In just over a dozen years, LobsterFest has become one of the biggest, best loved and fun parties in town.
Yesterday, 1,500 folks of all ages celebrated at Compo. It’s the second biggest beach event of the year, after the fireworks.
They ate lobster and steak (plus a lot more). They drank beer and soda. They danced to a great band (Silver Steel). Hordes of kids climbed on a fire truck, went inside a police car, got tattoos and face paint, and had all the kind of fun we remember from our childhoods.
Politicians were out in force. But instead of politicking, they wore yellow volunteer shirts. They served beer, checked tickets and cleared trash. They looked like they had a blast.
RTM member Sal Liccione and man about town Dylan Curran.
And — thanks to the spectacular work of the Westport Rotary Club, and volunteers from many other town groups — LobsterFest raised nearly half a million dollars, for dozens of good causes.
In a few months the Rotarians will distribute large grants, to all those groups.
It’s a feel-good ceremony. Those funds will — literally — change lives.
But none of it would be possible without everyone who made LobsterFest happen yesterday. (Special kudos to whoever was in charge of the weather. You rocked it.)
PS: Tickets for LobsterFest ’26 go on sale next summer. As usual, they’ll sell out in minutes.
Towner Didier enjoys his first LobsterFest. (Photo/Steve Dodd)
What kid doesn’t enjoy a fire engine?
Friends from the Staples High School Class of 1982 dance to …
… the Silver Steel Band.
Parks & Recreation director Erik Barbieri, and operations manager Carmen Roda.
Jodi Bell and Rob Simmelkjaer. He’s a Westporter, and CEO of New York Road Runners. Both are training for next month’s Chicago Marathon. After yesterday’s lobsters, they’ll run 22 miles today.
Chrissy Toeplitz, Bre Injeski and Danielle Dobin.
LobsterFest organizers take recycling and waste seriously …
… in more ways than one.
There were plenty of beverages …
… and here’s the money shot. (All photos/Dan Woog unless otherwise noted)