Kiwanis Club Of Greater Westhampton’s Annual Oyster Festival Returning Over Columbus Day Weekend

Did you know that approximately two billion pounds of oysters are consumed each year? The Kiwanis Club of Greater Westhampton is looking to boost that astonishing statistic during its yearly Oyster Festival, which will take place on Saturday, October 8th at the Village Marina in Westhampton Beach.

“This is our 5th Annual Westhampton Beach Oyster Festival,” noted Greg Menegio, Kiwanis of Greater Westhampton President. “It benefits programs that service families and children served by out Kiwanis Club. There are lots of great things to do – both for adults and kids.”

From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Festival will highlight tasty seafood, with an emphasis on oysters, of course, BBQ, craft beer, domestic beer and wine, live music, entertainment for all ages and more.

Master shuckers can show off their skills by entering the Oyster Shucking Competition, which begins at 2:30 p.m. Contenders must arrive by 2 p.m. and bring their own shucking knife. Several other riveting competitions will follow at 3 p.m.

Chowder connoisseurs can use their fine palate to help determine which East End eatery makes the best New England Clam Chowder during a Chowder Competition that will take place from 2 to 3 p.m. CowFish Hampton Bays, Shuckers, Cor-J Seafood, Sherin’s Seafood Market and Sydney’s Taylor Made Cuisine will all be competing for top honors. In addition to the Chowder Contest, other local restaurants providing bites include Justin’s Chop Shop and the New Moon Cafe.

Kings of the Coast – “a boisterous crew of scoundrels reveling in the history, fact, and fiction of the Golden Age of Piracy” – will put on an unforgettable Pirate Show at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. After meeting the rowdy crew, if you decide that a pirate’s life is for you and you sign the “Articles of Agreement,” a sword fighting lesson might just ensue.

Kings of the Coast will present a duo of Pirate Shows. (Photo: www.facebook.com)

Activities geared towards little ones include a performances from Jester Jim at 1 p.m. and he’ll be sticking around to captivate the crowd with juggling tricks, professional face painting from 1 to 3 p.m., pumpkin painting, bounce houses, obstacle courses, slides, and the pièce de résistance – a big pile of hay. If you have a little one whose taste buds haven’t quite warmed up to seafood yet, hot dogs, cotton candy and ice cream will also be available.

The Festival’s music will kick-off with IslandWide Disc Jockeys featuring DJ Bill at 10 a.m. 2015 WEHM Real Band Battle Winner Sir Cadian Rhythm will follow at 1 p.m., Southern rock band Yankee Rebel is up next at 3:30 p.m., and IslandWide Disc Jockeys featuring DJ Bill is back at 5 p.m.

As for craft brews, you can try Dogfish Head Craft Brewery’s 60-Minute IPA, Greenport Harbor Brewing Company’s Leaf Pile and Blue Point Brewing Company’s Octoberfest.

Admission to the 5th Annual Westhampton Beach Oyster Festival is free, but the Kiwanis Club of Greater Westhampton would greatly appreciate a suggested donation of $5 per person or $20 per family. There are additional fees to sample the chowder contests, as well as for face and pumpkin painting and food and drinks. Proceeds from the Festival will support the programs serving children and families that are sponsored by the Kiwanis Club.

For more information, visit www.whboysterfest.com.