Organizers say the annual Norwalk Oyster Festival will return this year after it was canceled last year due to the pandemic.

Over 40,000 people will be coming out over three days in September to celebrate the final last days of summer and enjoy some oysters.

COVID-19 may have prevented it from happening last year, but organizers are determined to do anything they can to get the community together safely this year.

Organizers have put out a call for vendors and sponsors for the weekend of Sept. 10. They are confident most of their 1,000 volunteers will be excited to the event is back as well.

Mayor Harry Rilling says people need time to plan for these events, and the city has decided to plan as if it will happen. The city is letting vendors know some changes may have to be made to follow any new CDC and state regulations.

The chairman of the Norwalk Oyster Festival, Mike Reilly, says they hope to have no capacity limits but will follow any restrictions they have to be able to have the festival and do it safely.

Besides bringing the community together, the festival raises money to support the upkeep of Sheffield Island.

Reilly adds there may some musical surprises this year.

In addition, the Greenwich Town Party Organization announced their plans to have the day-long concert in September this year.

The Milford Oyster Festival is scheduled for August.