Oyster Fest Returns To Long Island's North Shore This Weekend

OYSTER BAY — Time to get shucking — Oyster Fest is returning to Long Island's North Shore this weekend.

The 43rd annual festival will return to downtown Oyster Bay and Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park on Oct. 17 and 18.

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Sponsored by the Town of Oyster Bay and the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Chamber of Commerce, the event will feature food, crafts, rides, a seafood court, food trucks, and more, Supervisor Joseph Saladino said.

"The Oyster Fest showcases our beautiful Town and historic sites while helping to raise charitable funds for local non-profit organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Life Enrichment Center, Friends of the Bay and Youth and Family Counseling," he said.

The event will also feature oyster-eating and shucking contests, merchandise vendors, and other activities. Saladino also emphasized the importance of supporting local farmers and seafood harvesters.

"We're also putting the local oyster back in Oyster Fest, with oysters being served coming from Long Island growers and harvesters," Saladino said.

The festival is one of the largest waterfront festivals on the East Coast. Last year's event drew approximately 200,000 people.

Oyster Fest will again take part in the Town's shell recycling program. Each year, the festival produces several thousand pounds of shells, and the shells are all collected and recycled by the Town of Oyster Bay's Department of Environmental Resources, with the help of volunteers. Those interested in volunteering can contact the Town's Department of Environmental Resources at 516-677-5752 or by visiting their website.

From 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Sunday, one hour before the festival opens, there will be a special Sensory Friendly Family Hour. This event is sponsored by Sensory Island, and all rides will be open specifically for children with sensory sensitivities, the Town said.

There will also be players from Savannah Bananas to meet fans and sign autographs, along with a Kings of the Coast Pirate Show and live music.

Parking is limited, so the Town is encouraging residents to take a shuttle bus ride to the festival. The festival runs on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information about Oyster Fest can be found online.