Norwalk Oyster Fest Starts Friday

Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling, Norwalk Seaport Association officials and others cut a ribbon to mark the start of the Norwalk Oyster Festival on Wednesday.

The festival runs from Friday Sept. 11 to Sunday Sept. 13.

More details, including ticket information below:

This year’s live entertainment line-up includes national acts John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band on Friday, Dennis DeYoung: The Music of STYX on Saturday and on Sunday, Smash Mouth. All the headliner acts will take place on the Main Stage. In addition, dozens of local and regional musicians will perform throughout the weekend on The Hour/Heineken stage.

Other entertainment that is sure to delight all ages includes the return of aerial stunt artists the Nerveless Nocks Thrill Show (www.nervelessnocks.com). This year the Nocks will be adding sway poles to their act, stunts on skyscrapingly high poles, free of wires or other safety means. Also returning is the popular Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show (www.lumberjackent.com)with logrolling, axe throwing, tree climbing, dragster chain sawing and more

In addition, there will be a Craft Beer tent featuring more than 25 beers, an expanded food court, the Kid’s Cove with rides and games, the largest ever Arts & Crafts Pavilion with more than 100 artisans and crafters, an oyster-slurping contest, and much more.

The event is held at Veteran’s Park, adjacent to Norwalk Harbor on Seaview Avenue in Norwalk, CT. Admission for adults is $10 on Friday, $12 on Saturday and Sunday. Children 5-12 years old are $5. U.S. military personnel on active duty are free. All entertainment is included in ticket prices. Tickets can be purchased atwww.seaport.org.

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. The organization also offers harbor cruises, special events, maritime education programs and habitat restoration projects with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more information, visit www.seaport.org or call (203) 838-9444.

Photo caption from left to right: CT State Representative Gail Lavielle; Vincent Scicchitano, President, Norwalk Seaport Association; Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling; Bob Granata, President First County Bank (and Oyster Festival sponsor); Mike Reilly, Oyster Festival Chairman; and CT State Senator Bob Duff.