Thursday, August 1, 2019

42nd Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival Set for September 6,7, and 8, 2019


Three days of fun, food, entertainment on multiple stages, plus special events for families and friends, from nine to ninety marks just some of the activities to be found at the 2019 Norwalk Oyster Festival hosted by the Seaport Association on Friday, September 6, Saturday, September 7, and Sunday, September 8, 2019, at the 35-acre Veterans Memorial Park in Norwalk “Our 42nd annual festival is packed with value-added extras especially when you consider that all the entertainment including the headliners Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot, and Brian Howe, former lead singer of Bad Company is included in the ticket price,” said Mike Reilly, President of the Seaport Association. For tickets click here https://www.seaport.org.



The Music
The 2019 Norwalk Oyster Festival has live music from dozens of bands on multiple stages throughout the weekend and features a variety of crowd-pleasing entertainment. “The Oyster Festival is the perfect way to celebrate the end of summer. All music and entertainment is free with the price of the ticket making it economical for the entire family,” says Mike Reilly, President of the Norwalk Oyster Festival.



On Saturday afternoon, September 7 the afternoon begins with Ripchord, the Official Band of the Connecticut National Guard that will play a variety of music from classical and jazz to rock and patriotic tunes. Saturday night starts to heat up when Alex Shillo takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. with his eclectic brand of rock and country music. 




Saturday night’s headliner is Mike DelGuidice and Big Shot who has taken a night off from touring with Billy Joel to perform at the Norwalk Oyster Festival. This tribute band to the music of Billy Joel with some original music thrown in packs hit after chart-topping hit in an amazingly high-energy show that leaves audiences wanting more.


Get ready to swing into Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. with the Commanders that will perform music from the Big Band Era and beyond on the Main Stage. It is 5’oclock somewhere and at 2 p.m. Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band plugin on the Main Stage. So, put on your best “Parrothead” gear, grab some food and drinks from one of the nearby vendors and get ready to sing and dance along to some of the best of Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney and the Zac Brown Band and other tropical classics.


This year the Oyster Festival has a grand finale that begins at 5 p.m. when Brian Howe, former Lead Singer of Bad Company from 1986-1994, closes out the 42nd Norwalk Oyster Festival with style, exuberance, and a blast from the past of some of our favorite songs ever. Howe has one of rock’s most legendary voices; and as he croons hit after hit he will have you dancing as the sun goes down. Today, Howe is performing many popular songs by Bad Company like  “Feel Like Makin Love,” “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad,” “Can’t Get Enough,” and other hits. This is a performance worth waiting for and the ideal way to end three days of music, fun, and food.


For the Whole Family – Seaport Circus Spectacular

This year the whole family will enjoy the Seaport Circus Spectacular that will include national acts from Circus Circus in Las Vegas, and star performers from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus and others.


This magical show includes several amazing acts like the death-defying performance created by the Dominguez Family. They have been amazing audiences around the world with riders challenging the Globe of Death, a giant metal cage, as well as their uncanny skill in navigating the inverted high wire. This energetic act is perfect for all ages because it always delivers the “wow” factor.

Hurling, whirling, twirling hula hoops combined with the amazing acrobatic performance of Nicole Taylor Weiss that defies the eye is another act in the Seaport Circus. Nicole grew up traveling the world with her circus parents learning the business of entertainment from a very young age. Nicole’s Hula Hoop show is high-energy fun at its best. She has been performing for Circus, Circus, Vargas and Cirque Musica, and with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.

An all-around family favorite, the Hog Diggity Dog Review is also part of the Seaport’s Circus. A second-generation circus performer, Hans Klose works with 20 dogs and four pigs. The performing pigs, Roscoe weighing 750 pounds, and Shelton weighing around 700 pounds were part of Klose's act when he worked for Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Klose travels throughout the country with his animals in a specially made RV that keeps them totally pampered. Hans care and love for his animals is apparent in his laugh out loud routine that will charm audiences young and old.

  
Games, rides, and many fun activities can be found at Kids Cove. There is face painting, and pint-sized carnival games, plus cotton candy, popcorn, and candied apples. The Norwalk Oyster Festival is so family-friendly. There is a special wristband offer on Saturday and Sunday that entitles unlimited rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $25. Sunday is Family Day when kids 12 and under get in free with a paid adult; there are also special kids meals and the $25 wristband for unlimited rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

If you have always wanted a birds-eye view of the city, the fairgrounds and Norwalk’s beautiful coastline, climb onboard the 65 foot Gondola Ferris wheel to be treated to a unique and memorable ride you can write home about. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy. And, don’t forget your camera.


If you like to shop, head to the Arts and Crafts area where there’re more than 100 fine artists and crafters that display whimsical as well as practical items that appeal to all tastes, budgets, and ages. Jewelry, paintings, pottery, sculpture, clothing, home décor, and wearable art are just some of the treasures to be found here.

For the Foodies
A favorite at any festival is the food, and the Norwalk Oyster Festival never disappoints. After exploring the fairgrounds head to the International Food Court that dishes up everything from Mexican, Columbian, and Italian to funnel cakes, cotton candy, and of course, oysters fresh off the boat, authentic New England lobster dinners and fresh lobster rolls.  This culinary fare is prepared by dozens of local nonprofit organizations allowing them to raise funds for their charitable causes. At the Seaport Tent, learn about Norwalk’s oystering history and browse specialty items on sale celebrating the Sheffield Island Lighthouse.  And, if you have worked up a thirst, no worries head to the craft beer tent that offers more than forty beers.

Tickets
The event is held at Veteran’s Park, adjacent to Norwalk Harbor on Seaview Avenue in Norwalk, CT. Admission for adults is $10 on Friday, $12 on Saturday and Sunday. Senior tickets are $10 all days. Children 5-12 year’s old are $5. Children under 5 and U.S. military personnel on active duty are free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.seaport.org.  

Festival Hours: Friday, Sept. 6, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, September 7, from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., and Sunday, September 8 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

For those that want to take the train, Metro North is offering a discount package with free shuttle service from the train station to the Oyster Festival.

Free parking and shuttle service available from Calf Pasture Beach and Norwalk City Hall. Ample parking right over the bridge with at the Maritime Garage and other parking lots.

About the Norwalk Seaport Association
The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, education and public awareness of Norwalk’s maritime environment and heritage. The Seaport Association and its volunteers are solely responsible for organizing and financing the Oyster Festival. In addition to the Oyster Festival, the Norwalk Seaport Association owns Sheffield Lighthouse and its volunteers maintain the lighthouse and grounds as a museum and nature preserve. For more information, visit www.seaport.org. or call (203) 838-9444. 


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