After a week of great events celebrating the gloriously delicious lobster, Lobsterfest 2013 capped off the activities with a fantastic block party. Central Park was the place to be on Saturday, June 22nd. Restaurants filled gaily decorated booths and offered savory bites of lobster prepared all kinds of ways: lobster tacos, pizza, burgers, kebabs, bacon-wrapped, dip, ravioli, bratwurst and even cannoli. There were all sorts of delicious cocktails to chase the bites down as well: from mojitos to watermelon coolers, and rum punches to Belize’s best: Belikin.
Music was provided by the Panerifics Steel Band, and strains of Michael Jackson, Punta music and a few contemporary songs that took on a new sound via the skilled musicians’ steel pans. For two hours, the young musicians provided a wide range of music that had festival-goers dancing into the twilight.
As the music played, six judges had the arduous task of deciding the most delicious dish and drink of the 2013 Lobsterfest. Roxanne, Dixie, Joe, Erin, Dorian and Mary had the really tough task of tasting 10 different offerings of food and drink. Using a point system, the collective figures determined that Casa Picasso’s Lobster Cannoli (sweet lobster and a savory filling in a buttery, crispy shell) and Watermelon Cooler (a refreshing blend of watermelon juice, ginger and basil) edged out the competition.
Despite a little “lights out”, the party continued. Following the steel band’s tropical music was “What you wanna hear”. Literally taking requests from the crowd, the band jammed out great tunes and kept the crowd happy as they sang and danced to the good tunes.
All around, the sound was of happiness, of friends greeting each other, of bellies happy from delicious lobster dishes, and a general feeling of celebration. The night was capped off with the performance of Belizean punta rocker Supa G, who took to the stage and brought out the dancers with his infectious songs.
All the hard work and dedication of the many volunteers and the businesses who helped facilitate the event could breathe easy and revel in the success of yet another fabulous Lobsterfest Block Party. Congratulations on a great Lobsterfest, and see you in 2014!!
