Kristen Occhiuto
Shad
Save the date! Lambertville’s 35th Annual Shad Festival is happening Saturday, April 30, and Sunday, May 1 — taking over four blocks of downtown Lambertville, filling the streets with artists and specialty vendors.
The festival began in 1981 as a method of highlighting the great local art that Lambertville has to offer. It coincided with the first blooms of Spring and the annual shad run, when the largest fish in the herring family – the American Shad – migrates from salt water to fresh water to reproduce. The festival has grown from a local celebration to an award-winning regional event.Chefs prepare shad in a variety of tasty ways – Smoked Shad, Shad & Shrimp Fritters (a specialty created by Paul Eschallier of Bell’s Tavern), Shad Sandwiches, and more. If fish isn’t your thing, you will not be disappointed. The line-up includes a variety of food vendors, artisan shopping, and live entertainment. This year will mark the return of a live music stage with bands playing throughout both days. On Sunday, there is an auction of one-of-a-kind posters created by local artists, with all proceeds supporting scholarships for local high school students pursuing a higher education in the arts.