Volunteer Information

Volunteer Information

As a volunteer, your job is to be as helpful and informative as possible. Below is a list of frequently asked questions, and the answers to them. Please become familiar with them. IMPORTANT!! As a GREETER, your main responsibilities are to make sure there is no outside alcohol (“brown bagging”), or pets (except for service dogs) allowed into the ‘Fest.

1. What is SPAT and what do we do?

The ‘Fest is produced by Wellfleet Shellfish Promotion and Tasting, Inc., or SPAT, a non-profit organization. Proceeds from the ‘Fest fund SPAT’s educational mission including a Nauset Regional High School scholarship program and community grant awards to those whose creative and educational work increases awareness of Wellfleet’s shellfishing industry. To date, SPAT has awarded more than $125,000 between these programs.

2. Admission

As the event has grown it has become more costly to produce. To keep the event safe, sustainable and enjoyable for years to come, the Town of Wellfleet and the SPAT Board decided to charge an admission fee for the first time in the event’s 12 year history. Ticket prices are $5 for one day, $8 for two days and children 12 and under are free. Tickets have been sold online in advance and may also be purchased on site on the day of the event for CASH ONLY. Admission bracelets will be given to those who purchase or present a pre-paid ticket. Kids’ activities are free but food and retail items are priced individually by the vendors. Some satellite events (such as the culinary programs) require a small fee. Please encourage everyone to support the event and help GROW SPAT!

3. Who gets an Admission bracelet

Silicone admission bracelets will be given out to festival attendees that pay admission and SPAT volunteers only. We will use the number of bracelets sold to verify attendance. Vendors, their employees or volunteers and people coming to Main Street for the purpose of doing business do not have to pay admission and do not get a bracelet.

4. Where is the ATM

ATM machines are located at either end of Main Street near Abiyoyo and Sick Day. ATM machines are also found in local businesses such as the Marketplace, Cape Cod Five Savings Bank, The Bookstore, Seamen’s Bank and Cumberland Farms.

5. Where is the SPAT Booth

The SPAT Booth is located on the corner of Main Street and entrance to the Town Hall Lot (next to Winslow’s Tavern.) This is where volunteers check-in for their shift, WOF merchandise may be purchased, registration for the Shucking Contest occurs and information is provided. When in doubt go there to find answers you seek!

6. Where are the bathrooms

Portable restrooms and hand wash stations are located behind Town Hall to the right of the Main Food tent, behind Nickerson’s Funeral Home, in the Family Fun Area behind Wellfleet Preservation Hall and at Mayo Beach.

7. Where is the schedule of Main Events

Large print schedules and maps are posted on the A-frame Green Boards located at each entrance to ‘Fest and one at each entrance to the Town Hall lot where the Main Stage and Food tent is set-up.

8. When is the Shucking Contest

Preliminaries are held from 1 -3pm on Saturday. The final Shuck-Off Competition will be held from 1-3pm on Sunday!

9. Where is the Family Fun Area

Affectionately known as the Kid’s Area, the Family Fun Area is located in the park behind Wellfleet Preservation Hall which is across the street from the church parking lot on Main Street (referred to as WPH lot on map).

10. Where are the Educational and Culinary Programs held

The Educational and Culinary Programs are held in the lower level of Wellfleet Preservation Hall (accessed from the rear of the building in the Family Fun Area.) Film screenings will be held at the Wellfleet Public Library and the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater on Route 6. Please see Schedule of Activities for details and times.

11. What bands are playing and when

This is still TBD.

12. Where is the Beer Tent

The beer tent is located to the rear of the large food tent, to the right of the Main Stage.

13. Where are the Food Tent and Raw Bars located

The large food tent is facing the Main Stage and on the right. Food booths are also located on Main Street, in the Wellfleet Preservation Hall parking lot and behind Preservation Hall. Raw bars are located throughout the ‘Fest in the Town Hall parking lot, on each end of Main Street, and in front of Wellfleet Preservation Hall parking lot.

14. Where is First Aid

The First Aid is located directly in front of Town Hall, by the brick walkway.

15. How can I donate to SPAT

Donations may be placed directly into the donation boxes at the SPAT booth and in the Family Fun Area.

16. Are dogs allowed in the ‘Fest

Following two incidents several years ago, the Wellfleet OysterFest instituted a no pet policy except for service animals. Additionally, it is also a board of health violation to have pets near food preparation and food booths.

17. Where can I catch the bus

Bus stops are located on Main Street and Bank Street for the beach buses and on Holbrook Ave for the Pier and handicapped bus to Mayo Beach.

18. When do the buses stop running

The shuttle buses run from 9:30am – 5:30pm. You must be at the pick up spot prior to this time in order to catch the buses out to the ocean beaches.

19. How many people attend the OysterFest

We estimated about 25,000 last year. We hope to get a more accurate count this year.

Again, your job as a greeter is to answer questions, keep pets and alcohol out of the ‘Fest area, and encourage people to have fun! The ‘Fest is made possible through the support of SPAT’s generous sponsors, the Town of Wellfleet and the hard work of over 125 dedicated volunteers like YOU!

Thank you for your commitment to making the OysterFest better and better!