Parmalee, Lita Ford and Jump: America’s Van Halen Experience at the 48th Norwalk Oyster Festival September 11-13

The Norwalk Seaport Association has unveiled its 2026 entertainment lineup, running September 11 through September 13, 2026. The 48th annual three-day festival blends seaside charm with arena-level performances. The weekend kicks off Friday night with a jolt of rock history. 

Lita Ford's Glam Metal hits the Xfinity Stage, Friday, Sept. 11

At 8 p.m. on September 11, Lita Ford—the groundbreaking guitarist and former Runaways member—brings her unmistakable brand of glam metal to Norwalk. Known for hits like “Kiss Me Deadly” and the powerful duet “Close My Eyes Forever” with Ozzy Osbourne, Ford’s career spans decades, accolades, and a permanent place in rock’s cultural DNA. Her presence anchors opening night with grit, nostalgia, and undeniable star power.

Dance to the multi-platinum country group Parmalee, Sept. 12 

Taking over the Xfinity Main Stage on Saturday at 8:30 p.m., September 12, is multi-platinum country group Parmalee—a band that has steadily climbed from regional favorite to national powerhouse. With more than 1.6 billion on-demand streams and six No. 1 hits, Parmalee has helped redefine modern country music, threading together classic storytelling with a polished, crossover-ready sound. Expect a setlist stacked with fan favorites like “Carolina,” “Close Your Eyes,” and “Already Callin’ You Mine alongside newer chart-toppers including “Take My Name,” “Girl in Mine,” and “Cowgirl,” a track that recently made history as one of the longest-running No. 1 songs by a band on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in over a decade. Recent releases include the deeply personal “How Do I Let You Go” and their current single, “God Knew Better.” 

JUMP: America’s Van Halen Experience closes out the weekend on Sept. 13

On Sunday, the festival shifts into high gear one last time as JUMP: America’s Van Halen Experience closes out the weekend. Taking the Xfinity Main Stage at 4 p.m. on September 13, the band delivers a high-octane tribute to Van Halen’s David Lee Roth era—complete with faithful renditions, theatrical flair, and a setlist that dives beyond the biggest hits into deep-cut territory for true fans. 

 The Norwalk Oyster Festival is about much more than headlining performers; it’s an experience the whole family can enjoy. On Sunday, Kids Day makes it especially fun for families, with children 12 and under admitted free with a paying adult. Many of the festival’s shows are included with your ticket and scheduled throughout the day, so you can catch your favorites without missing a moment. And, if your family loves rides, an unlimited ride wristband is available on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

As Norwalk Oyster Festival Chairman, Mike Reilly puts it, “The Norwalk Oyster Festival brings it all together – arena-sized live bands, a craft village, rides, great food, and family entertainment, all packed into one unforgettable three-day weekend.” 

This year’s presenting sponsor, Mohegan Sun Online Casino, is once again raising the bar with a VIP experience, bringing a touch of resort-level service to the festival. “Our partnership with the Norwalk Seaport Association continues to be an amazing relationship for our business and our presence in the community,” said Colin Mulhern, Event Manager, Mohegan Sun Online Casino. 

For tickets and full event details, visit https://www.seaport.org/norwalkoysterfestival_entertainment

Great Mountain Forest brings Ethan Tapper’s “How to Love a Forest” to Norfolk on August 14

 On Friday, August 14 at 4:30 p.m., Great Mountain Forest will host “How to Love a Forest,” a timely and thought-provoking conversation at Norfolk Town Hall. This presentation features Ethan Tapper—an internationally recognized forester, best-selling author, and digital storyteller—whose work has challenged long-held assumptions about conservation and land management. Tapper is the author of How to Love a Forest: The Bittersweet Work of Tending a Changing World, which has earned wide acclaim since its publication in September 2024, including the 2025 New England Book Award for nonfiction. 

Hosted by Great Mountain Forest, this event reflects the organization’s longstanding commitment to public learning and meaningful dialogue about the future of our forests. By bringing Tapper to Norfolk Town Hall, GMF offers the public a rare opportunity to hear from a leading voice in contemporary forestry and to engage with one of the most important questions facing conservation today: How do we care for a forest, especially when loving it requires hard choices? Participants will learn that at the center of Tapper’s approach is a clear but often uncomfortable idea: caring for a forest does not always mean leaving it untouched. 

Tapper’s talk will draw from “Bear Island,” the Vermont forest he has worked to restore. Once burdened by invasive plants, exotic pests, overabundant deer, and the long shadow of poor logging practices, the land had reached a critical point. Tapper chose to intervene with management actions that may sound counterintuitive at first—bringing in loggers, using pesticides where necessary, and intentionally disrupting parts of the forest to support its long-term recovery. The result is a powerful case study in modern stewardship: a forest renewed through science-based, deliberate, and sometimes difficult action. 

 For anyone interested in forests, ecology, or the future of environmental stewardship, this is a program not to be missed. This program is free, but registration is appreciated https://greatmountainforest.org/events/

This event is sponsored by Doolittle Lake Company, Haystack Book Festival, Northwest Conservation District, Society of American Foresters, UCONN 4-H, the United Church of Christ Congregational (UCC), and GMF.