Clambake Celebrations Can Be Fun and Delicious

My family has always thrown a Fourth of July party the Saturday before the actual Fourth of July. Some of our traditions are an epic water balloon fight, plenty of kegs of beer, and an extraordinary firework. The most important custom though has always been the food and its display. We usually have something catered like chicken, sandwiches, potato salads, sushi, etc. I recall a pig roaster being hired one year, a nice alternative but very expensive. Last years Fourth of July party though was a total success. We threw a clambake celebration and everyone enjoyed it very much.

I would recommend doing with the seafood route to anybody thinking of throwing a summer celebration similar to what we do. Let's face it- its never really "cheap" to hire professional catering for a party. But, if you have already made the decision to cater anyway, the seafood route isn't much more expensive than the traditional chicken/potato salad, macaroni, or whatever other boring food the caterers typically tend to provide.

For the last couple of years there have been approximately 200 people to our 4th of July parties. Experience tells us that it is not likely for all 200 to be there at the same time, but an overall estimate for this year is the same as usual. I wouldn't suggest throwing a clambake celebration with less than 40 guests, due to it being a little wasteful. If you expect more than 40 participants though, a party of this kind might be fun!

The clambake celebration that we hosted was obviously through a catering company. We ordered a full menu, including clams, mussels, lobsters, and quahogs. They bring over live lobster, and kill/cook them in front of you. Half of the fun (both for the children and the adults) is to watch the showmanship of the chefs doing this. They also have a lot of rocks and seafood laid out that they serve the food on top of.

What we ordered was considered to be a "standard clambake" but they also had an option for a "New England clambake". Both were similarly priced, but I guess that the New England one had more local menu offerings for New England stuff. I was pleased with the one we ordered, but I cannot say anything about the New England style, because I haven't tried it (yet!)

We are very delighted to do a clambake celebration once again for the 4th of July party this year. Everything is already planned, and we just can't wait for July to come! It's such a great food that we didn't consider anything else to eat. But of course there will also be lots of beer and water balloon fights.

- Michael Chapman