Thousands arrived for the third annual Oyster Festival, which has steadily grown since the Wareham Village Association launched the event to boost business and kick off the summer season.

Gray skies, a chill in the air and a few raindrops didn’t dampen the spirit of the visitors and vendors that packed Main Street and Pezzoli Square from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

“It’s a great day, with great people and great food,” said Tim Killeen, of the Harwich-based Big Rock Oyster Company.

Killeen, alongside fellow shucker Scott Thompson, prepped oysters for the hungry hordes, doing a brisk business.

The event started with a 5K race at 10 a.m. that attracted 65 participants. That was only slightly less than last year’s 69 runners. The first place finisher was Rick Boyce of Princeton, New Jersey. Second and third place finishers were Ron Faverty of South Easton and Meredith Welsh of Brighton, respectively.

Event co-chair Bob Brady estimated that approximately 50 percent of attendees came from out of town to sample the celebrated bivalves. Visitors were treated to special dishes from local eateries such as Lindsey’s Family Restaurant and a recent addition to Main Street, Mumma Mary’s, which opened last year.

“We love being downtown,” said owner Mary Labonte as she and Brett Labonte prepped oyster rolls. “Everyone welcomed us with open arms. It’s been a great day.”

Across the street in Pezzoli Square, Lindsey’s Family Restaurant kitchen manager Kristy Lapointe filled cups and bowls with the business’s seafood bisque, a heady concoction of lobster, scallops and creamy broth.

“This is our third year participating,” Lapointe said. “[Owner] Cheryl Lindsey is all about supporting Wareham.”

It wasn’t just about food, as several local organizations had booths set up to educate the public about their missions.

In front of the Wareham Fire Station, the Wareham Water Department handed out free water bottles near the 5K finish line to thirsty runners in order to promote National Water Week, held May, 1 through May, 7.

Recently-hired Water Superintendent Andy Reid said the department was spreading the word about its Facebook page, where up-to-date information about the district can be found.

“We have great drinking water here, and this all about making sure people are aware of that,” Reid said, adding that new initiatives, such as automatic water meter readers, are on the horizon.

Nearby, Wareham Harbormaster Garry Buckminster manned his department’s booth, touting its life jacket loaner program. Launched recently, the program has grown in popularity, he said.

“This give us an opportunity to talk to people and let them know what the Harbormaster Department can offer,” Buckminster said.