This year will mark the 40th anniversary for the New Canaan Rotary Lobsterfest. The event will take place 4:00-8:00pm on Thursday September 25 and Friday September 26 at Waveny House. Organizers have made changes that preserves the current take-out format and adds a dine-in option. In addition, menu choices have been freshened to ensure a choice for everyone.
Rotary Club President Tom Ferguson points out that Lobsterfest is the most important fundraiser the club sponsors. Rotary returns all the profit to the community in the form of grants to over 40 charitable organizations. Over the 40 years of Lobsterfests, over $1 million has been donated.
The event has evolved over the years. In 2020, Covid protocols forced Rotary to give up its picnic tables and volunteer chefs on the grounds of the New Canaan Museum & Historical Society to become a drive through experience at the Steve Benko pool. This year sees a change to the venue and a return to the dine-in option with a very festive atmosphere. Co-chairs Amy Murphy Carroll and Kathleen Corbett have moved the event to the historic Waveny House for curbside pick-up while the Veranda and House will host on-site dining, indoors in case of poor weather.
Carroll and Corbet are excited to provide both options and , new this year, LIVE entertainment by local bands! On-site dining will give New Canaanites the opportunity to again experience Lobsterfest as a shared community event one with friends and neighbors. While the menu features lobster and lobster rolls there is also beef tenderloin, surf and turf, chicken tenders, vegetable lasagne and a kid’s meal.
Thursday afternoon now replaces Saturday as a dining choice and was selected in part to appeal to families engaged in after school programs. Friday will repeat with the same full menu.
For those wishing to support but unable to attend there is an opportunity to purchase meals for First Responders. Reservations for the event are at the website, www.newcanaanrotarylobsterfest.org.
