Lambertville Celebrates The Return Of The Shad At Weekend Festival

LAMBERTVILLE, NJ — Lambertville came together over the weekend to celebrate the return of the shad.

The Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce stages the two-day festival to welcome the shad back home to its spawning grounds and to bring people together to celebrate the region.

Once a year in the spring, the shad make the harrowing journey northward from their home in the Atlantic Ocean to lay their eggs in the fresh waters of the Delaware River.

In celebration of that journey, the chamber has organized the festival for the past four decades featuring live music, vendors, visits to the Lewis Island Fishery and plenty of food and family-oriented fun.

On Saturday, as morning clouds gave way to a sun-filled afternoon with comfortable temperatures, the streets of the river town bustled with activity with crafts, food and lots of fun.

Shadfest crowds along the river's edge in Lambertville. (Photos by Jeff Werner)

Souvla King brought its chicken, beef and lamb gyros to the festival.

A sign at The Tailorette.

A youngster reaches out to catch a bubble, but it was just beyond her reach even with some help. (photo by Jeff Werner)

These youngsters were on hand to promote Magic Mountain's "Theatre for a Young Audience," featuring Frozen Jr., Jack and the Giant, and Sleeping Beauty.

Vendors lined Union Street selling everything from art and hand crafted jewelry to Shadfest t-shirts and treasures made by Lambertville area artists. They were even dancing in the streets in front of the Fred Astaire Dance Studio booth.

Along the banks of the Delaware River at Lambertville Station, Shadfest visitors enjoyed the view while a live band entertained. Nearby, the suds were flowing at the event’s beer garden.

Unfortunately, one of the highlights of the festival didn't happen this year. The fishing demonstration at Lewis Island had to be canceled due to a damaged foot bridge, which provides the only access to the island. Members of the fishery, however, were on hand at the entrance to the bridge to talk about the Shad and its springtime journey up the river.

This year’s Shadfest was generously sponsored by Union Chill, Stark and Stark, Xfinity, the Nature Conservancy of New Jersey, RAGO, North Union Barbershop, Genesis Hospitality, and the Amwell Lodge.

A veteran from VFW Post 8390 was giving out poppies at the event.

Jammin' down by the riverside with an M&Ms guitar. (Photo by Jeff Werner)

Fishing for shad on the Delaware between New Hope and Lambertville.