The Sebastian Clambake Foundation has chosen its slogan and beneficiaries for the 2009 Sebastian Clambake & Lagoon Festival, to be held November 6 - 8 in Sebastian's Riverview Park. The winning slogan, "There's No Business Like Clam Business," was submitted by Sita Blakeslee of Roseland. She will receive a 2009 Clambake t-shirt and $25 worth of food tickets. The slogan was chosen by the Foundation's Board from nearly 100 entries.

Each year the nine local nonprofit and service organizations that serve at the Clambake, and are the owners of the Foundation, hear presentations from groups looking to build charitable and public projects in the North County. Some projects are chosen each year to receive the funds raised by the Festival. This year, the members voted to split the grantable portions of the funds among six beneficiaries: Sebastian VFW, for improvement of facilities; Sebastian Boys & Girls Club, toward a basketball court; By the River, for a security gate; HALO Animal Rescue, for facilities expansion; Sebastian Soccer Association, toward completion of a playing field; and the Sharks youth football program, for improvement to the Barber Street complex.

The Clambake, founded in 2002, seeks to build community spirit by focusing attention on the Indian River Lagoon and its importance to life in the Sebastian River area, both in the past and at present. The events featured in the Festival bring together the diverse interests that make the Lagoon an essential facet of the Sebastian lifestyle. The event features fresh seafood booths highlighting clams, shrimp, and much more; live music, historic re-enactments, a boat show, an expanded children's entertainment area, the Wacky Raft Race, a volleyball tournament, the Kayak Poker Run, boat rides, the Press-Journal Chowder Cook-Off, and more. Admission is free.

The various events highlight the growing importance of the expanded Riverview Park as a center for community fun and entertainment. But it's not just about good times and good food; to date the Sebastian Clambake Foundation has raised over $220,000 for local charities.