The 56th annual Yarmouth Clam Festival got underway Friday.

Opening ceremonies took place at 10 a.m. on Memorial Green.

It has been a summertime tradition since 1965.

The three-day event includes a parade, clam shucking contest, fireworks, and a race for toddlers called the “diaper derby.”

Over 1,000 people are expected to visit Yarmouth over the weekend.

Hundreds of clam festival volunteers donate their time each year to help raise money for over thirty-five local non-profit organizations, churches and school groups.

Shawna Rogers of the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce says that without the help of volunteers the event wouldn’t be possible.

Rogers told our news partners CBS 13 there are “volunteers from local businesses that come out and you’ll see many businesses volunteering in our merchandise booths.”

Matt Gagnon and Danny Martignetti from the WGAN Morning News will take part in the celebrity clam shucking contest on Saturday.

There will also be an amateur and professional clam shucking contests.

Check out the clam festival website for a schedule and information on all the events planned for this weekend.