SEBASTIAN — The 1715 castaways arrived on the shore of the Indian River Lagoon at present-day Riverview Park, carrying a bayonet, a flag and a lantern. Welcoming them to Indian River County was Commission Chair Bob Solari and Clambake Foundation member Anjani Cirillo.
Castaways Teddy Hulse and Rob Messersmith traversed the walkway and two bridges to get to their sandy encampment, where they lit their bonfire and settled in for a long day.
To keep marauders at bay and to signal the official start of the Sebastian Clambake and Lagoon Festival, Messersmith periodically “lit” the cannon, resulting in a thunderous bang ringing out through the park.
Since 2002, the GFWC Junior Woman’s Club has been in charge of the Castaways’ camp.
Hulse said when the organization was approached about helping the festival, few options remained – the camp or a food booth.
“We’ll take the party place,” Hulse recalled saying, referring to the camp.
For 52 hours, at least two members or friends of the club will watch over the bonfire, sleeping overnight at the camp and braving the chill off the water. Tonight, they’ll have to fend off a low of 57 degree. Saturday will be a little warmer – 69 degrees, according to Weather.com.
The entire weekend is forecast to be pleasant – partly cloudy and in the mid- to high-70s.
Getting an early start to the 3-day clam festival was Vero Beach couple Ricky and Marie Watkins, who took advantage of their children being at school.
“This is date night,” Marie said.
“We’ll take what we can get,” agreed Ricky.
The couple has attended the Clambake Festival every year for the last four – simply for the food.
“The clam strips are absolutely the best,” Ricky said. Marie added that they’re so big they’re like chicken strips.
The couple knew instinctively that the festival was coming up, Ricky said, explaining that Marie mentioned it last night or the night before.
“I can feel it,” Marie said of her gut feeling the event was going to be happening soon. “I can taste the clams.”
The self-proclaimed fitness enthusiasts planned to burn through $40 worth of festival food while at the park.
To prepare, Marie said she worked out and had her run to help offset the intake of fried calories she knew she was going to consume.
While they planned to look around at the vendor booths and listen to the live music, they came out specifically for the clams and festival fare.
“For us, it’s all about the food,” Ricky said.
Friday kicks off the start of the 3-day Sebastian Clambake and Lagoon Festival at Riverview Park. Admission and parking are free while food and beverages can be “bought” with tickets purchased at various ticket booths – $1 each.
Friday continues with a Sebastian Police K-9 demonstration at 4:15 p.m. and dance contests at 7:15 p.m.
The last round of food will be cooked up at 8 p.m. with food served until gone. The festival closes for the night at 9 o’clock.
The clambake continues Saturday, early at 8:30 a.m. with a sand volleyball tournament. Food service starts at 10 a.m.
For a complete list of the festival’s events and more information, check out our special Clambake Festival section HERE.
