Guinness Oyster Fest Satisfies
The third annual event brought together food, music, beer, and thousands of eager visitors.
Photos
On a beautiful early fall day, thousands poured into the White Street parking lot to enjoy the live music, eats, and drinks of the third annual Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival.
Though an official tally isn't yet available, the huge crowds Sunday afternoon were the largest we've seen at the event, which has drawn upwards of 10,000 people during past years and has fast become a signature event for the borough. Organized by Red Bank RiverCenter, Oyster Fest included two stages, several varieties of draught beer, and eats from more than 20 of Red Bank's favorite restaurants.
Check out the gallery above to see what went down at this year's Guinness Oyster Festival.
JackieK
12:12 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Really? I was there and it wasn't much better than last year. Slim Pickens for food and some stupid system for buying beer. Last time for me.
Dan
1:26 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Absurdly overpriced food and drinks. Definitely not worth the hassle.
Nancy Adams
3:56 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Sorry you felt that way, but I beg to differ a bit. The beers/wine were priced the same as any restaurant you might go to only here, the proceeds benefit charity. Plus there were awesome bands providing a variety of live music; something for everyone. The restaurants provide a wide range of food choices, more variety and quality than one would find at pretty much any other outdoor festival. 23 Red Bank restaurants provided everything from oysters to lobster rolls to cupcakes and gelato. I think it'd be tough to find a whole lobster for $10 pretty much anywhere. Lobster rolls for $10 - $12 are also pretty hard to find. Everything else was priced between $4 and $8 for fresh, quality food choices.
The drink ticket system is necessary to keep more controls on the money and to keep the bartenders from having to deal with both cash and drinks, since it's very tough at the bartenders to do both without slowing down the lines with cash and change exchanges. I personally jumped in to one of the bars to help with the line by spending a couple hours filling pints of Guinness, Harp, Smithwicks and Black & Tans. A hundred volunteers also worked incredibly hard all day.
Most folks had a great time; I know we did! We think the pictures definitely show a lot of fun the people attending had. We're happy to have been able to provide people with such a great, fun time on a beautiful day in the Fall while also being able to donate thousands of dollars to worthwhile cancer charities.
Ryan
4:06 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Nancy- I have worked/run concessions at many festivals(100k plus attendees) and would be happy to assist/discuss the alcohol concessions with you further and add what I think would be helpful suggestions as there are more efficient ways to run them than what was done yesterday. I do, however, have to say that cost for drinks was more than fine- definitely in line with what you pay for a pint in the local establishments and the food was wonderful- Boondocks' lobster rolls were amazing!
Bill Dowd
6:46 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012
Oysters make me horney! Watch out boys!!!!!!
Marjorie Smith
5:03 am on Tuesday, September 25, 2012
I think the charitable element was missed by some attendees. We all buy 6 oz boxes of chocolate-like candies for $12 when kiddies are selling for schools and we know that's overpriced but for a good cause. The price to value ratio is much better at the Oyster Fest plus you get music and a chance to rub elbows with your neighbors.