Volunteers, vendors still welcome to participate in Clambake Festival

By Debbie Carson, Online Editor

SEBASTIAN — The days are winding down to this year’s Sebastian Clambake Festival and organizers are gearing up for more volunteers and vendors.

“We always need help here and there,” said Clambake Festival Chairwoman Anjani Cirillo.

Volunteers will be needed to help man the various non-profit booths and keep the activities running on schedule.

Vendors, too, are still welcome to register for space at Riverview Park over the course of the 3-day festival in November.

Cirillo said that she expects vendors to continue registering right up to the start of the Clambake Festival, which runs Nov. 6 through 8.

Already, there are about 80 vendors registered, according to Cirillo. The last Clambake boasted 90 vendors.

The festival this year will benefit six non-profit groups, which include VFW Post 10210, the Sebastian Sharks Youth Football & Cheerleading Association, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Indian River County, By the River (Senior Housing), Professional Animal World’s H.A.L.O. Rescue and the Sebastian Soccer Association.

Cirillo said that the festival’s goal this year is to raise $60,000, which would be divvied up equally amongst the non-profits.

And while organizers say they have a handle on the event – the food, entertainment and activities – there is one aspect that they have no control over.

“We’re praying for good weather,” Cirillo said, adding that organizers are asking everyone to do the same.

There is no backup plan should the weather turn bad.

“There’s no way,” Cirillo said.

The three-day festival consists of arts and crafts vendors, a boat show, history lessons, yoga and martial arts demonstrations, a “wacky” raft race, a kayak poker run, and even an equestrian exhibition.

There will also be a chowder cook-off competition and an auction of the chowder by County Commission Chairman Wesley Davis.

Live entertainment offerings include Art Harris and the Z-Tones, The Billy Lee Soul Revue, The Last Chance Band, The Usual Suspects, The Bone Dogs, The Paddy O’Furniture Jazz Band, and the Blue Fusion Band.

Cirillo said that the festival – in her opinion – is “the premiere family friendly” event of the county.

To that end, the festival includes a children’s zone where kids can have their faces painted, see a nature exhibit, partake in a butterfly show, ride a pony, cool off with a water balloon toss, and burn off energy with races, a soccer clinic, bounce houses, rock climbing and other games.

“It’s just a huge, huge undertaking,” Cirillo said, adding that it is all done through volunteers.

Anyone wishing to help the Clambake Festival by volunteering is encouraged to call Anjani Cirillo at (772) 473-4144.

For more information, visit www.SebastianClambake.org.

The Sebastian Clambake Foundation, Inc. is a non-profit corporation consisting of area public service organizations and supported by the Sebastian business community.

Funds raised through the festival have gone to help the Boys and Girls Club in Sebastian, the Senior Resource Association, By the River Affordable Senior Housing Facility, and the Sebastian Soccer Association.

The festival has also benefited the City of Sebastian by generating fund to improve lighting at Riverview Park.

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