After going virtual last year, the Greenport Shellabration is back for its 10th anniversary the weekend of Dec. 4.
The annual culinary event, which benefits the Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program’s SPAT Program and Back to the Bays Initiative, offers participants food and drink tastings from many of Greenport’s restaurants with a focus on celebrating local shellfish.
The Marine Program’s outreach manager and event director, Kim Barbour, is excited for the return of the in-person event. “We were waiting to see what happened with the Maritime Festival, and it went well,” said Barbour. “In September we had people emailing us asking if they should book accommodations or not.”
Proceeds from the event benefit the SPAT Program, which teaches individuals how to grow shellfish, as well as the Back to the Bays Initiative, which aims to restore and preserve local waters through various programs.
Barbour noted that a large part of all Cornell Cooperative Extension programs is to help restore scallops to North Fork waters.
“We engage people in various stewardship projects, but also a lot of shellfish restoration too,” she said. “The Shellabration supports our hatchery and everything that goes into the shellfish we grow. The funds keep the hatchery going.”
Response to past Shellabrations has been extremely positive, with the event selling out in years past.
“It’s great to see people embracing our maritime [culture], whether they’re native North Forkers, transplants or just people enjoying our area,” said Barbour.
This year’s event will have social distancing measures in place and be at reduced capacity. Wristbands cost $35 for the weekend and $25 for Sunday only. Small plates, featuring local shellfish from area restaurants, are $8, and tasting pours are $5. Click here for wristband and sponsorship information.
