Lounging at the Lobster Fest

Maybe it was the sultry heat that remained from the previous day's storm. Or perhaps exhaustion from trying to get around town with numerous road closures caused by downed trees and wires.

Whatever the cause, the 24th annual 's Lobster Fest, which started Friday, was a relaxed affair.

At least for the diners. While they sipped beer and reconnected with friends or helped their kids onto the company's impressive array of fire trucks, behind the scenes at the lobster pots, it was a different story.

Volunteer firefighters scrambled to get the steaming crustaceans onto serving trays and out front to meet the demands of hungry lobster lovers. The lobster crew moved like a well-oiled machine, replenishing the trays of corn on the cob and steak, and whisked away the empties.

After the dinner rush, the Hollister Thompson band launched a set of 70s and 80s covers that coaxed a few intrepid dancers onto the floor, but for most Lobster Fest goers, it was a laid-back Friday night.

Correction: The Lobster Fest started Friday. An earlier version of this article gave the incorrect day.