Suffolk is getting ready to shuck and celebrate as County Executive Ed Romaine, local officials, and oyster farmers come together to announce the first-ever Long Island Oyster Jamboree, set to take place on Saturday, August 16 at Smith Point Park.
Hosted in partnership with the Long Island Oyster Growers Association (LIOGA) and Tiki Joe’s, the event is a free, family-friendly festival celebrating one of the region’s most prized—and flavorful—natural resources: Long Island oysters.
“If you love oysters, this will be the place to be,” said Romaine, who noted that while places such as Oyster Bay and Connecticut have respectable shellfish, “they are not as good as our oysters grown right here in our local waters.” Romaine added that the Jamboree will feature free parking, live music, family contests, activities for all ages, and a wide variety of food, including non-seafood dishes.
Only local oyster harvesters will be featured at the Jamboree, promoting an industry with a $16.5 million impact on Suffolk’s economy. In 2024, 10 million oysters were harvested in county waters. And according to event organizers, that’s just the beginning.
“We grow the best oysters in the world on Eastern Long Island,” boasted Eric Koepele, president of LIOGA and the man behind the Jamboree. “Our oysters have a distinct flavor profile depending on where they’re grown—from the Peconic and Great South Bay to Moriches and Narrows Bay. We’re the Napa Valley of oysters.”
Koepele shared a bit of oyster lore as well: “Queen Victoria issued a decree that the only oysters served at Buckingham Palace should come from Long Island.” His family-run oyster farm in Peconic Bay, discovered for sale on Craigslist four years ago, involves his wife Rosemary and children Grady, Samantha, and Tallulah.
And the mission goes beyond flavor—it’s about restoration and sustainability. “We’re claiming our turf back,” Koepele said, aiming to double the county’s oyster harvest each year in what he’s dubbed ‘Koepele’s Law.’ A hundred million oysters in 10 years is a lofty goal but the oyster mavin believes the farmers can hit it.
Suffolk Legislator Jim Mazzarella reminded attendees of the oyster’s deep local roots: “They were a food source for Native Americans and early settlers. Oysters were once a cornerstone of the economy—and we’re bringing them back.” He noted that the shellfish also support the environment. As filter feeders, oysters help clean the bays they call home.
Legislator Catherine Stark added, “We’re lucky to have a county that supports aquaculture. It ties everything together—our waterfronts, boats, economy, and environment.” She noted that organizations such as the Peconic Estuary Partnership, Moriches Bay Project, and the Friends of Bellport Bay are dedicated to restoring Suffolk’s bays through re‑establishing eelgrass and shellfish beds, water quality monitoring, and community outreach.
The Jamboree is also a chance for families to enjoy Suffolk’s beautiful shoreline. “We’re excited to host the oyster fest, which we plan to make an annual tradition,” said Martin Grimes, COO of Tiki Joe’s. “There will be many activities right here on the ocean for families to enjoy.”
Romaine hinted at even more good news: “We’re looking into lowering parking fees next year across all county parks and beaches. Everyone—especially working families—deserves a place to enjoy themselves.”
Whether you come for the oysters, the ocean breeze, or just a good time with neighbors, the Oyster Jamboree is shaping up to be a summer highlight.