OYSTER FEST, NY — Oyster Bay welcomed thousands of visitors this weekend to soak up the festivities at its annual Oyster Fest event filled with shucking, singing, and shopping.
The festival kicked off on Saturday, featuring dozens of attractions like a Shucking contest, carnival rides including a Ferris wheel, axe throwing, a beer garden, countless local business vendors, and of course – seafood stands with oysters, shrimp, lobster rolls, lobster mac & cheese, and more mouth-watering bites.
Getting to the festival was the first step. Attendees could take a town-provided shuttle, try their luck at parking on nearby residential streets, or pay to park in designated lots, including one at the local firehouse.
Those making their way through downtown Oyster Bay were greeted by streets lined with tents selling everything from sausages, giant pickles, pretzels, boba tea, (free) lavender lemonade, and more.
Audrey Ave. was transformed into a hub for shopping, food, and family fun. Visitors grabbed a bite and a beer at Teddy's, browsed vendor tents of colorful jewelry, creative totes, and custom apparel, or stocked up on homemade bread, jams, and fresh eggs from an Amish chicken coop vendor.
Community organizations and volunteers also used Oyster Fest as a way to connect with visitors and raise awareness of their causes.
Vietnam veteran and Farmingdale resident Arturo Edwards was raising money for Help for Homeless Long Island Veterans Nonprofit Organization, a nonprofit organization supporting homeless veterans on Long Island.
Kids roamed the festival with ice cream in hand, with multiple ice cream trucks offering plenty of options. Others spun prize wheels at vendor booths or explored an inflatable corn maze.
There was something for book lovers, too. Theodore's Books offered children's books for purchase and an enter-to-win contest.
The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Public Library brought bins and a cart full of free books for readers of all ages. From fantasy romance to superhero novels, there were plenty of page-turners to discover.
As attendees continued through the streets, munching on fried pickles and maple whiskey pecans, they could catch live music onstage or watch country line dancers at the Coastal Cowgirl vendor booth.
And that was all before reaching Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park, where even more of the festival awaited along the North Shore waterfront.
Families took in the views of the North Shore waters as they enjoyed their lunches, and a clear, bluebird sky on Sunday.
For oyster lovers, the park was a must-stop. After making their way through crowds and live music, visitors could line up for six oysters for $20. Other seafood vendors served calamari and shrimp, while lobster roll fans could choose between hot rolls with butter or cold rolls with mayonnaise. Each roll cost $39.
Local craftsmanship was on full display at Oyster Fest, including Billy Reardon's woodworking. Reardon showcased his handmade creations, including birdhouses, highlighting the artistry and detail behind his work.
Earth & Clay Soaps offered natural soaps in a variety of scents, including chamomile, coffee and cream, and pumpkin spice. Meanwhile, The Groovy Cookie showcased its jumbo cookies with playful names, including In S'More Face and Chip Chip Hooray.
Freebies were scattered throughout the festival, too, with attendees picking up tote bags and pens, sampling True Honey tea, and trying caramelized almonds.
On Sunday, Frankie Moscatiello and Trystan Levesque represented the Savannah Bananas, greeting fans and handing out signed cards.
A Tesla robot and Cybertruck also drew attention, with visitors invited to paint on the vehicle.
After making the final lap, tote bags – and bellies – full, attendees could make their way through one more attraction: the amusement park.
Unlike a typical traveling carnival, the setup featured a larger selection of rides, including roller coasters and stomach-dropping attractions. Kids laughed excitedly as they rode, while others tried their luck at midway games, including basketball hoops and water-gun races.
Whether visitors tried oysters for the first time, returned for another taste, shopped local businesses, or challenged their fear of heights on the Ferris wheel, Oyster Fest offered a little something for everyone.
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