This weekend, savor all things seafood at Greenport’s third annual Shellabration festival, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7, from noon to 4 p.m.
“We happen to be in the epicenter of some of the best seafood in the world,” event founder John Kramer said, adding that shellfish is at its plumpest this time of year. “We have local oysters and local clams. There’s not a place in the world where you can get that kind of seafood.”
During the event, participants can sample shellfish from local restaurants and purchase discounted wine pairings from North Fork vineyards. Wristbands cost $15 each ($25 for two, $37.50 for three and $50 for four) and include two-day festival admission. Also included in the deal is a glass of Harbor Ale from Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. and a sampler platter of clams and oysters from the Southold Project in Aquaculture Training, a Cornell Cooperative Extension program that encourages locals to grow shellfish.
Wristband proceeds will be donated 50/50 to SPAT and Community Action Southold Town, Mr. Kramer said.
In addition, festival-goers can purchase $5 tapas-sized shellfish plates and $3 wine pairings at 14 participating restaurants.
“Each restaurant has agreed to serve a tapas offering of either a clam dish, an oyster dish or a scallop dish,” Mr. Kramer said. “Some combine two or three into one dish, some make a chowder — it’s whatever the chef wants to showcase.”
Tapas and wine pairings include the following:
• Macari Vineyards at 1943 Pizza Bar
• Paumanok Wines at Blue Canoe
• Coffee Pot Cellars at Bruce’s Cheese Emporium & Cafe
• Bedell Cellars at First and South
• One Woman Wines & Vineyards at Bière Bar & Restaurant
• Sparkling Pointe at The Frisky Oyster
• Sannino Bella Vita Vineyard at Vines & Branches
• The Lenz Winery at Salamanders on Front Street
• Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. and Crooked Ladder Brewing Company at Rhumbline
• Kontokosta Winery at Noah’s
• Raphael at Cuvée Seafood & Grille
• Palmer Vineyards at Front Street Station
• Castello Di Borghese at Scrimshaw
• Tequila pairing at Lucharitos
During the festival, visitors can also take advantage of other goings-on around Greenport, Mr. Kramer said. Village merchants will stay open after 6 p.m. on Dec. 6, he said, and the annual Mitchell Park Christmas tree lighting will take place at 5 p.m. that same day. On Dec. 7, the Stirling Historical Society will give informal talks about Greenport “then and now” from noon to 4 p.m. In addition, Gail Horton and David Corwin will sign copies of their book “Greenport in Postcards.” Ms. Horton’s tapestry rug, “Postcards of Greenport,” will also be raffled off in support of the historical society.
“The idea is we want people to come for the weekend,” Mr. Kramer said. He expects attendance to top out at around 1,000 people.
“I think Shellabration will be bigger and better than ever before. We have high expectations.”
To purchase Shellabration wristbands, stop by Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. on Carpenter Street in Greenport or Little Creek Oyster Farm & Market in Greenport’s Bootleg Alley. Tour maps are available at both locations.
