Shad Fest Continues On Sunday In The City Of Lambertville

LAMBERTVILLE, N.J. — When it comes to river town traditions, few can rival Shad Fest, Lambertville's springtime celebration of fish, fun, and family.

This weekend, the Greater Lambertville Chamber of Commerce stages the festival to welcome the shad back home to its spawning grounds and to bring people together to celebrate the region.

Once a year in the spring, the shad make the harrowing journey northward from their home in the Atlantic Ocean to lay their eggs in the fresh waters of the Delaware River.

In celebration of that journey, the chamber has organized the festival for the past four decades, featuring live music, vendors, visits to the Lewis Island Fishery and plenty of food and family-oriented fun.

“Shad Fest is an opportunity to experience something unique, something that’s held on tradition and something to honor the Delaware River, which surrounds us all," said event organizers.

The rain or shine festival takes place on Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Lambertville waterfront, along Union Street, and throughout town.

Shad Fest will bring 75 vendors into town along North Union Street from York to Ferry Street. And don't miss the Home & Garden area at the North Union parking lot, the Food Court at the Wells Fargo parking lot, and Locals Lane on Church Street between George Street and Union.

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

“Shad Fest features the area’s finest artists and crafters, great food, music and family entertainment,” said organizers. “You can bring children. You can bring friends. You can bring the whole family. You can spend a couple of hours or you can spend the whole day. There’s just a lot to see and do.”

Delicious eats of all kinds will be available at the Shad Fest Food Court at the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot. On the menu will be everything from fried Oreos to taco salads, Hawaiian BBQ to fried calamari and from gyros to fresh lemonade.

And don't miss the Beer Garden in the Lambertville Station Parking Lot.

Throughout the weekend, Shad Fest posters created by local artists will be on display at the First
Presbyterian Church. They will be sold during a live and silent auction on Sunday with proceeds benefiting scholarships for local students pursuing degrees in art.

Among the festival highlights are the public shad-hauling demonstrations taking place on Lewis Island. The public is invited to stop at the Lewis Fishery at Lambert Lane and Coryell Street to learn more about the shad from the Lewis family and to watch the shad hauling demonstrations at 1 p.m. each day, weather permitting.

Steve Meserve talks Shad at a fish-hauling demonstration at the Lewis Fishery. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

The Lewis family has been fishing these waters since 1888, and holds the only remaining commercial license to catch shad with nets.

For more than 20 years, Steve Meserve and his family have run the Lewis Fishery, the last commercial shad operation on the Delaware River. He is the fourth generation to lead the Lambertville, New Jersey, business. Like his great-grandfather Captain Bill Lewis, who turned the former American Shad Fishery into the Lewis Fishery in 1888, Meserve is a proud steward of the river.

Throughout the weekend, local businesses will be joining in the fun by paying homage to the shad in
their own fun and unique ways. “You might find a Shadtini at some of the local bars or Shad Fest discounts at the shops and store,” said event organizers.

(Jeff Werner/Patch)

“If you want to have a good time, come on down to Shad Fest. There’s something for everyone. It’s also a great opportunity to explore Lambertville’s many shops and restaurants. Bring your bikes and ride along the trail. Visit some of the antique shops. Walk over the bridge. It’s a great place to explore and experience.”

For complete details on Shad Fest, visit LambertvilleChamber.org.