Carrying a ten-pound live lobster through a crowd and stopping as children drew around him, Sandy Hook Firefighter Rob Sibley displayed "Butter," who was being raffled during the second night of this year's annual LobsterFest.Part Of The Crowd

Among the many Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company members who also worked at this year's 29th Annual LobsterFest on Friday and Saturday, June 10 and 11, Mr Sibley was happy to welcome guests with raffles, tickets, cold beverages, and either a steak or lobster dinner. He also encouraged guests to buy a raffle ticket to win Butter, whose fate depended on the winner's whim to either cook him, or toss him back in the water. Fire Company Assistant Chief Anthony Capozziello was sure that the winner would rescue Butter, he said.

With more than a 30-minute wait in a line that wrapped around the side and behind the firehouse on Riverside Road Friday, sales rose to 1,025 lobster dinners that night, with weekend totals of roughly 1,800 lobster dinners and 700 pounds of rib-eye-steak dinners, according Mr Capozziello. As in the past, this year's LobsterFest served as a fundraiser for firehouse operating expenses, he said. Considering the weekend with its bands, outdoor bar and the bustle out back to boil and grill the many dinners served inside the firehouse bays, Mr Capozziello said, "This year went well."

Noting the block party-like atmosphere, he said, "It's great to see everyone, like a big town reunion." He and LobsterFest committee members "appreciate everyone's support," he said.

In addition to Mr Capozziello, the 29th LobsterFest Committee included Mike Burton, Ryan Clark, Ryan Piccirillo-Capozziello, Matt Dobson, and George Lockwood Jr.

Taking a picture of his wife, Jennifer, and daughter, Jillian, standing in front of a fire truck parked along Riverside Road was John Collins, motioning for them to stay still while he snapped a shot. Standing beside him was his son, Alex, who "loves fire trucks" he said. The Collinses, from Ridgefield, visit Newtown often and "never leave hungry," Mr Collins said.

Also posing for a picture with Mr Sibley and Butter were Nate and Michayl Wilford and Brandon Compo; the three children gawked at the lobster's size before smiling, while their parents took a photo.

Across the lot and climbing into the fire truck for a look at the busy instrument panel and to hold the steering wheel were Ben Raver and Lily Capener, who looked out the large windshield as if they were driving.

Behind the truck and leading into the firehouse was a long line of residents and guests, waiting to finally arrive at the serving tables. Anne Vogel steadied her plate as Sandy Hook Ladies Auxiliary member Debbie Aurelia Halstead placed a bright red lobster next to corn on the cob. Next to Ms Halstead was Danielle Spinelli, collecting dinner tickets. Like many others who have relatives in the fire company, Miss Spinelli has volunteered for LobsterFest weekend for at least ten years.

The weekend's real magic occurred in the lot behind the firehouse, where volunteers boiled up batches of lobsters and grilled steaks for the never-ending stream of guests. Fresh out of the pot, and passed through nimble hands along a stainless steel table to be set on trays, were dozens of lobsters. With gloved-hands, Richard Liska and Chris Padula lined up lobsters on a tray, ready for delivery to Ms Halstead and others working on the serving line.

At the head of that table were James Walsh and Quinn Fontaine, among those receiving lobsters fresh from the pot. Firefighters were quick with knives and nutcrackers, slicing open the tails of the crustaceans and putting an initial crack into each claw to make it easier for diners to pull the fresh cooked meat out of the crustaceans.

Behind that table, the team of Bill Shpunt, Richard Conrod and John Will repeatedly fed a steamer pot with huge trays of lobster. Working steadily, the three handled all of the cooking of the lobsters for the two-day event. In another nearby work station, Matt Dobson and George Lockwood Jr led those who took care of grilling up all of the event's steaks, hot dogs, and hamburgers.

Among those getting their dinner on Saturday were Jonathan and Barbara Spremullo, ready to sit down to dinner.

Inside one of the tents that had been set up for the weekend, Sue Shpunt danced to the band with her granddaughter Molly Fiorini. They were joined by a handful of young children who pulled a few adults into a dance area Saturday.

The weekend's entertainment included a return performance by Midnight Rodeo on Friday; and a debut LobsterFest performance, Saturday, by the Rubber City Blues Band. John Voket performed opening sets, serenading the dinner crowds for a few hours each night.

The 30th Annual Sandy Hook LobsterFest will be presented Friday and Saturday, June 9-10, 2017.