(l. to r.) Marvel Super Heroes; Spider-Man, Hulk and Storm, unknown girl (front) taken at First County Bank’s Family Day tent at Norwalk's Oyster Festival (photo credit: Margaret Harris)
As part of its sponsorship of Family Day during this year’s 33rd annual Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival, First County Bank will start selling advance admission tickets to the festival for $6 or half off the regular price at its 15 branches throughout Stamford, Norwalk, Darien, Greenwich, New Canaan and Westport. This exclusive offer to the public starts today.
“Along with our Family Day sponsorship on Sunday, Sept. 12, the bank is also making festival tickets available at a special discounted price,” said bank President and COO Rey Giallongo. “Since becoming the official sponsor of Family Day last year and offering festival tickets at half price, our branches have seen a significant increase in ticket requests during the last several weeks.” First County Bank has been a sponsor of the festival since 2005. In addition to discounted tickets, First County Bank will give away backpacks and other premium items to visitors while supplies last.
Sunday’s focus on family entertainment will include the return of the popular Marvel Super Heroes; Spider-Man, Hulk, Storm and Green Goblin, as well as lots of activities for children throughout the day. After the Marvel Super Heroes 2 p.m. show on the Main Stage, attendees can meet the super heroes for autographs and photos near First County Bank’s tent adjacent to the stage.
On Family Day children between the ages of 5-12 will be admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. A $15 bracelet entitles youngsters to unlimited rides in Kids’ Cove between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. In addition, many nonprofits in the International Food Court will offer Family Day specials.
Festival organizers have brought back some old favorites this year. Soundwaters, an 80-foot replica of a Chesapeake Bay sharpie schooner, and Quinnipiac, a traditionally rigged sailing ship that last visited the Oyster Festival in 2001, will be docked near the festival and available for boarding tours. Earthplace, a touch tank, will be onsite for attendees to become acquainted with marine life from Long Island Sound.
For adults, the Norwalk Seaport Association brought back the event’s namesake, the Oyster Pavilion, complete with shucking and slurping contests.
“The Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival is a cornerstone event for 45,000 to 50,000 Connecticut residents and those who come from as far away as Maine and New Jersey,” explained Giallongo. “Our customers and employees all love attending this event with their friends and family, and with our sponsorship and discount ticket offering, First County Bank makes it a little more enjoyable.”
Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival hours are 6-11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 10; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11; and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12. The event is held at Veteran’s Park adjacent to Norwalk Harbor on Seaview Avenue in East Norwalk, Conn. There is no parking on festival grounds but free shuttle service is provided to and from the event.
Admission prices at the gate are $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens (62 and older) and $3 for children ages 5-12. Children younger than 5 enter free. The daily entrance fee includes off-site parking, shuttle buses to and from the festival and performances in Kids’ Cove and on two stages. Information about a Metro-North Railroad-NSA Oyster Festival discount package can be found at http://www.mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_oyster_fest.htm.
First County Bank, headquartered in Stamford, Conn., is an independent mutual community bank with 15 branches in Stamford, Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk and Westport offering deposit products, mortgages, trust and investment services, business banking services and online banking. First County Bank has assets in excess of $1.3 billion. For additional information, please visit www.firstcountybank.com.
