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23-638: Funds raised by the festival help the Norwalk Seaport Association maintain the Sheffield Island Lighthouse as well as develop science education classes. The festival is also used as a fundraiser by more than 20 other local non-profit organizations. The festival has been run by the Norwalk Seaport Association , a non profit organization, since its inception in 1978. Average annual attendance exceeds 90,000. Each year,

46-627: A connection to the town", who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks . In 1991, the Great Captain Island Light was added to the National Register of Historic Places . In 1829, the federal government purchased 3.5 acres of land on the southeast part of Great Captain Island from Samuel Lyons, prior to the site being selected for a lighthouse. The other contending site, Stamford Point, became

69-499: A connection to the town", who died in the September 11 attacks". A non-navigational 4-second flashing green light was installed in the lighthouse on February 13, 2012. White writes that the light serves as a "tribute to the lighthouses and lighthouse keepers who were dedicated to saving lives on the Sound". In 1970, a freestanding skeleton tower replaced the light and the vacant lighthouse

92-542: A mechanical failure. Several injured were transported to Norwalk, Stamford and Bridgeport hospitals. None of the injuries were life-threatening. 41°05′43″N 73°24′56″W  /  41.0954°N 73.4155°W  / 41.0954; -73.4155 Sheffield Island Light Sheffield Island Light is a historic lighthouse located at the southern end of the Norwalk Islands in Norwalk, Connecticut . It marks

115-526: A siren in 1905. The siren caused much distress to nearby residents and had to be modified. In the late 1990s, the Greenwich Chamber of Commerce started a campaign in the late 1990s to relight the lighthouse. It was assisted by the Indian Harbor Yacht Club. It suffered a setback as one of the fundraiser's original members, Bennett Fisher, died in the September 11, 2001 attacks . In May 2007,

138-415: Is deferred to 2021 since there was no event in 2020 caused by COVID-19 pandemic . The 45th annual festival took place on September 8 to September 10, 2023. It was hosted by the Norwalk Seaport Association and presented by First County Bank. Gary LeVox performed on September 9, 2023. On September 8, 2013, 17 children and one adult were injured in an amusement ride accident in when a swing ride suffered

161-525: The Village People heading up the entertainment, the band's third appearance. Jay and the Americans were also booked for the event. The 31st annual festival took place September 5 to September 7, 2008. The festival was called off on Saturday the 6th to accommodate the rain from Hurricane Hanna . Los Lonely Boys performed Friday evening and Kathy Sledge performed Sunday evening. The 43rd annual event

184-810: The Oyster Festival contributes over $ 5 million to the local economy. It features various food, vendors, and entertainment, and celebrates the history of the oyster industry based in Norwalk. In the past, featured performers have included the Village People , Kansas , Charlie Daniels Band , Joe Walsh , Willie Nelson , Blood, Sweat & Tears , Tito Puente , Cheap Trick , Little Feat , The Monkees , Judy Collins , Up with People , and Little Richard . The 29th annual Oyster Festival took place Friday, September 8 to Sunday, September 10, 2006. Bo Bice , Dion , and Asia were featured performers. The 30th annual festival took place September 7 to September 9, 2007 with

207-429: The first keeper for the light which was completed in 1828. At the time the island was known as Smith Island. The first light originally ran on oil. In 1857 the light was upgraded to a fourth-order Fresnel lens . The original 30 feet (9.1 m) tower was replaced by a Victorian style limestone ( masonry ) dwelling, with a 44 feet (13 m) high light tower in the gable , in 1868. The Fresnel lens from 1857

230-507: The gasoline generator system. The beacon is focused only on the Norwalk side and is not intended for use as navigation. Great Captain Island Light Great Captain Island Lighthouse is a lighthouse on Great Captain Island in the western Long Island Sound off the coast of Greenwich, Connecticut , United States. Built in 1829, the first lighthouse, made of stone, was of such poor construction that

253-464: The government approved a $ 1 million appropriation for the restoration work. In the 1990s, a nonprofit group called Return the Light was formed and raised $ 305,000 for restoration work – most of it donated in the memory of Bennett Fisher. Carl White notes that "the non-profit was able to raise $ 305,000, and with Federal Funds, $ 1.13 million was obtained for the project". In 2008, a total of $ 1.2 million

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276-410: The new tower was completed in 1868. The original light was composed of 10 lamps with reflectors, but it was upgraded to a fourth Fresnel lens in 1858. As a result of the new installation, the light changed to a fixed white light. In 1867, it was determined a new tower needed to be built and the new structure was completed in 1868. The new lighthouse was a keeper's quarters with an attached lantern on

299-561: The roof. The structure is of the same design as lighthouses at Sheffield Island in Norwalk; Morgan Point in Noank; Old Field Point Light and Plum Island in New York; and Block Island North in Rhode Island. The dwelling is made of granite and the lantern made of cast iron. The original Fresnel lens was installed in the new tower. In 1890, a fog whistle was installed and it would be replaced by

322-404: The subject of a 50-year-long dispute between Connecticut and New York over its ownership, Connecticut eventually prevailed. Completed in 1829, the 30-foot (9.1 m) stone lighthouse was built by Charles H. Smith for $ 3455.17 and it had a five-room keeper's house. By 1838, it was clear the construction was of poor quality and the walls were cracking. However, the structure remained in use until

345-404: The walls were severely cracked a decade later. In 1868, a new granite dwelling with attached lantern was completed. The lighthouse is of the same design as lighthouses at Sheffield Island in Norwalk; Morgan Point in Noank; Old Field Point Light and Plum Island in New York; and Block Island North in Rhode Island. In 1890, a fog whistle was added, in 1905 a siren was installed. The lighthouse

368-578: The west side of the mouth of the Norwalk River on northern Long Island Sound . The island, at the time known as "White Island", was purchased by Captain Robert Sheffield in 1804 for $ 6000. In 1826 Gershom Smith, Sheffield's son in law, sold 4 of the island's 53 acres (21 ha) at the southwest point to the United States government for the purpose of building a lighthouse. Smith would serve as

391-412: Was better located to warn ships of the rocks and shoals on the approach to Sheffield Island harbor and Norwalk harbor . Sheffield Island Light was then deactivated in 1902. Sheffield Island Lighthouse was put up for sale in 1914 and purchased by Thorsten O. Stabell. In 1986 the 118-year-old structure was purchased by the Norwalk Seaport Association for renovation and restoration. In 1989 the lighthouse

414-405: Was budgeted for the restoration project. Restoration plans called for a new beacon and restoration of the caretaker's quarters. A memorial walkway, garden and plaque would honor victims of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. Interior work on the lighthouse was scheduled for April through July, with no exterior work during that time in order not to disturb breeding herons and egrets. The project

437-460: Was deactivated in 1970 when a skeletal tower replaced it. The Town of Greenwich acquired the property in 1973 and had full-time caretakers on the site until the lighthouse became too dilapidated in 2003. A successful restoration effort was completed in 2009 and a non-navigational light was activated in 2012. In 2010, a memorial plaque was installed to "honor the 23 people who lived in Greenwich, or had

460-476: Was moved into the new structure and with a focal plane 51 feet (16 m) above water it was visible for more than 12 miles (19 km). The lighthouse is of the same design as lighthouses at Great Captain Island and Morgan Point in Connecticut; Old Field Point Light and Plum Island in New York; and Block Island North in Rhode Island. Greens Ledge Light was built to the west of Sheffield in 1900 and

483-465: Was placed on the National Register of Historic Places . In 1993 an electric generator was added to the structure. In the fall of that year, a great storm flooded the basement of the building and artifacts were lost or destroyed. In 2002 the Seaport association started ferry service to the island, which is still running. In October 2011 the lighthouse was re-lit by a solar powered system installed to replace

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506-414: Was scheduled for completion in 2009. The restoration concerned some conservations because the work could disturb nesting herons and egrets. Tom Baptist, executive director of Audubon Connecticut and a Greenwich resident, said he supports the renovation work together with measures to protect the birds. In 2010, a September 11 memorial plaque was installed to "honor the 23 people who lived in Greenwich, or had

529-399: Was soon vandalized. In 1973, the town of Greenwich acquired the lighthouse and had full-time caretakers living in the light until 2003. A caretaker continued to live in the old lighthouse until 2003, when it became too dilapidated. In 1991, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places . A single dirt road leads to the lighthouse on the eastern side of the island, where most of

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