Connecticut Travel

Three days of fun, food, entertainment on multiple stages, plus special events for families and friends, from nine to ninety marks just some of the activities to be found at the 2018 Norwalk Oyster Festival hosted by the Seaport Association on Friday, September 7, Saturday, September 8, and Sunday, September 9, 2018 at the 35-acre Veterans Memorial Park in Norwalk. “This is a special year for the Seaport Association, we have entered our 41st year as an organization and we are also celebrating the 150th anniversary of Sheffield Island Lighthouse. Our mission has always been to preserve our maritime heritage, the environment of Long Island Sound, and to have children experience Sheffield Island Lighthouse,” says Mike Reilly, President of the Norwalk Oyster Festival.

The Music

The 2018 Norwalk Oyster Festival has live music from dozens of bands on multiple stages throughout the weekend and features a variety of crowd-pleasing entertainment. “The Oyster Festival is the last big thing that takes place before the end of the summer. This is the perfect time for folks to come to the Festival and say goodbye to the summer of 2018, and to help us celebrate 150 years of the Sheffield Island Lighthouse,” says Mike Reilly, President of the Norwalk Oyster Festival.

Funky Dawgz kicks off the festival on Friday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m. on the Main Stage with an exuberant performance that combines a contagious upbeat mix of traditional New Orleans R&B, original music, hip-hop, funk, and today’s top hits played with a brass twist.

The amazingly talented New Orleans style jazz- funk band, Deep Banana Blackout takes the Main Stage at 9 p.m. and the festival audience will be treated to Grade A+ funk. This eight-piece musical ensemble is a legendary musical force on the East Coast underground funk, jazz, and jam scenes and considered by many to be one of the hottest, hippest live shows to be heard in the Northeast.

On September 8 at 8 p.m. Festival Headliner, Steve Augeri, Journey, the former lead singer takes the Main Stage and will take festival-goers on a “journey” well worth taking.

Expect fan friendly audience interactions, a strong stage presence, soaring vocals and hit after hit of iconic classic rock songs like Don’t Stop Believing, Anyway You Want It, Faithfully, Loving, Touching, Feeling and many other hits. Fans may even be in for an exclusive treat if Augeri decides to include an original new song or two in the mix that has thrilled audiences worldwide.

It’s 5’oclock somewhere, and on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 4 p.m. Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band plugin on the Main Stage. So, put on your best “Parrothead” gear, grab some food and drinks from one of the nearby vendors and get ready to sing and dance along to some of the best of Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney and the Zac Brown Band plus a variety of country favorites, summer pop, reggae and tropical classics that are the perfect finale to the 2018 Oyster Festival.

For the Kids

Children of all ages will be engaged and entertained by an enthralling magic act filled with amazing illusions. This captivating live show delights the audience with magic on the high seas as conjured up by award-winning, Master Magician Doc Swan. Expect lots of audience participation in this show that is suitable for all ages. Fantastic illusions, magic, juggling, clowns and more take place under the big tent. On Saturday and Sunday kids get to meet their favorite characters from today’s most popular movies and TV shows including their favorite princesses and superheroes.

The fun doesn’t stop with the magic show. There are photo opportunities with characters, face painting, and pint-sized carnival games like the ring toss and lollipop tree where every child is a winner, plus cotton candy, popcorn, and candied apples. Kids activities and games take place at Kids Cove throughout the day.

Best if all, these activities won’t break the bank! On Saturday and Sunday, there are special packages and meals at many food booths available for children with the highlight being a special $25 wristband for unlimited rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on both days. Sunday is Family Day when kids 12 and under get in free with a paid adult; there are also special kids meals and the $25 wristband for unlimited rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

For the Whole Family

The festival offers a wide array of attractions the whole family will enjoy, including continuous entertainment by local musicians and national acts. One of the acts sure to amaze festival goers is the Nerveless Nocks Thrill Show that has been dazzling audiences with their high-flying death-defying performances for eight generations!

Another family favorite is the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show that combines old-time skills with a modern entertainment style that is sure to delight. In addition to wood chopping, the audience will see amazing feats such as log rolling, ax throwing (yes, they are sharp), crosscut sawing, underhand chopping, precision chainsaw racing and chainsaw carving.

If you have always wanted a bird’s eye view of the city, the fairgrounds and Norwalk’s beautiful coastline, climb onboard the 65 foot Gondola Ferris wheel to be treated to a unique and memorable ride you can write home about. All you have to do is sit back, relax and enjoy. And, don’t forget your camera.

If you like to shop, head to the Arts and Crafts area where they’re more than 100 fine artists and crafters that display whimsical as well as practical items that appeal to all tastes, budgets, and ages. Jewelry, paintings, pottery, sculpture, clothing, home décor and wearable art are just some of the treasures to be found here.

For the Foodies

A favorite at any festival is the food, and the Norwalk Oyster Festival never disappoints. After exploring the fairgrounds head to the International Food Court that dishes up everything from Mexican, Columbian and Italian to funnel cakes, cotton candy and of course, oysters fresh off the boat, authentic New England lobster dinners and fresh lobster rolls. This culinary fare is prepared by dozens of local nonprofit organizations allowing them to raise vital funds for their charitable causes. At the Seaport Tent, learn about Norwalk’s oystering history while watching slurping and shucking contests. And, if you have worked up a thirst, no worries head to the craft beer tent that offers more than forty beers.

Tickets, Parking & Metro-North

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. Senior tickets are $10 all days. Children 5-12 year’s old are $5. Children under 5 and U.S. military personnel on active duty are free. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.seaport.org.

Festival Hours: Friday, Sept. 7, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, September 8 from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., and Sunday, September 9 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For those that want to take the train Metro North is offering a discount package with free shuttle service from the train station to the Oyster Festival.

Free parking and shuttle service available from Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk City Hall, and Norwalk Community College.

About the Norwalk Seaport Association

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. For more information, visit http://www.seaport.org. or call (203) 838-9444.

Mark those calendars for September 7, 8, and 9 for the Norwalk Oyster Festival. If you have children, head to Kids Cove that offers hours of kid-friendly fun with so much to do, see, and eat! Kids Cove has exhibits, hands-on activities, and free entertainment sure to delight kids of all ages. Children can get their face-painted and then pose with one of their favorite characters.

Hog Diggity Dog Review

You will feel like a kid again when watching the new show at this year’s Oyster Festival, the Hog Diggity Dog Review. This amazing show is performed by animal trainer and second generation circus performer, Hans Klose who took over from his parents, who also worked for Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Baily Circus. Klose started his career at Ringling Bros., and then as a dog trainer at just sixteen years old. He has traveled all through the US and Canada and as far south as Mexico thrilling audiences with his act. Most recently he appeared on Late Night with Stephen Colbert.

Expect plenty of squeals of delight from crowds as the dogs and pigs perform. Today Kouse works with 20 dogs and four pigs. The performing pigs, Roscoe weighing 750 pounds, and Shelton weighing around 700 pounds were part of Klose’s act when he worked for Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. The Hog Diggity Dog Review will take place on Friday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8 at 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

The pigs were acquired from farms and his dogs, with the exception of a couple of standard poodles, are rescues with a talent for jumping. The animals have their own climate controlled trailer and Mr. Klose is certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which regulates zoos, circuses and marine mammal parks under the Animal Welfare Act and requires regular inspections. The animals have regular vet care and the pigs get regular hoof trimmings and are fed a special diet.

Magic Show with Master Magician Doc Swan

Another not to be missed highlight of Kids Cove is the professional magic act conjured up by the award-winning Master Magician Doc Swan. This show delights the audience with fantastic illusions, magic with lots of audience participation, juggling, clowns and much more that takes place under the big circus tent. The Doc Swan Magic Show will take place on Friday, Sept. 7 at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 8 at 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 5 p.m.and 7:45 p.m. and on Sunday, Sept. 9 at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

If you have children, be sure to take advantage of the $25 dollar wristband for unlimited rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and, best of all, Sunday, Sept. 9 is Family Day when kids get in free with a paying adult.

Complete Kids Cove Schedule

Friday, September 7, 2018

Face Painter Open at 6 p.m.

Seaport Festival of Magic 7 p.m. @Circus Tent

Hog Diggity Dog Review 8 p.m.

Saturday, September 8, 2018

Face painters Open at 11 a.m.

Seaport Festival of Magic 12:30 p.m.

Hog Diggity Dog Review 1:30 p.m.

Karate Demo 2 p.m.

Character appearance 2:30 p.m.

Festival of Magic 3 p.m.

Hog Diggity Dog Review 4 p.m.

Festival of Magic 5 p.m.

Karate Demonstration 6 p.m.

Character appearance 6 p.m.

Hog Diggity Dog review 7 p.m.

Seaport Festival of Magic 7:45 p.m.

Hog Diggity Dog Review 8:30 p.m.

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Face painters open at 11a.m.

Seaport Festival of Magic 1 p.m.

Character Appearance 1:30 p.m.

Karate Demo 2 p.m.

Hog Diggity Dog Review 2 p.m.

Seaport Festival of Magic 3 p.m.

Character Appearance 3:30 p.m.

Hog Diggity Dog Review 4 p.m.

Festival of Magic at 5 p.m.

Hog Diggity Dog Review 6:30 p.m.

Tickets, Parking & Metro-North

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. Senior tickets are $10 all days. Children 5-12 year’s old are $5. Children under 5 and U.S. military personnel on active duty are free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.seaport.org. On Sunday, Sept. 9 children 12 and under free with paying adult.

Festival Hours: Friday, Sept. 7, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, September 8 from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., and Sunday, September 9 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For those that want to take Metro-North train Metro North is offering a discount package with free shuttle service from the train station to the Oyster Festival.

Free parking and shuttle service available from Calf Pasture Beach, Norwalk City Hall, and Norwalk Community College.

About the Norwalk Seaport Association

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. For more information, visit www.seaport.org. or call (203) 838-9444.

The Railroad Museum Of New England and the Torrington Historical Society are collaborating to offer train rides from Thomaston to Torrington and return and a brief presentation by Mark McEachern introducing the “All Hands on Deck: Torrington and World War I” exhibit. Educational, self-guided tours about the WWI exhibit and a light barbeque supper will be included. The history train tours will be offered on two Wednesday evenings, September 12 and September 19th. The Naugatuck Railroad will provide the train service for the occasions.

The program will also offer self-guided tours of two Torrington History Museum exhibits, a WWI cemetery tour adjacent to the museum and the award-winning permanent history exhibit “No Place Like Home: The History of Torrington.”

During the First World War, Torrington, with its population of about 20,000, was a bustling factory town served by the Naugatuck Division of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford Railroad.

“Every city, town, and village in the country mobilized for the war effort,“ according to RMNE Chairman Howard Pincus. “Railroads shipped military volunteers and enlisted personnel to where our country needed them, mostly to troop ships that took them to the main theater of operations in Europe. The same was true for all supplies needed for the war effort manufactured in the many factories across the nation. This was an era when trains dominated transportation coast to coast.”

Passengers will ride along the same route along the Naugatuck Railroad as they would have 100 years ago with the exception of track changes required by the construction of the Thomaston Dam in the 1960s.

All Hands on Deck: Torrington and World War I interpret the contributions of Torrington during the World War I years. Visitors to the exhibit learn about the nearly 1,400 Torrington men and women who served in the military, home front activities, and the local industries that contributed to the war effort. The exhibit sheds light on the Torrington residents who served in the military as well as the residents who aided the war effort by working at local factories, rationing food at home, or volunteering for organizations such as the Red Cross and Torrington Home Guard.

Passengers will enjoy the scenic view into the Litchfield Hills past the Thomaston Dam, along the upper Naugatuck River, and through East Litchfield.

Tickets for this event are $25 and include the round-trip train ride, self-guided tours of the two Torrington History Museum exhibits and a light BBQ supper of pork sliders, coleslaw and beans provided by Zach and Lou’s Barbeque.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.rmne.org or phone 860-283-7245 anytime. All tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.

Trains will leave Thomaston Station at 242 East Main Street, at 4:00pm, bound for Torrington’s Church Street Platform, and leave Torrington at 6:30pm to return to Thomaston. In Torrington, passengers will walk three blocks from Church Street to the Torrington Historical Society at 192 Main Street.

Passengers may pick up tickets at the Thomaston Station’s “Will Call” window 30 minutes before departure time. Trains depart promptly at the scheduled times.

White Memorial Foundation on 80 White Hall Road in Litchfield is celebrating its 37th annual Family Nature Day on Sept. 22 and in honor of this event, there is a fantastic raffle going on for the trip of a lifetime with Krummit Travel to Iceland. The drawing will be held on Saturday, September 22, 2018, 4:00 pm. With only 1000 tickets printed and four really beautiful prizes which include TWO trips, we’d call your $10.00 donation per ticket a worthy investment! The drawing takes place at 4pm at the 37thAnnual Family Nature Day. You need not be present to win the prizes.

First Prize: A trip for two to Iceland , January 2 – 7, 2019, which includes RT airfare from New York or Boston, (other gateways available at an extra cost), Breakfast and dinner daily, accommodations in a cozy hotel with private bath, ground transportation in Iceland, admission to swimming pools, and a few bells and whistles which are none of your beeswax. The trip is a $7600 value and has been donated by Krummi Travel LLC www.krummitravel.com

Second Prize: A $1500 gift card to the lovely Beaverkill Valley Inn in Lew Beach, New York. This stunning fishing lodge has an indoor swimming pool, make your own sundae bar, gorgeous rooms, hiking and kayaking opportunities. The gift card can be used as you wish but should cover room for 2 with private bath, breakfast and dinner daily, for three nights (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). http://www.beaverkillvalleyinn.com/

Third Prize: A Pelican Two Man Kayak with life vests, wet pack, and paddles ($650 value) donated by Foxgloves Gardening Gloves which are THE BEST!!!! (and sold in the gift shop!) https://foxglovesinc.com/

Fourth Prize: A $350 Gift Card to Cabela’s! https://www.cabelas.com/

Buy your raffle tickets by calling the Gift Shop: 860-567-0857 or order online right HERE! Your “winning ticket stubs” will be sent to your email inbox as a jpeg. The originals will be kept on file at the Museum. Should you want them you must collect them in person.

The Seaport Association is in a year of celebration because the Sheffield Island Lighthouse is 150 years old. In addition to the upcoming Norwalk Oyster Festival that is taking place on September 7,8, and 9 featuring the headliner Steve Augeri, Journey’s former lead singer, they have also planned two very special events, including the 150 Gala Dinner on September 15 and, the Sheffield Island Isola Italiana Night that is taking place on Saturday, August 25 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

If you want to raise a salute to Sheffield Island, Connecticut’s maritime heritage, and your love of Italian food, this event is for you! The menu is classic Italian and includes antipasti, rigatoni marinara, meatballs, sausage, and garlic bread. This feast would not be complete without gelato, biscotti, and espresso! Although water and soda are provided, if you want to raise a toast or two, it is recommended that you bring your own bottle of your favorite vino!

Sheffield Island Isola Italiana Night offers you the chance to experience this beautiful island with 49 other guests – think of it as dinner on your own private island. The cost is $55 per person and includes the ferry ride to and from the island, a great Italian meal, and the chance to connect with old friends and to make new friends. As the Italian saying goes….Mangiare per vivere e non vivere per mangiare —Eat to live, don’t live to eat ! For tickets click here.

The lazy days of August, one of the hottest months of the year in Connecticut are upon us. One way to cool off is to take an Acoustic Wednesday night cruise through Norwalk Harbor and Islands with the Seaport Association of Norwalk. They have lined up a series of five acoustic on the water excursions for adults on August 22 and 29 that feature a roster of different performing artists that are sure to delight passengers.

On August 15 and August 29, join the New Orleans Beatniks on an evening cruise and relax to the music of New Orleans with a little bit of funk and a lot of soul! Their unique musical style and the way they interact with their audience will make this cruise unforgettable.

On August 22, Pierce Campbell will perform. Campbell was appointed as the Connecticut State Troubadour for 2007-2008, and is well known as a storyteller and a fabulously talented melodic fingerstyle guitar, piano and acoustic base player. Passengers will unwind to his well-crafted songs, his rich and powerful voice and dazzling guitar work, with a story or two thrown in to round out an excellent night of entertainment.

To add to the ambiance, don’t forget to pack a picnic snack and your favorite bottle of wine or beer.

How to Book the Acoustic Cruise

The Seaport Wednesday Acoustic Cruise is available in June, July, August, and September. The vessel leaves the dock at 6:30 p.m. and returns at 8:30 p.m. Passengers should arrive 30 minutes before departure, boarding begins at 6:15 p.m. Passengers are welcome to bring snacks and their favorite bottle of wine or beer aboard…don’t forget to bring plastic glasses! The vessel leaves from the Sheffield Island Lighthouse Dock located at the corner of North Water Street and Washington Street in historic South Norwalk. Parking is available adjacent to the dock and the Norwalk Maritime Garage. Tickets for this Adult cruise only is $25 ($26.87 with service fee).

For tickets click here https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3342004?cookie_header=1

About the Seaport Association

The Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens in Norwalk who had a vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. This year makes the 150 anniversary of the Sheffield Island Lighthouse.

The Norwalk Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands. The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper’s Cottage provide a unique historical and educational venue that strives to increase awareness, appreciation and consideration for our environment and how the preservation of historic buildings and nature contribute to our quality of life.

It is our belief that preservation strengthens the perpetual partnership between the past, the present and the future. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment and maritime heritage.