The wine flowed and the oysters were ice cold as nearly 50 people arrived for the Wareham Oyster Festival Gala Thursday night.

Held in the Rosebrook Event Center, the gala featured oysters from Wareham-based Indian Cove Aquaculture, wine from Westport Rivers Vineyard and food from Lindsey’s Family Restaurant.

The gala is part of a weeklong series of events leading up to the 4th annual Wareham Oyster Festival.

Among those at the gala were the Besses – Mike, Lynne and David – who own and operate Indian Cove Aquaculture.

“We’ve been coming to the festival since it first started four years ago,” said David. “It’s just been getting bigger and better. Even last year, when the weather was cold and damp, we probably had the best turnout so far.”

Westport Rivers Vineyard representative Corey Nuffer echoed the sentiment. At the gala, Nuffer poured samples for attendees, including a new offering from the vineyard, Five Dogs. Named for the five dogs the vineyard’s owners had at one time, the wine is composed of five different grapes – rkatsiteli, gruner veltliner, riesling, chardonnay and pinot noir.

Bob Brady, another festival organizer, said the gala was a chance for residents to come together, enjoy good food and drink and celebrate before the festival.

“This is our way of saying 'thank you' to everyone who helps make the festival possible,” said Brady.

The Wareham Oyster Festival will be held on Sunday, May 28 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street in Wareham Village.