For three days every September the Norwalk Oyster Festival brings families, friends, and children together with dazzling entertainment, music, magic, food, rides, and games. “We have strived to keep all adult and kids entertainment free with the price of admission this year. On Sunday, we are offering free admission for kids 12 and under with one paying adult admission because we know how many families are looking forward to the festival. We are also offering heavily discounted unlimited ride wristbands for everyone this year on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” said Mike Reilly, President of the Seaport Association. “First County Bank is the presenting sponsor that has helped to make the Norwalk Oyster Festival a Fairfield County tradition and the highly anticipated event of the summer season that it is today," said Reilly.
There are many reasons why so many families have made the Norwalk Oyster Festival a family tradition and after experiencing these family-friendly activities this year, it's sure to become one of yours!
Wrist Bands For Everyone!
Carnival rides are one of the most exciting and thrilling things you can do at the Norwalk Oyster Festival. A favorite among children and adults alike, there are rides for people of all ages. A popular highlight on Saturday and Sunday is the specially priced wristband at $30 each available for unlimited rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for Everyone.
Sunday is Family Day & A Visit with Santa
Sunday, September 12th, is Family Day all day when one child 5-12 gets in Free with one paid adult admission. A new Seaport experience on Sunday is the chance for kids to visit Santa Claus, something that they might not have had the chance to do last December. Another highlight is the non-stop music of local bands, which we have all missed and can't wait to welcome back. Bands performing on Sunday on the Main Stage include Fairfield 9 at noon, Green Eyed Lady at 1:30 p.m., What Up Funk at 3 p.m., Tangled Vine at 4:30 p.m., and Sacred Fire at 6 p.m.
The Top Five Ways to Have Fun @ Kids Cove
This year the whole family will enjoy the Ready Go Dog Show that packs plenty of oohs and ahs with its combination of comedy, family fun, and amazing high-flying canine athletes. The show consists of rescued dogs and features champion Frisbee dogs, thrill-seeking diving dogs, and the highest box jump dog in the world! A highlight for the audience is the chance to meet and greet the four-legged stars of this thrilling show after their riveting performance. The Ready Go Dog Show has been seen on the FOX game show, Game of Talents, ESPN, the Today Show and Friends, and many others!
New this year at Kids Cove is the chance for kids to pose in special dioramas, at no charge, with their favorite fantasy characters from princesses and princes to superheroes, making this a perfect photo opportunity for parents, creating memories to last a lifetime.
Everyone will enjoy the antics of JJ the Clown, a family favorite of folks from around the country. Kids will be entranced as they watch JJ's stuffed animals transform into real animals. JJ's laugh-out-loud “fantastic” routines are filled with hilarious clown comedy and silliness that will have children rolling with non-stop laughter! JJ is multi-talented, an award-winning clown, as well as a certified balloon artist, and face painter. His animal house brings the house down every time!
New this year is the awe-inspiring Pirate show! Scallywags of all ages will step into a world of swashbuckling rogues, dastardly villains, wicked wenches, and beautiful mermaids as this electrifying act takes center stage. This high wire Pirate's act even has an enormous pirate ship – and much more! Perfect for thrill-seekers of all ages, the Pirates will have everyone on the edge of their seats because it includes the performance of elegant aerial tricks from high in the air!
If this isn't enough fun, there are carnival games, including pint-sized games for the little ones, face-painting, balloon making, plus cotton candy, popcorn, candied apples, and many other goodies.
About First County Bank - Presenting Sponsor
First County Bank, headquartered in Stamford, Conn. for 170 years, is an independent mutual community bank with 16 branches in Stamford, Norwalk, Darien, Greenwich, Fairfield, New Canaan and Westport offering deposit products, mortgages, wealth management, business banking services, and a full array of digital banking products including mobile and online banking. First County Bank has more than 220 employees, assets in excess of $1.7 billion, and is a winner of the Hearst Connecticut Top WorkPlaces 2020 award. For additional information, please visit www.firstcountybank.com, or follow us @Firstcountybank on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Festival Hours
Friday, Sept. 10, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, September 11, from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., and Sunday, September 12 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tickets
The Norwalk Oyster Festival is held at Veteran’s Park; adjacent to Norwalk Harbor on Seaview Avenue in Norwalk, CT. Admission for adults is $12 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Senior tickets are $10 on all three days. Children 5-12 years old are $6. Tickets can be purchased online at www.seaport.org. Sunday is Family Day when one child, 5-12 gets in free with each paid adult on this day only.
Parking & Shuttles
Free parking and shuttle buses are available at these locations:
9/10 – Norwalk Community College & Calf Pasture Beach (5:30pm - 11:30pm)
9/11 – Norwalk Community College, Calf Pasture Beach, and Norwalk City Hall (10:30am - 11:30pm)
9/12 – Norwalk Community College, Calf Pasture Beach, and Norwalk City Hall (10:30am - 11:30pm)
Additional fee parking is available at Webster Street parking lot, Haviland Street parking lot, Maritime Aquarium garage, and Iron Works garage. All within walking distance to the festival.
Covid Protocols
In accordance with CT Department of Public Health guidelines, all guests -- vaccinated and unvaccinated -- are required to wear masks on all Norwalk Oyster Festival Shuttle buses. Walkways and high traffic areas of the festival will be spaced apart to encourage distancing and there are more open-air dining tents available. All vendors, dining tents, rides will have hand sanitizers and hand washing stations. Pre-ticketed guests will be given fast-track admission to the festival.
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 http://www.seaport.org or call (203) 838-9444.
