Oktoberfest At The Oysterfest

There was an incredible variety of vendors, selling everything from clothes and jewelry to herbs, soaps, and birdhouses. But the real highlight was the food vendors. There were so many different options, with very few repeats, so there’s no way you’ll leave hungry. I started at Ralphie's, who had two food truck booths. I ordered the seafood combo, and it was perfection—fried and grilled scallops and shrimp, absolutely delicious! After that, we wandered over to the soft shell crab booth—so tasty! We took a break by the band playing on the beach, enjoying the beautiful view and great music. More walking followed, and then I decided to grab some bananas foster and a refreshing lemonade. Wait, are those bat houses? Awesome! Oh, is that a birdhouse with a clear side? I’ll take it! Dad, hold on! I want to get a Lobster Banh Mi before we leave! Wow, why does it feel like we parked so far away now?! Is that a hill we have to climb? Who placed that there?! LOL. Of course, we had to stop for some oysters on the half shell to keep our energy up for the walk back to the car. LOL. It truly was a perfect family day out! Don't forget to bring the kids—there are rides too! It’s a blast!

I focused mainly on the ocean offerings, enjoying some New England clam chowder, a fish po’boy, and fried oysters. Each dish was tasty and reasonably priced. However, the lobster bisque my mother ordered didn’t meet the same standard; it was $15 for a small cup of mediocre soup. I’ve had better for less at many locations on Long Island, so we’ll call that an exception in terms of the available food. After all, it’s not a lobster festival! In addition to the food, there are plenty of other edible treats scattered among the vendor tents, including oils, dips, salsas, cookies, candies, and kettle corn. Plus, there’s a wide array of arts and crafts, jewelry, and paintings to enjoy. And once you’ve checked out all the vendors, you can have some fun at the free petting zoo, tour the fire boat docked nearby, listen to live music, or take in some beautiful views of the bay along the North Shore beaches. There’s even an amusement park section for families looking for excitement beyond just shopping and eating. Overall, the Oyster Festival in Oyster Bay is definitely worth experiencing. Although some of the food didn’t quite live up to expectations in terms of flavor and pricing, I still rate this event 4.5 stars. So, don’t worry about needing to profess your love for oysters; this is a festival that everyone can enjoy, no matter what you choose to eat!

This was one of the largest and best festivals I've ever attended, and I've been to many! This year, they truly outdid themselves. With so many food stands to choose from, it felt like a kid in a candy store—overwhelming but exciting! Everything I tried was absolutely delicious. They offered fresh oysters and clams, prepared just the way you like them, as well as steamed mussels and sweet corn on the cob slathered in butter—truly excellent choices. There were also plenty of craft tents filled with a variety of unique items. To top it off, a couple of great bands were playing lovely music. I am definitely looking forward to returning next year!

As for parking, it can be a challenge. We parked for free at a nearby train station and took the shuttle buses to the festival. When we arrived at 10:30 AM (the festival starts at 11:00 AM), the shuttle line was already around 30 people long. We waited for two buses before finding seats, reaching the festival at 11:30 AM. Be assured that shuttles run frequently throughout the day. As for crowds and seating, if you arrive before 1 PM, the lines are significantly shorter, though there will still be a fair number of people. For instance, the line for the raw oyster stand took about ten minutes at one point (with about 40-50 people ahead of us), while when we left around 1:00-2:00 PM, the wait was roughly 30 minutes (with about 100-200 people in line). However, the lines move quickly despite the chaos. There are about 30 tables near the stage, but be prepared for loud music if you manage to snag a spot. In terms of food and pricing, oysters have seen a price increase, now at $15 for 5 oysters compared to $12 before the pandemic. That said, they were delicious and fresh from Connecticut, shucked right on-site. Juicy and flavorful, with condiments available. We even found a little crab sharing our oysters, as is tradition! The turkey leg, priced at around $12, was gigantic, juicy, tender, and worth every penny. The potato twister, which we estimated to be $9, made for a fun side, although there wasn't a lot of food, it was impressive to look at. Wild Bill’s old-fashioned soda pop offers a mug for $25-$35, allowing for unlimited daily refills. The cream soda tastes just like sweet orange creamsicles—delicious but messy. There’s an additional $12 (if I remember correctly) for a rubber lid and straw. The market area is extensive and packed with artisan crafts, including art pieces and beer-related items. There are many outdoor booths providing information about conservation, as well as a petting tank featuring whelks, horseshoe crabs, and spider crabs. There's also an amusement park nearby, and I heard they have a pirate ship to boot, along with boats creating a water show. As for restrooms, there are clusters of porta-potties, but the more convenient ones near the entrance were quite dirty and crowded. However, a large group of porta-potties towards the back had foot pump sinks and were much cleaner and spacious. In summary, be ready for pricey food typical of fairs, a variety of artisan crafts, an amusement park nearby, and make sure to read the parking tips and use the shuttle. Arriving early is definitely advisable!

The food and drinks were fantastic! There was a wide variety of vendors to choose from. I thoroughly enjoyed everything I tried.