Thousands of seafood lovers crowded into downtown Annapolis over the weekend for the 57th Maryland Seafood Festival.

The event moved this year to the picturesque City Dock after two decades at Sandy Point State Park, just up the coast and also along the Chesapeake Bay.

Festivalgoers enjoyed music, food and crafts, contests and more. A scheduling conflict at the state park was the catalyst for the decision to hold the festival along the Annapolis waterfront.

“It’s been wonderful and the city has been so welcoming. At the end of the day, it’s super to be back downtown,” said festival producer Brendon Schoenfeld.

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The two-day event included an oyster shucking competition, a crab soup cook-off, a crab cake-eating contest, and steamed crab preorders from Jimmy’s Famous Seafood. As in past years, live music was a main draw. Sunset cruise ships dottedi the waterfront along with many other private boats that came out to enjoy the vibes.

People participate in the oyster shucking contest at the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis on Aug. 20, 2023. They had three minutes to shuck as many as they could. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
People participate in the oyster shucking contest at the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis on August 20, 2023. They had three minutes to shuck as many as they could.
A woman eats an oyster after a shucking contest at the Maryland Seafood Festival on Aug. 20, 2023, in downtown Annapolis. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Various dishes such as crabcakes, fish and oysters were available at the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis on August 20, 2023.
Oysters sit on ice ready to be consumed with lemons, cocktail sauce, horseradish and hot sauce at the Maryland Seafood Festival on Aug. 20, 2023, in downtown Annapolis. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
A man enjoys an oyster at the Maryland Seafood Festival in downtown Annapolis on Aug. 20, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Jewelry and craft vendors lined the walkways at the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis on August 20, 2023. Local Megan Stine of Moonlit Shell makes her jewelry from seashells and various other gemstones.
Jewelry and craft vendors lined the walkways at the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis on Aug. 20, 2023. Megan Stine of Moonlit Shell makes her jewelry from seashells and various other gemstones. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The band All You Need performs at the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis on Aug. 20, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Nancy Gordon dances to All You Need band at the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis on August 20, 2023.
Nancy Gordon dances to the music of the band All You Need at the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis on Aug. 20, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Various dishes such as crabcakes, fish and oysters were available at the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis on August 20, 2023.
Crab cakes, fish and oysters were among the dishes available at the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis on Aug. 20, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Various dishes such as crabcakes, fish and oysters were available at the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis on August 20, 2023.
A crab cake platter with coleslaw and crab chips was a popular choice at the Maryland Seafood Festival, held in Annapolis on Aug. 19-20, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Sara Soroush spins her daughter Ella, 5, at the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis on Aug. 20, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Scenes from the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis, MD on August 20, 2023.
Boats pull up to the dock to listen to live music during the Maryland Seafood Festival in downtown Annapolis on Aug. 20, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
The Grayson Moon Band performs at the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis on Aug. 20, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Patrons enjoy wine, craft beer, lemonade and other drinks during the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis on Aug. 20, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Attendees dance to The Grayson Moon Band at the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis on August 20, 2023.
Attendees dance to the music of The Grayson Moon Band at the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis on Aug. 20, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)
Casey Wood spins her daughter Payton, 5, at the Maryland Seafood Festival in Annapolis on Aug. 20, 2023. (Kaitlin Newman/The Baltimore Banner)