Call for Exhibitors & Sponsors for the Norwalk Oyster Festival 2021

The Seaport Association is looking for vendors, sponsors, and exhibitors that want to get in on the fun at the 43rd annual Norwalk Oyster Festival being held this year on September 10,11, and 12, 2021 at Veterans Park in Norwalk. The festival has a proven track record making it the perfect place to showcase your business or non-profit organization.

The Norwalk Oyster Festival offers artists and craftspeople, non-profit community groups, museums and institutions, vendors, food concessions, and sponsors the opportunity to be associated with one of the most popular events in New England that attracts tens of thousands of people year after year. "We are seeking local and regional food merchants, clothing, jewelry and merchandising vendors, museums and institutions as well as artists and craftspeople that have interesting and unusual items to sell at our event," said Mike Reilly, President of the Norwalk Oyster Festival. "We are always open to talented and innovative vendors and exhibitors. 

The festival is ideal for people in search of an opportunity to earn money and work at a high-energy and popular event that has been successful for 42 years. Our reputation is stellar because our festival provides valuable exposure for all that participate because it is well known and popular with the public." Applications for sponsors are now available online. Sponsors get extensive in-person exposure at this event and are aggressively promoted on the Seaport's social media platforms and in their highly successful public relations and advertising campaigns. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your business in a highly cost-effective way. For sponsorship opportunities click here. For an arts and crafts application and all the details of how to display your products click here. 

Applications are being accepted now through August 17, 2021. The Seaport Association will select approximately 125 arts and crafts exhibitors for the festival, so get your applications in today. Applications for nonprofits are available by clicking here. 

The Norwalk Oyster Festival is tailor-made for brands and specialty products that want to interact and engage with the public. A booth at the festival allows sales and merchandising participants to enjoy valuable face time with prospects. Click here to get your Marketing and Merchandising application. If you are a food vendor or have a concession and would like to be considered for this year's festival click here for details. 

Slots are expected to fill up quickly for this highly anticipated annual event so it is recommended to get your applications in early. 

About the Norwalk Oyster Festival 

Started in 1978 by a small group of people to celebrate Norwalk's maritime heritage, this festival has grown exponentially over the years attracting tens of thousands of people to one of the best events in New England of its kind. Proceeds from the Festival's support the Seaport's Sheffield Island Lighthouse, Ferry service for public access and environmental programs. Over the years, the Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival has been recognized by the state of Connecticut, Library of Congress, American Bus Association and the International Festival and Events Association as one of the top events in the country and for the vital role of the volunteers and nonprofit organizations in the production and continuing success of the Oyster Festival.

Can You Meet the Challenge of Wigwam Escape?

Escape rooms are the new medium for learning, storytelling, and play. In December 2020, Wigwam Escape (located at The Institute of American Indian Studies in Washington, Connecticut) won the coveted escape room “2020 Golden Lock Award” by the Room Escape Artist. They were impressed by Wigwam Escape's unique take on learning through play, with their innovative and interactive puzzles allowing for problem-solving and critical thinking from multiple perspectives. 

“We are thrilled that Wigwam Escape has won this award – it is truly an honor. It is really rewarding to have Wigwam Escape recognized not only for its educational value but also for the fact that it is fun,” said Lauren Bennett-Dionne, Manager of Wigwam Escape. 

 The Wigwam Escape journey begins in the year 1518 - players leave all modern-day devices like watches and cell phones behind, learning to take cues from the world around them. The room itself has hand-painted murals of New England forests, fields, streams, ponds, and gardens that allow players to be immersed in the pre-contact environment of Connecticut's woodlands. The centerpiece of the room is a to-scale wigwam, crafted using traditional methods from local bark and trees.

Players learn that a nearby fishing village has requested help, so they must hunt, forage, and gather supplies for a journey ahead. This unique, hands-on approach connects players to the ways Native peoples lived and the skills they relied on 500 years ago in their daily lives. Some of these lessons are timeless, allowing for an even broader takeaway from the experience of Wigwam Escape.

If you have friends and family members that are puzzle lovers, history buffs, story seekers, and enjoy immersive experiences, this adventure will definitely challenge and delight them! Wigwam Escape is committed to keeping visitors and staff safe by having each escape room be a private experience, with only one group playing at a time, and strict sanitation of all touchable game surfaces and waiting areas between groups. 

 This spring from March 15th – April 25th, Wigwam Escape is offering players a special deal. 20% off your ENTIRE booking with discount code DEERANTLER 

 If you are looking for a safe and exciting outing that is sure to chase away the winter doldrums, call Wigwam Escape at 860-868-0151 or book online at https://wigwamescape.org/book-now

Tapping into the Past: Tavern Life in Early Connecticut

The Keeler Tavern Museum in Ridgefield is hosting a virtual program, Tapping into the Past: Tavern Life in Early Connecticut on Tuesday, March 16 @ 6:30 p.m. 

Keeler Tavern has a long history of being a community gathering place. In the eighteenth century, as a working tavern, the historic structure helped connect Ridgefield residents to people, information, and ideas from the New England region and beyond. Learn about how taverns were an essential part of every Connecticut town – including Ridgefield – tomorrow, Tuesday, March 16th, as educators from the Connecticut Historical Society (CHS) join us for a virtual presentation.

CHS’s Natalie Belanger, Adult Programs Manager, and Taylor McClure, Museum Educator will explain how, in early Connecticut, taverns were more than just a place to drink. Travelers and locals alike saw taverns as a place to be entertained, spread news and gossip, have a good meal, and get a night's lodging.

Register at keelertavernmuseum.org/events or by clicking this link

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day @ Haight Brown Vineyard in Litchfield

On Friday, March 19, Haight Brown Vineyard on Chestnut Hill Road in Litchfield is hosting two in-person events.

The first event from 5:30 to 8 pm on March 19 is a wine glass painting workshop. An instructor will guide you through the creation of 2 wine glasses to take home. There will be several sample designs for inspiration, or create your very own original design. No experience necessary. The fee includes instruction, materials, and a GLASS of WINE. Cancellations 7 days in advance for a refund. The cost for this event is $40. To reserve your spot click here.

The second event from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on March 19 is a St. Patrick's Wine, Cheese & Chocolate Pairing. Participants will enjoy several Haight Brown wines paired with cheese & chocolate. Eat & drink, make some new friends and learn some interesting facts about wine. The class will be held indoors w/ appropriate distancing. Cancellations must occur 10 days in advance for a refund. The cost of this event is $35. To register click here.

About Haight Brown Vineyard

In 1975, Sherman Haight established the first winery in the state of Connecticut.  He worked with UCONN and Cornell to grow the state’s first vinis vinifera in the form of Chardonnay and Riesling, 1100 feet above sea level on Chestnut Hill in Litchfield.  He petitioned the state of Connecticut to create legislation recognizing farm wineries and contracted an architect to build a large Tudor-style winery building.  In 1976,  the structure and the surrounding vineyards became known as Haight Vineyard, the first established winery in the state of Connecticut.

 In 2007, Amy Senew purchased Haight Vineyards from Sherman Haight promising to uphold the tradition he had started over thirty years before. Amy renamed the winery Haight-Brown Vineyard in an attempt to preserve Sherman’s legacy while at the same time associating a new name and a fresh start with the winery.  Today, Amy Senew serves as General Manager of Haight-Brown Vineyard.

Haight-Brown Vineyard owns and leases over twenty acres for its winery and vineyards. The vineyard grows vinifera and hybrids including Chardonnay, Chardonelle, Marechal Foch, De Chaunac, Marquette, and Seyval Blanc. Its current vineyard capacity can yield upwards of thirty-five tons annually.

Bored on Saturday March 13? No Problem... it is Virtual Nature Trivia Night @ White Memorial Foundation

White Memorial Foundation, the largest nature sanctuary in Connecticut located in the gorgeous town of Litchfield is hosting a Nature Trivia Night on Saturday, March 13 from 7 pm to 9 pm via Zoom. Sounds like a lot of fun! 

If you aren't afraid of a challenge and think you have got what it takes -- or if you want to learn something new then register for this zoom call to hook up with the experts!  Here is how to Pre-register: https://whitememorialcc.org/product/virtual-nature-trivia-night/ And, don't forget to invite a few friends!

Here is how it works... This trivia night will be facilitated via Zoom using Breakout Rooms. It will be a team event, however, you will register individually. If you would like to be on the same virtual team as another registrant(s), list their name(s) in the “Team Members” box on the registration page. Otherwise, they will randomly assign you to a team before the night begins. 

Registrations MUST be in by 4pm on Friday, March 12 so that we have time to formulate teams in the Zoom Breakout Rooms. No prizes or food will be included this year, just a guaranteed good time! Goofy costumes and Zoom background screens are encouraged. 

Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. Space is limited! Click here to register or call 860-567-0857 to register.  Members: $5.00, Non-members: $10.00 7:00 P.M. A ZOOM link will be sent to you the day before the event.