The Norwalk Oyster Festival presented by First County Bank is back! There is no better way to enjoy the end of the summer, than at the three-day event taking place on Friday, September 10th through Sunday, September 12th. “Located at Veterans Park along the Norwalk Harbor, the new layout of the grounds makes social distancing easier. The music, entertainment, and Kids Cove activities are free with admission, making it fun for the whole family,” says Mike Reilly, President of the Seaport Association. “For 14 years First County Bank has supported us, helping to make the Norwalk Oyster Festival a longtime Fairfield County tradition."
The Music
The 2021 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 the music and entertainment is free with the price of the ticket making it economical for the entire family,” says Mike Reilly, President of the Seaport Association.
Saturday night’s headliner is Mike DelGuidice, hand-picked and hired by Billy Joel, and Big Shot make the stage come alive with their music and will have you dancing up a storm. DelGuidice is a world-class vocalist and can sing just about anything! Get ready to party to chart-topping hit after, in an astounding high-energy show, that is amazingly free with admission!
The Seaport Association has increased family entertainment by leaps and bounds this year! There will be different shows in different areas of the park running at different times to make sure that everyone gets a chance to enjoy all the top-notch entertainment that is free with the price of admission! The Kids Cove Character Cavalcade and the Dog Show are produced by Connecticut’s own Center Ring Productions that have been spreading smiles nationwide for more than 50 years.
Ready Go Dog Show and Character Cavalcade.
This year the whole family will enjoy the Ready Go Dog Show that packs plenty of oohs and ahhs 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.
Rides and Wristbands
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 @ $30 each available for unlimited rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for everyone.
Sunday is Family Day & the Chance to Meet Santa
Sunday, September 12th is Family Day all day when one child 5-12 gets in Free with one paid adult admission. A new highlight is a chance for kids to visit Santa Claus, something that they might not have had the chance to do last December. Games, rides, face painting, and pint-sized carnival games, plus cotton candy, popcorn, candied apples, and much more can also be found at Kids Cove.
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. At the Seaport Tent, learn about Norwalk’s oystering history and browse specialty items on sale celebrating the Sheffield Island Lighthouse.
One of the best things about going to the Norwalk Oyster Festival is the wide variety of delicious food that you can indulge in! 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. Some of this culinary fare is prepared by dozens of local nonprofit organizations allowing them to raise funds for their charitable causes. And, if you have worked up a thirst, no worries head to the craft beer tent that offers more than forty beers. Whether you are craving a salty and savory meal, a sugary treat to satisfy your sweet tooth, or an afternoon or evening snack, you’re guaranteed to find a favorite fair food at the Norwalk Oyster Festival.
The Norwalk Oyster Festival is held at Veteran’s Park; adjacent to Norwalk Harbor on Seaview Avenue in Norwalk, CT.
Admission
Admission for adults is $12, seniors $10, and children (5-12) $6 on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. 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. Ticket holders will have fast-track admission to the festival.
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.
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 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 more open-air dining tents available. All vendors, dining tents, rides will have hand sanitizers and handwashing stations. Pre-ticketed guests will be given fast-track admission to the festival.
About First County Bank- Presenting Sponsor
First County Bank, headquartered in Stamford, Conn for 170 years, is an independent mutal company 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.
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.
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