Montauk Seafood Festival Is September 13-14, 2014
The second annual Montauk Seafood Festival is coming to The End’s shores, running from noon to 5 p.m. on September 13 and 14. The popular event is likely to be going strong for years to come, but don’t miss this year’s culinary showcase and social gathering.
“This is finally the event that’s supposed to be in Montauk,” says Laura Mastandrea, director of the Montauk Seafood Festival. “The time has come for this to happen again, and it’ll be a longstanding event.”
When they presented the first annual Montauk Seafood Festival last September, the Kiwanis Club of East Hampton and Montauk Friends of Erin hoped to make the weekend-long event a recurring one. Now their wishes have been granted, along with the wishes of the many satisfied festival goers.
Mastandrea’s confidence in the event is backed up by figures. Mastandrea says that the East Hampton Police Department estimated 7,000 attendees on Saturday alone during the first year of the festival. She anticipates many more this time around.
“We are excited. The buzz is out there,” Mastandrea says. “We’ve had a lot of calls from people who are coming in by boat. Now the word is spreading outside of the South Fork.”
The inaugural festival was such a success that it’s coming back twice as big as before. Mastandrea notes that the presenters are happily expanding the physical presence of the festival in its second year.
The festival presenters are providing free ferry rides between the two large tents which will be set up at the Montauk Marine Basin, although walking off a large meal with a stroll between the tents is also an option for attendees. Last year, the festival had just one main area for its many attractions, but Mastandrea says increased demand meant that expansion was necessary.
Mastandrea adds that there will be children’s events, live music, tropical drinks and, of course, local seafood to enjoy.
Some of the family-friendly activities include a “snapper derby” and a Q&A session with local fishing legends.
The bands Remember September and the 3B’s will be reprising their musical performances, along with the groups Hopefully Forgiven and Liquid Phase.
Montauk Brewing Company, Pindar/Duckwalk Winery and the nearby Lynn’s Hula Hut will provide beverages throughout the day.
Last fall, the festival sold out of tuna tartare wontons—twice. Lobster burgers and seafood crepes were also favorites and they will be returning in mouthwatering ways this year. Local chefs will also show off their chops with new creations—such as delicacies made with octopus.
The chance to sample so many seafood options in one place is priceless, yet admission, parking and the ferry service are all free to the public.
Furthermore, the proceeds from festival sales are collected by the presenters and used to fund more local events and charities.
“I hope you get to make it down because you get to see the full force of the Montauk sea’s bounty, and everyone’s so happy,” Mastandrea says.
For more details and information, visit montaukseafoodfestival.com.