Oyster Festival - Oct 18th & 19th

charliesgirl Posted: Oct 09, 2003 09:31 AM

Oyster Festival - Oct 18th & 19th

What is this? I saw a flyer for the festival on the LIRR tthis morning. What goes on?

jenny2penny Posted: Oct 09, 2003 09:43 AM

Re: Oyster Festival - Oct 18th & 19th

This is likethe 20th annual. There have oysters It's a town festival, gets crowded usually.

Teri Posted: Oct 09, 2003 09:51 AM

Re: Oyster Festival - Oct 18th & 19th

This used to be really fun, but I think one year people got too crazy with drinking and they tried to ban alcohol? I heard this year, you can drink, but not in the street like you could in the past - you have to stay in the bars.

But either way it's fun - lots of craft booths, great food, etc. It just gets PACKED!!!

kelly6273 Posted: Oct 09, 2003 09:54 AM

Re: Oyster Festival - Oct 18th & 19th

I love this festival, but I'm really sad that you can't drink outside there anymore.

trixie Posted: Oct 09, 2003 09:55 AM

Re: Oyster Festival - Oct 18th & 19th

I heard a rumor that its being moved also. Not going to be in the streets, but in the lot by the water or something.
It's usually a lot of fun...

Yeah some folks get pretty rowdy.. there was almost a fight in front of me once, when one guy bumped into another while waiting for the bus. I remember when they tried to ban alcohol. My ex stepfather is with the masons there and they had to serve virgin daquieris and pina coladas at their booth. (now its the beer garden)

tanbride Posted: Oct 09, 2003 10:24 AM

Re: Oyster Festival - Oct 18th & 19th

I am from OysterBay and by far, this is my favorite weekend of the year! It's true that in years past it was packed and crazy with people drinking in the streets - last year was the first year there was NO alcohol allowed on the streets. They have an Oyster-shucking contest, vendors with arts and crafts, rides/games for kids and the food is great - everything from oysters and clams to hamgburgs, steak sandwhichs and corn on the cob! The bars get packed especially since you can't drink outside anymore. If you want to check, check out The Homested!

This is the first year they are moving it to the beach so we shall see how good it is - if it's good weather, it's not to be missed!

bridget&jimmy Posted: Oct 09, 2003 10:30 AM

Re: Oyster Festival - Oct 18th & 19th

Could someone tell me how to get there?

Bridget

tanbride Posted: Oct 09, 2003 10:41 AM

Re: Oyster Festival - Oct 18th & 19th

Bridget- just take the LIE to Exit 41 -Route 106 North Oyster Bay or the Nothern State Parkway to Exit 35 North - Route 106N, Oyster Bay - follow signs for Oyster Bay for appoximately 6-7 miles into the Village of Osyter Bay - Route 106N becomes Main Street and look for signs for festival parking.

charliesgirl Posted: Oct 09, 2003 12:10 PM

Re: Oyster Festival - Oct 18th & 19th

Thanks girlies for the info. Maybe me and the hubby will check it out.

CherylBooch Posted: Oct 09, 2003 01:18 PM

Re: Oyster Festival - Oct 18th & 19th

Be prepared if you are driving!
Last year Sat. wasn't so bad b.c the weather wasn't that great, but on Sunday the traffic was SOOOO bad (hours worth) several of my friends got so fed up they turned around

Diane Posted: Oct 09, 2003 02:59 PM

Re: Oyster Festival - Oct 18th & 19th

We go every year

Wendy Posted: Oct 09, 2003 06:03 PM

Re: Oyster Festival - Oct 18th & 19th

I also live in Oyster Bay and this is my least favorite weekend of the year!!! Since they have changed the location from in the town itself to the beach area hopefully it will be better. Also I am thrilled they have stopped the drinking. We have some friends who live a little closer to the area it is held in and every year they would have to chase people away from their yard who were urinating in the bushes!

It is an experience and if you haven't gone you should, but please do the residents a favor and take the shuttle buses that will be available at the Syosset train station. You can park there and they will bus you to OB. It saves you from trying to find a space to park in and saves us from not being able to get to our house!! Thanks!~

Jenn524 Posted: Oct 09, 2003 06:49 PM

Re: Oyster Festival - Oct 18th & 19th

I grew up in Oyster Bay so to me this really marks when fall begins and Christmas being right around the corner. I love the Oyster Fest. Not sure if I like that they are changing the location of it. Yeah it stinks for people who live there, but you're only talking about 2 days out of the year. I know parking is awful. I know the residents have to deal with traffic, but IMO for the one time a year they do it, it's worth it. For the amount of money it brings into the town, I think it should be left the way it was. And the no drinking thing is stupid. Instead of punishing everyone, why not get more cops on the scene or actually make bars cut people off.

That's just my 2 cents. I say leave the Oyster Fest the way it was. It's a tradition for people and I don't like messing with traditions.

Maribelle7777 Posted: Oct 09, 2003 07:00 PM

Re: Oyster Festival - Oct 18th & 19th

Where is it?

chmlengr Posted: Oct 09, 2003 10:50 PM

Re: Oyster Festival - Oct 18th & 19th

I live in East Norwich, just down the road from Oyster Bay. We've gone to the Festival the past three years and really enjoyed it. But it is very crowded. We parked our car at the local school by our house and took a shuttle bus there. Much easier than trying to find parking. They also have shuttle buses from the LIRR Syosset station.

Off topic, but...

Anyone going to the festival in Huntington this weekend?