Eagle County 4-H hosts annual Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry on March 15
Annual event raises money for local 4-H programs
Courtesy photo
Most people think of The Masters as a “tradition unlike any other.” Eagle County’s annual Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry is kind of like that, too.
The annual event, which features food, fun, music, dancing, auction items and absolutely no requirement to eat Rocky Mountain oysters, is set for March 15 at the Eagle River Center at the Eagle County Fairgrounds. The 2024 event drew more than 900 people. Between ticket sales, donations and auction items, the event funded several $6,000 scholarships for local 4-H youth.
What: Annual 4-H Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry
When: March 15, starting at 5 p.m.
Where: The Eagle River Center at the Eagle County Fairgrounds
What it does: Supports scholarships and funding for local 4-H programs.
The coolest auction item: A custom-engraved Henry rifle.
Tickets: $25 for adults, $10 for kids ages 6-12 and those 65 and older. Kids 5 and younger are free.
Connie Melzer of Eagle County’s CSU Cooperative Extension office coordinates local 4-H programs. Melzer said this year’s auction items include a custom painting donated by Bullocks in Glenwood Springs, along with weed trimmers and other items, along with more than a dozen firearms.
The most impressive of those firearms is a lever-action Henry rifle custom-engraved with the Oyster Fry logo.
That rifle was commissioned by Justin Winstead, owner of Trip’s Gun Supply, the licensed firearms dealer who handles the transactions for all the auction winners.
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Winstead grew up in 4-H. His father, Joe, started the Oyster Fry back in the days when the event was held at the old exhibit hall at the fairgrounds.
A lot of time and effort
“It’s turned into a beautiful monster,” Winstead said of the event.
That could be said of the growth of local 4-H programs.
Melzer said all the programs these days enroll more than 300 kids in clubs ranging from large animals to shooting sports to sewing and creative arts and rocketry. There’s also an after-school enrichment club at Red Hill Elementary School in Gypsum.
Keeping those clubs running requires a lot of time and work from 78 volunteers.
One of those volunteers, Jessica Gentilini, runs the dog club. This is her third year running the club, but she’s been involved in the organization for the past several years.
“It’ such a great organization,” Gentilini said. “And what a great value.”
The Oyster Fry, as well as other 4-H efforts, is a great example of the community coming together, she said. The kids involved tend to come out with a “new perspective,” she said, particularly in how they can help other people.
Try the desserts
While there are plenty of adult volunteers for the Oyster Fry — and plenty of parent-made desserts to go along with the dinner entrees and sides — the kids have to pitch in, of course.
The event is a pretty smooth-running, Gentilini said. “We’ve got a good system.”
Winstead said he hopes the auction for the custom rifle alone will bring in the value of one scholarship. And, he added, while those scholarships won’t cover even a full year of college, $6,000 will take a big bite from that year.
Besides the food and auction, Melzer noted there’s room in the Eagle River Center for activities including a bounce house and mechanical bull, as well as face painting, crafts and an air rifle range.
Music will be courtesy of The Lost Junction, a band from Grand Junction.
In addition, Melzer said some 4-H alumni will be on hand to talk about what they’ve done with their scholarships from previous years.
It promises to be another fun evening. And really, you only have to eat a Rocky Mountain oyster if you’re into that sort of thing.
