Norwalk Oyster Festival

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Norwalk Oyster Festival is an annual fair in the city of Norwalk, Connecticut, USA. The festival takes place on the first weekend after Labor Day in Veterans Park, near Long Island Sound.

It features various forms of food, vendors, and entertainment, and celebrates the history of the oyster industry based in Norwalk. In the past, featured performers have included the Village People, Kansas, Charlie Daniels Band, Willie Nelson, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Tito Puente, Cheap Trick, Little Feat, The Monkees, Judy Collins, and Little Richard.

The 30th annual festival was scheduled to take place September 7 to September 9, 2007 with Village People heading up the entertainment, the band's third appearance. Jay and the Americans were also booked for the event.^[1]

The 29th annual Oyster Festival took place Friday, September 8 to Sunday, September 10, 2006. Bo Bice, Dion, and Asia were featured performers.

The festival has been run by the Norwalk Seaport Association, a non profit organization, since its inception in 1978. Average annual attendance exceeds 90,000. Each year, the Oyster Festival contributes over $5 million to the local economy.

Funds raised by the festival help the Norwalk Seaport Association maintain the Sheffield Island Lighthouse as well as to develop science education classes. The festival is also used by more than 20 other local non-profit organizations raise funds for annual operations.