As we crossed the boardwalk to the private beach at Ocean Edge Resort, we came upon the quintessential Cape Cod summer scene: a clambake, with the fresh catch steaming away in a huge pit dug deep into the sand, long plank tables adorned with simple sunflower centerpieces, and a setting sun over the Brewster Flats at low tide.
“I never realized before I got here that these oyster beds were known for some of the best fishing on the Cape,” said Director of Sales Gerry McFarland. The resort arranges half- and full-day fishing excursions for groups and is in the process of acquiring an endorsement from Orvis, which could bring in activities such as archery and fly fishing. It’s one of many changes McFarland is looking toward over the next couple of years.
But right now, he’s consumed with making sure the final touches are in place for tonight’s VIP group of 100 attendees from a Boston tech company. Chef Phil Flath stands confidently by, showing off the crates he had designed and custom-built to gather the clams from the pit and carry them right over to the buffet table, where they can be used for serving. This size group fills the resort’s sweet spot, but Ocean Edge can easily accommodate groups of up to 250 and offers plenty of versatility. In September, for example, a regional association will set up two big tents on the five-acre lawn in front of the resort for an exhibition with 126 booths.
There’s also a beautiful 4,500-sf ballroom, as well as elegant meeting space in the carriage house. (The stately mansion and carriage house were the former summer home of Boston’s wealthy Nickerson family.) The latest addition, a beach bar set high above the resort’s private stretch of sand along Cape Cod Bay, just opened on July 4 with space for 45 people.
The other good news is the new jet service into Hyannis on JetBlue, making summer “down the Cape” accessible for attendees from everywhere.
