Once Again, LobsterFest Briefly

Transforms Sandy Hook Into A Shore Town

Members, friends, and family of Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company served more than 1,630 lobsters and hundreds of pounds of steak last weekend, when the fire company hosted its 22nd Annual LobsterFest.

Diners were treated to lobster or steak dinners (or, if they chose, diners were welcome to purchase tickets that gave them any combination of lobster and/or steak), with sides of homemade chowder, corn on the cob, bakery rolls, and potato salad. Hot dog and hamburger meals were also available, and a raw bar kept Bob Nute, Jim Webb, and Jeff Marquis shucking clams — then served on the half shell or steamed — and serving shrimp by the dozen both nights.

Karin Halstead and Anthony Capozziello co-chaired the event, which ran for four hours on Friday, June 5, and then for six hours on Saturday, June 6. A DJ kept the party going on Friday night, and then Keltic Kick brought in their talent to turn the dinner hour into a few hours of celebration on Saturday.

Following tradition, the fire company raffled off a pair of ten-pound lobsters and Sandy Hook residents were the winners this year. Stacy DeJulio won Friday’s offering, which was cooked up for her on Saturday, and Saturday’s big lobster went to Tom Capozziello, who picked up his shellfish the following morning. A 50-50 raffle was a great success, with the winner of that contest taking home $865.

Rain kept some of the crowds away on Friday afternoon and evening, but a sunny Saturday brought folks out in droves. After a slow opening for the early birds, the serving line was kept steadily busy from 5 pm on once diners began lining up on Saturday. Lines reached out the bay, across the driveway and well into the company’s back parking lot most of the night.

Proceeds from LobsterFest benefit the budget of the all-volunteer fire company.