The Chesapeake’s favorite bivalve may be the star of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s (CBMM) November 3 OysterFest, but the music line-up and premier of Fordham Brewing’s Rosie Parks Oyster Stout might provide some of this year’s highlights.

Slated to bring funk, rock, country, and bluegrass to CBMM’s historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand are the Salisbury-based Zen Monkeys, which drew large crowds to the waterfront museum at last July’s Chesapeake Folk Festival. The all-woman Zen Monkeys produce sultry harmonies while accompanied by the sounds of acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, harmonicas, hand drums, and washboards. The group plays to the museum’s Navy Point visitors throughout the 10am to 4pm event.

Across the boardwalks along Fogg’s Cove, the sounds of guitar, fiddle and harmonica will fill the air as Dave Hawkins performs from the decks of CBMM’s Steamboat Building throughout the event. Hawkins’ vocals and music have gained a large following throughout the region, and span from today’s music to classic rock, including the Dave Matthews Band, original compositions, and more.

The festival also offers a chance to see the skipjack Rosie Parks, a sailing workboat that once dredged the Chesapeake for oysters, during its historic three-year restoration at the museum. In honor of the skipjack, Fordham Brewing Co.’s just released Rosie Parks Oyster Stout will be premiered and served on tap throughout the event. After the event, the stout will be available on tap and sold in 22oz. bottles at select locations throughout the Maryland, Delaware, and Washington D.C. area. A portion of the proceeds from each sale will be donated to CBMM.

OysterFest admission will be taken at the gate the day of the event, and is free for CBMM members and children under six. Otherwise it’s $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $6 for children between the ages of six and 17, with new memberships available at the event. Performances are included in the admission prices, with food, beverages, and boat rides available at an additional cost. For more details about the event, visit www.cbmm.org/oysterfest or call 410-745-2916.

In photo: The Zen Monkeys, shown here playing from the historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand, are coming back to St. Michaels to perform at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s November 3 OysterFest. The Salisbury-based, all-woman band draws a large following through lively performances of funk, rock, country, and bluegrass music. They’ll be at the historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand again to perform throughout the November 3 OysterFest. All performances at the event are free with event admission.

In photo above: Fordham Brewing’s Rosie Parks Oyster Stout, whose namesake is the historic skipjack CBMM is restoring, will be premiered on tap at CBMM’s OysterFest this November 3 in St. Michaels. The stout holds a slight briny taste, and pairs well with oysters. A limited number of Rosie Parks Oyster Stout pint glasses will be available for purchase at the festival. The stout will later be released in local markets in 22oz bottles, with a portion of each sale donated back to the museum by Fordham Brewing.