The Oyster Festival has several contests for people to win, but the real winners are the community of Oyster Bay and the recipient of the funds raised that go to various charities. The Lions for instance work to benefit the blind and that includes donating to VetsDogs that provide guide dogs to wounded veterans.
But here are the big winners for 2011:
Paulette Gayle from Jamaica was the winner of the Oyster Eating Contest with 156 downed. Carlos Jaramillo came in second.
Congratulations to Steven Trcka of Milford, of CT who was the winner of the Oyster Shucking Contest with 41 shucked. Longtime winner David Mahnken of Melville came in second.
Add to those names, Isabelle Day, who at press time is believed to be from Oyster Bay was the winner of the raffle. She has not decided yet if she will take the car or the $15k.
As for the Whole Foods Best of the Food Court Contest: The Mill Neck Rod & Gun club again won first place for their fried oysters; Second Place went to the Oyster Bay High School Performing Arts Center for their pickle booth; Third Place was won by the Lions for their Oyster Stew.
Harlan Friedman, festival promoter (along with the ever cheerful and helpful Kerry Gillick-Goldberg) said he was especially glad the OBHS PAC won, since he is a graduate of OBHS and a music promoter.
He also was glad that the winners of the contest were from booths run by the groups themselves. There seems to be a lot of loyalty in Oyster Bay.
All is well. Another Oyster Festival is over. We would love to hear your comments too.
We can’t wait to see what surprises Oyster Festival 29 will give us. Maybe a mermaid parade?
– DFK.
