Oyster Festival Returns For 35th Year

Oyster Festival returns for its 35th year in October for a mix of family fun and dozens of oyster, clam and seafood dishes on the waterfront at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park in Oyster Bay.

Live music, tall ships, artisans, pirate shows, rides and an oyster-shucking-and-eating contest will be among the many attractions at the festival, which draws more than 200,000 visitors to Oyster Bay each year. It runs from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 13 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m on Sunday, Oct. 14 rain or shine.

Over at the food court, volunteer chefs and culinary pros alike work together, serving up a bounty of seafood fare. Oysters on the half shell, oyster stew, lobster bisques, grilled shrimp, seafood gumbo and soft shell crabs are just some of the offerings. And there are plenty of choices for those who don't eat seafood. The Food Court Guide can be found here.

Live entertainment will be featured on the Main Stage and West End Stage all weekend, including a Grucci fireworks show, and performances by Joe Magurne Band, The Mike Dorio Trio, Darlene Graham and more. The full schedules for the Main Stage and West End Stage performances are available.

Entertainment for children features carnival rides, a petting zoo, a butterfly exhibit and a pirate show. Youth sports clinics with the Long Island Nets, the Islanders, the New York City Football Club and Rough Riders will take place over the weekend.

More than 140 vendors wills set up shop at the Waterfront selling arts and crafts and various handmade items. Booth fees from the vendors support several charitable efforts by the Oyster Bay Rotary.

Festival goers can also stop by "Downtown USA" on Audrey Avenue to meet many of the local non-profits and store owners.

The Waterfront will offer free tours of the John J. Harvey 9/11 Fireboat at the West End Waterfront Pier. The retired fireboat was recalled to service by the FDNY on Sept. 11, 2001 and pumped water for 80 hours until water mains in lower Manhattan were restored to service. The vessel now serves as an operational museum and education center.

The Waterfront will also feature Christeen (the oldest surviving oyster sloop in America) and a replica of the historically significant Ida May oyster dredge.

Getting There: Arrive to the festival by road, rail or boat.

Via Train: Syosset Train Station from the Port Jefferson Line then take a free shuttle to the festival or take the Oyster Bay Line to be dropped off in the middle of the festival grounds. New expanded service is offered on the Oyster Bay and Port Jefferson lines. Redeem your LIRR pass for three raw oysters or a ride down the giant slide.

Via Car: Limited free parking and free shuttle bus service. Parking in the village of Oyster Bay is available, but limited. And there is free parking and shuttle service (from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.) from the following lots:

• Syosset Train Station—Syosset (Oyster Bay Road - also known as Jackson Avenue) and Underhill Boulevard, 1 mile North of Jericho Turnpike (Route 25)
• Vernon School - Rt. 106 in East Norwich
• Mill Max Mfg Parking Lot - Rt. 106 in Oyster Bay (lot closes at 6:30)
• The Equestrian Center - Rte. 106 between Rte. 25A and Muttontown Rd.
• Center Island Beach - Bayville Ave, Bayville

Via Boat: Those arriving by boat should OB Marine Center 516-624-2400 = VHF 71 or Sagamore Yacht Club 516-922-0555 = VHF 78A to reserve mooring or for further assistance.

Admission to the festival is free. The Oyster Festival serves as the Oyster Bay Rotary Club's project and is funded by the Oyster Bay Charitable Fund. Proceeds support several different local, nonprofit groups.

For more details about the rides, entertainment, food, attractions and transportation, visit the Oyster Festival website.

No pets or alcohol are allowed. View the festival rules here.

Images via Oyster Festival