Oyster Festival Prep Kicks Off

The final countdown has begun in the lead up to the 29th annual Oyster Festival in Oyster Bay. Old and new acts will take over land, sea, and air to create the biggest event yet.

As families browse through the goods of more than 140 vendors, they will make their way to the waterfront to see classic ships. This year's featured ship is The Peacemaker, a 150 foot long sailing ship.

Last year's featured vessel, , and the freedom schooner Amistad may also make an appearance, although it has not been confirmed.

From war ships to Army planes, the 101st Airborne Division, the Screaming Eagles, will fly over the festival, dropping four skydivers from 13,500 feet to land in the middle of the park behind Theodore Roosevelt School.

The NFL, another newcomer to the festival, will host their Punt, Pass, & Kick Long Island Championship on the new turf field at Theodore Roosevelt Park during the Oyster Festival.

"We have this brand new turf field in the middle of everything and we wanted to incorporate it somehow into the festival," said Oyster Festival co-chair Kristin Reardon.

The competition brings girls and boys ages six to 15 to showcase punting, passing and kicking talents. Qualifying events are being held this summer and local finalists will compete against each other during the festival.

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Adam Cohen and sons Ziggy and Ikey demonstrated their unicycling tricks and will be performing at the festival, training others to unicycle and doing tricks.

Old favorites like the ferris wheel and craft vendors will also be at the festival, a favorite of Sen. Carl Marcellino, R-Syosset.

"I love the rides and the arts and crafts," said Marcellino, honorary Oyster Festival chairperson. "I get a kick out of seeing peoples' talents. There are some really talented people that come to this…It really is quite an event."

Also returning to the festival is a U.S. Coast Guard demonstration of a search and rescue demonstration over the bay.

The Oyster Festival takes place Oct. 13-14.