'Coastal Celebration' To Feature Over 250 Vendors In Milford

Press release via Downtown Milford Business Association

MILFORD, CT — On Saturday, August 16, Fair on the Half Shell — formerly known as the Oysterfest Fair — will take over Downtown Milford for a full-scale coastal celebration featuring 250+ vendors, live music, mini golf, lego stations, bounce house, 30 food trucks, art and more. The event is FREE to attend.

Last year, the event drew an estimate 25,000 attendees and remains one of Connecticut’s most beloved summer traditions for generations.

Since February 2025, the Downtown Milford Business Association (DMBA) has taken over organizing the event from the Milford Oyster Festival, rebranding it as Fair on the Half Shell with a strong focus on arts and crafts and supporting small businesses.

Some of our vendors:

• Have been participating for over 26 years
• Others return after 15+ years, drawn by the strong focus on arts and crafts, and small businesses
• Dozens of first-time vendors join a tradition that continues to grow

Here’s what one of our long-time vendors had to say: “Some people had a caricature done when they were kids and come back as adults to get another one. And we share a lot of memories, a lot of fun.” — Bill Hernandez, PartyCartoons.com, vendor at the fair for 15 years.

It’s this personal connection — between artist and attendee, past and present — that brings Fair on the Half Shell to life through handmade goods, creativity, and lasting memories, creating a vibrant coastal celebration that fosters community spirit at the heart of Connecticut’s shoreline.

Fair on the Half Shell is sponsored by UI, an Avangrid company.

Find out more information by clicking here.