Taste Tradition June 7: Experience Docktails and Oysters Norwalk Seaport Association’s Waterfront Party!

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 7, 2025, and get ready to immerse yourself in the ultimate seaside celebration! The Norwalk Seaport Association, in partnership with the renowned fourth-generation oyster farmers at Norm Bloom and Sons, invites you to their signature event — Docktails and Oysters. From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., you’ll enjoy an unforgettable evening of fresh flavors, live music, and stunning waterfront views at the historic Norm Bloom and Sons dock. Even better? Every ticket purchased supports the educational mission and the restoration and maintenance of the iconic Sheffield Island Lighthouse, a beacon of Norwalk’s maritime heritage.

This is no ordinary event; it’s a celebration of Norwalk’s rich oyster-farming history, dating all the way back to Native American traditions. The oysters, nurtured under the dock at Norm Bloom and Sons and planted in the sandy Sound, are prized worldwide for their sweet, briny flavor. And if you’ve never tried oysters freshly plucked from the sea, this is your chance to treat yourself to one-of-a-kind indulgence. Don’t worry if oysters aren’t your thing — the event also features a mouthwatering array of appetizers, catered by Seaside Sliders. It’s a feast for all tastes!

But the magic doesn’t stop at the food. Guests will have the unique opportunity to tour the Oyster Museum and discover the fascinating process of oyster farming, from seed to harvest. You’ll even get to see how tiny oysters are before they mature — it’s a glimpse into an ancient craft that’s still thriving today. Add in the lively atmosphere of good company and live music, and this Sheffield Island-inspired party becomes the perfect mix of fun, flavor, and philanthropy.

Tickets are just $100, and with only 200 spots available, this event sells out every year. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy an evening to remember while supporting a meaningful cause. Purchase your tickets online HERE now, and get ready for an experience that’s as delightful as it is delicious! For questions, call 203-838-9444.

About the Norwalk Seaport Association

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. The 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 the environment and how the preservation of historic buildings contributes to our quality of life. 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 our maritime heritage.

Celebrate Oysters and More with the Norwalk Seaport Association June 8, 2024 @ Norm Bloom and Sons Dock

The Norwalk Seaport Association’s signature event, Docktails and Oysters, hosted by Norm Bloom and Sons, a fourth-generation oyster farm in Norwalk, is taking place on Saturday, June 8, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The proceeds from this sell-out event will be used to refurbish the lighthouse to its golden years in the 19th century when it guided ships safely through Norwalk Harbor.

This Sheffield Island-inspired party is casual and fun where you will see old friends and make new ones as you listen to live music, sip beer or wine, and slurp the freshest oysters you will ever taste! “It’s a chance for people to celebrate the Seaport Association’s mission of preserving the Sheffield Island Lighthouse for future generations and have a little fun at an authentic oyster farm,” said Mike Reilly, President of the Seaport Association.

Oysters have a long history in Norwalk that started with the Native Americans. Today, the techniques and processes used to farm Copps Island Oysters by Norm Bloom and Sons have been used for centuries, making them an extra special treat. If you have never had oysters, literally fresh off the boat, this is your chance to eat your fill of them – so make sure you come hungry! It’s fun to watch the pros shuck the oysters right before your eyes (they make it look so easy) and set them on trays with lemons and an assortment of delicious sauces. The food and fun doesn’t stop there, as guests can snack on passed and stationed appetizers such as bite-sized cheeseburgers, mini chicken biscuits, southern fried chicken, Jimmy’s fried clams, grilled shrimp skewers, truffle mac and cheese tarts, and scrumptious charcuterie and crudité table catered by Seaside Sliders.

A highlight of the event is its location — right on the water at Norm Bloom and Sons dock. Guests are invited to tour the Oyster Museum and to learn how oysters are grown and harvested here and then shipped all over the world. The oyster beds are incubated under the dock where this event takes place. Part of the charm is to see how small oysters actually are when they are young! As soon as they are big enough, the oysters are “planted” on the sandy bottom of the Sound that surrounds the docks. This time-honored system of growing oysters makes them some of the best that you will ever taste; they are prized the world over for their sweet briny flavor and plump meat. Best of all, this is your chance to eat your fill of them for a good cause!

Tickets to this event are limited to 200 people and are $85 online. It is highly recommended to reserve your tickets in advance because this popular event sells out every year. For tickets https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2024-docktails-oysters-tickets-888586806057?aff=ebdsoporgprofile, if you have questions, please call 203-838-9444.

About the Norwalk Seaport Association
The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. The 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 the environment and how the preservation of historic buildings contributes to our quality of life. 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 our maritime heritage.