With its 34th Largest Clam Contest just a few weeks away, the East Hampton Town Trustees are stepping up preparations for the annual event.
This year’s contest happens on Oct. 5 from noon to 3 p.m. at the Amagansett Life-Saving and Coast Guard Station. Those planning to enter a clam harvested between Sept. 29 and Oct. 4 must take the entry to the Life-Saving Station by 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 5. Entrants must hold a town shellfishing license. Prizes will be awarded for the largest overall clam as well as the largest clam harvested in Accabonac Harbor, Three Mile Harbor, Lake Montauk, and Napeague Harbor. There are adult and youth categories for each harbor, and parents or guardians should enter clams for children 4 to 14 years old, including name, telephone number, and child’s age on the entry form.
Those with an entry for the clam chowder contest have been asked to take their heated chowder, in a 32-ounce container, to the site by 11:30 a.m. A panel of judges including Hugh King, the town historian, will determine the winning entry in Manhattan and New England categories.
The museum will be open and tours will be given. The trustees will sell merchandise, proceeds of which benefit the trustees’ scholarship fund.
The day will include a live marine species exhibition with John (Barley) Dunne, director of the town’s shellfish hatchery, as well as live music, face painting for children, and free clams on the half shell, chowder, and clam pies.
This year, however, will see a limit put on the number of helpings. Last year, David Cataletto of the trustees said on Monday, the chowder, clams, and clam pies “were gone in, like, an hour,” with some attendees helping themselves to multiple servings. This year, those attending will be given four tickets. “If you want more than four freebies, each ticket will be $5,” he said. “People can buy as many tickets as they want.”
Mr. Cataletto asked his colleagues to solicit prizes from local restaurants and vendors.
The contest is a celebration of the Bonac tradition of clamming and serves to illustrate the trustees’ role in the town’s governing. “The trustees want to say thanks,” Mr. Cataletto said, “and we’re all in this together.”
