Each year in Windsor, CT (a little bit north of Hartford) shad (the state fish of Connecticut) swim up the Connecticut and Farmington Rivers to lay their eggs in fresh water (similar to salmon). The people of Windsor observe this biological fact with their own annual event, the springtime Shad Derby Festival. The festival is really a series of sponsored events spread throughout the month of May (this year, from the 1st through the 21st). Some of the events that have already taken place include the Fishing Tournament, the Shad Derby Gala, and the Coronation Ball.
Shad Derby Day, the culmination of the festival, will be tomorrow, Saturday the 21st: the 51st Shad Derby Parade leaves Windsor HS at 11:30 a.m. and will arrive at the town green around noon. Food (learn how to cook shad!), games, vendors, and family fun activities at the green will begin at 9 a.m. and run until 4 p.m. There’ll be a 5K race, a beer garden with craft brews, eating contests (chocolate pie, mac ‘n’ cheese, and wings), live music, and a martial arts demo. For details, see the Shad Derby Festival website.
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