The clams were piled high as firefighters and members of the community gathered at Peter’s Clam Bar in Island Park for the 12th annual Peter’s Clam Eating Contest, with this year’s event honoring the memory of a young volunteer firefighter and EMT.
The legendary summer tradition, which has become a staple of the South Shore community, raised funds for the Lindsey Rose Parke Foundation, a Long Island organization created in memory of Lindsey Rose Parke, a 19-year-old Levittown resident who died in a car crash.
Parke served as a volunteer firefighter with the Levittown Fire Department and was a New York state-certified EMT. Her foundation works to raise awareness about reckless driving, promote safer driving and support emergency responders, fire departments and families in need.
Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti joined Peter’s Clam Bar Owner Butch Yamali in celebrating the event’s connection to the local community.
“This is what community is all about,” Ferretti said. “We remember the legacy left by Lindsey Rose Parke and commit to supporting this wonderful organization.”
Yamali said the contest, at its core, was about more than the competition itself.
“This event is more than just clams — it’s community, courage, and compassion,” he said. “We’re honored to dedicate this year’s contest to Lindsey Rose Parke and her incredible memory.”
The afternoon featured two competitions. The Firehouse Challenge brought firefighters from departments across Long Island together for a clam-eating showdown, followed by a public contest that invited anyone willing to take on the challenge.
By the end of the day, competitors had consumed over 1,550 clams. Wayne Algenio emerged as the top finisher in the public challenge, eating 56 clams in the final round, while firefighter competitor Phil Kraese dominated the Firehouse Challenge with 73 clams in the final round.
The event also raised $20,000 for the Lindsey Rose Parke Foundation, helping continue the organization’s work in Parke’s memory.
In its 12th year, the event has become known for attracting both local competitors and some of the biggest names in competitive eating. Past participants have included world-renowned eaters Takeru Kobayashi and Edward “Cookie” Jarvis.
This year, the competition gave attendees an opportunity to come together, have some fun and honor Parke’s legacy of service while supporting a foundation dedicated to keeping her spirit alive.
