Frequently Asked Questions 2024

What does my wristband fee support and why do I need one?

The wristband fee is the fundraising mechanism of this event.  All proceeds from wristband sales directly support Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program. Specifically, the community aquaculture efforts conducted by their SPAT Program, and the habitat and shellfish restoration and stewardship efforts of their Back to the Bays Initiative. 

Included with your wristband is a complimentary raw bar and drink ticket.  Upon check in on site at you’ll receive an assortment of local oysters, and a tasting pour of a Greenport Harbor Brew or Rosé for the Bays, generously donated by local oyster growers, Greenport Harbor Brewing Company and Borghese Vineyards. 

You’ll need to show your wristband to each participating restaurant in order to receive the special Shellabration Pairing menu.

Please note that we are unable to issue refunds for wristband purchases for any reason after November 29th. If you are unable to make it to the event, or transfer your reservation to a friend, we will treat your purchase as a fully tax-deductible contribution to Cornell Cooperative Extension Marine Program.

I’m new at this — how exactly does the event work?

We thank you for your support of Shellabration and look forward to having you! To break it down, here is what to expect:

1. Arrive in Greenport and pick up your wristband at one of our 3 check in locations. It doesn’t matter which one you decide to go to, the experience will be the same!

2. Redeem your complimentary raw bar and drink tickets on site at the check in location. You’ll receive a sampling of local oysters, and a tasting pour of a Greenport Harbor Brew or Borghese’s Rose for the Bays-yum.

3. Check out the Route Map that you just received and decide where you want to go. This is a free form restaurant walk and we encourage you to try as many restaurants as you can from Noon-4pm when the Shellabration specials are offered. You can view an interactive map, as well as other handy day-of information on our “Time to Shellabrate” page.

4. Once you’re at a participating restaurant, show your wristband and you’ll get access to the special Shellabration Pairing Menu featuring an $8 small plate featuring local shellfish or sustainable seafood, and a $5 tasting pour of whatever the special craft beer, cocktail or wine the chef has chosen to pair with their dish!  Make sure you tip your servers, and move along to your next delicious destination.

5. See how many pairings you can sample throughout the day and get social by sharing your favorite dishes and the fun you are having-use #greenportshellabration2024 and tag @ccemarineprogram on Instagram for a chance to win some great prizes!

6. Repeat the experience on Sunday if you have weekend wristband.  No need to check in again, just start enjoying more restaurants at Noon, if you have a Sunday Only wristband, see step 1-5.  Your wristband won’t be released to you until Sunday at 11am so please keep that in mind.

Anything new for 2024?

We’re welcoming in the full 1,500 Shellabrant capacity again this year! And we are adding a VIP Kick Off Party on Dec. 6th! All Sponsors and their guests will be invited to join us at Little Creek Oysters NEW location, 211 Carpenter Street, for complementary bites, drinks, music and wristband package pick up to avoid the lines on Saturday!

We are bringing back Shellabingo, with raffles and prizes for winning Bingo or completing your card. We’ll also be adding new categories to our Best of Shellabration Voting ballot, especially to encourage celebration of the most local and sustainable seafood! More info about these new additions, will be provided at check-in and on our “Time to Shellabrate” page. Everything else is the same as you’ve enjoyed in past years, we look forward to Shellabrating with you December 7-8, from Noon-4pm.

Are kids allowed?

We love kids, but this event is best suited for adults aged 21+ who can fully enjoy everything Shellabration is — a culinary exploration of Greenport Village featuring food and adult beverage pairings! Additionally, please be forewarned the participating restaurants tend to get very busy making strollers hard to navigate and sometimes hard to find seating for families. However, if you have kids in tow you certainly won’t be turned away and we’ve seen many family units enjoying Shellabration as part of their outing to Greenport. They will not need wristbands, and most of the restaurants will be serving their regular lunch menus to accommodate those not in Greenport for Shellabration, those Shellabrants looking for more to enjoy than the pairing menu offerings, or in this case the younger set who may be joining your party.

Is there a rain date?

Shellabration will happen RAIN or SHINE! The show must go on! And don’t worry, our staff and volunteers still have plenty of fun standing in the cold serving you up fresh oysters and directing you to all the warm spots in town to stop in and grab a special Shellabration bite and drink pairing.

What else is there to do in Greenport?

Shellabration only runs from Noon-4pm each day of Shellabration weekend, however there are so many things to enjoy while you are in town. We recommend you check out www.greenportvillage.com/things-to-do/ to learn more! Grabbing a post-Shellabration dinner at the restaurant you enjoyed best during the event is of course high on our list of recommendations!