Fresh lobsters from the chilly northern Atlantic Ocean have brought families and friends together in Wrightsville Beach and Wilmington for decades, and this year marks the 30th annual Lobsterfest.
Organized annually by staff and volunteers of Church of the Servant Episcopal, Lobsterfest serves as the church’s primary fundraiser.
For the 2014 Lobsterfest, scheduled for Saturday, June 14, 10 percent of the net profits will be donated to one of the church’s community partners like Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, the Good Shepherd Center or College Park Elementary School.
The combination of a freshly steamed lobster and benefitting a good cause is what keeps the Lobsterfest tradition alive and well even after lower attendance years in the late 2000s, said 12-year volunteer Don Hickey.
“It has come back in the last several years and you see more new people showing interest,” Hickey said. “Everyone knows it benefits our church, so, especially for the Harbor Island people, it is a big party for them but then they also know it is going to a good cause.”
The block party takes place on Harbor Island along Live Oak Drive during the evening of Lobsterfest and draws hundreds of residents, friends and visitors each year. Earlier in the day, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Church of the Servant serves as another venue where people can take part in the Lobsterfest tradition.
Hickey and his volunteer team starts steaming the live lobsters 30 at a time in their large steamer at the church before lunch and then relocate the operation to Harbor Island for the evening shift. Although it is a long day of steaming, Hickey said he would not have it any other way.
“It sounds funny when I tell people it is my favorite day of the year but I just love it,” he said. “I lived on Harbor Island for a couple years and it is such neat tradition for all the families and friends.”
The number of lobsters ordered during the lunch shift at Church of the Servant averages just more than 1,000 and around 300 for the Harbor Island portion, Hickey said.
Lobsterfest coordinator Mary Ames Booker said the team will even deliver lobsters to groups that order 10 or more lobsters and are unable to pick them up.
Booker also said those dining at the church will be seated in the main sanctuary this year, which will provide a nicer dining atmosphere to pair with the lobster.
The cutoff deadline for ordering lobster is Thursday, June 12; with prices ranging from $18 for a live, uncooked lobster to $25 for a lobster and traditional low country boil.
With more and more people showing up to Lobsterfest the day of the event, Hickey said he has also been carrying extra lobsters to both venues for purchase.
For more information, visit www.cosepiscopal.ecdio.org
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