Want some oysters? Come on down to Long Beach

Oysters anyone?

Across the island and in numerous communities, oyster fests are a big deal. Of course, the big one that most people think of is the Oyster Festival in Oyster Bay each year. But Long Beach has a big one of its own, and it’s coming up soon.

About 10 years ago, Long Beach resident Terence Mulligan took a trip to the festival in Oyster Bay. He waited nearly 45 minutes to get some oysters. That made him think two things: that’s too long to wait and it’s a great event.

So, he created one in Long Beach.

“One of the cool things about the oyster festival is that it’s always been about beer, music and oysters,” Mulligan said. “It obviously primarily focuses on the oysters, though. We work with three local oyster farmers.”

He said getting oysters from three different farmers makes the Long Beach fest unique. It helps draw in people from other areas as well, such as Oceanside, Island Park, the Five Towns and more. Something else that makes this specific fest unique is a partnership with the Town of Hempstead Shellfish Hatchery.

“The Town of Hempstead is proud to partner with the Long Beach Oyster Festival in recycling oyster shells for the purpose of returning them to the ocean. It’s a fascinating process that is handled internally by our town’s Department of Conservation and Waterways at the shellfish hatchery location in Lido Beach,” Town Supervisor Don Clavin Said. “After collecting the leftover shells from the festival, we leave them out to cure for about a year. After the curing process is finished, we introduce oyster larvae to the shells and make note of when a larva latches to a shell. The shell is then returned to the ocean to help further the barrier reef ecosystem we have in place to protect our barrier islands from flooding and storm surges. What’s more, as the mollusks grow, they naturally filter ocean water – helping to keep our waterways clean. This partnership is a win-win for lovers of oysters and the ocean.”

The Town of Hempstead’s shellfish restoration program began with the construction of its first clam nursery in 1983. With additional grant funds from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and New York State Department of State, the Town’s aquaculture facility has grown to include eastern oyster and sugar kelp production.  A new continuous algae production system, expanded larvae rearing tank room, and the addition of five axial flow floating upweller systems have significantly increased the capacity and capabilities of the shellfish program.

This year, Mulligan expects between 2,500 and 3,000 oysters to be eaten with the shells donated to them. The shells help the marsh and protect the reefs when implemented.

“Food festivals have an ecological component,” Mulligan said. “So, this makes it a zero-waste event.”

The sixth year of the event will be taking place next month, September 16, at Jetty Bar and Grill, 832 W. Beech St. It will cost $60 per person and will run from 3 to 6 p.m.