Trail News

Paddle and Grub at Mathews County’s Sea Farms Seafood Festival

Williams Wharf, Mathews 15
August 3, 2019

What if we told you that you could arrive to a seafood festival in true Middle Peninsula waterways style?

Not by car. Not by bike.

By waterways!

Of course, you can still come in on wheels, but arriving by water – paddling or boating – seems awfully fitting for a seafood festival, eh?

We’re pleased to help spread the news that Mathews County will be home to a big seafood festival at William’s Wharf Landing on Saturday, August 17, 2019 from 3 to 8 p.m. in the heart of the East River.

Williams Wharf, if you haven’t already been, is one of the most iconic paddling spots in the Middle Peninsula region.

Mathews’ own Sea Farms Seafood is hosting the event, meaning it will be the freshest of the fresh seafood, farmed and harvested from local waters.

Sea Farms is a family run seafood supplier based out of Hudgins in Mathews. A vision made in 1987 quickly became a reality when Ron Sopko set up shop on the Chesapeake Bay in Mathews. With a promise to provide fresh and local seafood the “mom & pop” way, this small family-style business has become an international supplier that has never forgotten their home roots.

With a constantly growing business, putting the customer first is a must for Sea Farms. Mathews locals may have noticed that Sea Farms Seafood Shack now sits on Mathews Main Street Wednesdays through Saturdays in the summer. This is because they want to provide the community with fresh supplies of local seafood.

Back to the festival…

For $50 a person, come and enjoy all-you-can-eat seafood. Proceeds from this year’s Sea Farms Seafood Festival will go straight to Mathews first responders.

Purchase tickets at the following locations:

  • -The Seafood Shack (at the old Slaughter’s Texaco next to Food Lion)
  • -Chesapeake Bank (Mathews Branch)
  • -Mathews County Visitor & Information Center (the old Sibley’s General Store)
  • -M&M Building Supply (Mathews Courthouse location)
  • -Noble Pest Control
  • -Mathews Rescue Squad at Hudgins
  • -Mathews Lawn and Garden

The festival will also feature live music, beer and wine, local craft vendors and breath-taking views.

Driving in? Parking is free. Park at Mathews High School or Thomas Hunter Middle School and catch the free shuttle to and from the festival. There will be handicap parking available at Williams Wharf Landing for those not able to board the shuttle. Otherwise, do not drive to the Wharf and expect parking, you will be turned around!

All are welcome to come by boat, but no docking or mooring is available on William’s Wharf. Boat Taxi will be available from your vessel. Anchor your vessel south of Williams Wharf Landing, clear of the channel and call Captain Howard Hudgins aboard the Tow Boat US on VHF Channel 10 or 804-815-8333. The cost will be $4 cash per person each time you board the taxi. Round trip will be $8 per person. Bring cash. You must be physically able to transfer from vessel to vessel. Boat Taxi will start at 2 p.m. and end at 9 p.m. Intoxicated persons will not be allowed to leave on their vessel, VMRC and Coast Guard will be present.