By Ken Valenti

WESTPORT — Ask 10-year-old Logan Silverman what he likes about lobster and he’ll tell you, “Everything.” Favorite part of the lobster? “Everything.” Best part about the Westport Rotary Club’s annual LobsterFest? “Lobster.”

If his answers were brief, who could blame him with fresh lobster to munch on, trucked in from Maine the night before? 

Logan enjoyed the festival at Compo Beach on Saturday with parents David and Jennifer Silverman, along with hundreds of others who turned out for a traditional shore dinner of crustaceans and hot-buttered corn on the cob.

LobsterFest is a late-summer staple organized by the Rotary Club, this year marking its 100th anniversary.

“It’s a great, lovely event at our Compo Beach,” said Sal Liccione, a District 9 Representative Town Meeting member, helping out with the fest.

In all, 2,800 lobsters were delivered from Maine for the festival, said Rick Benson, the founder of the Rotary event, dressed up in a bright-red lobster suit.

Also on the menu: 1,000 shrimp, 1,000 oysters, 800 clams and 300 steaks.

Chowing down on all that was a crowd of about 1,500 adults and 400 kids, while a cadre of 200 volunteers made it all possible, Benson said.

The fundraiser supporting club programs and charities had raised nearly $300,000 in advance of Saturday, according to the Rotary website.

Besides the culinary attractions, the Silver Steel Band played songs by Jimmy Buffet, Bob Marley, Disney hits and more, while parents danced with their kids. 

The young ones had plenty to do, climbing on an antique fire engine, laughing to the comedy magic act by children’s entertainer Mr. Bungles, fashioning their own pins, getting their faces painted and more.

Christina Armentano of Paraco, an event sponsor, said it’s a great event “for everyone to relax and have a good time and celebrate Westport.”

Ken Valenti is a freelance writer.