Long Island Oyster Jamboree making its debut in Suffolk this weekend

Many people know of the annual Oyster Fest that occurs in the historic hamlet of Oyster Bay every fall. Now Suffolk County is starting its own oyster tradition with the first Long Island Oyster Jamboree, to be held at Smith Point County Beach in Shirley on Saturday. (rain date: Sunday).

“This is an incredible opportunity to showcase the oyster industry that is so important to Long Island,” Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine says. “Suffolk County is active in providing opportunities for those who continue to make a living on our waters. I am truly looking forward to a day that many will remember.”

The event will focus on locally farmed oysters plus other fanfare. Here’s what to catch.

Homegrown oysters

Members of the Long Island Oyster Growers Association (LIOGA) will each have their own booths selling their locally farmed oysters ready to eat (at approximately $2.50 per oyster).

Located in Hog Neck off the shore of Southold, the North Fork Big Oyster Farm, which harvests just north of 10 million oysters, will be selling raw and smoked oysters.

“We have a very briny oyster that starts with a clean mineral flavor plus some umami tones and briny finish,” the farm's owner and LIOGA president Eric Koepele says. “The briny finish is due to the salinity of the Great Peconic Bay, where they are grown. The oysters are raised in cages on the bottom of the bay, which is how they acquire their mineral flavor.”

Meanwhile Davy Jones Shellfish Co., which farms in the Great Peconic Bay, will serve up raw oysters on the half shell with a homemade mignonette and charbroiled oysters with butter, garlic, Parmesan and spinach.

“It preserves the flavor of the oyster and the toppings complement it,” Davy Jones owner Jacob Feibusch adds. “The flavor profile is an up-front aroma of sea air with high salinity, bright oceanic flavor and finished with a tinge of kelp.”

In Cutchogue, Peconic Gold Oysters delivers oysters with balance.

“We have a perfect mix of brininess and sweetness,” owner Matthew Ketcham says. “Our oysters are served raw on the half shell with a homemade shallot and pepper mignonette, hot sauce and Holy Schmitt’s horseradish. The acidity goes well with the brininess.”

Shell games

In addition to oyster consumption, there will be oyster contests for those 21 and over. The first is the inaugural Smith Point Oyster Chase, which begins around 2 p.m.

“We start with a mile run. Each runner chugs a beer with two raw oysters in it before the run then again at the halfway point,” Koepele says. “Once they finish the mile, they move to a wheel barrel race where one partner is on their hands while the other is holding their ankles. This is followed by a three-legged race including another beer with two oysters.”

At 4:30 p.m., is the Oyster Shucking Contest to be overseen by a panel of judges. Contestant have four minutes to shuck the most oysters. Points will be awarded to those with a final product that is clean — not nicked up — in the shell with the muscle cut.

The Oyster Eating Contest follows at 5 p.m., where contestants are served a plate of a dozen oysters at a time to be eaten out of the shell. Whoever can get through the most plates in four minutes wins.

Live music, fun for kids

Putting the “jam” in Oyster Jamboree will be North Bound Sound from Sea Cliff. The seven-member group works with a catalog of over 400 songs from classic rock to funk to reggae with a strong dose of Grateful Dead.

“There usually isn’t even a set list. The plan is to read the crowd and just go,” guitarist Joe Ciampa says. “We want to deliver a good time for all. It’s fun to extend the jams and get the crowd into it.”

An entire tent will be dedicated to kids' activities including carnival games, face painting, balloon twisting, sand art, shell painting and snow cones. Cornell Cooperative Extension is set to have a touch tank and aquariums on display for kids to enjoy. They will also demonstrate how oysters help improve water quality. Kids' contests include water balloon tosses, three-legged races and other games.

Beer pairings and more

Beer and oysters are known to go hand-in-hand and this theory will be proved by Oyster Bay Brewing Co. which will have a special tent serving its signature suds ($8-$10 a cup).

“I’ll be pairing some beers with the oysters,” owner Ryan Schlotter says. “Every oyster tastes different depending on where it comes from. The tasting notes of the oysters will be matched with our brews like Barnrocker, IPA, Honey Ale and maybe a stout or a dark lager.”

Those seeking eats beyond seafood can hit Smith Point Tiki Joe’s Snack Bar. Selections include hot short rib heroes ($11.50), Sabrett hot dogs ($3.50-$5.50), fries ($4), Cobb salad ($13), chicken Caesar wrap ($11), rigatoni alla vodka ($15.50), chili ($9), burgers ($8-$12.50), hot pastrami on rye ($11.50) and nachos with chili and cheese ($6.50).