Montauk-Based Eateries Converging In “The End” For Seafood Feast

The weekend that seafood fans have been waiting for is about to arrive.

The 6th annual Montauk Seafood Festival, presented by MTK Friends of Erin and The Kiwanis of East Hampton, will offer back-to-back afternoons of culinary treats on Saturday, September 8 and Sunday, September 9 under the big tent on the great lawn at Gurney’s Montauk Yacht Club.

“It’s right on the lake so the view is beautiful. We’re going to have a tent set up for people to dine inside and tables set up outside for dining as well,” Ken Giustino of the Montauk Seafood Festival noted. “The MTK Friends of Erin and Kiwanis are going to do their usual BBQ. They’re also going to set up a special table for clams on the half shell -they’re five for $5 – just a dollar each, which is a pretty good deal.”

Thousands of festivalgoers will enjoy signature bites from Montauk-based eateries that include Duryea’s, Muse @ The End, The Market, Gurney’s Montauk Yacht Club, Tauk at Trails End, Shagwong, Sloppy Tuna, John’s Drive-In, Ruschmeyer’s, Westlake Fish House, Gringo’s Burrito Grill, Wave Crave, South Edison, and more. For those who aren’t particularly fond of shellfish, there will also be burgers, hot dogs, sweets, and more.

In addition to the seafood feast, there will be goldfish racing, crab racing, henna graphics by Eakta, corn hole, drip painting with Joyce Raimondo, an ocean petting zoo, and more. This year’s live music will feature Liquid Phase and Joe Coss, as well as The 3 B’s.

“For the kids, there’s going to be a giant shark that kids can interact with – it’s not a real shark – there’s a shark cage and kids usually climb up and their parents take pictures,” Giustino shared. “There’s going to be painting, hula hooping, henna tattoos, goldfish racing. So there’s a lot of activities for children. Also, John’s Drive-In Ice Cream Truck will be there.”

And it’s not all about the eats. Sips from Montauk Brewing Company, Copa Wine, Lipton Iced Tea, Manhattan Beer, Pepsi, Blue Moon, Coors, and more will be available.

“The Hampton Hopper is going to circle the Harbor, picking people up and dropping them off for free. You can park anywhere in the Harbor and the bus will continually loop and pick people up for no charge,” Giustino explained.

For those coming from further West, you can actually hitch a ride all the way out to Montauk. “They’re actually coming in from Hampton Bays so for $5 they’ll bring people to Montauk,” he added. “They’re also going to stop in Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Amagansett on the way in. The schedule is on Facebook.”

The 6th annual Montauk Seafood Festival will take place from 12 to 5 p.m. on both days.

Admission is $2, which will support Toys for Tots, Pediatric Trauma, Montauk’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, scholarships for local students and more. There is no entry fee for children under 12-years-old.

Gurney’s Montauk Yacht Club is located at 32 Star Island Road in Montauk. For more information, visit www.montaukseafoodfestival.com.