For years Richmond.com's "Weekend Pick" has been dedicated to giving Richmonders a preview of the coolest event happening in town this weekend.

The Greek Festival, The Folk Festival, holiday events -- if it's cool and it's happening in Richmond then we profile it as the "Weekend Pick."

But this week we decided to do something a little different. Sure, there's plenty of cool stuff happening in Richmond this weekend, but hand's down, the coolest event is a short day-trip away.

I'm speaking, of course, of Richmonders favorite coastal festival, the Urbanna Oyster Festival.

Since 1957, Urbanna has celebrated the beloved bivalve that for years bolstered the town's local economy. And this weekend the town celebrates 51 years of celebrating the oyster with the 51st Urbanna Oyster Festival.

Best of all, the town and the festival are only an hour and a half drive from the River City.

It all starts on Friday with the crowning of the Oyster Festival Queen and Little Miss Spat and the Urbanna Oyster Festival Firemen's Parade. Young ladies and little girls alike compete for the honor of Queen and Miss Spat (baby oyster) based upon their work on a community project, an essay response, school grades and an interview.

On Saturday, visitors and locals alike can enjoy the Oyster Festival Parade, the festival's claim to fame. The parade features antique cars, elaborate floats, several marching bands, beauty queens and a Shriners contingency. You might also watch professional shuckers from across the state participate in an Oyster Shucking Contest.

Make time to visit the Oyster Festival Waterfront at the Urbanna Town Marina at Upton's Point and the Old Tobacco Warehouse, one of the oldest surviving tobacco mercantile structures in the United States. The waterfront will be open on Friday and Saturday.

Parents will be happy to note that there is a Children's Activity Corner, as well. Kids can unleash their creative fancies in a wide range of crafts, painting, sand-art and other activities. Stay tuned for fantastic puppet shows and jugglers, too.

The festival has a walking Pay-as-You-Go policy. Parking varies according to which side of town you park, ranging from $5 to $20. Handicapped parking will be made available but no shuttles will run that weekend.

For more information on this exciting annual event, visit www.urbannaoysterfestival.com.