YourCT.com header image 2
← Chris Perone Wonders About DOT Math What If Scenarios, Can Fairfield County Evacuate? →

Oyster Festival Attendance, It Dipped, It Didn’t, Discuss


by turfgrrl


September 11th, 2007 · 58 Comments

The post Oyster Festival debate opens. Tim Stelloh of the Advocate reports:

preliminary ticket count by festival organizers yielded numbers slightly below last year’s tally, according to Susan Snider, executive director of the Norwalk Seaport Association.

About 80,000 people attended the popular summer festival in 2006 at Veterans Park. This year, attendance slid to the 75,000 range, Snider said.

Snider is not deterred.

“I thought it was great. It was warm . . . and the Village People were an overwhelming success,” she said, referring to the festival’s headline musical attraction.

For the Rex Dive Center, which set up a pool for festival-goers to test out scuba gear, the dip in attendance hardly mattered.

“We had a great response,” shop owner John Wilkins said. “We’ve had people calling today who were there. All in all, we’re pleased.”

But not everyone agrees.

“We were easily down 30 percent,” said Joseph Lovas, who has run the Coast Guard’s Auxiliary Flotilla 72 oyster tent since the festival began.

“As the population passing through there decreases, so do the final results. Everybody’s saying the high gate fee is doing it,” he said. “We’re hoping the organizers give this some serious thought. Maybe $5 for adults, $2 for kids. We think it’s in their favor to do that.”

Last year, adult tickets cost $10 a piece. This year, they were $12. Children’s tickets remained at $3.

Snider defended the prices.

“I think compared to other festivals, $12 per adult is more than fair,” she said. “For the value of the entertainment, and everything that is included for the price of general admission, $12 is more than fair.”

OKay here’s my take. I paid $12 to essentially wander through tents that wanted to sell me something. The retail row of Washington street was not incorporated into the festival. So, if you are going to be a community fund raiser, be a part of the community, price your music events separately and take advantage of the harbor more. As for the music choices, talk to whoever does the programming for the SoNo Arts festival. They have an ear for all day programming that keeps crowds happy. All local and regional bands too, which also brings crowds.

source: The Advocate, Attendance dips at Oyster Festival, by Tim Stelloh, September 11, 2007

Tags: In the News

58 Responses so far ↓ “Oyster Festival Attendance, It Dipped, It Didn’t, Discuss”


Pages: [1] 2 » Show All



  • 1 MGeake // Sep 11, 2007 at 8:22 am

    Here are the numbers we were told to wait for. Seems Mr. Greenpeace was right :o

  • 2 #13 of the Miserable 25 // Sep 11, 2007 at 8:27 am

    The numbers were in the Advocate this morning, but I did not see anything in the Hour.

  • 3 anonymous // Sep 11, 2007 at 10:35 am

    Numbers for the gate do not reflect the true story. If you talk to the vendors, they had a dramatic drop in sales. The beer tent also had a dramatic drop in sales. By increasing the gate fees, and having Diagio pay a much higher fee for their beer sales, the seaport association was able to compensate for the reduced crowd. They also gave out far fewer free passes to volunteers and vendors. People has less money to spend at the vendors. They also increased the size of kids cove and brought in more rides for older kids. I think the association also got a cut from the ride tickets. All these things hurt the crafts sales and the food vendors. It will be interesting to see how many volunteers they will get next year and how many vendors will not return because they have turned the festival into a carnival.

  • 4 Mr Greenpeace // Sep 11, 2007 at 10:36 am

    Lets say it was for me a great time,I was able to speak to other brother festival vendors who among us all have many years at this. In no way does this reflect on anyone who ran or volunteered during the three day event. Lets bear in mind as soon as this one was done they are planning for the next one,,yes the process repeats itself for any event.

    So instead of starting with its shortfalls lets turn to the positive first,,the schools were seen doing there thing, the bus volunteers from the schools gave all kids in Norwalk a positive reflection on what our youth are all about,,minus any news hound showing that.

    The volunteers whose badges sometimes didn’t show their name so they could be complimented was the organizers shortfall but just the same focus on the men and woman who made this happen,,you would think the city would reconize in case of a rail accident or disaster the volunteers who with medical experience knew how to move the disabled through the system without one hitch gave anyone wheel chair bound the opt to enjoy the fest without making anyone feel less, their ticket counted as well..Would of been nice to see numbers of how many people were moved by bus their system worked I trust Norwalk is prepared like Seaport in case of a disaster .Again newshounds obvious absence but there is hope they read this blog also.

    accoding to the EPA if there was a problem at King industry we as a city would have to move in a day or night what seaport moved all weekend,,now with a fuel storage tank farm going in plans should be on the table now.

    Lets focus on the booth they have for lost kids, what an awesome way to attract lost children , adorn your booth with kids toys,,make it possible for a child to simply walk up and feel home,,while mom or dad are found.Take note news hounds it was a story , people ran this booth not a machine..

    Before the event started the fire dept was all over the rides to ensure safety not only for the kids but adults ride them too,ok so one would expect this its industry and safety standard but it was done by our own Norwalk fire dept,,gave me the impression they just wern’t doing their job they were as parents also protecting our kids,,yes the unmentioned the unseen but the ones we owe thanks to as today again marks our own NY tragedy.

    I have to add the firemens display with their trailer which goes to the schools and to the stations for fire safety week is usually manned by the same professional men who also have children who never look for the pr but again news hounds missed another great story,,I’m hopeful I’m wrong about this and they show me wrong and do something with these ideas,,never wanted my name on it just want to see something someone does good make the paper once a week.

    How the fest takes care of the volunteers,,the system in place has to be one of best I have seen at events, a staff who cares who doesn’t put themselves in a place where they can’t be reached even some of the parks and recreation guys were flipping burgers , say what you want when they mess up or do something a few don’t like but for these guys to work and not be running for anything would of been again a great photo op and news story,,again where was the news on this one,channel 12 was good they used it as an outdoor studio helping the pr helping the city, suppose having about 40 photographers for 3 papers it would of hurt to have what from wes on, pictures of preperation stories on the ones who have made this happen so we the city would benefit from,,but to buy the papers when great pictures are in,,yes buy all additional copies becuase of one picture,,suppose thier number people havn’t put that one together yet..even the staff at the Hour booth were disapointed their photographers were among the missing,i told them I’d throw this in for them.There was a special entrance for press to get in they were more than welcomed.

    Ok so it looks like I don’y like the press coverage the ciy gets trust me it gets better ,,remember this is a dead head talking never making any sense ..

    then we have the trash disposal team,,did anyone see any trash any filth around the compound? No the kids who for the most part never get accolades when great things happen,,it took a fire for the band , so I could read how great this band was in the papers,,what ever happened to some stories on the band director, we had a parade or two here in the city perfect time for a story wasn’t it? Now the bands were I beleive trash picker uppers and did a great job,,thanks kids uncle Greenpeace thanks you., The Brian Mcmann was also involved not sure of all the details sorry.

    Now we have the electricians, carpenters, wheel men on forklifts and what 40 golf carts with drvers who not once hit anyone and got hurt themselves in a city of almsot 75,000 the count of what the fest could of been while numbers are still coming in..that is amazing considering as a city we are now averaging 10 to 15 ambulance calls a day to Norwalk hospital.No story no thanks see you guys next year,,trust me no story no problems,,

    The Norwalk hospital tent with EMT’s and plenty of backup from our own Norwalk fire dept,,where was the story , did all they do was sit there and look good,,another good story showing what they do what the fest does for all people who show,,usually someone diabetic or heat exhaustion at a fair, show, or festival like ours,has problems ,so thanks EMT’s suppose i mentioned another good story here too.

    we now travel accross the field to the Firefighters booth professiolism at its best,,anyone ever tell you other than risking their life they are great cooks and do awesome food preperation,,so if you missed the booth you missed something good.thanking you guys with a story on the the fire dept would of been nice to see,,local 830 rocks my leather helmet is off to you guys! lets not forget the wives they never get enough thanks but like their husbands its part of the job.What they do for the city again is admirable

    Now we focus on culture was there any one woukld ask after a weekend event? yes the Brokwurst went down one after the other for me, the fixing that come along with it was simply awesome,,too bad we didn’t read the history of the members in the booth I suppose its in the archives there was at one time good news coverage at one time.The booster booth where you could go and get something to eat and not grow old was again great,,the system they have needs to be shared with the BOE maybe some lessons could be learned from them,,great food nice people,,I could go on but I didn’t pay for this spot and the moderator has been kind so for all those I didn’t mention maybe sometime later but all needed to be thanked,,just jump in for those who knew others,,

    So i point out some great things expect me to what dump on the rest of no way anything I found was not the fests fault,,
    too long between sets, to short of sets, the sound could of been set up better the light show could of used some tweaking and yes some more or better acts,,well truth is some of the second teir bands under the tent at time drew better crowds and got better reveiws ,,we will read about those bands and where they were from,,ya right wait for another comet..

    The policy not taking cars onto the field gave me the impression the ground only along the crafts tents may be unstable maybe we should as city test the damm ground and get it over with,,reason was sprinklers may get damaged but seriously a main complaint from vendors was no access and that is a problem bot not the fest i would think they are following orders.

    Oragnization in the craft area and entrance was apparent before the doors open was lacking that was the fest not the city’s problem.Food on one side made it difficult for the vendors to eat why not have food all over,,explain that if you can I’m listening… :(

    Maybe another carnival another company with more rides more of a childrens event, from what i see its turning into a drinking fest and not a family fest when the sun goes down,,not a good thing the number of officers show beer is a focus point on the night shift..we all know there is money in booze and I’m sure washington street sold a coulple less kegs this weekend..

    lets leave it at that attack me if you want, i am onyy giving partial opinion it was by my vantage point a nice event,,but becuase there wasn’t mayem or carnage that could be a reason the press stayed away,,

    one quick question though why would a city help prepare for an aticipated 75,000 people and leave twelve 55 gallon drums that looked like hazardous waste on the field so people could put their plates of food on them next to a food tent,the tent had tables and chairs for patrons to eat under. They did disappear
    but to where? but not right away….

    ok not hazardous waste drums? i ‘ll give you that,,but not to have them labeled as such is a crime that comes with penalties so what was in drums that looked like and felt like they were hiding something for disposal sitting right there out in the open,,, according to webster’s it was news,,once again where was the news hounds..

    please don’t take this and run with it tell me all i see is the bad,,i saw this weekend donated time and donated supplies and donated sweat making it possible to give back to the community, maybe next year prices can come down and we can read what actually happens at the fest without the mayor or mayors to be help.

    can’t we just get a city administrator and use capt sheffield for funtions and PR it would get more attention instead of a mayor?

    my rant for the day i promise

  • 5 Mr Greenpeace // Sep 11, 2007 at 11:07 am

    I think I lost a posting so I’m waiting to see if it shows, what I saw at the fest when they moved all those people by bus , elderly, wheelchair bound ect with medical personal all professional without a hitch and then saw the evacuation thread, I trust Norwalk emergency plans include some of the people I saw at the fest,,it would make sense draw from experience and not speculaton that plans are in place for us in Norwalk.Advocate wrote a good article but what about Norwalk with our own plan for our own disasters that could happen without a storm.

    yes #3 i think what you said was on the money, to add insult to injury there was people from Westport talking to vendors about going there next year,

    One vendor sold one item this year last year he sold 15 ,,last year gave him the push to come back,he needed to sell 6 to achieve profit over his booth.He had nothing good to say wes night before the fest started but bear in mind he was 1 of about 150 vendors so consider his plight but not as an idicator of sorts.

    sunday night was a beer crowd, simple and plain it didn’t seem when the sun went down a family event.

  • 6 #13 of the Miserable 25 // Sep 11, 2007 at 11:39 am

    It was a fun event it was not a fun event
    It was a family event it was not a family event
    It cost too much it did not cost too much
    It lost money it made money
    The vendors lost money the vendors did not lose money
    The vendors will not be back the vendors will be back
    The food was bad the food was good
    The weather was bad the weather was good
    The entertainment was good the entertainment was bad
    The park was ruined the park was not ruined
    Visitors complained visitors did not complain
    You got your moneys worth you did not get your moneys worth

    Who gives a damn what we think, lets see what the Seaport Association thinks. If it feels it did OK then who the Hell are we to say they should change it. I would guess they are already making plans for the 2008 Festival. I am sure that if they see a need to incorporate changes they will be made.

    There are people in this city that WOULD COMPLAIN IF YOU GAVE THEM A BAR OF GOLD, BECAUSE YOU DID NOT GIVE THEM A PLASTIC BAG TO CARRY IT HOME IN.

  • 7 here we go again // Sep 11, 2007 at 12:15 pm

    your right like people wo defend mayors picking on guys who donate their world to fighting cancer,and helping people,,over a parking spot when we have expired plates taking up space all over town.

    would you like plasitic or paper with that?

  • 8 #13 of the Miserable 25 // Sep 11, 2007 at 12:53 pm

    “your right like people wo defend mayors picking on guys who donate”

    I thought we were talking about the Oyster Festival?

    There you go again.

  • 9 here we go again // Sep 11, 2007 at 12:59 pm

    I actually like most of what you post,,your almost miserable enough to be my friend

  • 10 Just The Facts // Sep 11, 2007 at 1:02 pm

    There you go again, defneding a mayor who has by all accounts chosen a few hundred dollars over supporting a haelthy locally prodiced source of produce. We can see where all of your Republican priorities are.

  • 11 anonymous // Sep 11, 2007 at 1:16 pm

    So the Jazzfest was a big success with a few hundred attending, while the OysterFest is a big failure with only 75,000 showing up…hmmm. I had a great time at the OysterFest!

  • 12 jazz lover // Sep 11, 2007 at 1:50 pm

    The jazz festival was one afternoon and well managed for its first year. The Oyster festival is 3 days in its 30th year and well managed. The other events at Vets have been disasters.

  • 13 anonymous // Sep 11, 2007 at 1:54 pm

    Don’t think it was the mayor’s decision. I think it was LAZ parking that controls all parking in norwalk. I forgot, who negotiated the deal with them? You know LAZ. There the ones who drive around norwalk with norwalk parking authority signs on the side and new jersey license plates on the back.

  • 14 Mr Greenpeace // Sep 11, 2007 at 2:09 pm

    I think the whole weekend was a success, great people having a great time but when you have that many people together and certain expectations not met the drawing board needs to be taken out and worked some more.

    I don’t see how anyone could of gone and couldn’t have a great time..But you do realize what 400 people at the gate does for the fest one vendor can do to rent a spot, and when they don’t do well you have to look at all the other varibles.

    They say because of poor drainage if it had rained there would of been a lake in the middle of most parts of the fest,,why havn’t we dug drainage there so it can go out into the harbour..plywood was down on a lot of spots because of settling how long has this field had to settle?

    I still would be reserved about the number, there were counters all around,,(usally vendors or spouses count when sales are lean) there was talk some prorating of spots went on depending what you did the previous year,there was talk among the vendors wondering if this was the last year, this in itself is poor atmosphrere to sell in.I din’t like it at all I saw too many hard working people to be subjected to that line of thinking.

    #3 was really on the money , there was some sliding fees and less tickets given, and truly hit the nail on the head when they said said carnival.In order to expand rides one has to expand numbers at the door not an easy process but warranted for the vendors who do contribute a large portion to profit not only do they add to the fest but local hotels where do you think some stay over a 3 or 4 day stay when you travel 500 miles plus?

    I think for those who go and for those who attend the world changes some based on experience not ticket sales.So when I said hard to get a bite to eat if your a vendor or hard to drive onto a dry field is impossible any other venue starts to look good this time of year,,and not for nothing the pr alone in our own newspapers on the Milford oyster fest was awesome reporting.Even here on the blog Milford was applauded so you see there is yet another side to every story I always tell me kids and news hounds.

    Just seems we have some issues and its not with Seaport maybe its the park itself, you see what goes into it and wonder what as a city can we do and help out make it better,

    As far as beer sales if thats what makes the show well its time to rethink goals and whats it called.

  • 15 Anonymous // Sep 11, 2007 at 3:56 pm

    Re: I forgot, who negotiated the deal with them?
    I believe the name was Knopp!

  • 16 anonymous // Sep 11, 2007 at 3:58 pm

    Oh goody! An opportunity to bash Knopp - how we all miss the good ole’ days!!!!!

  • 17 ENrwlker // Sep 11, 2007 at 4:08 pm

    Why is “bashing Knopp” unacceptable but “bashing Moccia” is acceptable?

  • 18 Aunt Bertha // Sep 11, 2007 at 4:11 pm

    Turfgrrl and Mr. Greenpeace, what also was so great about the Milford fest is that the street was open to the public and most of the shops had special events and raffles going on there at the same time. The first night people were given a treasure map and it brought us to businesses located on or near the green where we got REAL PEARLS! It was a lot of fun to meet the shp owners and see their stock. There was NO entrance fee… and we spent money in the shops and resturants and at the craft tables. What do they do different? The fee that the vendors pay for the tables on the green pay for the overtime and entertainment. There is extra but I think they are not looking for it to be a gold mine they are looking to get out of towners to see the best their city has to offer. Back in the early days of the Norwalk fest this used to be the case. Now I could compare it to the price of movie tickets, how crazy mad expensive it is to go to the movies. But as my children have pointed out to me they wait for a good one to go to DVD to rent or watch on HBO. People are getting smart about saving, and if you have four people that want to go out as a family would you pick a 30min ride north to fest for free admissions, or pay $48.00 just to walk into a local fest? HUMMMMMM that is the question.

  • 19 Leon Novac // Sep 11, 2007 at 4:43 pm

    Post #14 wrote;
    spots because of settling how long has this field had to settle?

    Just about 50 years.

  • 20 #13 of the Miserable 25 // Sep 11, 2007 at 4:56 pm

    Aunt Bertha;

    How long has the Milford Oyster Festival been on?

    I am wondering how it will be in 30 years?

    Things like most festivals have a habit of getting larger of the years and becoming Bloatware.

    This will most likely hold true for Milford when someone decides that they have to change to a bigger venue, and they need to make more profit.

    For 10 years the Oyster Festival was a mostly home town event. Remember bigger is not always better, but it is the natural thing to try and do.

    It is not an Agricultural fair like Durham, Berlin, the Bridgewater events. They are pretty much set in how large they will become by the buildings that they have on the property.

    You can bet that someday down the road, the land that the fair in Durham is on will become so valuable that it will also end. Many of us had heard the Danbury Fair was closing for years, and never believed it.

    Who would want to close a fabulous historic Connecticut event like the Danbury Fair, to build another shopping Mall in the middle of nowhere.

  • 21 anonymous // Sep 11, 2007 at 5:09 pm

    #17 - we should spend all of out time “bashing” Moccia and Knopp instead of discussing the merits of issues and ideas! Personal attacks are more fun and much more productive for Norwalk!

  • 22 here we go again // Sep 11, 2007 at 5:21 pm

    I think the city has had enough of either party
    Your right #21 back to basics , merits of issues make sense, nothing gets done unless everyone talks and listens.

  • 23 Aunt Bertha // Sep 11, 2007 at 6:10 pm

    #13 of 25. Milford has gone on for over ten years and I have been to Bridge water and Durham fairs and they too are fun. Real country like events. I also like the Scottish games at Cranberry park and the Irish fests in Fairfield and New Haven and Danbury. However, the one in Fairfield has gone up to $12 admissions for every adult. I just can not spend that kind of money for an admissions ticket and get nothing for it. So this past year is the last year I will go to the Fairfield Irish Fest. I don’t want to pay for a band that I can hear at O’neil’s Pub, on the green or in another local gathering place for free. I guess I am a peny pincher.

  • 24 #13 of the Miserable 25 // Sep 11, 2007 at 6:22 pm

    “I guess I am a peny pincher.”

    Yeah! You and 50 million other folks.

  • 25 Aunt Bertha // Sep 11, 2007 at 9:23 pm

    Sorry I was to type penny! Hahaha

  • 26 Anonymous // Sep 11, 2007 at 10:10 pm

    All I can say its time for some new blood up top. It seems the committee chairs and the board of trustees never change..Do us all a favor and resign so some younger folks can start running the show. Its sad when the average age of the trustees is 65..Like I said leave some new people can make the needed changes…What really would a 65 year old know about today music and so on….

  • 27 #13 of the Miserable 25 // Sep 12, 2007 at 12:20 pm

    This morning driving over the Strofolino Bridge towards East Norwalk, I noticed a sign nailed to a tree in front of the business’s in Liberty Square. The sign said “Oyster Festival Litter”, and had two arrows point down at the ground where a mess of empty bottles were laying on the grass. I don’t know if it was put up by one of the business owners who was fed up with cleaning up the mess during the three day festival or not. Driving down Seaview Ave I also noticed festival litter clogging storm drains along that road. Who is to blame, The Oyster Festival? I DON’T THINK SO. The festival had more than enough trash receptacles set out, and they were emptied as they become full. Responsibility rests with the tiny percentage of pigs that have no respect for the neighborhood, and after eating and drinking just drop their trash where they stand. It makes no difference to them if it is in front of private homes, in the middle of the street, in front of a business, or a church. These people are plain and simple “thoughtless slobs.” I am sorry to say that they most likely will always be that way. These are the same people who will throw a beer can out the window of their car, because they think that a 300 horse power two ton automobile does not have the power to carry that beer can to a trash can. I have given these types a listing in what should become a new category on Turf’s blog. That heading is “Leaches on the breast of humanity.”

  • 28 anon // Sep 12, 2007 at 12:24 pm

    Someone needs to call the Seaport Assoc. and let them know that this trash is still there. No excuse that it hasn’t been picked up 3 days later!

  • 29 Anonymous // Sep 12, 2007 at 6:18 pm

    OMG anon do you forget that it rained all week. If they were to ride on the field they would destroy it…Use some common sense.

  • 30 Leon Novac // Sep 12, 2007 at 6:42 pm

    OMG anon do you forget that it rained all week. If they were to ride on the field they would destroy it…Use some common sense.

    You seem to have misunderstood. The litter is in the gutters, and the streets in the area. Not in the park.

Pages: [1] 2 » Show All

Leave a Reply