competition crowns the state champion who goes on to compete at the National Oyster Shucking Championship in Maryland the following October.
In 1998 the Urbanna Oyster Festival became Virginia’s Official Oyster Festival.
This was not the first time the Oyster Festival was part of “Jeopardy!” Several years ago a clue stated, in effect, this food is featured at Urbanna’s fall festival. The contestant guessed incorrectly “clams.” A copy of that show was obtained and the clue was shown during a meeting of festival officials.
The 66th Urbanna Oyster Festival is set for Nov. 3 and 4.
