The 33rd Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival on September 10th, 11th and 12th features the most diverse array of attractions in memory,” says Andy Garfunkel, the festival co-chair. “There really is something for everyone. New highlights include pirates, a solar-powered model car race in the Getting Greener Pavilion, the creation of a huge sand sculpture, exciting athletic fetes in a BMX & MotoCROSS Stunt Shows and a kids’ show with giant puppets. The Bar-B-Q Pit, which was a big hit last year, returns, along with Marvel Super Heroes, continuous entertainment, an arts and crafts fair, lots of fun in Kids’ Cove and plenty of good food – including OYSTERS!”
“Also,” Garfunkel says, “we’ve listened to our festival-goers and brought back old favorites like tall ships, two touch tanks with sea creatures from Long Island Sound and the Oyster Pavilion, complete with shucking and slurping contests. The Seaport Association definitely is putting the pearl back in the oyster!”
The new Pirates’ Coast Adventure interactive encampment will feature demonstrations by historical reenactors, rollicking pirate songs by the Bawdy Buccaneers and storytelling. Captain Jack Sparrow will teach children how to become pirates and, on Saturday, there will be a children’s pirate costume contest. Continuing the pirate theme, Alan Matsumoto will create a 7-foot high pirate sand sculpture during the festival. Matsumoto has shared the World Champion sand sculpting title with his teammates for seven straight years.
After their pirate adventures, attendees can head to the festival docks for tours of two tall ships – Soundwaters, an 80-foot replica of a Chesapeake Bay sharpie schooner, and Quinnipiac, a traditionally-rigged sailing ship that last visited the Oyster Festival in 2001.
Again this year, barbeque fans are expected to head for The Bar-B-Q Pit, which is organized by the Norwalk Exchange Club. “Tickets for People’s Choice contests (whole hog, wings, chowder and chili) always sell out fast because folks love to taste the entries and vote for their favorites,” says Jerry Toni, the festival co-chair. “You can sample ribs and talk with champion griller Jack McDavid from the Food Network and also observe the techniques used by the 50 professional barbecue teams that are competing for $23,000 in prize money and to become the Connecticut state champion. If you like barbecue, this is the place to be!”
“Festival-goers also can dine on a range of food selections from booths run by non-profit organizations in the International Food Court,” says Toni. “If you’re a seafood lover, you’ll find oysters (of course!), clams, lobster and shrimp prepared in different ways. Food choices also include Italian and Greek specialties as well as desserts. And, of course, we have hamburgers and hot dogs for the youngsters.”
Family entertainment includes Sympho and Redwing Blackbird Theater’s larger-than-life puppets in a musical adaptation of “Peter and The Wolf” on the main stage at 2:00 p.m. Saturday. In Kids’ Cove, which is sponsored by Optimum, youngsters can enjoy games, rides and other attractions plus jugglers, clowns, costumed characters and lively, interactive musical performances by Al de Cant.
Family Day returns to the festival on Sunday, offering free admission for one child ages 5-12 when accompanied by an adult with a paid admission ticket. Also on Sunday only, a $15.00 bracelet entitles youngsters to unlimited rides in Kids’ Cove between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. In addition, many non-profit organizations in the International Food Court will offer “Family Day Specials.” After the Marvel Super Heroes 2:00 p.m. show on the main stage, attendees can meet Spider-Man, Hulk, Storm and Green Goblin for autographs and photos in a First County Bank tent adjacent to the stage.
Varied musical styles will be spotlighted throughout the festival. Mark Roman, the entertainment co-chair, says, “Main stage headliners will have everyone dancing in the aisles to sounds of the 80s. On Saturday, the London-based new wave group Wang Chung will be followed by 10,000 Maniacs. The festival finale on Sunday will be BIG SHOT, the premiere Billy Joel national tribute band fronted by Michael DelGuidice with special guest saxophonist Richie Cannata from the ‘Piano Man’s’ original band.”
“Popular regional musicians kicking off the main stage performances on Friday night include Thunderhead and Short Bus,” says entertainment co-chair, Jimmy Erotopoulos. “Other main stage acts include Blue Bossa Gypsy on Saturday plus Katherine Waugh singing Broadway show tunes and classic tenor Christopher Macchio and the rock band Still Alive & Well on Sunday. Continuous entertainment on another stage spotlights additional top regional performers like The Coulda Woulda Shouldas, who won the recent Battle of the Bands in Stamford and Slamfest musicians.”
Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival hours are 6:00-11:00 p.m. on Friday, September 10; 11:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 11; and 11:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 12. The event is held at Veterans Park adjacent to Norwalk Harbor on Seaview Avenue in East Norwalk, CT 06855. There is no parking on the festival grounds but free shuttle service is provided to and from the event.
Admission prices at the gate are $12.00 for adults, $10.00 for senior citizens (62 and older) and $3.00 for children ages 5-12. Children younger than five enter free. The daily entrance fee includes off-site parking, shuttle buses to and from the festival and performances in Kids’ Cove and on two stages. Information about a Metro-North Railroad-NSA Oyster Festival discount package can be found at www.mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_norwalk_oysterfest.html. For Family Day (on Sunday ONLY), one child ages 5-12 will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult with a paid admission ticket. To purchase tickets on-line and for complete festival information, including other special pricing deals, visit the NSA web site at http://www.seaport.org/OysterFest.htm.
