Shad Festival

Shad Festival

Last full weekend in AprilSince 1981, the city of Lambertville, N.J., has celebrated the Shad Festival, honoring the annual return of the shad fish to the Delaware River to spawn. Because of water pollution in the area many years ago, the shad—also called river herring—were almost wiped out. But a major cleanup of area pollution brought the commercial fish back to the region. The festival also promotes the preservation of the environment and of the Delaware River ecosystem.
The two-day street festival features an arts show, cooking demonstrations, and live music concerts. Local nonprofit and community volunteer organizations use the event as a fundraiser by selling food and other items. A poster auction raises money for college scholarships for local students. There are also demonstrations of how the local fishing community catches shad with nets. The Shad Festival has won the Governor's Conference on Tourism Best Event Award three times.
CONTACTS:
Lambertville Area Chamber of Commerce
60 Wilson St.
Lambertville, NJ 08530
609-397-0055
www.lambertville.org
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