What you need to know about the Oyster Festival
NORWALK — With the Norwalk Oyster Festival returning for its 43rd year after being canceled last fall due to the coronavirus pandemic, festival-goers will not be required to show proof of vaccination or wear face masks.
The festival, which runs from Friday evening through Sunday, will have social distancing measures in place, including doubling the walkways in certain areas, increasing the outdoor dining tents by 50 percent and adding 40 hand sanitizing spots around the park, according to the Oyster Festival COVID-19 precaution page.
In partnership with Griffin Health and the state Department of Public Health, the festi
val will offer a vaccine booth for anyone looking to receive their COVID-19 shot, according to the festival website.
The Norwalk Seaport Association, which operates the Oyster Festival, did not respond to a request for comment Thursday morning.
The festival, held in Veterans Memorial Park, will be open Friday from 6 to 11 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to the website. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for children 5 to 12 and $10 for those 62 and older. Children under 5 years old are free.
Motorists should expect delays in lower East Norwalk as well as South Norwalk due to festival traffic, according to a Norwalk Police Department statement.
Seaview Avenue will be closed from Fort Point Street to East Avenue during the festival hours. East Avenue between Seaview Avenue and Van Zant Street will be one-way for northbound traffic only from Friday at 4 p.m. through Sunday at 9 p.m., according to the statement.
More than 100 artists will sell their wares at the New England Village set up within the park and rides, candy and games at the Kids Cove.
Performances begin at 7 p.m. Friday with Norwalk native and member of the rock group Hall and Oates, Eliot Lewis, according to the website. At 8:30 p.m. Norwalk band SteelHeart, will take the stage, celebrating the 30th anniversary of its debut album.
Performances on Saturday will begin at 2 p.m. with Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band. At 8:30 p.m., Mike DelGuidice will perform a tribute to rock and roll legends, including Billy Joel, according to the website.
Five local bands, Fairfield 9, Green Eyed Lady, What Up Funk, Tangled Vine and Sacred Fire a Tribute to Santana, will take the stage Sunday, from noon to 6 p.m.
All performances are included in the cost of that day’s admission, according to the website.