Shad Festival to mark 25th anniversary

While there will be no shad dinners Sunday, visitors can attend shad cooking and shad hauling demonstrations.

By: Linda Seida
   LAMBERTVILLE — The 25th anniversary of the Shad Festival this weekend will mark the second time a lack of volunteers has changed the complexion of the event.
   There will be no shad dinner this year because of a lack of volunteers, according to co-chairwoman Laurie Weinstein.
   However, visitors can attend shad cooking demonstrations and sample the fish Saturday from 12:30 to 4 p.m. and again Sunday from 12:30 to 3 p.m. at Hamilton’s Grill Room in the Porkyard. Jim Hamilton and executive chef Mark Miller will prepare the roe with heavy cream, fresh garden peas and bacon.
   Also, visitors can see shad hauling demonstrations on Lewis Island Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m.
   Last year, the event was moved back from April — when the shad are actually running — to May when the shad run is all but over, for the same reason — not enough volunteers.
   The delay last year drew a bit of good-natured teasing for the event’s former chairman, Steven Stegman, who will be recognized tomorrow (April 28) by the Shad Festival Committee with a reception for his many years of service.
   The City Council passed a resolution last week in honor of Mr. Stegman, who is a member of the council. Mr. Stegman also is the deputy director of state tourism.
   "Steven never lost sight of the purpose of the Shad Festival and could be seen during Shad Fest riding around on the golf cart with a bullhorn and baseball cap that read ‘O’fishal,’" according to the council’s resolution.
   Mr. Stegman devoted 17 years as a volunteer to the festival. He became chairman in 1991 and retired in 2005.
   "Steve left this affair in very good shape so it was easy to step into his enormous shoes," said the festival’s new manager, Debbie Monigan.
   The committee also is honoring the Lewis family for their numerous contributions to the community, and the council passed a resolution dubbing April 28 Lewis Family Day.
   Officials credit the family with inspiring the Shad Festival. The resolution said they helped to "convince the states along the Delaware River to study the decrease in shad and to clean up polluted waters around major cities in the area."
   William P. Lewis started the Lewis Fishery on Holcombe Island in 1888 when he was 13 years old. He operated it with his son, Fred Lewis. Later, grandson Steve Meserve took over.
   The celebration in honor of Mr. Stegman and the Lewis family will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Justice Center on South Union Street. Coffee and dessert will be served.
   The festival this weekend won’t feature the sweeping changes that some members of the business community had lobbied for last year. Some merchants became vocal opponents of the street-fair atmosphere. They wanted the event to take a more upscale turn.
   They’ll have to wait a little longer to see much of a change.
   "With something that’s been so successful, we didn’t feel the need to make a lot of changes," Ms. Weinstein said.
   Also, organizers "didn’t want to make too many changes too quickly," she said.
   Instead, they’ll take "baby steps."
   For example, next year the festival may include a formal shad dinner for locals Friday evening with a less formal event Saturday evening to keep tourist interest high, according to Ms. Weinstein. However, nothing is definite yet.
   Organizers will schedule a wrap-up meeting after this year’s festival to discuss alternatives and figure out what works best for the annual event, she said.
   One new attraction this year is the steamboat Splash, a replica of an 1880s steamboat. In the 19th century, such boats carried passengers and freight between Lambertville and Easton, Pa.
   Princeton University psychology professor Bart Hoebel runs Splash, which is an acronym for "Student Participation in Learning Aquatic Science and History."
   His normal routine sees him guiding students on learning excursions along the Delaware River, but this weekend individuals and families can take a ride, too. The cost is $10 for a 25-minute ride, and family discounts are available.
   As in years past, visitors still can eat, drink and make merry as they walk through the heart of Lambertville and take in artistic displays and listen to live musical performances from noon to 5 p.m. both days.
   For more information, visit www.Lambertville.org or call Ms. Monigan at 397-SHAD.