Lobster Festival to set restaurant record

Seafood, music, family games and more will be on offer at a record 13 restaurants this year at the 12th annual Anegada Lobster Festival, organisers announced.

“We are excited about the high level of participation by the businesses on the island for this year’s Anegada Lobster Festival,” said Tourism Director Clive McCoy. “We will continue to work with industry partners and government and statutory agency partners to make the experience more seamless from arrival throughout the festival experience right through to departure.”

Visitors to this year’s event — which will be held from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1 under the theme “Lobster, Sun and Anegada Fun” — will travel around the island as participating restaurants each offer a $10 lobster sampler along with a regular menu.

Chef contest

New this year is a competition for the best sampler, which will be judged by Shane Huggins, the chef ambassador for St. Martin’s Gastronomy Festival 2024. The winner will take home the first ever “ALFFY Award,” organisers said.

Also new are vouchers that will allow 600 attendees to get a free sampler from a participating restaurant.

One voucher per person will be issued on a first-come-first-served basis during the two-day event, organisers said.

Family Fun Day

Like last year, the VI Recreation Trust will host a Family Fun Day with waterslides, pools and bouncy houses.

Musical entertainment will greet visitors at the ferry dock, and a “party cycle” will transport some attendees across the island, organisers said.

“Stay tuned to our social media pages for updates, including when we will be releasing our ‘flapbook,’ which provides patrons with a guide to all things Lobster Festival, including a map, accommodations, marine and land transportation, attractions, restaurant menus, and reminders for a safe celebration,” Mr. McCoy said.

Lobster dishes will be on offer at 13 restaurants during the Anegada Lobster Festival from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1. (File Photo: DANA KAMPA)

Transportation options include planes, passenger ferries, car ferries and barges from the United States Virgin Islands, Tortola, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda. On island, taxis will take guests to the participating restaurants and offer private transfers.

Visitors will also be encouraged to visit other attractions and take part in activities like horseback riding, kiteboarding, snorkelling, hiking and kayaking, according to organisers.

The festival is produced by the BVI Tourist Board and Film Commission, which works closely with the Anegada community and several government agencies to organise the event.

For more information, go to bvifoodfete.com.