Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry- Virginia City

Want to take a ride back in time? Well, it’s just 30 minutes away from Reno! Once the richest city in world, Virginia City’s mining revenue amounted to millions of dollars, which would relatively equal billions today.  Just a peek of this tiny town gives you the chills. The classic Victorian-era architecture, the Old West Saloons, the authentic board sidewalks, 19th century homes, the “Haunted” Washoe Club or Grandma’s Fudge Factory (cause who doesn’t like fudge right?). All this in just a cliff-note of what this place has to offer, and riding horse-drawn carriages is a given!

But what got me there was St. Patrick’s Day. Each year this historic town celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a ballsy festival. The Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry brings more than 3,000 people to sample this “delicacy,” take part in the Leprechaun Bar Crawl and watch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

“We encourage folks to come have a ball, get dressed up, enjoy the festivities and check out our local merchants, restaurants and saloons,” Deny Dotson, tourism director for the Virginia City Tourism Commission, said. “The local shops all participate with their own fun specials and decor so it really is a town-wide celebration.”

More than 20 cooks from around the region compete in the event, serving up fried, chopped, grilled or sautéed “oysters” for a variety of flavorful combinations. Cooks compete for Best Overall Taste, Best Presentation, Best Booth, Most Creative Dish and Best Team Name, as well as bragging rights as the best Rocky Mountain Oyster Cook in the West. Tasting tickets start at $5 for three samples or 10 samples for $12. A costume contest and live Irish music enhances the celebratory atmosphere.

P.S: Don’t miss the ghost tour at Washoe Club. And heads up, take the tour after-dark!

Go ahead, sack up, and go nuts! (Next year)

Have some place in mind you want me to try? Leave a comment below!