By: centraljersey.com
It’s time to slurp for the cure.
The 12th annual Oyster Bowl, New Jersey’s annual oyster eating contest and fundraiser benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure Central and South Jersey Affiliate (Komen for the Cure), kicks off on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Hundreds of spectators will gather in front of the Blue Point Grill at the corner of Nassau and Pine streets in Princeton to watch individual and corporate team contestants devour all the oysters they can eat in a two-minute period.
This highly-anticipated event also features lunch at the Blue Point Grill restaurant, kids’ activities and a raffle with fabulous prizes, proceeds of which benefit Komen for the Cure.
The oyster eating record was set in 2009 with 102 oysters in two minutes.
The 2011 oyster eating champion will receive an all-inclusive trip for two to the Caribbean courtesy of WPST and Nassau Broadcasting Partners, including round-trip airport transportation provided by TOC Chauffeured Transportation.
The Grand Prize raffle winner will receive a flat-screen television courtesy of Mrs. G’s TV & Appliances of Lawrence.
Other raffle prize highlights include a golf foursome at Springdale Country Club; a Chef Tasting for 4 at Elements; a Princeton Get-Away at the Nassau Inn, and much more.
Organized by Blue Point Grill restaurant, Nassau Broadcasting Partners and Komen for the Cure, New Jersey’s Oyster Bowl XII is made possible through the following: Pearl Sponsors – Borden Perlman, Dey Equine Vets, First Choice Bank, JM Group, and 94.5 WPST; Community Partner – The Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce; Littleneck Sponsors – Costanza Builders, Aztec Graphics, and East Point Brand Oysters.
For a $45 individual entry fee ($50 on site) and $180 per four-person corporate team entry fee ($200 on site), contestants receive a T-shirt and all the oysters they can eat in two minutes. Prizes are awarded based on the total number of oysters consumed in that time period. To prepare for the anticipated 100 contestants, Blue Point Grill will begin shucking oysters at 8 a.m. Volunteer judges and oyster counters determine the winners.
"Oyster Bowl continues to generate excitement and awareness for a very important cause," said Nancy Kaplan Healey, Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s executive director. "We’re thrilled to continue this event into the next decade and are thankful for the donations and support that Oyster Bowl has generated throughout the years."
"It’s amazing to see the community join in the fun while at the same time supporting Komen for the Cure," said Blue Point Grill manager Steve Murray. "The momentum continues to build each year and the competition just keeps growing in intensity. But remember, you don’t have to compete to enjoy the fun – there will be a wonderful lunch inside the restaurant and lots of fun for the whole family."
New Jersey’s Oyster Bowl XII event details, including contest rules and online registration can be found at www.oysterbowlnj.com. Contestants may also register on-site between 11 a.m. and noon.
For more information, interested parties can call Blue Point Grill at 609-921-1211 or visit www.oysterbowlnj.com for up-to-the minute news and raffle prize additions.
