Springfield Oyster and Beer Festival to be held Aug. 31

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - The Springfield Oyster and Beer Festival will be held Saturday, Aug. 31.

Over 60 breweries are confirmed to be participating, including 19 that are new to the festival.

Organizers said this year the Springfield Oyster and Beer Festival is poised to become the largest downstate craft beer festival in Illinois.

The event features 6,000 Blue Point oysters from Chesapeake Bay, three local food trucks and live music from Me, Myself, and Schy and the Aileana Rawlins Band.

New this year are a Best Beer voting contest, an appearance by the festival mascot, Shucky the Oyster, and a free photobooth.

The Legacy Theatre has been selected as the charity recipient for this year. To date, the festival has raised over $170,000 given to local charity organizations in Springfield and Sangamon County.

VIP tickets have once again sold out early. General Admission tickets are available online and at the gate on the day of the event.