Thirty-five years ago, what started out as a humble fundraiser for Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company's golden anniversary is now a bustling annual tradition. This year, on June 7 and 8, the members of the company — assisted by dozens of additional family members, friends and other volunteer — served 2,040 lobsters and 770 steaks. Between the two nights, there were no less than 3,000 people in attendance. They enjoyed a raw seafood bar, their choices of lobster, steak, hambuger and hot dog entrees, a cocktail bar, and live music.

SHVFR Deputy Chief Ryan Clark said it takes “around 100 volunteers each night to pull off a smooth event.

“While most of the help comes from our membership and our Ladies Auxiliary, we are lucky to have many neighboring departments that send help, as well as friends and family of the department,” he added. Clark is a member, along with SHVFR Chief Anthony Cappozziello, and fellow company members Matt Dobson, George Lockwood Jr and Jeff Thomas, of the current LobsterFest Committee.

LobsterFest is SHVFR’s biggest fundraising event of the year, which is evident by how much planning goes into the event.

“The minute the event is over we begin planning for the next one,” Clark stated. “The volume of people that attend has increased significantly since I joined … I’ve been with the fire department for 19 years.”

The first LobsterFest in 1988 was a celebration of the fire company’s 50th anniversary and served as a fundraiser, as it still does, to assist in acquiring equipment, gear, and other needs. Clark detailed that the money goes “towards vital needs such as apparatus payments, our mortgage and building improvements.”

SHVFR Chief Anthony Capozziello said the event helps his company “with having the wonderful equipment that we have to help serve and protect the community."

THe two-day event is also a huge social event, he said.

“A lot of the town residents almost think of it as a big town reunion … I’ve been getting a lot of people that are new to town that went to the LobsterFest and have really enjoyed it and said they’ll definitely be going back next year.”

Clark echoed this saying, “[LobsterFest is] a block party for the community. I think the popularity we see is centered around the residents looking for a fun, family friendly event for a good cause.”

SHVFR is grateful, the officers said, for the support they see each year, between to-go dinners, people who come just for the fun of it, and those who come just to eat.

“It’s great to see everyone support us,” Capozziello said.

Clark expressed his gratitude to the community saying, “We truly would not be able to provide the level of service we do without the support of the community at events like this one.”

=====

Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.