Inaugural Montauk Seafood Festival Launches This Weekend
Ahoy there, what’s that you say? The fishing capital of the East End and home to some of the best and freshest seafood on Long Island has never had a seafood festival? That wrong has now been righted, as the inaugural Montauk Seafood Festival will be held from September 21–22.
The Montauk Friends of Erin and the Kiwanis Club of East Hampton put their ideas together to offer a festival with a taste of seafood delicacies provided by several local restaurants, some swinging live music and fishing-related activities for adults and children.
The festival will be held under a big tent in the marina next to Lynn’s Hula Hut at 426 Westlake Drive.
“I find it really funny that no one has produced a seafood festival in this town until now,” says director Laura Mastandrea, who vouches that this fest will be the start of a yearly tradition. “It seems like such an obvious event for this town, as we have every other type of art fair and St. Patrick’s Day event. There are chowder fests, but this is a much broader type of event. Maybe everyone was waiting for someone else to produce one. We have already been getting fantastic feedback from the community and I’m sure this will be an annual event.”
Mastandrea says to expect wonderful shellfish and seafood such as lobster rolls, a raw seafood bar, seafood crepes and wontons, Ahi tuna sliders, sushi, ceviche, crab cakes, fish tacos and more from restaurants and caterers alike. Participating eateries include Montauk Pearls raw bar, 360 East, Sloppy Tuna, Atlantic Terrace Cafe, Hampton Seafood Co. Andrra, Sammy’s, Zakura, Bobby Vans, ENE Restaurant and Gurney’s Inn. There will be a burger/hot dog/corn grill for those who want more traditional fare, and the Purple Truck will be providing desserts with fresh and frozen fruit treats and key lime pops. To quaff is all down, there will be beverages from Pindar and Duckwalk Vineyards, Montauk Brewing Co. beer and Lynn’s Hula Hut signature tropical drinks.Live music will be provided by the 3Bs (classic rock), Timmy Fee and Remember September (both swinging country, jazz and blues).
Local Montauk fishing legends will host a Q&A on how to make your fishing experience even better, so get your questions ready about how big the one that got away really was. Featured anglers are Rick Etzel, who won the 2012 Grand Slam and Fishing Legend of the Year; Carl Darenberg, owner of the Montauk Marine Basin; and Ken Bouse, winner of Fishing Legend 2013, who has been out on the waters off Montauk as a commercial fisherman since 1952. Kids can make fish prints from real fish, enjoy goldfish racing, and there will be a pier Snapper Derby where kids are guaranteed to catch a fish and prizes will be awarded for biggest catch.
“This is going to be something really fun and special for Montauk,” says Mastandrea. “We hope everyone comes out to support our inaugural year.” The Montauk Seafood Festival is presented by Kiwanis Club of East Hampton & Montauk Friends of Erin. Sponsors include My Earth Water and the Montauk Sun. Proceeds will go to Meals on Wheels, Toys for Tots, Pediatric Trauma, and Montauk’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
For more information, visit montaukseafoodfestival.com. The festival will be held from noon–5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. Free admission, free parking. Space is available for boats at the basin, but please call 516-660-0100 to reserve.