Westport Rotary Club’s LobsterFest returns this year to Compo Beach with an in-person event on Saturday, Sept. 18, from 3pm to 7pm, including a fresh catch of Maine lobsters and a new drive-through option. Around 1,200 ticket holders will dine by the water at the popular rain or shine event, Westport Rotary Club’s main fundraiser, which sells out every year. LobsterFest is a signature community event, an enjoyable way to support local philanthropic activities while celebrating the transition from Summer to Fall.

Westport Rotary Club’s 10th annual LobsterFest is live, in contrast with last year’s online-only fundraiser due to the pandemic. A new feature this year is a scheduled drive-through pick-up for guests who prefer to eat delicious lobsters and/or steak at home or at some less crowded part of the beach.

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Funds earned from LobsterFest tickets and sponsorships enable Westport Rotary to award over 36 Charitable Giving grants to local nonprofits and support impactful humanitarian projects around the world. LobsterFest brings the Westport community together so we can connect and engage with others, belong to something bigger than ourselves, give back, serve to change lives, and most of all, have fun.

Local recipients include Mercy Learning, a nonprofit that helps women become fluent in English, obtain their GEDs, go onto college and support their families, and Child Guidance of Fairfield County, another nonprofit that provides psychological and educational support to children traumatized by past experiences. Other causes that receive support include food pantries, environmental sustainability organizations, educational and summer program scholarships, and groups committed to the improvement of behavioral health.

This year’s LobsterFest Platinum Elite Sponsors are BioSig Technologies, Inc., Bridgeport Hospital - Yale New Haven Health, The Garrison Family Foundation, and Morgan Stanley - The Shoreline Group.

Children’s activities include a magician, glitter tattoos, and face painting. Live music will be provided by the Hot Rubber Monkey Band, a local favorite. In past years, LobsterFest volunteers served some 2,400 lobsters, 300 steaks, and 1,600 ears of corn, as well as raw oysters. 

Tickets are an exceptional value at $70 per person for two 1.25-pound lobsters or a 14 oz. New York strip steak plus corn, coleslaw, bread and butter, potato salad, Peppermint Patties, and all the beer or wine you can drink. Tickets are available only in advance, online at www.westportrotary.org and directly from Westport Rotary Club members.

Westport Rotary Club follows guidance from the local health authorities. In case LobsterFest needs to limit in-person dining, ticketholders will be contacted by email to arrange for a scheduled drive-through option. 

Representing a cross-section of local business and professional leaders, the Westport Rotary Club is an organization of men and women united in service to their community, vocation and the world. One of 35,200 Rotary clubs worldwide, the Westport Rotary Club is known for philanthropy and for providing hands-on project leadership both locally and internationally. More information is available at www.westportrotary.org. 

The public is always welcome to attend Rotary Club luncheon meetings, which take place on Tuesdays from 12 noon to 1:30 pm at Branson Hall of Christ & Holy Trinity Church in Westport. The luncheon cost for guests is $20. The Club welcomes membership inquiries. Please contact Club President Lyla Steenbergen at lylasteenbergen@gmail.com.