SEBASTIAN — Hunkered down in the sand and buffeted by a brisk breeze, castaways from the 1715 Silver Plate Fleet are finding refuge in Riverview Park in Sebastian during the 11th annual Clambake and Indian River Lagoon Festival.
The “castaways” are members of the GFWC Sebastian Junior Woman’s Club, who retell the story of the fated fleet that was caught unawares by a hurricane on its way from Cuba to Spain – helping to establish this part of Florida’s coastline as the “Treasure Coast.”
More than 1,000 people died during the storm and subsequent wrecking. Of the 1,500 who survived the initial damage, many perished due to exposure, thirst and hunger.
Those few castaways who survived drew sustenance from the water – fish and clams – and from the land – key deer and hogs.
Sarah Eckert, a member of the Junior Woman’s Club, is one of several volunteers tending the camp during the three-day Clambake Festival.
A teacher by day, she’ll spend her hours at the festival regaling the curious onlookers with tales from the sea, including the castaways’ survival. The volunteers don’t play any particular role – instead creating their own characters based on the history.
“I think we’d all squabble over the best parts,” Eckert said, if they had real people to model themselves after.
As for how she intends to survive camp life for three days, Eckert was quick to say, “Grog! It’ll ward off the scurvy.”
“If you can’t survive this,” she said of volunteering in the camp, “you can’t survive the (Junior Woman’s) Club.”
Among the first to attend the Clambake Festival were Cynthia Hall and her daughter, 6-year-old Eleanor.
“We were hoping to see the flame come over,” Hall said, referring to the castaways’ tradition of bringing a torch from a spoil island across the lagoon to the park. With strong winds and choppy weather, the castaways opted to forgo the ritual.
The younger Hall said she was enjoying the festival, all the while perusing a nearby jewelry stand. “I’m just looking.”
For her mom, Cynthia, the one thing that keeps the family coming back to Clambake each year is the food and the festive atmosphere.
“The food is wonderful,” she said, noting that the linguine with clam sauce is the best.
Angie Petagno and her husband, Neil, drove from Port St. Lucie to attend the first day of the festival – a drive they’ve made every year for the last five.
They each had a serving of the steamed clams – with a side of butter.
“They’re delicious,” Angie said.
“Oh, yeah,” Neil added mid-bite.
Friday was the only day the Petagnoes were going to be able to attend the festival and planned to make the most of it. Before polishing off their steamed clams, Angie said they’d be ordering the fried clams, too.
As soon as the food booths opened at 2 p.m., the first two to generate long lines were the fried clams and the fried fish. Shortly thereafter, a long line formed for the steamed clams as well.
For those not interested in clams or fish, there are other options, including shrimp, pizza, sausage with onions and peppers, and hot dogs, along with assorted snacks such as popcorn and fries and sweets.
The Clambake Festival runs until 9 p.m. Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, and from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
Parking and admission are free – food and beverages are purchased using tickets for sale for $1 each.
