The annual Shinnecock Oyster Festival is set for next Saturday, Oct. 10, from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Shinnecock Powwow grounds, located at 100 Montauk Highway in Southampton.
Showcasing homegrown oysters fresh from local waters, the festival is spearheaded by the Shinnecock Indian Nation’s environmental department, led by director Shavonne Smith and established in 2010, shortly after the Nation received federal recognition. Since its inception, the department has been instrumental in developing plans and courses of action with regard to protecting the health of Shinnecock people across areas of water quality, air quality, solid waste management, climate change and wildlife habitat preservation.
Restablishing Shinnecock’s oyster population has been a decades-long endeavor. In 2014, a grant for $3.75 million was awarded by the federal government, allowing the department to aggressively seed oysters, rebuild their shellfish hatchery, construct natural oyster reefs to serve as storm surge speed bumps, and because of this, assist in the restoration of damaged shorelines. Nearly 40 years prior, in 1974, the Nation received a grant from the New York Community trust, initiating an oyster project mission of reseeding and replenishing the often over-harvested shellfish populations at Shinnecock Bay.
The return of the oyster population is now celebrated with this annual festival, now in its fourth year. Featuring oysters directly harvested from the Shinnecock Bay, each all served up in an assortment of different styles, from raw to broiled to fried.
Additionally, there’ll be live music, myriad vendors and fun for the whole family. Admission is free, donations are greatly appreciated. Shell out for Shinnecock. Show that you give a shuck.
