Published: Jun 21, 2022 07:00 AM
Like so many other things, Sandy Hook LobsterFest was put on hold for two years — cancelled in 2020 and 2021 — due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Company, which has been presenting the two-day fundraiser since 1988, moved forward with plans for this year's event. Thousands of happy, hungry people responded. Dinners were cooked up and served by firefighters and friends at the volunteer fire company's main station on Friday and Saturday, June 10-11.
Over 2,000 lobsters and 800 pounds of steak were served along with corn on the cob, potato salad, Manhattan style chowder, fresh shucked clams, shrimp cocktail, steamers, cupcakes, and ice cream during the two-night event, according to SHVFR Deputy Chief and LobsterFest Chair Anthony Capozziello.
For four hours on Friday and five hours on Saturday, diners had their choice of dinners featuring entrees of lobster, steak, surf and turf, hamburgers, or hot dogs. Sides were offered with the full dinners, a raw bar operated in the eastern end of the firehouse bays, and live music filled the air both nights.
Newtown Bee Editor and musician John Voket offered opening sets each night. The Dirt Road Pickers then performed on Friday, and To The Max took the headlining set on Saturday.
Organizers have announced they are already looking toward next year's calendar. LobsterFest is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, June 9-10, 2023.
Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue Firefighter-Life Member John Will checks on a batch of the more than 2,000 lobsters that were served up between June 10 and 11, as the local fire company marked the return of its popular LobsterFest after a two-year hiatus due to pandemic restrictions and related challenges. —Bee Photo, Voket
Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Ladies Auxiliary member Debbie Aurelia Halstead, left, was among volunteers serving a steady stream of lobsters and steak to patrons of the 2022 Sandy Hook LobsterFest June 11. Dinners were served along with corn on the cob, potato salad, Manhattan style chowder, and a dinner roll. Additional options included fresh shucked clams, shrimp cocktail, steamers, cupcakes, and ice cream during the two-night event that opened June 10. —Bee Photo, Taylor
A 10 pound lobster is also raffled as part of Sandy Hook LobsterFest. Tickets were available for $1 per ticket, and each night of the event hosted lobster raffles. —Bee Photo, Taylor
Members of the SHVFR Ladies Auxiliary sold dessert options — cupcakes, ice cream, and popsicles — at LobsterFest. At the ladies auxiliary table was Beth Beatty (left), Carol Lockwood, and Marge Costa. —Bee Photo, Taylor
Rosalinda Hasselbacher (left) and Frank Servidio enjoyed lobster and steak respectively at the Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue LobsterFest on June 11. —Bee Photo, Taylor
Former Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue Firefighter Angie Ruggiero returned to help out during the 2022 LobsterFest and pitched in, ladling chowder for the hundreds of hungry guests who turned out on June 11. Behind Ruggiero is SHVFR Firefighter Carly Osborne. —Bee Photo, Voket
Friday night’s entertainment program closed out with Dirt Road Pickers featuring, from left, Jody Cipot, Brian Mullins, Ron Stahl, and Sandy Hook recording artist Darryl Gregory. —Bee Photo, Voket
