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08/24/2021 01:58 PMHang the chef’s hat on its hook—Chester Rotary will be serving dinner at its annual Lobster Festival scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 11 at the Chester Fairground, with mealtimes running from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Proceeds to benefit Chester Rotary.
“The most important part is that contributions are made to local nonprofits, the beneficiaries that we support. All of that is terrific and wonderful and is the real reason for doing it,” said Ted Taigen, chair of the Lobster Festival Committee and president of Chester Rotary.
“But the other thing that is terrific, also, is that our town has a night of celebrating each other and being together and enjoying some music,” he continued.
Betty Tremalgia, 95, who was born and raised in Chester, has participated in every Lobster Festival since its inception, 50 years ago.
“I love lobsters and I like to be with everybody,” she said, adding that it’s a community reunion of sorts, with “so many people that I haven’t seen in a long time.”
It started with a group of about 100 people around a small bonfire near the banks of the Connecticut River, she said.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it had grown to a large gathering held under a big tent with a band on the Chester Fairgrounds.
Last year, it was a take-out only event, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which did not stop Tremalgia and other supporters from partaking in the fundraiser.
“That was successful,” said Taigen. “What we’ve done this year is try and combine it.”
This year, it’s organized as a hybrid event, which means people can pick up their meals, which will all be pre-packaged, and dine elsewhere, or they can set up their own table and chairs on the grounds and dine on-site.
“There are some picnic tables there and there will be some other tables, but we are encouraging people to bring tables and chairs,” said Taigen.
Taigen said that the event has been organized with current COVID-19 safety guidelines in mind, with it being outdoors with ample space for diners to spread out and socially distance themselves.
To reduce wait times and lines, patrons can choose from half-hour time slots to pick up their meals.
There will be live music from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., provided by The Gary Torello Band and John Brown and the Back-Street Pickers.
“If you wish to stay, enjoy the music, enjoy being together, then that option is there, too,” said Taigen.
As is customary, dinner will include either a 1 ½-pound lobster or 12-ounce New York strip steak, with sides of baked potato, corn on the cob, coleslaw, rolls, butter, and sour cream.
Tickets, which are available for purchase online, are $45. More information is available at ChesterRotary.org.