Hot, smokey and hard work, that ancient summer ritual – the clambake – returned to Red Men Hall on Sunday where 550 people gathered for the meal.

For 50 or so years (no one is really sure) the Improved Order of Red Men Hall of Cromesett Tribe No. 156 has held the annual clambake on the first Sunday in August.

Inside wooden trays, heaps of clams, fish, hot dogs, corn on the cob, potatoes and sweet potatoes are steamed the old-fashioned way, on top of a coal bed, buried under a mound of seaweed.

Red Men Hall member Jeff Reed claimed maintaining the tradition was his favorite part of the day.

“For me, it’s all about the ability to do something that was done a long a time ago correctly,” said Jeff. “People lose traditions. This is something we’re not going to modernize. We serve…”

Jeff’s son Corey then interrupted.

“He’s lying. His favorite part is eating!”

Jeff didn’t argue.

“I like that too,” he said.

Bakemaster Steve Curry said this year the group prepared 40 bushels of clams. In addition to the food, a band plays later in the afternoon.

“It’s really a great day,” said Curry. “We get a good crowd every year.”

The clambake serves as a major fundraiser for Red Men Hall’s charitable activities, said member Rich Souza.

Money raised goes towards five, $1,000 scholarships the group awards each year. Donations are also given for Alzheimer’s research and a handful of other worthy causes, said Souza.