LEWES — The coastal area will celebrate oysters from the inland bays — a southern Delaware delicacy — Aug. 3-8 during the second annual Inland Bays Oyster Week.

The event is organized and sponsored by Delaware Sea Grant at the University of Delaware and Southern Delaware Tourism.

It will feature boat and kayak excursions, a seminar and an oyster hatchery tour, as well as an art workshop and numerous social activities, including “Meet the Grower” happy hours.

New this year will be the Soundbite Sunday kickoff, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 3, hosted by The Developing Artist Collaboration at the West Side Creative Market, 19826 Central St., Rehoboth Beach.

There, patrons can grab a bite from one of the oyster-inspired chefs; enjoy craft cocktails, beer, wine and nonalcoholic options; and soak in the sounds of a diverse musical performance.

Ed Lewandowski, a community and economic development specialist at Delaware Sea Grant and coordinator of IBOW25, expressed excitement about the activities that have been added.

“The addition of Sunday’s kickoff celebration at West Side Creative Market and a wine and oyster cruise with Cape Water Tours on (Aug. 4) should fuel early interest in IBOW25 as a premier celebration of our local inland bays oyster aquaculture industry,” he noted in a press release.

Tim Bartley, one of the founders of the Lewes Oyster House, hosted a “Meet the Grower” gathering last year.

“(It) was a fantastic way to showcase the incredible work being done by our local oyster farmers,” he stated. “There’s real pride in serving fresh, cold oysters that are grown right here in Delaware’s waters — and our guests love learning where their food comes from.”

Those interested in local oysters paired with adult beverages, as well as chatting with oyster growers, will find opportunities at the Big Chill Beach Club, 27099 Coastal Highway, Bethany Beach, 4-6 p.m. Aug. 4; the Henlopen City Oyster House, 50 Wilmington Ave., Rehoboth Beach,
4-6 p.m. Aug. 5; Chesapeake & Maine, 316 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach,
3-5 p.m. Aug. 6; and the Lewes Oyster House, 108 Second St., 3-5 p.m.
Aug. 7.

Also, at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 6, the University of Delaware will be hosting a seminar and a group tour of its pilot-scale oyster hatchery at the Hugh R. Sharp Campus, 700 Pilottown Road, Lewes.

The tour is free but limited to 15 persons. Reserve a spot at eventbrite.com/e/oyster-hatchery-tour-tickets-949050945927.

Lastly, local artist Maggie Heffernan wraps up the week’s activities with an acrylic-painting workshop at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at The Artpothecary, 37401 Malloy St., Rehoboth Beach.

Oysters will be paired with wine for all participants. The cost is $40, which includes instruction and materials.

To register, visit eventbrite.com/e/inland-bays-oyster-week-learn-to-paint-oysters-with-a-local-artist-tickets-1381880524849.