By Mike Busch

Blue Island Oyster Company hosted its 2nd annual oyster festival on their property at the edge of the Great South Bay in West Sayville on Saturday.

The weather and nautical location were ideal for the sold out event with over 500 in attendance.

This year was bigger and better than last year with two massive tents, one offering fresh oysters and clams from 1o different oyster farmers and the other with live music and food from 10 local restaurants!

Proceeds from the sold-out event supported two advocacy groups working together to protect the Great South Bay:  Operation Blue Earth  and Save the Great South Bay.

Blue Point Brewing Company donated beer, with tastings from:

  • Catch Oyster Bar & Grill
  • Claws Seafood Market
  • Kingston’s Clam Bar
  • Off the Block Kitchen & Meats
  • South Shore Dive
  • Blue Island Oyster Bar – Denver
  • The Brixton
  • Toro Tapas & Tequila
  • Swell Taco
  • Cornucopia Natural Market
Other sponsors included:
– Subtle Tea – Donated by The Subtle Tea
– Boxed Water – Donated by Boxed Water is Better
– Proud Pour Wine – Donated by Blue Island Oyster Co.
– Naked Cowboy Wine – Donated by Naked Winery
The crowd was entertained by Soundswell & The Lisa Polizzi Band that both performed under the big tent.
Blue Island also arranged for the Shinnecock Bay Restoration Program to collect all the used oyster shells and Boxed Water to reduce plastic waste.

The Naked Cowboy also showed up as a tribute to Blue Island’s Naked Cowboy Oysters.

More images on pages 2, 3 and 4!