Wellfleet OysterFest - The Show Will Go On!
Safety Measures in Place to Ensure Public Health
 
OysterFest 2015 Photo credit: Willam Pomeroy

(Wellfleet, Mass....October 13, 2016) The 16th annual Wellfleet OysterFest, produced by Wellfleet SPAT (Shellfish Promotion and Tasting, Inc.), will be held this weekend, October 15 and 16 from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day.
 
Due to a public health concern with shellfish in Wellfleet's harbor - and in response to a closure issued by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (Mass. DMF) - SPAT has decided not to serve any raw shellfish at this year's festival. The closure is not related to recent closures due to "ASP" nor is it Vibrio-related. The annual Shuck Off will go on with oysters sourced from outside, open shellfish areas.
 
"Public safety has always been our top priority, whether it be in crowd management or health issues," says Wellfleet SPAT board member Alex Hay, who is also an owner of Wellfleet Shellfish Company, which chills and certifies all raw shellfish served at the festival following state regulations. "Not only is public safety our main concern, it is also in the seafood industry's best interest, the town's best interest and the Wellfleet brand's best interest."
 
"This is just one year of the 'Fest and what we care about most is running a safe and fun festival," says Michele Insley, executive director SPAT. "We also value the long-term sustainability of our town's second highest revenue producer, shellfishing, so we are erring on the side of caution."
 
While the OysterFest is famous for its namesake bivalve, food vendors at the event are dishing out a lot of other tasty treats. Try conch fritters, pumpkin bisque, fish tacos, roasted sweet corn, savory crepes, steamed mussels and even barbecue.
 
Attendees can also enjoy stunning range of arts and crafts, groove to live music by local performers, sip New England-made beers and wines and improve their knowledge through educational talks, panel discussions and film screenings presented by top experts in the marine sciences on current research and issues that affect our environment. And of course, the OysterFest's most popular event, the Shuck Off contest, will go on as planned with the preliminary round on Saturday and the final on Sunday, both are at 1 p.m. Oysters from other towns that are open will be used.
 
Tickets to the Wellfleet OysterFest are on sale now. Ticket prices are $10 per day and children 12 and under are free. Click here to purchase tickets.
 
Support our Sponsors

 
The 'Fest is supporting by many generous sponsors without which the 'Fest would not be possible. Please help the businesses who support the 'Fest by giving them your business!   Whole Foods MarketBoston Beer Pro EventWellfleet Shellfish CompanyMA Frazier EnterprisesOcean Conservancy My Generation SolarCape Cod Five Cent Savings Bank, Seaside Pop Popcorn,   Cape Fishermen's Supply,   R Murphy Knives
The Boston GlobeCricket Wireless and Truro Vineyards. Special thanks to  the Town of Wellfleet for their partnership. 


 
SPAT - Protecting & Sustaining Our Shellfish Industry

The Wellfleet OysterFest® is produced by non-profit organization Wellfleet SPAT, Shellfish Promotion and Tasting, Inc.  SPAT is devoted to sustaining Wellfleet's shellfishing and aquaculture industries. Even the name honors the oyster. The acronym SPAT is also the name for a newly attached baby oyster.

Proceeds from the 'Fest fund the organization's educational mission which includes a college scholarship program, community grant awards and initiatives to help the shellfishing industry. To date, SPAT has reinvested more than $380,000 back in the local community.

Wellfleet SPAT

P.O. Box 2156

Wellfleet, MA 02667

wellfleetoysterfest.org