Starting with a Friday night only appearance of the Grill ‘em All Truck and their patented heavy metal music burgers. The Grill ‘em All Truck was the season one winner of the Food Network’s “Great Food Truck Race”.

Anchoring the weekend will be fellow Food Network competitors The Nom Nom Truck with their Vietnamese Ban Mi sandwiches and Ragin’ Cajun with their famous Bayou Cuisines.

Joining them with lobster rolls will be the Lobsta Truck, the Cheeseball Wagon, ribs and roasts from Barbie’s Q and for dessert Coolhaus and their prize winning ice cream sandwiches.

Over 32,000 Maine lobsters were flown in fresh daily and cooked and served at the 2010 Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival. The festival expects to exceed that number this year. “All our food vendors do quite well at the Lobster Festival. By expanding the number of gourmet trucks this year we are pleased to bring more variety and quality beyond the normal “fair food” that you find at other festivals.” Said Jim Hall, festival producer.

First, let’s give you the scoop on the bands. We’ve got 19 of them, all handpicked by Mr. Shovel. Our headliners include Andy Clockwise on Friday, Vaud & The Villains on Saturday and on Sunday our very special guest, BERLIN featuring Terri Nunn. The Fling, The Taiko Project, Lady Dottie & The Diamonds, The Little Ones, Eastern Conference Champions and more are all on the bill. Check out our complete lineup at http://lobsterfest.com/music/.

Parking is still free, and this year even less of a hassle. No need to turn right on Harbor Blvd when you get off the 110 Freeway, instead just proceed straight and park in the Cruise Center parking lot. From there you can grab a Red Car or take a shuttle to the festival entrance.

Don’t forget, you can still save $2.00 on admission by printing your own discount admission coupon at http://lobsterfest.com/tickets/. Kids under 12 still get in free.

2012 festival hours are: 5 pm to 11 pm, Friday, September 16; 11 am to 11 pm, Saturday, September 17; 11 am to 7 pm, Sunday, September 18.

The Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival is sponsored by the Port of Los Angeles, Budweiser, KROQ, YELP!, OC Weekly and Ford. The festival has raised over $230,000 for local charities. Principal non-profit beneficiaries of the Lobster Festival are Harbor Interfaith Services, and the San Pedro Rotary Club.

“This is a major convenience for our guests, ” said Jim Hall, Lobster Festival producer. “Our research shows that over 85% of our guests come from more than 20 miles away via the 110 Freeway. Being able to utilize the Cruise Ship Parking lot means we can park and move guests to the festival more smoothly than ever before.”

Guests arriving via the 110 Freeway should heed the Cruise Ship Parking signs and take the Harbor Blvd offramp and proceed directly across Harbor and into the Cruise Terminal. Local residents are urged to park at 22nd & Sampson and either walk, ride the red car or take a free shuttle to the Lobster Festival entrance.

First Class tickets may be ordered three ways: Online at http://lobsterfest.com/tickets-firstclass/, by calling Harbor Interfaith at 310-241-0292 or in person during normal business hours at the Harbor Interfaith offices 670 W. Ninth St., San Pedro. Last year profits from the First Class ticket sales went to support Harbor Interfaith’s food bank and family intervention services and helped feed over 2,000 people for two months.

First Class Guests can choose from two options – with and without a lobster meal. With the meal tickets cost $41.00 (plus tax) and without the meal only $25.00. If purchased separately all the First Class benefits would cost  over $60.00.

First Class guests check-in at a private area at the entrance of the festival, have a special dining area reserved just for them, can come and go all weekend long for no extra charge, and get a special wristband that allows them to buy drinks and pickup meals without waiting in line. The First Class meal includes a slice of watermelon in addition to a 1.25 lb fresh steamed Maine lobster, potatoes, cole slaw, sweet bread roll, butter and lemon wedges. First Class guests also enjoy a welcoming beverage with their meal (must be 21 or older for alcohol), and a collectable full color poster from rock artist Jeff Nicholas’ Uprising Creative (while supplies last). For only $13.00 each they can also add extra lobsters to their plate. Credit cards are accepted at the First Class booth.

Tickets may be ordered by calling the Harbor Interfaith offices at 310-241-0292 or by logging on to the festival’s secure order page at http://lobsterfest.com/tickets-firstclass/ and click on the “ticket” image at the top of the page. There is no need to order in advance like other festivals, First Class Tickets are available for purchase on site each day.
“Our First Class Ticket is a real bargain. Best of all we’re able to deliver the benefits of First Class service and give our guests a choice in meals. A lot of folks told us they would pay a little more for a lot more convenience and that’s what a First Class Ticket gives them. We’ll still be selling the same great lobster meal for only $19.00 each – a price that has only gone up one buck in six years. There is no better dining and entertainment bargain in Southern California. Compare our First Class ticket with similar offers at other festivals, and see what a good deal it truly is.”

The Port of Los Angeles Lobster Festival has raised almost $250,000.00 for local non-profit groups. Main beneficiaries of the 2012 Lobster Festival are Harbor Interfaith Services and the San Pedro Rotary Club.

6:30 pm Lucid Dream Factory the Cabo Wabo Your Shot to Rock winner