By Mary Ann Bourbeau
HIGHLANDS – Young and old alike will be happy as clams when they discover all the food, entertainment and other fun events at the 22nd Annual Highlands Clamfest, sponsored by the Highlands Business Partnership.
The festival will take place Aug. 4-7 at Huddy Park on Bay and Waterwitch avenues. The free event drew between 20,000 and 30,000 people last year, who came to sample clams and other delicacies, grab a brew in the beer garden, take the kids on rides and listen to some great local bands.
“It’s a lot of fun,” said Diane Gunter, administrator of the Highlands Business Partnership. “We always get nice crowds.”
The Clamfest boasts a large food selection this year. Restaurants and food trucks include the Lusty Lobster, Havana Tropical, Gaetano’s, The Shrimp Man, Gyros To Go, Glazed and Confused Mini Donuts and Jonathan’s Harbor. Among the many food offerings are lobster rolls, roast clams, alligator sausage sandwiches, Cuban sandwiches, spiral potatoes on a stick, empanadas, fried calamari and shrimp, and the ever-popular fair food – zeppoles.
The Knights of Columbus will once again offer pulled pork and chicken, along with giant turkey legs. The Dude’s Mobile Foods, a food truck created to honor a character in the film, “The Big Lebowski,” will sell seafood offerings including shrimp cocktail and sautéed mussels.
“It’s a really cool truck,” said Gunter. “The guy even kind of looks like The Dude.”
The beer and wine garden will offer wines by Copa di Vino, Senor Sangria and a beer selection that includes Flying Fish Farmhouse Summer Ale and Sweetwater 420 and IPA.
“We have a bigger and better beer garden this year,” Gunter said.
The Clamfest’s entertainment kicks off on Thursday evening with music by Brian Kirk and the Jirks.
“I think they will bring a lot of people out on opening night,” Gunter said.
The Moroccan Sheepherders will play Friday night and opening the event on Saturday, as is tradition, will be the Highlands Community Singers performing “Happy as a Clam.” They will be followed by the Phil Engel Band, the Josh Zuckerman Band and The Jonzes. Sunday’s entertainment includes the Sam Sims Band and the Steel Rail Blues Band.
Music isn’t the only entertainment at Clamfest. There will be rides and games for the children and crafters and vendors for the adults. There will also be a baby costume contest, clam- shucking competition and clam-eating contest to see who can eat the most clams in five minutes. The goal is to break the previous record of 108 clams.
“Clamfest gets bigger and better every year,” Gunter said.
Hours are 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday; 6 to 11 p.m. Friday; noon to 11 p.m. Saturday; and noon to 8 p.m. Sunday. Admission and parking are free and the event will be held rain or shine. Pay- one-price bracelets can be purchased for use on Thursday or Sunday for $30.
Arts and entertainment writer Mary Ann Bourbeau can be reached at mbourbeau@tworivertimes.com or on Twitter @MaryAnnBourbeau.
