Norwalk Oyster Festival expects loss of revenue after rain forces Sunday closure

NORWALK, Conn. — The Norwalk Seaport Association expects a loss of revenue after heavy rain forced the cancellation of the final day of the Norwalk Oyster Festival on Sunday, Sept. 13. While the festival is insured for rain, the association did not receive a payout.

Jerry Toni, executive director of the Norwalk Seaport Association, said they carry rain insurance, a policy designed to help offset lost revenue when a certain amount of rain falls during a chosen period.

Event organizers determine how much rain and which time period they want to cover, along with the amount of money that will be covered by the policy. But the more comprehensive the coverage, Toni said, the more expensive the policy becomes.

This year, the rain fell outside the chosen parameters of the association’s policy, so there was no payout.

“We did not collect insurance this year,” Toni said.

The financial impact of canceling Sunday is not yet known, although Toni said the festival had a “very good” Friday and an “excellent” Saturday.

“It’s a three-day event,” he said. “You need three good days to make it a profitable event.”

The association still had costs associated with Sunday, even though the festival never opened. That included fixed expenses such as tents, which were rented for the entire three-day event regardless of whether they were used for all three days.

Other expenses were variable. For example, beer costs increase when more beer is purchased for a larger crowd.

Some costs for police, fire and emergency medical coverage were reduced because the festival was canceled. But Toni said police were still needed on Sunday to protect equipment that had been left on the festival grounds.

“Chief Walsh and his team were just wonderful,” said Toni.

The decision to close was made with guidance from the city of Norwalk. Toni communicated with numerous city officials over the weekend to address weather and safety issues. Together, they decided that although the rain had stopped later that morning, standing water on the field made it unsuitable to reopen.

“The most important thing is the safety and comfort of the guests,” Toni said.

The festival has regularly had to close due to weather, having canceled at least one day in 2023, 2025 and now 2026. 

The lost revenue comes as the Seaport Association prepares for a major restoration project at Sheffield Island Lighthouse. Toni said the association expects to spend more than $300,000 on repainting and reglazing the lighthouse tower and repairing windows.

The association will receive some state funding for the project, but Toni said it will cover only about 25% of the cost. They plan to launch a fundraising campaign this fall to raise money for the lighthouse’s ongoing restoration, maintenance and educational programs.

Proceeds from the Oyster Festival help support those efforts, but the strong turnout during the first two days will likely not make up for Sunday’s closure.

“It’s not easy. It looks easy when you walk in, but it’s a very difficult event to organize, plan, and execute safely and effectively for the people in the city of Norwalk,” said Toni.