Clinton Traditions Evolve From Bluefish Fest To Fireworks

CLINTON, CT — You probably already know that Clinton is called the Bluefish Capital of The World, but did you know who was the first to call it that?

Therein, as the old guys and others who use words like "therein" like to say, lies a tale, and a melancholy one at that.

Way back in the simpler times of 1972, when we worried less about melting the ice caps and more about burning through the ozone, Clinton tackle shop owner Art Novarro organized the first-ever "Bluefish Festival." His intention was to raise money for muscular dystrophy research, a charity popularized by an annual telethon emceed by comedian Jerry Lewis.

Novarro opened the three-day event up to all manner of local charities and non-profits to draw donations. Attractions included tube races, a fishing tournament, a seed-spitting contest, a boat parade, a pie-eating contest, tug-of-war, sand sculpture contest and plenty more old school family entertainments.

The final pie from that golden age was eaten in 2015, when the annual summer festival closed down and announced it would not return. From a peak of over 7,000 attendees in its heyday, the Bluefish Festival was no longer able to attract more than a thousand residents in the early 20-teens before organizers were forced to pull the plug, the New Haven Register reported.

Happy ending? Sure: The festival's twilight was the dawn of the Clinton's annual fireworks display at the town beach.

Oh, that "Bluefish Capital of the World" thing? Gov. Ella Grasso came down to visit the festival in its second year and made that proclamation. Oddly enough, the name just stuck.