Tradition is defined as “a long-established action or pattern of behavior in a community or group of people, often one that has been handed down from generation to generation”. The Maryland State Arts Council presented the 7th annual Maryland Traditions 2013 ALTA (Achievement In Living Traditions & Arts) awards with the ALTA/TRADITION being OYSTER FRITTERS OF THE SHARPTOWN FIREMEN’S CARNIVAL presented by Cindy Byrd of the Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art.
According to the program, folk-life is cultural knowledge handed down from generation to generation through word of mouth or by example. The MSAC’s mission is to carry out the aim of sustaining living traditions. The SFDAUX oyster fritters won the ALTA/TRADITION award, followed by ALTA/PEOPLE award going to Wallace M. “Wally” Yater, a master blacksmith living in Boonsboro, MD and the ALTA/PLACE award given to Piscataway Homelands: People, Culture and Traditions, Native American tribes with their physical core in Prince George’s, St. Mary’s and Charles Counties. Other recipients of the TRADITION award have been Jousting, Swan Meadow School of Oakland, The Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival and the National Outdoor Show.
Entertainment was provided by The Sweet Heaven Kings. The refreshments were really, really good. Representing the Auxiliary on stage were: Current President – Chrystianna Gosnell, Charter Member Ivalee Wheatley, and fryer/mixer – Silva (Marva) Goslee whose relatives have been frying/mixing oyster fritters at the carnival for many, many years. Also representing the Auxiliary was: Edna Silvia, Eleanor Wootten, Kimmie Shaver, Peggy Shaver, Lou Forster, Kelly English, M J Marine and home-bound chaffer Lester Huss (destination driver Chrys Gosnell).
