Norwalk Oyster Festival Promises Weekend Of Fun For Everyone

NORWALK, CT — While many consider Labor Day weekend to be a sign of summer coming to an end, city residents have come to anticipate the Norwalk Oyster Festival as the last big event before fall unofficially kicks into gear.

Presented by the Norwalk Seaport Association at Veterans Memorial Park and Marina, the 45th annual festival is scheduled to take place this weekend, beginning Friday at 6 p.m. and lasting until Sunday at 8 p.m.

"It's the last big thing," Mike Reilly, the festival's chairman and president of the Seaport Association, said to Patch. "This is the last big thing of the season. In our area, this is the last big hurrah."

Standing by the entrance to the festival Wednesday afternoon, as volunteers set up rides and booths despite extreme heat, Reilly said it was nice to finally see everything come together for this year's event after nearly a year of planning.

"The festival ends, and then the next day we start planning," Reilly said. "I work year-round on it, the Seaport [Association] does and our chairpeople...we have 1,100 volunteers that put this thing together. It's an amazing amount of work."

Reilly highlighted a number of things for guests to look forward to at this year's festival, including a huge selection of rides, about 40 food booths, a water circus, a dog show and exciting musical performances, including Gary LeVox, lead singer of the popular country music band Rascal Flatts, Saturday at 8 p.m.

LeVox, along with bandmates Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney, founded Rascal Flatts in 2000 and have since become one of the most popular contemporary county music bands of all time. The band boasts a number of hit songs, including "What Hurts the Most" and "Bless the Broken Road," as well as their popular cover of the Tom Cochrane song "Life is a Highway."

LeVox recently released a solo album entitled "One on One" and plans to release more new music soon.

"If you like Rascal Flatts, Saturday is going to be epic," Reilly said. "Every song is a Rascal Flatts song."

Reilly also emphasized the amount of fun activities available for families, including a special deal offering free admission for kids on Sunday. Guests can also enjoy unlimited rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

As the Oyster Festival celebrates its 45th anniversary, Reilly acknowledged each year's event must strike a balance between bringing new stuff to the table while delivering on what guests have always loved about the event.

"I think you have to have new stuff every year," Reilly said. "I think that's very important, and the programming of what you have on the field and even in the food I think is important. You've got to have different things."

One of those new things arrived this week at Veterans Park, where guests can enjoy a free tour of the 129-foot Amistad Schooner with paid admission to the festival. The tour will highlight the story of the Amistad and the impact of its legacy, as well as its relevance to Connecticut's history.

"Norwalk is thrilled to host our 45th Annual Oyster Festival at Veterans Memorial Park this weekend in partnership with the Seaport Association, right along our coast and next to downtown SoNo," Mayor Harry Rilling said in a statement sent to Patch. "Every year we get thousands of visitors, many from across the state, who come to enjoy incredible food, including local grown oysters from Copps Island Oysters, authentic New England lobster and international food courts. There will also be several family-friendly shows and musical performances, including one by Gary LeVox, lead signer of Rascal Flatts. Lastly, this year, Discovering Amistad will be docked during the entire festival, giving free tours of their 129-foot Amistad Schooner replica of the historical La Amistad Ship. There will truly be something for everyone at this year's Oyster Festival, and we hope to have a great showing."

Though he was unable to say exactly how many guests are expected to attend the event this weekend, Reilly said great weather should lead to a large crowd.

"I hope to see everybody this weekend," Reilly said. "We're planning on a great weekend."

More information about the festival is available here.