Sippican Lands Trust holds first Beer and Oyster Fest
Sep 7, 2019
Some of the oysters at the event. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
Event attendees mingle and talk under the big tent. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
Event attendees enjoy the beautiful weather at Silvershell Beach. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
Board member Cathy Stone made up the flower arrangements that decorated the tables. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
Elaine Vercellone, or Daisy D. Dots, as she is known in character, offered kids ribbons, pinwheels and the chance to have their faces painted. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
Olive Hasbrouck spins a ribbon. Photo by: Grace Ballenger
MARION — Beer, oysters, fried food, ice cream and beautiful weather made for a successful first Beer and Oyster Fest for the Sippican Lands Trust on Sept. 7.
In addition to the food items in its title, the event featured door prizes and a silent auction. Lands Trust supporters could also buy a board in the Osprey Marsh boardwalk which the group is currently constructing, and engrave it with a special message or adorn it with a plaque.
The environmental group’s President, Alan Harris, said that board members were looking for a fundraiser that would not be too expensive to run and would still bring in funds.
“I miss the fun that we had at the old Beach Bash,” said Harris, referring to a previous event that the group had.
He also said it was an “exciting lead up to the event. I am a teacher, and I spent most of my time at school watching the weather forecasts and panicking about the weather.
However the rain cleared up just before the event, leaving only puddles in the parking lot at Silvershell Beach.
As a result the group’s Executive Director Jim McBride said the fundraiser went “very well. Better than anticipated with the weather.” He said the group sold 200 tickets and had a higher number of at-the-door sales because of the nice weather.
The event was the Sippican Lands Trust’s big fundraiser for the year, and the funds will be used for both general expenses and funding the boardwalk installation.
McBride said that he got the idea for the fundraiser because one of the Lands Trust’s board members, Chris Pine, is an oyster farmer, and another board member knew Frank Altieri, who co-owns shovel town brewery in Easton.
About two hours into the event, Altieri had sold out of his IPA and was fast on the way to selling out of another beer. He said he chose his most popular beer, an end-of-summer beer and a pumpkin beer that just came out for the event.
There were also three different options for oysters, including Cuttyhunk Oysters, Edgewater Oysters and Island Creek Oysters.
Auction items included a personal tour with a Lands Trust member, a painting, and an artisan wine and cheese basket from Sullivan Wine and Spirits.
The David Mitton Project provided jazz music in the background.
