In Newport, R. I., the clambake is more than just a way to pass a summer afternoon; it’s a beloved New England tradition that locals take very seriously. […] Traditionally, a clambake involves building a fire pit, coating the hot rocks and coals with seaweed and cooking a mélange of treats — lobsters, clams, sausage, potatoes, corn on the cob — topped with a wet tarp.
Source: wiktionary