About Us

45 years ago, local fishermen got together at Buzzards Bay Park and decided to have a Scallop Festival. The idea was to attract tourists to the area and to provide a family-oriented event for the residents....never did these fishermen anticipate that the event would grow to welcome over 50,000 visitors and be awarded The American Bus Association's "Top 100 Events in North America" - 4 years in a row!

National GuardThe Fest has changed dramatically and has had several different venues over the years. The event was held inside the National Guard Armory in Buzzards Bay, but quickly outgrew the building and was moved for a brief time to the Massachusetts Military Reservation. About twenty years ago, volunteers decided to "Tent" the affair, enabling the Fest to return to Buzzards Bay Park and be held - Rain or Shine. At that time, the Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber stepped in to organize and supervise the event. Today, the Scallop Fest has moved to the 98 acre Cape Cod Fairgrounds in East Falmouth.

The Chamber facilitates a Scallop Fest Task Force, made up of sponsor representatives and members from the community that meet all year long to ensure the event is the best it can be!

Originally, a few dedicated volunteers would assemble 2 weeks prior to the Festival and work around the clock to construct the kitchen, food lines, ticket booths, waiting area, etc. Today, with the support of Sheriff Jim Cummings and the Barnstable County Sheriff's Office, all the infrastructure is set up just 5 days prior to the Fest, and is broken down in a two days. The Department's Community Work Crews have fine-tuned the enormous set-up procedure. The crews also keep the grounds sparkling clean before the gates open each morning. The labor they provide to the Chamber is invaluable. The rest is history... a total commitment from the community, public officials, and local residents who volunteer of 500 strong each year.

The Board of Directors of the Cape Cod Canal Region Chamber of Commerce strongly supports this annual event - the Chamber's largest fundraiser. Proceeds help pay for operation of the chamber's 2 visitor centers and help fund the scholarship program for area schools.