NORWALK — A country music and TV star, singer-songwriter and Led Zeppelin tribute band will headline the city’s 44th annual Oyster Festival, which runs this year from September 9 to 11.
Announced on Wednesday, the festival, hosted by the Norwalk Seaport Association and sponsored by First County Bank, will return for another year at Veteran’s Memorial Park.
“Three days of dazzling free fun, food and entertainment on multiple stages, plus a myriad of special events for families and friends, from 9 to 90 brands, just some of the activities planned,” said Mike Reilly, president of the Norwalk Seaport Association and chairman of this year’s festival, in a press release.
“Our volunteers have been working around the clock to make this year’s festival even more special because we know the Norwalk oyster is a tradition for so many – from near and far and that makes us happy,” said he declared.
The festival will be open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on September 9, from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on September 10 and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on September 11.
Daily admission is $14 for adults, $6 for children ages 5-12, and $10 for ages 65 and older. Children under 5 are admitted free; all children will have free admission on September 11.
The festival will feature live musical performances every day.
“The Norwalk Oyster Festival and the music we offer, free with admission, is always highly anticipated and world class. This year, festival goers will be entertained by a wide variety of musical genres from country to rock and roll from as far away as Nashville,” said Reilly.
On September 9, the music begins with a performance by country music star and actress Jana Kramer at 8:30 p.m. Kramer is known for her role as Alex Dupre on the television series One Tree Hill.
The September 10 performances feature singer and songwriter Alex Shillo, who will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Shillo’s band is made up of musicians who have played with artists such as Clarence Clemons of Bruce’s E Street Band Springsteen, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Johnny Mathis, Gloria Gaynor and John Cafferty, among others.
Shillo comes from a solid musical background. His father was the founder/singer/songwriter of the band Silverado of the late 1970s and 80s who toured the world with Steppenwolf and others and had songs on Billboard, according to the Association.
Also on September 10, Mike DelGuidice and his band, Big Shot, will perform songs celebrating the music of Billy Joel and others. DelGuidice is currently touring with Billy Joel and releasing new music, according to the Association.
Rounding out the weekend’s musical performances, tribute band “Get the Led Out” will perform Led Zeppelin songs at 5 p.m. on September 11.
For food options, the festival will have an international food tent, featuring Mexican, Colombian and Italian dishes as well as favorites ranging from funnel cake to cotton candy. And what’s an Oyster Fest without seafood? Oysters and lobster rolls will be on sale.
“This culinary fare is prepared by dozens of local non-profit organizations, allowing them to raise vital funds for their charitable causes,” the Association said.
A beer tent featuring over 40 craft beers will also be available.
The festival, although designed for fun, has seen its dark days. At last year’s festival, Florida acrobat falls from 35ft high performance device doing a stunt called the “Wheel of Death” and was seriously injured.
abigail.brone@hearstmediact.com
