Vegetarian mob gangs up on Maine CLAM festival for failing to provide plant-based alternative
The waterfront town of Yarmouth is gearing up to celebrate the 60th anniversary of its annual three-day Clam Festival - the state's largest free-admission event supporting local nonprofits like schools, churches and civic groups, according to its website.
Featuring live music, crafts, carnival rides, kids' activities and parades, the festival draws over 100,000 visitors each year - but for most, it's all about the main attraction: the clams.
This year, however, the festival is facing some unexpected heat - with plant-based eaters calling out organizers for offering no options they can enjoy.
In 2022 alone, a full ton of French fries were made, 2,175 fried dough desserts were dusted with sugar and a record-breaking 217 gallons of clams were cleaned, breaded, and cooked during the event, according to the website.
Yet despite a few meatless options, some festival-goers remained unsatisfied - sparking a lively debate on Reddit over the event's lack of plant-based offerings.
On Tuesday, a user named Itsthehappyone posted a straightforward question in a Maine-focused forum questioning this: 'Yarmouth Clam Festival vegetarian options?'
'I haven't been to the Clam Fest since long before Covid and can't remember what food options look like besides the obvious,' the user wrote in the post's description.
'Anybody know of potential vegetarian options besides fries or desserts?? TIA!' they added.
The post quickly gained traction, but some passionate Maine natives fired back at the user - questioning why anyone would even ask about vegetarian options at a festival famously dedicated to clams.
Struggling to take such a concern seriously, one response to the post read: 'Omg. It's literally a clam festival. Bring your own kale I guess!!!!! Gtfo of here with that!'
'I'm sorry, this absolutely made me roar with laughter. It's a clam festival,' another said.
A third user chimed in and wrote: 'It's a clam festival. Thanks for the lol... definitely need it these days.'
Others, clearly not on board with what they called a bizarre request, chose to respond with humor instead.
'Are clams not a vegetable?' one user replied.
Another bluntly added: 'Clams are vegetarians.'
Some passionate Maine natives fired back at the user questioning why there aren't vegetarian options offered - and slammed them as to why anyone would ask about vegetarian options at a festival famously dedicated to clams (stock photo)
In a similar fashion, another user wrote: 'The bearded clams are actually vegan!'
'Maybe the shells?' joked another.
Amid the heated debate, one user mocked the vegetarian's character, accusing them of simply seeking attention.
'Kind of a stupid question,' the user responded to the meatless inquiry. 'Its a festival and other than clams, it has what you would find at most festivals.'
'It's almost as if you want to wave a little flag that you're vegetarian,' the Redditor added.
The jab appeared to provoke a reaction, as the original poster finally responded to the mounting backlash in the comments.
'For what it's worth I'm excited for the clams, maybe the Lime Rickeys even more,' they explained.
'I'm asking for a friend - it's something I never bothered to pay attention to when I've been there.'
While the post certainly caught attention - though not always positively - many users stepped up to support the vegetarian, offering advice based on their experiences as locals or frequent festival-goers.
'They had cheese pizza last year,' one person replied in the thread. '
'And fried dough. I've looked for a list of food/charities and can't find one. If worst comes to worst, Brickyard Hollow isn't far.'
A fellow plant-eater jumped in and wrote: 'Vegetarian here - didn't see anything appealing but I also didn't expect vegetarian options so I had a nice sandwich at home before we went to the parade.'
'I think you can rest assured there will be fried dough for you to eat. Beyond that? Ehhhh...' wrote another.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Selena Gomez rocks fresh-faced look during date with fiancé Benny Blanco and their two new BFFs
Selena Gomez went makeup-free for a dinner date with fiancé Benny Blanco on Friday night in Los Angeles. The 33-year-old multihyphenate —who sizzled in pink lingerie in her latest Instagram post — was very dressed down for the outing as she stepped out in a long black robe and matching slippers. The former child star pulled her dark hair into a fuss-free bun as she flashed her huge engagement ring. Meanwhile, the 37-year-old music producer was clad in a short-sleeved, baby blue, button-up shirt. He added a pair of loose-fitting beige trousers, finishing the look with black and white sneakers with burgundy shoelaces. And Benny was seen sporting his signature dark curly 'fro. It comes after Selena included a snapshot of the couple dining with Logan Lerman and his fiancée Analuisa Corrigan via Instagram on Friday. The group enjoyed quality time over a seafood spread that included oysters and prawns. The pop star's husband-to-be commented on the post, 'Wait … I'm gonna marry u.' Last month the Only Murders in the Building actress used her Rare Beauty brand's TikTok account to spill details about the food she hopes to serve on her wedding day. 'My preferred dessert would be biscuits and gravy,' The Texas native revealed. 'My Nana's biscuits and gravy. That sounds like dessert to me.' She also said in the undated video: 'Whenever that day comes, I do know I don't want a big cake.' Selena added, 'I think I'd want a mini one, for just us, that we can freeze.' The lovebirds confirmed their relationship in December 2023, with the pair getting engaged a year later. 'Forever starts now,' Selena wrote at the time, showing off her sparkling diamond ring. Benny popped the question with a ring worth an estimated $1M. Selena previously admitted she's planning to ditch the classic bride and groom dance at their reception because she's too shy. 'I don't think we're looking at having one of those 'cause they're a little — I feel embarrassed,' she said on an episode of Table Manners with Jessie and Lennie Ware. While there won't be a traditional first dance, the singer said she's making room for a deeply meaningful moment — a special dance with her grandfather. 'He never got a chance to walk my mom down the aisle,' she shared. 'I wanted to give [my grandfather] the opportunity to have that.'
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Secret Service agent's daughter shares his wildest stories about protecting the President
For most kids, their dad's work stories involve office drama or bad run-ins with their boss. For Ashley Hicks, 36, from Washington, D.C., they were about protecting his boss - who also happened to be the leader of the United States of America. Ashley's father is a former member of the Secret Service, and was responsible for ensuring the safety of former Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama. Now, Ashley has been sharing stories from her dad's 25 years in Secret Service on TikTok, where she's become a viral sensation. In a recent interview with People, Ashley explained that while she knows the stories are fascinating to people now, she didn't think her childhood was unusual. But looking back at some of her experiences - like how she was never allowed to step into her father's work vehicle, how her family attended White House Christmas parties, and how her dad was occasionally shown on the news in shots of the President - she now realizes how unique her life really was. 'It just felt like that was a normal way to grow up,' Ashley said. And because - contrary to popular belief - she doesn't necessarily have to keep her father's stories a secret, she's been letting fans in on the wildest things about her dad. In one video, she said that couldn't even sleep over at friends' houses unless their dads were also in law enforcement - preferably FBI or Navy - for security reasons. Another video detailed the time Secret Service agents - including Ashley's dad - had to sleep on a Navy assault ship while accompanying President Bush after Hurricane Katrina. Other videos dive into the quirks of having a Secret Service agent for a dad - like the time teenage Ashley tried to sneak home after drinking and was quickly caught since nothing got by him. She explained that she made curfew, but her dad caught her instantly from across the room, saying: 'You think that gum is going to mask what you've been up to?' According to Ashley, every president had a preferred way to stay fit - and the Secret Service had to master it. Whether it was running, cycling, or some other workout, agents needed to be in shape to keep up, right down to matching the president's workout clothes to blend in during public outings. Ashley's father ultimately served presidents for 25 years. When asked if he had a favorite president that he worked with, Ashley said he always spoke highly of them all - but had a special fondness for President Bush, mostly because he spent the most time with him as a special agent. Being in the job also meant souvenirs from overseas trips, private dinners at the White House, and family photos with presidents that once confused Ashley's now-husband. She explained that he thought she was just 'obsessed' with US history when he saw snaps of various Presidents hung all over her house, until she explained that her father was in those pictures. For much of her life, Ashley's dad didn't say too much about his career. But she said that TikTok has changed that. Now, he helps her answer followers' questions and even fact-checks her videos before she posts. 'It's really provided a special opportunity to get to know him and what he accomplished,' she said. And the plan is to continue to keep sharing - as long as it stays fun. 'When it becomes more trouble than it's worth, I'll probably hang up the hat and walk away,' she said. 'But right now I'm loving the opportunity to do something neat and step out of my comfort zone.' Ashley previously shared the 'most important' piece of advice he gave her exclusively with the Daily Mail - to always 'use our situational awareness.' 'When entering a room, take a few seconds to locate the entrances and exits, know what is around you, and who's around you,' she dished. '[He also taught us] to always use our gut - if a situation feels off, it likely is.' Ashley explained that there are certain common things that she'd 'never do' because her dad taught her how dangerous they could actually be. She said she'd 'never share her location publicly, especially in real time,' or 'run alone in the dark.' '[I also would never] think 'it won't happen to me because I'm too smart, young, strong, etc,"' she added. '[My dad] always encouraged us to have a plan. [I'd also never] linger near my car, in my car, or in a parking lot. 'We were raised to walk with intention, get in our vehicles, lock and door and leave.' But most importantly, she said she'd never let 'fear stop her from doing what she loves.' 'Statistically, the odds of being a victim of a random crime is low, so be aware but keep living life,' she added.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Drake Bell files for divorce from estranged pregnant wife – three years after they first split
NICKELODEON star Drake Bell has filed for divorce from his estranged wife - three years after they originally split. Drake, 39, tied the knot with Janet Von Schmeling in 2018 after five years of dating. 6 6 6 However, their separation was made public in January 2023 and Janet filed for divorce a few months later in April. In her papers, their separation date was cited as September 2022 and she requested primary legal and physical custody of their son, Wyatt. Now Drake has finally filed a petition in Seminole County, Florida. TMZ reports the Drake & Josh star submitted his documentation on Thursday. Meanwhile Janet has been in a relationship with Jim Perez since 2023, making their romance public in October of that year. The couple announced they were expecting their first child together in February this year. In a post on social media, she shared a sonogram and the caption, "Our Rainbow Baby. September cannot come sooner." A 'rainbow baby' is the term used for a child born to a woman who has previously had a miscarriage. Meanwhile on Father's Day, she paid tribute to Jim alongside a video of him and Wyatt together. She wrote: "He chose us… In the big ways, in the quiet moments, and all the in-betweens. Kids TV star admits he's 'struggling to pay rent' after being underpaid for huge hit shows "He became the man Wyatt and I didn't know we needed… "And now, we're counting down the days until our baby girl gets to be with her daddy too. Happy (early) Father's Day to the man who showed up with love and never looked back." Meanwhile Drake made headlines last year when he opened up about being sexually abused during the height of his Nickelodeon fame in documentary, Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV. 6 6 6
