The Sippican Lands Trust hosted the 13th Open Space Beach Bash Thursday at Silvershell Beach, treating guests to a silent auction, tons of food and music by Blu Lobsta. According to event chairman Jo-Ann Watson, nearly 300 tickets were sold for lobster, chicken, or a kids dinner.

“The response was just great,” she said. “After being gone for the last two years, people are happy its back.”

Watson mentioned that last year the Beach Bash was cancelled due to the threat of eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEE). She also said the 2009 event was cancelled due to low numbers.

This year, however, was different. Watson said nearly 100 tickets were sold Tuesday and Wednesday before the event.

“People just saw the tent up and said, ‘Oh yeah!’ and bought tickets. It’s been excellent. We almost had to turn people away because we weren’t sure if we had enough food.” She also mentioned the silent auction, which featured 18 selections from paintings to cruises to a rain barrel, did well.

According to B&M Catering, around 165 lobster dinners were cooked up along with eight bushels and clams and a variety of hamburgers, corn on the cob, and watermelon slices. Among the entertainment for the night were Captain Jack Sparrow, who made balloon swords, and Mandi Santiago of Handi Mandi’s Face Painting.

Residents Jennifer Francis and Cassy West have been going to the Beach Bash for many years.

“It’s like a huge party,” Francis said, “and you get a huge cross section of the community. You always see people you know, but new faces too.”

West, who has served on the Sippican Lands Trust committee, said the Beach Bash brings out all ages of people and is great for the kids too.

“It just makes people aware of what the Trust does and is about,” she said. “It’s a great way to tell people how important their work is.”