The bands were so good they are booked again for next year, said LobsterFest Chairman and Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company (SHVFR) Deputy Chief Anthony Capozziello.

The 32nd annual Sandy Hook LobsterFest, an event that is always a success as guests crowd the firehouse for lobster and steak dinners on a Friday and Saturday night in early June, was busier than usual this year. The two-night event was presented June 7-8 and again included dinners with entrees of lobster, steak, surf and turf, hamburger, or hot dog. There was also live music — on Friday by Cleo Blue and on Saturday by Rum Runner Band — a raw bar, desserts, and a full bar.

The annual event is presented by and serves as a fundraiser for the fire company.

Company members and Ladies Auxiliary members were working hard to keep up with a line of guests that was “constantly out the door and around the corner,” said Mr Capozziello.

With the company’s trucks parked along Dickinson Drive and behind the main station, the open firehouse engine bays filled with guests searching for a place to dig into their meal. Additional seating was provided under large tents set up in front of the firehouse. This year the fire company rented larger tents than in the past, which allowed the seating — and later dancing — area to be sightly extended.

Food was cooked under additional tents set up behind the firehouse, where company members steamed the lobsters, grilled the steaks, burgers and hot dogs; steamed corn on the cob and clams, and cooked up Manhattan clam chowder.

Served over the weekend were more than 750 pounds of steak and 2,080 lobsters, which was “busier than usual,” Mr Capozziello said.

Among the heavy crowd of family and friends were many new faces mixed in with residents who attend every year, he said.

Those who want to plan ahead can mark their calendars for June 5-6, 2020. The fire company has announced those will be the dates for the 33rd Annual Sandy Hook LobsterFest.