Atlanta Chapter of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association (USNAAAA) hosted its 42nd Annual LobsterFest at Red Top Mountain State Park (on Lake Altoona), on Saturday, June 11, 2016. This event has grown in scope and reach over the decades with several regular LobsterFest guests traveling from Northern Virginia, Annapolis and California to attend the Atlanta Chapter’s trademark annual event.
Hot plus ninety (90) degree temperatures and high humidity best describe the weather conditions experienced by nearly two hundred (200) alumni, family members, midshipmen and friends (and a couple of West Point alumni) in attendance. Despite the ‘Hotlanta’ heat, the attendees still enjoyed the camaraderie of the LobsterFest, the telling or listening to sea stories, and the consumption of nearly three hundred (300) Maine lobster, several bushels of mussels and Georgia sweet corn, many liters of icy cold beverages.
It was an afternoon highlighted by large doses of Southern hospitality and naval camaraderie that has become the hallmark of the Atlanta Chapter’s annual event.
The preparation of the drawn butter, side salad and corn on the cobb and serving of the lobster meal were led by a pair of skilled LobsterFest veterans, Marilyn McCallum (Carl ’60) and Karen Frederick (Steve ’72).
The cooking of the burgers, hot dogs, mussels, corn on the cobb, and the several hundred Maine lobsters were handled by a group of determined alumni which included Steve Frederick ’72, Pete Knotgen ’77, Vince Balderrama ‘78 (visiting from Annapolis), Ed Brownlee ’81, Steve Roberto ’03, and Parker Shelato ’08. The heat of the June afternoon temperatures and from the boiling hot kettles did not slow or deter this group from completing the mission of cooking and serving the ‘Maine’ course of succulent lobsters to the awaiting attendees.
The USNAAAAA Chapter’s 2016 LobsterFest concluded with the ceremonial cutting and serving of ‘LobsterFest’ cake and the spirited rendering of ‘Navy Blue and Gold’ by Naval Academy alumni. In short, a good time was enjoyed by all in attendance.
Atlanta Network