SEBASTIAN – Thousands of people will descend on Riverview Park starting today in search of thousands more of clams.
The annual Sebastian Clambake and Lagoon Festival kicks off this afternoon at 1:30 p.m. with the Castaway’s Survivors Landing and Bonfire Lighting. The festival runs Friday through Sunday and typically attracts tens of thousands of people to the city hungry for steamed, fried, and even chowdered clams.
Clams aren’t the only thing on the menu, though. There will also be fried fish, shrimp, hot dogs, pizza and sausages.
New to the menu this year are desserts – a little something sweet to cleanse the palate after a day of gorging on clams.
Along with desserts, Clambake organizers have added a few new activities to the three-day event.
The new recruits include a motorcycle show, the Bluffers Olympics, even more demonstrations than last year.
The Bluffer’s Olympics will be held Saturday afternoon and is open to everyone. Teams will try to convince others that the lie they’re telling is really the truth.
Clambake Foundation chair Anjani Cirillo said that the historic reenactment and telling of the 1715 castaways will be a bit different this year.
“It’s a big deal this year,” Cirillo told VeroNews.com last month. “I can’t tell you what it is or it will ruin the surprise.”
Every year, the festival wraps up with the Clam Chowder Cook-Off. Anyone interested in entering their chowder have until 12:30 p.m. Sunday to register at the gazebo in Riverview Park.
Of course, the Clambake Festival would not be complete without its signature Clam Chowder Cook-Off.
There is no cost to enter the cook-off and cash prizes will be awarded to the best chowder creators.
After the contest, County Commissioner – and auctioneer – Wesley Davis will auction off the entries to the highest bidders.
Admission and parking are free, though food, drinks and other refreshments will be available.
Who gets what:
Sebastian Little League – $10,000 to renovate the group’s concession stand and add lightning detectors
By the River – $7,920 for the installation of screen porches at their Senior Housing Project.
The remainder divided as follows:
SRHS Rowing Club – 60% for phase 1 of their boathouse
American Legion – 40% for clubhouse renovations
When to Clam-up
Nov. 5 – 2 to 9 p.m.
Nov. 6 – 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Nov. 7 – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.