September 28, 2009 after record setting attendance and lobster meal sales, the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival and San Pedro Fish Markets will expand their operations in two key areas: The Lobster cooker and seating.

“Over 400 meals served every 13 minutes is great, in fact record setting, but we can do better,” said Jim Hall, CEO of International Lobster Festivals, Inc., and producer of the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival. “Next year we plan to almost double the capacity of the cooker and at the same time we’ll be increasing our seating to better serve our guests.” The result will be shorter lines and faster service.

“In 2010 our guests will enjoy a vastly improved meal service experience that matches our world record status. San Pedro Fish Markets has the savvy to make it happen and we couldn’t ask for a better partner,” Hall said. “They are willing to invest what it takes to make sure we remain a world class festival.”

Saturday, Sept 19 the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival surpassed the old record for The Most Seafood Prepared at an Outdoor Event of 3,835 lbs and one ounce in two hours and fifteen minutes, and at 9 pm set a new Guinness World Record of 12,537.4 lbs. Unlike the old record which included mostly sardines, but some other seafood as well, the Lobster Festival weighed only lobsters and nothing else.

Under the supervision of The Fine Living Network’s Chef Chris Cognac, aka The Hungry Detective, and Guinness Adjudicator Carlos Martinez, San Pedro Fish Markets cooked and prepared the meals.

The record setting meal was purchased by James Lam of Alhambra, California. Councilwoman Janice Hahn announced the new world record shortly after 9 pm in a ceremony in  the lobster serving area.

The festival would like to thank all the dedicated people at the Port of Los Angeles who worked so hard behind the scenes to make this happen.

Nik Frost’s severely broken foot has caused the lead singer for The Bangkok Five to bow out of performing for awhile. Nik’s foot and lower leg are in a full cast and he’s under doctor’s orders to give it a rest for a few weeks.

The shakeup in Friday night’s lineup means that Dilana will take their place as headliner with The Binges in support. Opening the evening at 7 pm will be the hard rocking quartet, Spider Problem.

We wish Nik a speedy recovery and hope The Bangkok Five can join us on stage next year.

Already recognized as the largest lobster festival in the world, the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival will attempt to make it official on Saturday, September 19 by setting a new record for “The Most Seafood Prepared at an Outdoor Event” in the Guinness Book of World Records. The World Record attempt will officially begin at 1 pm and last until 9 pm when the new record will be announced.

On hand to oversee the Lobster Festival as it breaks the record will be Mr. Carlos Martinez, an official Adjudicator from Guinness World Records. The record of 3,835 pounds and one ounce is currently held by the resort town of Silver Beach in Port Edward, South Africa. Supervising the cooking of the lobsters will be Food Network celebrity Chef Chris Cognac of the “Hungry Detective” show.

“I’ve spared no expense to bring this honor to San Pedro,” said Lobster Festival Producer Jim Hall. “I’m personally paying the enormous costs of applying for the record, and going the extra mile for my home town by flying an official Guinness World Records Adjudicator to oversee our attempt. We will also have an official, licensed weighmaster on hand certify the weight of every single lobster cooked. With the Adjudicator present Guinness will certify the new record on the spot.”

The record attempt will take place over an 8 hour period, with two key milestones. The first milestone is when the existing record is broken which San Pedro Fish Markets estimates will be about 4 pm based on conservative sales estimates. The second milestone occurs at 9 pm when the new record is set. In each case the person receiving the milestone meal will receive a commemorative shirt and other small prizes.

In celebration of the world record attempt the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival will be serving a special “Guinness Book of Records” meal on Saturday featuring a wedge of delicious Laughing Cow Cheese and a King’s Hawaiian sweet bread roll in addition to their World Famous Discount Lobster Meal of a 1.25 lb fresh steamed Maine Lobster, cole slaw, lemon wedges and butter.

“I have no doubt we will win and set an almost unbeatable world record,” said Hall. “San Pedro is going to have some pretty big bragging rights by 9 pm on Saturday night. I’m going to let Los Angeles and the world know that if you want seafood in Southern California, San Pedro is the place to go.”

Who doesn’t want to get a good deal while doing a good deed? It that’s you and only the best will do, then check this out:

First Class Tickets for the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival are now on sale. Tickets may be ordered three ways: Online at www.lobsterfest.com, by calling Harbor Interfaith at 310-241-0292 or in person during normal business hours at the Harbor Interfaith offices. Last year profits from the First Class ticket sales went to support Harbor Interfaith’s food bank and family intervention services.

First Class Guests can choose from two options - with and without a lobster meal. With the meal tickets cost $39.00 and without the meal only $25.00. If purchased separately all the First Class benefits would cost  over $50.00

First Class guests check-in at a private area at the entrance of the festival, have a special dining area reserved just for them, can come and go all weekend long for no extra charge, and get a special wristband that allows them to buy drinks and pickup meals without waiting in line. The First Class meal includes a slice of watermelon in addition to a 1.25 lb fresh steamed Maine lobster, cole slaw, roll, butter and lemon wedges. For only $13.00 each they can also add an extra lobsters to their plate. First Class guests also enjoy a welcoming beverage with their meal (must be 21 or older for alcohol), a collectable full color poster by Rock Artist Jeff Nicholas and lobster beads. Credit cars are accepted at the First Class booth.

Tickets may be ordered by calling the Harbor Interfaith offices at 310-241-0292 or by logging on to the festival’s secure order page at http://www.lobsterfest.com/tickets_firstclass.shtml and click on the order now link. There is no need to order in advance like other festivals, First Class Tickets are available for purchase on site each day.

Over one-third of the money from First Class Ticket sales goes to support Harbor Interfaith’s work to aid the homeless and provide shelter for struggling families and childcare.

“Our First Class Ticket is a real bargain. Best of all we’re able to deliver the benefits of First Class service and give our guests a choice in meals. A lot of folks told us they would pay a little more for a lot more convenience and that’s what a First Class Ticket gives them. We’ll still be selling the same great lobster meal for only $17.00 each - a price that has not changed since 2005. There is no better dining and entertainment bargain in Southern California. If you choose the First Class with meal option, you will be saving over $15.00. Compare our First Class ticket with similar offers at other festivals, and see what a good deal you get when you do a good deed.”

The Lobster Festival has raised over $160,000.00 for local non-profit groups. 2009 beneficiaries of the Lobster Festival includes Harbor Interfaith Services, La Piazza Cultural Center, and the San Pedro Rotary Club.

San Pedro Fish Markets, Inc. and Bell Event Services of El Segundo have teamed up to  provide the only biodiesel powered lobster cooker in the world at the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival, Sept. 18, 19 and 20 on Ports O’ Call waterfront in San Pedro.

“From the ocean to the plate we want to be as green as possible. We import only American lobsters from the cold, clean Atlantic waters off the coast of Maine,” said Jim Hall, producer of the 11 year-old festival. “Maine lobstermen are the gold standard for a responsible and sustainable fishery. It only makes sense that we go the extra step and power our lobster cooker with biodiesel fuel made from recycled restaurant vegetable oil.”

By teaming up with Bell Event Services of El Segundo, whose biodiesel distiller will be on display at the Lobster Festival, the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival joins a growing list of local events such as Fiesta Hermosa and the Palos Verdes Street Fair using biodiesel fuel.

“Mike Bell is a real innovator in event services,” said Hall, “He’s worked hard to iron out the technical details, his biodiesel is of the highest quality and will emit 80% fewer particulates than regular diesel. We’re excited to bring this green innovation to the Lobster Festival.”

“We have been recycling our cooking oil for 40 years,” said Tommy Amalfitano of San Pedro Fish Markets. “We’re delighted we can bring it full circle by powering our steamer with biodiesel fuel.”

July 14, 2009

The Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival will feature international street performers, The Daredevil Chicken Club and Project Dynamite. Seen on “Famous Festivals of the World” and the USA Network’s “Character Fantasy” both acts bring a new level of non-stop humor, old fashioned vaudeville and death defying acrobatics up close and personal with the festival guests. Both acts will perform multiple times during the day on Saturday, September 19 and Sunday, September 20.

The Daredevil Chicken Club features Transylvanian mail-order bride Svetlana Flamingo and her husband-to-be Marc Butterworth as they celebrate their wedding with a Honeymoon Cabaret complete with airborne bananas, their signature Anonymous Traversement, and a timeless love duet complete with contortions gone wrong. This is a not-to-be-missed truly delusional talent show.

Project Dynamite was voted Best Act of 2008 at San Diego’s Seaport Village Street Performer Festival. They have continued to earn rave reviews at events far and wide, everything from the Saskatoon Fringe Festival to the Wayland Purple Cow Festival and now the Lobster Festival.

Alex Clark and David Caplan combine astonishing stunts and gut-busting comedy into a crazed thirty minutes of juggling and stunts leading up to their grand finale where they climb 20 feet into the air atop six folding chairs.

“Bringing top quality family entertainment along with a fine meal at a reasonable price has always been our core goal,” said Jim Hall, Lobster Festival producer. “This year we have taken our street performers to a new level by bringing to San Pedro internationally known and award-winning stars like The Daredevil Chicken Club and Project Dynamite.”

All entertainment at the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival is included in the low price of admission. $2.00 discount coupons are available online at http://www.lobsterfest.com/tickets.shtml. Parking and kids under 12 are free. Show times and dates will be posted on August 1. Come for the feast, stay for the fun!

July 1, 2009

The Uprising International will be creating a limited edition collectable poster for the 2009 Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival. The Uprising’s past projects include Rock the Vote Official 2009 Inauguration Party, The Fillmore San Francisco (Willie Nelson, Gov’t Mule, etc.), The Wiltern Concert for Katrina Relief, The Beastie Boys, Tenacious D and other national acts  The poster will be available for sale only at the festival site on September 18, 19 and 20, 2009.

“What surprised us in the past couple of years is that the Lobster Festival has become as much about the music as it is the food. Our poster celebrates the fun and diversity of LA’s most unusual and eclectic concert weekend,” said Jeff Nicholas, Uprising’s creative director. A portion of the profits from the poster sales will be donated to a yet-to-be selected non-profit.

“We are flattered and honored that the design team from the Uprising chose us for this project. To know that our poster will be hanging along side posters for artists like the Beastie Boys, Jason Mraz, Kylie Minogue, and events like Rock the Vote and the Long Beach Blues Festival is a dream come true,” said Jim Hall, Lobster Festival producer.

The Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival is the largest event of its kind in the world. Now in its 11th year, the festival features World Famous Discount Lobster Meals for only $17.00 prepared by San Pedro Fish Markets, Inc. 2009’s entertainment lineup features top name rock acts (to be announced August 1) and performances from The Dare Devil Chicken Club, Project Dynamite and more all included in one low admission price. Kids under 12 are free.

September 4, 2008 - SAN PEDRO, CA. - The 10th Annual LobsterDog Pet Parade is set to roll on Saturday, September 20 at noon at the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival. Up to 36 costumed canines dressed as sea creatures or seafood will compete for cash and the coveted title of LobsterDog of the Year. The parade will be held in the main stage and park area at Ports O’ Call. On stage and holding casting calls all weekend will be Hollywood Paws, the film industry’s premier source for animals and animal training for commercials and movies. They will be demonstrating movie dog training with some of their stars at 11:30 am before the LobsterDog Parade. The parade is a fundraising event for Peninsula Dog Parks, Inc.

It’s all part of the weekend of fun at the annual Lobster Festival as costumed canines dressed as sea creatures or seafood compete to win Grand prize of $500.00. Prizes will also be given in small (below 30 pounds) and medium/large categories. First place wins $50.00. Second place wins $25.00. Third place wins a ribbon. All entries will receive two free tickets to the Lobster Festival.  No pets are allowed inside the festival grounds (outside of the main stage park area) after the parade.

The Lobster Festival will feature the best of the old and new. Free activities for kids includes a magic show and a treasure hunt at the pirate camp for kids. New street performers are scheduled, harbor cruises will be offered nearby and the musical lineup features national acts like Weather Underground and Los Straitjackets. Back for the eighth year in a row is the National BeaDiver.com Tour that offers a free chance to try scuba diving in the festival’s 26,000 gallon pool under the guidance of a licensed scuba instructor.

Conveniently located at Ports O’ Call Village in San Pedro at the end of the 110 Harbor Freeway, parking and shuttle buses are free. 2008 festival hours are: 5 pm to 11 pm, Friday, September 19; 11 am to 11 pm, Saturday, September 20; 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday, September 21.

The Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival is sponsored by the Port of Los Angeles, Indie 103.1 FM, Budweiser, Bud Light, Rolling Rock, the Daily Breeze, and KDOC TV. The festival has raised over $130,000 for local charities. Principal non-profit beneficiaries of the Lobster Festival are Harbor Interfaith Services, and the San Pedro Rotary Club.

PORTS O’ CALL VILLAGE, SAN PEDRO, CA - SEPTEMBER 1, 2008 - First Class Tickets for the Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival are now on sale. Tickets may be ordered three ways: Online at www.lobsterfest.com, by calling Harbor Interfaith at 310-241-0292 or in person during normal business hours at the Harbor Interfaith offices. Last year’s record profits from the First Class ticket sales enabled Harbor Interfaith’s food bank to feed over 2,000 people for two months.

First Class Guests can choose from two options this year - with and without a lobster meal. With the meal tickets cost $39.00 and without the meal only $25.00. If purchased separately all the First Class benefits would cost  over $50.00

First Class guests check-in at a private area at the entrance of the festival, have a special dining area reserved just for them, can come and go all weekend long and get a special wristband that allows them to buy drinks and pickup meals without waiting in line. The First Class meal includes a slice of watermelon and the option to add more lobsters to their meal at a special low price. First Class guests also enjoy a welcoming beverage with their meal (must be 21 or older for alcohol), a collectible full color poster by Rock Artist Jeff Nicholas and lobster beads. 

Tickets may be ordered by calling the Harbor Interfaith offices at 310-241-0292 or by logging on to the festival’s secure order page at http://www.lobsterfest.com and click on the “tickets” link at the top of the page.

Over one-third of the money from First Class Ticket sales goes to support Harbor Interfaith’s work to aid the homeless and provide shelter for struggling families and childcare.

“We surveyed our First Class guests and found that over 25% wanted more a something extra with their meal and flexibility in their meal choice at the Lobster Festival. So this year we have kept all the benefits, and First Class guests will be able to purchase lobster meals and drink tickets in the First Class dining area,” said Jim Hall, festival producer. A slice of watermelon has also been added, a perk only available to First Class meal holders. First Class guests who want to add an extra lobster to their plate can purchase them at a special discount when they check-in. Credit cards are accepted in the First Class booth.

“Our First Class Ticket is a real bargain. Best of all we’re able to deliver the benefits of First Class service and give our guests a choice in meals. A lot of folks told us they would pay a little more for a lot more convenience and that’s what a First Class Ticket gives them. We’ll still be selling the same great lobster meal for only $17.00 each - a price that’s far less than a comparable meal at a restaurant. There is no better dining and entertainment bargain in Southern California. If you choose the First Class with meal option, you will be saving over $15.00. Compare our First Class ticket with similar offers and see what a good deal it truly is.”

The Lobster Festival has raised over $130,000.00 for local none profit groups. 2008 beneficiaries of the Lobster Festival includes Harbor Interfaith Services, La Piazza Cultural Center, and the San Pedro Rotary Club.