Wellfleet Oysterfest – HappyCapeCod

Wellfleet Oysterfest; Rather FEAST

These oyster shells were part of the 5 **tons** collected at the conclusion of the two-day fest.

Author’s Note: The month of October is known for many things; pumpkins, apple cider donuts, orange, early darkness, Halloween, and the return of puffy vests. There is also the often anticipated fall festival(s). Many people may immediately picture driving through rural Vermont or New Hampshire on a crisp afternoon for prime fall foliage viewing; but last I checked Cape Cod, also in the northeast, and has a solid slate of fall events. The shoulder seasons-autumn especially-still means most seasonal restaurants and lodging remain open, if not discounted, and best of all, dogs are allowed on the beaches again! There are dozens of festivals spread from Falmouth to Provincetown, but the month of October’s ‘must do’ “Fest” is on the Outer Cape and provides a quintessential Cape Cod experience; Wellfleet’s Oysterfest. Shellfish lovers assemble!

Well fleet Oysterfest, Rather FEAST!

Those familiar with Cape Cod “lore” know that each town, if not village(s) within a town, has its own unique identity. In Wellfleet’s case, a quiet, sparsely populated town on the Outer Cape, is known by and large for beautiful beaches, a live saving station-turned iconic beach bar and a tasty little dark blue shellfish. The latter, are none other than Wellfleet oysters. Wellfleet oysters, long and strong-shelled, are unique for being plump and clean with a distinctively good balance of creamy sweetness and brine. Their exceptional flavor is a result of five important natural environmental factors; consistently cold water temperatures, high salinity of the Atlantic Ocean, large, fast-moving tides, nutrient rich marine environment (for oysters to grow), and clean water (SPAT, 2019).

Chopper Young gets plenty of practice shucking oysters ahead of Sunday’s “Shuck Off” finale.

The local nonprofit organization, Shellfish Promotion and Tasting (SPAT), not only runs Oysterfest, but more broadly, is devoted to sustaining Wellfleet’s shellfishing and aquaculture industry. The volunteer-led organization runs programming throughout the year, including shellfish farm tours, shellfish recycling, a scholarship program for high school seniors interested in a career in the marine sciences, fan-favorite art and oyster crawl and a grant program for local projects in line with their mission. SPAT provides additional background information on the famed oyster, but suffice to say, these natural resource should have an entire weekend dedicated to them.

SPAT is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the shellfish and aquaculture industry on Cape Cod.

Oysterfest, always the weekend after Columbus Day, is spread over two days with a mix of food, drink, music, arts and crafts, educational programs and the much-anticipated “Shuck-Off.” That is not a typo, the “Shuck Off” is a competition to see who can shuck 24 oysters the fastest. (If your mind is wondering, the 2018 Champion was William “Chopper” Young, Jr., who shucked 24 oysters in 2:25. The record is 1:47 by James Gray in 2008.) Entry to the festival is $10 (each day), though if you run in the “Shuck and Run” 5K on Sunday, entry on Sunday is complimentary with race bib. There are also a mix of “satellite” events, such as cooking demonstrations, pickleball round robin and the 5K Fun Run for additional fees.

Arts and crafts booths surround the food and drink booths at Oysterfest. Buy local!

As for the main draw – oysters – the ‘Fest may as well be known as OysterFEAST. There are literally dozens of oyster stands spread up and down Main Street, with every type of oysters for purchase: on the half shell, fried, grilled, Rockafeller (baked, rich sauce), chowder, and even pickled. Wondering about all those shells? That’s where the shellfish recycling mentioned above comes in. In 2018, five tons of shells from consumed shellfish was collected over the weekend. The following spring, the shells were reintroduced into Wellfleet Harbor to create a habitat for shellfish, other marine life and improve water quality by helping filter particles and pollutants, while reducing solid waste disposal at the event by 32%! Speaking of reducing waste, new in 2019, Oysterfest is going plastic-free, with all vendors using compostable paper goods while beverages will be dispensed in cans or reusable stainless steel cups.

The “Shuck & Run 5K” race bib means complimentary entry to the Fest on Sunday.

This family-friendly event is held on Main street, which is closed to all vehicle traffic. There is also a family fun area, with face painting, craft-making; and even a spelling bee. Parking is limited given the compact downtown streets, so try Mayo Beach.

What is your favorite part about Wellfleet’s Oysterfest?

Shoulder Seasons are When to Visit Cape Cod

Author’s Note: The autumn equinox on September 23 – as opposed to Labor Day weekend – marks the end of summer. Some parents found this out the hard way this year as many schools cancelled classes because of a lingering heat wave as classes resumed. With cool and crisp days and nights ahead, make a point to visit Cape Cod this autumn.

The Wonderful Shoulder Seasons on Cape Cod

A lone sunfish glides off Ridgevale Beach.

As local and seasonal residents can attest, the “shoulder seasons” on Cape Cod are less crowded, slower-paced and weather still cooperative for outdoor activities. The first shoulder season is the winter/spring change-over around March through Memorial Day, followed by the summer/fall change-over in September and October. Many restaurants remain open through November, some even dropping prices, and almost every community hosts an annual festival or celebration (Exs: Cape Cod Canal Day, Harwich Cranberry Arts & Music Festival, Falmouth hosts the Cape Cod Marathon, Truro Treasures, Wellfleet’s Oysterfest, etc). But the fun doesn’t stop there; many towns and their business community have embraced the winter months to attract visitors with holiday strolls, historic inn tours, and “First Day/Night” Celebrations on New Year’s Eve/Day. It may seem hard to believe, but a winter shoulder season is in the mix too. So come on down, up or over to Cape Cod next shoulder season!

Geography

The Chatham fishing fleet preparing for another bountiful catch.

Living in the northeast puts Cape Cod in comfortable driving distance from any location as far south as New Jersey and as far north as Maine. In the shoulder seasons, you rarely have to fight traffic on Route 3, I-495 or even at the bridges. The weekend train, the Cape Cod Flyer does not run past Labor Day, but this only applies if you are coming from Boston. There are no fees to park at town beaches and you will not back up traffic should you need to make a left turn on Routes 28 or 6A.

History

From the famous pilgrim landing on Plymouth Rock to the invention of the wireless telegraph by Guglielmo Marconi to a premier amateur baseball league to the maritime trades, Cape Cod is loaded with traditions and history. I won’t pretend to be a Cape Cod historian, but know there are many historians that want to share their knowledge as well as direct you to the many historical sites in each town. The shoulder season is a great time to visit art and cultural attractions, especially on cooler autumn days. Too often the rush to the beach, bike trail or clam shack become the priority of the day, but there are plenty of historical sites and charming offerings across the peninsula.

Food

Post brunch smiles outside the 6A Cafe, Sandwich, in 2012.

Whether seared seafood, piping hot clam chowder, hearty baked stuffed lobster, locally roasted coffee, or the simplicity of soft serve ice cream, many popular restaurants remain open through November. Though, if you have your heart set at dining at a specific restaurant, call ahead! I still remember a comical morning over Martin Luther King Jr holiday weekend in 2012 where we drove from Chatham to Yarmouth to have brunch at the Optimist Cafe only to find the restaurant closed. What to do? We continued to drive down 6A to the next open breakfast spot, which happened to be the 6A Cafe….in Sandwich!

Fun

A morning fishing trip on calm waters is the perfect start to a summer day.

While I’m hanging onto my mid-30s, I still get giddy when thinking about the simple joy that comes from playing a round of mini golf, catching a fish, riding a wave on a boogie board, taking in an evening band concerts or baseball games, even playing Uno or attempting to complete a puzzle on a rainy day. While the baseball and band seasons end in early August and Labor Day Weekend, respectively, there are plenty of other activities to fill an afternoon. And if you enjoy shopping, most stores will have sales on most of their merchandise to make room for next season’s line.

Reputation with a Touch of Yesteryear

While Vermont is typically known for The General Store, Wellfleet has one too!

Cape Cod is a special place to many. The protected national seashore, quaint set of seaside villages, maritime culture, fresh seafood, commitment to preservation and roots in early American history. There are iconic restaurants, beaches, drive-in theaters, main streets, historical sites and people. Families and adults have plenty to do. One of the popular radio stations still features radio ad jingles. There is an understandable resistance to big box stores, chain restaurants and over development which threatens the natural landscape that gives Cape Cod its identity. While real challenges exist – increasing beach erosion, warming waters, over fishing, compounding pollution, opioid use, affordable housing and plentiful job opportunities to name a few – the Cape has a lot to offer – to a lot of people – all year long.

Locals

The back of the compass t-shirt is a spitting image of the Cape Cod Canal and Bourne Bridge.

While most people tend to keep to themselves, their friends/family or their phones (ugh!), a cup of coffee and conversation with a local can be a memorable one. Just last month, I met an artist, Vanessa Piche, at the Chatham Festival of the Arts, who’s coastal painting scenes were memorizing. She also screen prints her designs onto t-shirts, sweatshirts and kitchenware. I had to have the t-shirt that captured a perfect day on the Cape Cod Canal with the Bourne Bridge in the distance and totally forgot about my bike ride. Of course, these types of interactions can’t be planned, so just stay on alert. Locals live here, news travels fast, and they know what’s what.

Sunrise, Sunsets & Scenery

The magic of Cape Cod sunsets from our backyard.

“Winter, spring, summer or fall, all you got to do is call, and [the Cape] will be there, you got a friend.” James Taylor’s words are appropriate when it comes to Cape Cod’s sunrises, sunsets and scenery. With many beaches facing east, sunrises are a particularly good view if you don’t mind getting up early!

Return Trip

While other coastal, jungle, mountainous, desert and remote parts of the world compete for our attention, our time and our hard earned dollars, you can always count on that infamous sign along Route 25, Welcome to Cape Cod! Massachusetts 2018 Cape Cod and Islands, like an old friend guiding you back home.

Run the Cod Challenge Part 1

The placemat in the background is one of six from 1984 and one of my favorite items in our home.

Author’s Note: I never thought this would be the case, but I am a runner. It happened by chance, mostly because of my friend Frank’s family connection to the Ragnar Relay races. The challenging distances, mildly competitive divisions, team format and focus on fun, quality and travel, was a great place to start a running career. I graduated onto a few marathons (my first being the Cape Cod Marathon), a handful of halfs, and a bunch of local 10K and 5Ks. I regularly run in three local races each year, otherwise, I keep an eye out for a new race, location, or challenge to keep running fun, fresh and exciting.

All smiles on leg 1 of my first Ragnar Relay Cape Cod. And I made their photo gallery!

My “I’m a runner realization” dawned on me when people started asking questions about running and seeking input on topics from injury prevention, to gear, to training plans, to the race best bling/swag. One running buddy recently told me about a long standing running challenge she was 1/3 of the way through – Run 169 Towns Society. Not long ago, I had no idea what that meant other than knowing there are 169 towns and cities in Connecticut. She quickly filled me in that this particular challenge is to complete a timed running race in every town (169) in Connecticut. My friend is in her 30s and has already run a race in over 1/3 of the towns. Runners join the group before completing the feat, critical to figuring out how to find a race in some of the smaller rural towns where there may only be one race offered. As she explained the upcoming town races, her excitement was contagious. Later that day, I thought more about the concept of completing races in a specific geographic location and then the lightbulb went off, why not do this in my favorite place in the world, Cape Cod!

Run the Cod Challenge Part 1-The Challenge.

All jokes before starting my first marathon – Cape Cod Marathon in Falmouth.

Have you ever wanted to visit a Cape Cod town you’ve never been to, but was not sure “what to do” when you arrived? Well, if you are a runner, plan your next visit around the town’s road race. With Run 169 Town Society (CT) roots in mind, this running challenge is similar: run (or walk) a timed road or trail race in all 15 Cape Cod towns, the 2 islands and 1 off-Cape town (can’t forget our friends on the other side of the canal). Only then, have you Run the Cod!

Since the initial “light bulb moment,” I determined there were three pieces of the research puzzle that needed to be assembled. First, I needed to know if any existing local running clubs, athletic groups, or any social media savvy south shoreline runners claimed this feat or promoted a similar series/challenge. I found none. Check. Second, I needed to make sure it was even logistically possible to run a road race in every Cape Cod town. It is. Though, as expected, a few towns only offer two events per year, and many events are so small, registration pages are not set up (since permits are not yet acquired) until shortly before the race. Check. The bottom-line; no one is doing this, yet it can be done. As Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother would say, “[Cod] Challenge accepted!”

Feeling a little tired after finishing the Cape Cod Marathon in Falmouth.

The final bit of information needed was to list – and make a calendar of – all the races in each town to get a sense of the schedule. At last count, there are over 70 races on Cape Cod, the Islands as well as plenty off-Cape, particularly in Plymouth. Races are spread through the busy summer tourist season as well as shoulder seasons as part of a local celebration or annual event (Wellfleet Oysterfest hosts a 5K, New Year’s Day celebrations hosts “First Day 5ks,” some pubs host their own timed fun run, etc.), and can be a big economic driver for the host town. Check.

This challenge is a great way for runners and lovers of Cape Cod to better understand each town’s history, community and cultural identity while supporting the economy through lodging, shopping, eating and drinking (fun will be had by all). Additionally, most road races tend to have a local nonprofit partner or charitable program, which benefits from the net proceeds. That’s right, in addition to supporting the business community, you are also supporting a good cause and helping those in need. Even better! And of course, running requires a little motivation and physical activity so on top of it all, you are getting in those steps and burning off those chowder calories. Winning!

Team Monomoy Legs Tired (“Man-are-my-legs-tired was the idea) at the finish line of our first Ragnar Relay Cape Cod in 2013.

So, if you are up for traveling to – or around – Cape Cod, exploring every town, clipping on a running bib, and bringing some friends along, then join me in accepting the Run the Cod Challenge. As Barney Stinson would also say, “It’s gonna be legendary!”

Run the Cod Challenge Part 2 will feature a list of Cape, Islands and off-Cape road races. (Finding and linking all the race websites is proving to be a labor of love!)

Happy Running on Cape Cod!