Norwalk Oyster Festival

The Norwalk Seaport Association will hold its 33rd annual Oyster Festival this weekend, September 10,11 and 12th. Located in Veterans Park, the event will feature arts and crafts booths, live music, children's activities, and lots of food.

What started out as a moderately-sized event in 1978 to raise funds and awareness for Norwalk's maritime heritage, has grown into a large, late summer ritual in Fairfield County.

Unfortunately, there were years when the Oyster Festival had become a victim of its own success. As the event grew in size, it seemed to turn its back on the original purpose. Large tents packed with hucksters selling miracle cleaners, Catskill real estate, and singing bass had replaced the harbor tours and other nautical  attractions.  There were plenty of booths selling fried dough and beef-on-a-stick, but very few oysters. For a while, it had become just another street fair.

Apparently, I wasn't the only one  turned off by this. The festival this year will include the return of an oyster pavilion, harbor tours, as well as the Schooners Quinnipiack, and Soundwater. Larry Flynn of Long Tails will also be on hand to give presentations on the wildlife of the Norwalk Islands.  I welcome this decision with enthusiasm.

The Norwalk Seaport Association has played a vital role in the rehabilitation of Norwalk Harbor. Their work includes the restoration of Sheffield Island Lighthouse; the preservation of the Norwalk Islands; as well as many environmental and educational programs and projects.

Their purpose is:

"to foster public awareness of our maritime resources, environment and heritage through research, education and preservation; and also to foster the preservation and rehabilitation of the area of historical value in Norwalk Harbor and Long Island Sound."

This weekend's festival serves as the primary fundraising source for the invaluable work they do.

Tickets can be purchased at the gate, or online on their website.

Norwalk Oyster Festival

Norwalk Seaport Association

Soundbounder: Norwalk Winter Oystering

Soundbounder: Peck Ledge Lighthouse

Soundbounder: Sheffield Island Ruins

Soundbounder: Norwalk Oyster Plant

CT Plus: Putting The Pearl Back In The Oyster

photo credit: (top) Norwalk Seaport; (bottom) Quinnipiack: SchoonerInc

Clouds In The Sound

Clouds In The Sound  by Del-Bourree Bach

Mystic Seaport: Plein Air & Summer Exhibition

Mystic Seaport: Artist Biography

Maritime Art Gallery

Hometown Huntington

Trustee Park, Cold Spring Harbor, April 2010

To me, Huntington has always meant Huntington Harbor and nearby Huntington Station. The town of Huntington however, also includes Cold Spring Harbor, Centerport, Northport, along with Eatons and Lloyds Neck. The town is a diverse and attractive collection of harbors and villages that creates one of the more appealing stretches of Long Island Sound. It also has a large number of parks and beaches.

On Monday, June 7, WLIW will premier Hometown Huntington at 8 pm. The program looks at the town's maritime past, as well as the people who live there today. WLIW asked me to put this post together, and although I have not seen the program, I agreed without hesitation. Their Shoreline Sonata and Leisurama programs were both excellent pieces of work. If Hometown Huntington was made with the same quality and detail, then it is certainly worth viewing.

WLIW: Hometown Huntington 

Some Things In The News

Sphere: Public Speaking About Long Island Sound

New Haven Independent: Lighthouse Point Booze Ban

Nantucket Independent: Nantucket Lightship Sold

Stamford Parade Of Lights

Nassau Hiking & Outdoor Club: Upcoming Events

New York Times: When Is A Big House Too Big?

Environment CT: LIS License Plate Fund Raided

Mystic Holiday Boat Parade

CT Environmental Headlines: New Trail Near CT/RI Border

Newsday: Large Blackfish Caught In NY Harbor

Boston Globe: Books: Connecticut River

The Hour: Books: Kayaking Norwalk

Steve Grant: The Two Connecticut Rivers

Oyster Bay By William Jonas

I cannot recall when I first saw this painting, but I do know that I have always liked it. The slight hint of fall foliage; the sun low in the sky; I look at this and think a warm afternoon in early October. I read somewhere that the boat in this painting is the Clearwater. Oyster Bay holds it's annual Oyster Festival this time of year, so it could very well be her.

Born in Sea Cliff in 1948, William Jonas has lived in Oyster Bay for over 50 years. His portfolio includes many paintings of ships and boats along this part of the North Shore.

Oyster Bay Frame Shop: William Jonas
Oyster Festival: 2009 List Of Ships

image credit: N.... Authors

The Ancient Mariners

Ancient Mariners Fife & Drum, Blessing of the Fleet Parade, Stonington, July 2008

Ancient Mariners Website

Blessing Of The Fleet

New London Sailfest

I did not attend the Sailfest weekend in New London this year. I did however take some time to motor through the harbor and see some of the ships that were in port for the festivities. The harbor was busy with boat traffic, and the afternoon sun provided a lot of glare. These were not ideal conditions for taking photos.

Nonetheless, I was able to see the Virginia, the Quinnipiack, and the Mystic Whaler tied up to the city piers.

Some other events taking place in the upcoming months include:

Milford Oyster Festival

Greenport Maritime Festival

Oyster Bay Oyster Festival

Norwalk Oyster Festival

If you know of others, let me know.

Wooden Boat Show Parade (Sail)

Photos & Information: Wooden Boat Forum: WBS Photo Thread The Wooden Boat Show Canoez Tugster

Wooden Boat Show Parade (Power)

I did not attend the Wooden Boat Show at Mystic Seaport this past weekend. The Mystic River however, allowed me to witness many of the boats leaving the show on Sunday night and Monday morning. A sort of unofficial, wooden boat parade took place as these showcased boats made their way down the river and motored back to their home ports. Information and photos from the actual Wooden Boat Show: Wooden Boat Forum: WBS Photo Thread The Wooden Boat Show Tugster Canoez

Some Things In The News

Bayside Anglers: Little Neck Bay Beach Clean up this Sunday Save The Sound: Beach Clean Ups In Connecticut Suffolk Times: Save Clark's Beach Bowsprite: Humpback Whale In NY Harbor Stamford Advocate: Lobster Catch Hits 25 Year Low Sphere: Commerce Department's Broadwater Press Release NY Times: Sinking Broadwater NY Times: South Street Seaport Bankruptcy NY Times: Rails To Trails Project NY Times: Fishing Limits Worry Charter Boat Captains New London Day: Speeding Concerns On The Mystic River CT Environmental Headlines: America's Endangered Rivers

Some Stories In The News

Here are some news items I read this week. New London Day: North Dumpling Island Energy Independence New Haven Register: Shoreline Trail Gets $100,000 Suffolk Times: Opposition To East Marion Hotel & Resort Connecticut Post: No Higher Fee For Fairfield Beaches Stamford Harbor Boat Parade Mystic Boat Parade Port Jefferson.com: Residents Petition Harborfront Developement Also, Tom Andersen at SPHERE has a story about Greenwich boat owners who do not like ospreys nesting near them.