The Shad Bake 2018
The Rotary Club of Essex and The Connecticut River Museum partner to bring you a classic Spring ritual of the Connecticut Shoreline- the Shad Bake. 2018 marked the 60th year, the Rotary Club of Essex has maintained this important culinary tradition. Once the basis of a sizable fishery on the River, American Shad are a flavorful fish known both for their taste and for the difficulty in preparing them for the table (due to thousands of tiny bones). Expertly deboned and nailed up on oak planks around a smoldering bonfire, the shad take on a smokey flavor and will be accompanied by many sides as well as pie from Lyman Orchards. Not a fan of shad? Hot dogs and barbecue chicken will be available as well. A cash bar offers several different varieties of beer and wine, as well as nonalcoholic beverages. In addition to great food and drinks, several talks and displays about the history of the Connecticut River shad fishery are offered throughout the afternoon, and live music will be provided. In 2018 the Connecticut DEEP was onsite as well to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Connecticut Bureau of Natural Resources. Community members come down to the River, eat some shad, learn about this important local culinary custom and have a blast!
Tickets are available online at the Connecticut River Museum shop, and can be bought in person at the Museum and at Bob’s Centerbrook Package Store.
The Rotary Club of Essex would like to thank our 2018 sponsors, without whom this event would not be possible:
$5000 Captain Level Sponsors
