MILFORD, Connecticut (WFSB) – The 50th annual Milford Oyster Festival takes place this weekend.

Tonight is Oyster Eve, which runs until 10 p.m. on Fowler Field behind the public library, but tomorrow is the main event, when 30,000 oysters will be shucked and slurped.

“We started setting up on Monday and now everything is coming together,” said Jay Pinto of the Milford Oyster Festival.

All oysters are harvested locally in Milford waters.

“We used to have a lot of different varieties all over New England and over time we just decided this is the Milford Oyster Festival! We have the best, we think we have the best oysters in all of New England,” Pinto said.

But don’t worry if you don’t like oysters, says festival president Jay Pinto, there are plenty of other foods.

“There’s lobster rolls, sausage and peppers. Tomorrow is the whole day, I’m looking forward to it,” said Jim Garfield of the Milford Elks. “Lots of energy, it’s fantastic. The band is going to be great this year and everyone is super excited to be here.”

There will be rides, stalls and more on the green space in the city center.

“The whole green space will be packed with tents. We’ll have a car show, rides will be back. We’ll have kayak races, oyster shucking and eating contests,” Pinto said.

Music is also provided: the headliners Little Feat and Living Color will be on stage.

Organizers stress that the festival, which celebrates Milford while raising money for local charities, has something for everyone.

“You can’t manufacture that. It’s a downtown area where you don’t go through a gate. You can walk to hear the music. If you don’t want to, you can go to the green space, watch a car show or try out rides. When you’re here, you feel like you’re part of a community.”

Parking is limited, so organizers recommend people use the shuttle buses provided by two local high schools or take the Metro North train, which will drop you off right in front of Milford Green.

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