All across the country festivals are officially back on including the 43rd Norwalk Oyster Festival. What better way to enjoy the end of the summer, than at the three-day Norwalk Oyster Festival taking place on Friday, September 10, Saturday, September 11, and Sunday, September 12, 2021, at the 35-acre Veterans Memorial Park in Norwalk. Performances by national and internationally acclaimed musicians, the Seaport Circus Spectacular will have children of all ages cheering on high wire daredevils and clowns, delicious food, and never-ending rows of craft vendors await. The fairgrounds are nestled along the Norwalk Harbor making it a spectacular setting for the Norwalk Oyster Festival complete with sea breezes.
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.
The Norwalk Oyster Festival kicks off with the music of the multi-talented Eliot Lewis, a Norwalk native that is a member of Hall and Oates, one of the most famous duos in the world that have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The next performer, Steelheart, originally from Norwalk, lights up the stage at 8:30 p.m. Get ready to rock with Steelheart, a legendary musical force, celebrating 30 years of entertainment in 2021 and considered by many to be one of the hottest, hippest live shows around the world.
On Saturday afternoon, at 2 p.m. get ready to escape to “Margaritaville” at the Norwalk Oyster Festival with the always-popular Jimmy Kenny and the Pirates Beach Band - the ultimate beach party tribute to Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, and the Zac Brown Band. Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band plugs in and lights up the stage at 2 p.m.! Saturday night starts to heat up when Alex Shillo takes the stage at 7 p.m. with his eclectic brand of rock and country music. 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!
On Sunday, the Norwalk Oyster Festival is celebrating a homegrown musical extravaganza of non-stop performances by professional local and regional bands. Enjoy live music and specular performances, dance together, unwind and have fun as you listen to a variety of musicians on multiple stages. When you aren’t grooving to the tunes, there is a wide variety of food, arts, crafts, rides, and entertainment that will keep you busy.
For the Whole Family
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 Seaport Circus Spectacular, 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.
Seaport Circus Spectacular
Everyone will enjoy the antics of JJ the Clown, a family favorite of folks from around the country. JJs 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.
For thrill-seekers, there is the death-defying motorcycle performance created by the Dominguez Family from the Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Baily, and the Big Apple Circus. They have been amazing audiences around the world with riders challenging the Globe of Death where two or more motorcycles run together in a large steel globe. Their uncanny skill in navigating the inverted high wire will leave you on the edge of your seat. This energetic act is perfect for all ages because it always delivers the “wow” factor. Other acts include the performance of elegant aerial tricks from more than 20 feet up in the air and the colorful and fast-moving hula-hoop show.
Another new feature this year that will take place on Sunday is the chance for kids to visit Santa Claus, something they might not have been able 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.
Rides and Wristbands and Sunday is Family Day
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, September 12th is Family Day all day when one child 5-12 gets in Free with one paid adult admission!
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.
Arts and Crafts Galore
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.
For the Foodies
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.
Tickets, Hours & Parking
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 year’s old are $6. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.seaport.org. Sunday is Family Day with special pricing on that day only – one child (ages 5-12) free with each paid adult admission.
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.
Shuttles - Free parking and shuttle service are available on Friday, September 10 from Calf Pasture Beach and Norwalk Community College, and on Saturday and Sunday from Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk City Hall, and Norwalk Community College. Handicapped parking is available at Calf Pasture Beach. There is ample parking in the SoNo area, which is a five-minute walk to the fairgrounds. Shuttle buses will be running continuously throughout the day. On Friday buses will be running from 5:30 p.m. - 11:30 p.m., on Saturday buses will be running from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m., and Sunday buses will be running from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. Additional Fee Parking 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. In specific regard to Arts & Crafts and New England Village vendors, their walkways will be widened to increase spacing. Hand sanitizer stations will be located around the festival including Kids Cove, dining tents, and the entrance of the festival. All portajohns will have hand sanitizer and handwashing stations. All vendor areas will have hand sanitizer. Golf cart drivers assisting with guests will wear masks while transporting passengers. There will be no food sampling by vendors at the Oyster Festival. More open-air dining tents will be available for additional spacing. To lessen the congestion of people at the entrance of the festival, guests who have purchased tickets ahead of time will be given fast-track admission into the festival. The Seaport Association will be encouraging guests to purchase their tickets ahead of time. They will also be encouraging distancing between people at the gates of the festival through signage.
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.
