NORWICH – Long hailed by organizers as “the biggest non-political political event of the year,” Lobsterfest is expected to entice hundreds of political aficionados this summer.

The Chenango County Republican Committee will host the 42nd annual Lobsterfest from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, July 17.

Though traditionally held at the Canasawacta Country Club in Norwich, event organizers sought a new venue at the Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich in recent years, which Chenango County Republican Committee Chairman Tom Morrone said has brought a welcomed change of flavor to the event. Plans are to stick with it again this year.

“It’s going to be outdoors under the big tent. Tickets include admission into the museum,” said Morrone, noting that the new location was a big hit last year. “We had a great turnout. Everybody liked it. Out-of-towners especially enjoyed seeing the museum for the first time.”

Each year, Lobsterfest invites political pundits from the local, state, and federal levels to a mixer of seafood and politics. Public figures, including retired Congressman Richard Hanna, New York State Senators Fred Akshar and James Seward, and Assemblymen Clifford Crouch and Gary Finch are all expected to attend this year. The committee has also received responses from local representatives, including the mayors of Greene, Norwich, and Sherburne, as well as town supervisors from around the county.