The oysters and scallops of Peconic Bay are at their finest, which means one very important thing for seafood-loving locavores — it’s time to “Shellabrate” again in Greenport.
The third annual Shellabration festival, which celebrates the bounty of the bay and benefits a local charity, will return to the village from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6.
This year’s organizer and beneficiary is Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Marine Program and the lead sponsor is the Greenport BID (Business Improvement District). Restaurants will once again offer $5 small plates featuring shellfish along with $3 wine and beer (and in one case, sake) tastings. As of Monday, 18 local eateries had signed on for the event.
Wristbands, which are needed to enjoy those deals, cost $20 each and include two-day festival admission. Also included in that price 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 (SPAT), a Cornell Cooperative Extension program that encourages locals to grow shellfish.
This year VIP admission will also be offered for $50 and will include a burlap tote with the festival’s logo, a stemless Shellabration wine glass, a one-year subscription to Edible East End, SPAT notecards and other goodies.
Greenport BID president and First and South co-owner Sarah Phillips noted that the annual event draws hundreds of people to the village during the slower season and lets them enjoy the Greenport dining scene
“It’s a really easy way to let people know we [Greenport] is open and we’re thriving,” she said. “And people can experience the restaurants for what they are rather than just blow through them.”
Wristband proceeds will directly benefit Cornell’s Back to the Bays Initiative as well as the SPAT program.
“It’s a great way for us to generate proceeds to support our work,” said Kimberley Barbour, Cornell’s Marine Program Outreach Manager. “We’re enjoying these shellfish from a culinary aspect, but we’re also trying to reseed the bays and bolster the populations of marine habitat.”
The following restaurants will pair with North Fork wineries and local breweries.
• Macari Vineyards at First and South
• Kontokosta Winery at Blue Canoe
• Croteaux Vineyards at Little Creek Oyster Farm and Market
• Southold Farm + Cellar at Bruce’s Cheese Emporium & Cafe
• Sparkling Pointe at The Frisky Oyster
• The Lenz Winery at Salamanders on Front Street
• Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. at Rhumbline
• Kontokosta Winery at Noah’s
• Raphael at Cuvée Seafood & Grille
• Pellegrini Vineyards at Front Street Station
• Shinn Estate Vineyards at Scrimshaw
• Moustache Brewing Co. at Lucharitos
NEW EATERIES THIS YEAR
• Sake pairings at Stirling Sake
• Jamesport Vineyards at American Beech
• Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. at Industry Standard
• McCall Wines at Basso
• Osprey’s Dominion at Deep Water Bar & Grille
• St. James Brewery at North Fork Smoked Fish Co.
Several hotels and B&Bs, including the Greenporter Hotel, Harbor Knoll B&B and The Sirens’ Song Carriage House, will offer discounted rates.
Other village events that will coincide with Shellabration will include the following: a Christmas tree lighting in Mitchell Park on Dec. 4 at 5 p.m.; a Prohibition-themed costume party at First and South on Friday evening; The Stirling Historical Society of Greenport will feature Gene Austin talking about the history of oystering in Greenport at the “Old Schoolhouse” on Front Street from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5 and Sunday, Dec. 6; a stand-up paddleboard raffle at One Love Beach at 2 p.m. on Dec. 6; and a menorah lighting in Mitchell Park at 5 p.m. on Dec. 6.
Participating stores and galleries will also donate 10 percent of proceeds to Cornell. For more information and a list of participating businesses visit Shellabration.li.
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.