The Bank of America Oyster Festival is presented by Newsday, sponsored by Rotary International and one of the East Coast’s largest waterfront festivals! It is a key fund-raising event for local charities, returning to Long Island's North Shore October 13 and 14 with a mixture of new activities and old favorites certain to entertain the entire family. Now in its 24th year, the Oyster Festival is going stronger than ever, drawing visitors from miles around with a mix of the freshest seafood anywhere, music, artisan crafters, antiques, delicious foods prepared on site, an exotic animal petting zoo, tall ships, thrill rides and the lure of a weekend of Indian summer sunshine.

New attractions this year include the festival’s “Best of the Food Court” Contest, sponsored by Whole Foods Market—an opportunity to vote for the local nonprofit that sells the most delicious item in the Food Court. The Food Court, sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union, is filled with more than 30 vendors. Treats include frozen hot chocolate, Oreo-dipped Twinkies with banana, sweet potato fries and, of course, oysters, clams and shrimp served every way imaginable. Stop by the festival’s merchandise stand and take a bit of the Oyster Festival home with you: totes, T-shirts, jerseys and more. Profits benefit the Oyster Bay Charitable Fund.

Where would the Oyster Festival be without pirates? Back by popular demand are our fun-loving buccaneers with their biggest encampment yet, looking high and low for buried treasure at our new “Pirates Cove.” Bring the kids and take part in live performances and treasure hunts. Our new and improved Children’s Entertainment Area, sponsored by Optimum, features some unique animals to pet plus elephant and camel rides!