The North Shore’s waterfront hamlet where you go to play, see, shop and eat
The 34th Annual Oyster Festival, on Saturday, Oct. 14 and Sunday, Oct. 15, is a project of the Rotary Club of Oyster Bay, a part of Rotary International and a volunteer organization whose members embrace the motto of “service above self.”
Rotary Club volunteers produce the festival, which raises money directly to support local community organizations and Rotary projects through the Oyster Bay Charitable Fund, Inc. The festival also provides local nonprofit clubs and organizations a platform to raise their own funds through participation in the Thomas Reardon Memorial Food Court. In addition to showcasing the historic hamlet of Oyster Bay and the beauty of the waterfront, the Oyster Festival generates great economic impact.
More than 150 years ago, Theodore Roosevelt—the 26th President of the United States—was born to a wealthy family that summered in Oyster Bay not far from the waterfront property that today bears his name. Community leaders organized a parade to celebrate his 125th birthday, the roots of which became the Oyster Festival in 1983. Today the festival attracts more than 200,000 visitors annually and its success is attributed to the year-round dedication of members of the Rotary Club of Oyster Bay and its Long Island business community sponsors.
Join us as we welcome the return of the John J. Harvey fireboat, enjoy pirate treasure hunts, two stages of music for all ages, huge tents filled with handmade crafts, carnival rides and games, an exotic petting zoo and Chris Clark’s Bicycle Stunt Show. Visit Theodore Roosevelt Park’s turf field and participate in scheduled soccer, hockey, basketball and golf activities. And of course devour the freshest, most delicious oysters and seafood, all while supporting local charities.
One of the largest fundraisers of its kind, the Oyster Festival is a project of the Rotary Club of Oyster Bay and funded by the Oyster Bay Charitable Fund. Profits from all food court sales directly support the many participating local charities while the proceeds from carnival rides and merchandise sales are donated to additional charities supported by the Rotary throughout the year.
Admission is free. Parking is free. Most activities are free. A family friendly event, the Oyster Festival remains alcohol-free and pet-free (except for service animals).
The Rotary Club of Oyster Bay and the dedicated Oyster Festival team welcome you, and ask you to please safely enjoy all that the Festival has to offer. We hope that you’ll continue to join us for future festivals, as many do, and visit our quaint hamlet throughout the year.
