After 23 years, the Oyster Festival is still fresh as the oysters in the bay. Members of Oyster Bay's non-profit groups are prepared to serve up the great foods that are the hallmark of the day. The weather looks like the perfect brisk Indian summer weekend. Mix in pirates and fresh oysters from the bay, historic tall ships, pirates looking for buried treasure, live bands, artisans from around the country all coming together for area non-profits and you have a weekend to remember.

It is a great time for families to get together as they meet at the festival. With the Bayville Bridge closed, many people may decide to try the "easy way" to get to the heart of the Oyster Festival - by railroad. The trip takes only 11 minutes from Locust Valley and parking is available there. Please call 822-LIRR for departure times.

Organized and operated by the Oyster Bay Rotary with profits channeled back into the community through the Oyster Bay Charitable Fund the annual festival helps local non-profits earn funds for their organizations' needs. The Oyster Festival has succeeded in making the hamlet known for the annual event, as well as being the home of Teddy Roosevelt and that delicious bivalve itself, the oyster!

Much is new this year, including the presence of Bank of America, which joins the Festival as its title sponsor - a commitment that has helped make the event better than ever.

Robert Isaksen, Bank of America's Long Island market president, puts it this way: "At Bank of America, we believe healthy communities are healthy places to do business. That's why we're honored to serve as the title sponsor of the Bank of America 23rd Annual Oyster Festival. For over two decades, this event has delighted visitors with great food, family entertainment, shopping and the ever popular Tall Ships. Thanks to the Oyster Bay Charitable Fund, local nonprofit agencies have a forum to raise funds by partnering with local businesses. We thank them and all who pitch in to make this event a fantastic success every year."

At the Oyster Festival, there is always something new going on. Verizon FiOS is bringing in recently retired New York Jets all-star wide receiver Wayne Chrebet who will make a special appearance to sign autographs. A trio of giraffes makes the Exotic Animal Petting Zoo an especially fun place for youngsters and their parents. Cablevision's Power to Learn brings Scott Feldman and Long Island Challenge to our stage for a special tenth anniversary show. A trio of Tall Ships arrives just in time to be boarded by "pirates". And, if Aunt Mary (or Uncle John) has a "to die for" seafood entree-have her bring it to the first ever seafood cooking contest sponsored by Whole Foods Market.

Don't forget to visit your favorite charitable organization serving food in the food court by the waterfront at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park. Walk down Audrey Avenue and see what the commercial part of town is offering. The Oyster Festival was created by the Oyster Bay Chamber of Commerce to put the hamlet on the map and to say to visitors: "Ya'll come on back!" after the festival and see what a friendly small town Oyster Bay is.

Please turn to page 1F, 2F, 3F and 4F for information about Oyster Festival 2006.