The Norwalk Oyster Festival taking place September 11–13, 2026, at Veterans Park in Norwalk, has announced a special 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Friday, September 11, at 6 p.m.
“As we come together on this very 25-year milestone, the Norwalk Seaport Association would like to honor the 14 victims from Norwalk lost on that day,” said Rick McQuaid, President of the Norwalk Seaport Association.
The ceremony will feature remarks from McQuaid; a Presentation of Colors by the Norwalk Police Honor Guard; the National Anthem performed by Jonathan Peters; the Pledge of Allegiance led by former Mayor Harry Rilling, who served as Norwalk’s Police Chief during 9/11; and an Invocation by Reverend Artie Kassimis of the Word Alive Bible Church. Additional tributes will include the reading of the names of Norwalk’s 14 victims followed by the ringing of a bell, musical reflections, a Benediction by Reverend Artie Kassimis, and the retirement of the colors by the Norwalk Police Color Guard.
“We invite ticket holders to stand together in remembrance of those we lost and in gratitude for the first responders, service members, families, and neighbors forever impacted by that day,” McQuaid said.
Hosted by the Norwalk Seaport Association and presented by Mohegan Sun Online Casino, the Norwalk Oyster Festival is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser, supporting the ongoing preservation and restoration of the Sheffield Island Lighthouse.
Festival admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 5–12, with all entertainment included with the price of a ticket. Children age 12 and under receive free admission on Sunday with a paying adult. Discounted ride wristbands are available for $35 on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This year’s entertainment includes Lita Ford at 8 p.m. Friday, Parmalee at 8:30 p.m. Saturday, and JUMP: The American Van Halen Experience at 4 p.m. Sunday. Festivalgoers can also enjoy family entertainment including the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack and the Ready Go Dogs Shows, along with an international food court, the New England Crafts Village, and the Mohegan Sun Online Casino VIP Lounge.
At its heart, the Norwalk Oyster Festival is more than an end-of-summer tradition—it is a celebration supporting education, preservation, and the region’s maritime legacy. For tickets and more information https://www.seaport.org/norwalkoysterfestival_entertainment
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