Windsor Shad Derby Festival - History
Well over sixty years ago, when the Windsor Rod and Gun Club, under the direction of John Cardillo, first became concerned about cleaning up the Connecticut River, the club staged a one-day fishing contest aimed at drawing attention to what the river had to offer. That former one-day event has grown into a months-long festival, with fifteen civic groups sponsoring the activities and adding to Windsor’s Most Beloved Festival.
Since that time, thousands of anglers have participated in the annual Windsor Shad Derby. Fishermen come to Windsor from neighboring states, and as far as Delaware, to enjoy fishing along the river’s banks during the Shad Run. The shad swim up the Connecticut River, pass through tributaries such as the Farmington and spawn there. Most of the fish, except the young ones who stay until late fall, remain about six weeks before they head down the Connecticut River to the Sound, then north in the Atlantic Ocean to Canada’s maritime provinces.
In 1966, as the Derby grew in size, the Windsor Chamber of Commerce joined forces with the Windsor Rod and Gun Club to promote the town of Windsor and its businesses to those attending the fishing event. Through the efforts of Windsor residents Frank Parker, Harry Ellingwood & Stanley Loucks 1966 also saw the establishment of the Festival & Parade on the Green as well as the Shad Derby Coronation Ball. A queen was selected to reign over various festivities. This year we will select our 50th queen.
A longstanding tradition was begun in 1972 with distribution of numbered medallions and pins for Shad Derby volunteers. The annual tradition was started by Roger Olsen of Combustion Engineering. These valued medals are distributed still to this day during the Shad Derby Gala as a token of appreciation to all the past Festival Chairs, current event chairs and all volunteers associated with continuing the Shad Derby Festival in Windsor.
As the Shad Derby Festival grew, so did the need for volunteers, resulting in the Shad Derby seeking the addition of the Windsor Jaycees. In 1972, they organized and assumed the responsibility for the Parade and Green activities. The Shad Fest Bureau was officially chartered with the State of Connecticut on May 7, 1975. This was the culmination of many years of planning and work on the part of all organizations sponsoring the Derby. The Bureau was chartered to control and organize Shad Derby activities as well as determine policy and develop financial support for the Festival. The charter members of the Bureau were the Windsor Rod and Gun Club, the Windsor Chamber of Commerce, the Windsor Jaycees, and the Windsor Junior Woman’s Club. Additional organizations could be invited to join the Bureau by unanimous approval of the charter members.
Each year the Shad Fest Bureau appoints Festival Chairpersons and coordinators (chairs) for various Shad Derby events.
Over the years, many men & women have worn the derby hat and held the honor (and responsibility) of Festival Derby Chair. Michael Rabbett (8 times) and Mayor Donald S. Trinks (7 times) share the unique honor of being named Festival chairs more than 3 times in the Shad Derby’s history. 6 people have been named Festival Chair 3 times each - Dr. Robert Gange, Kerry Ruiz, Kathy Kopacz, Deana Stechschulte, Kristin Hoffman and Neill Sachdev.
In 1980, the Windsor Lions Club joined the Shad Fest Bureau and introduced the Arts & Crafts Festival. This was followed by the invitation of the Kiwanis Club whose Shad Derby 5K Road Race has become a popular Derby event every Shad Derby Day morning. In 1981, The Windsor Jaycees established the Sheila Schmidt Family Fishing Derby at Washington Park. In 1982, the Civitan Club came aboard and assumed responsibility for the Queen’s Float in the annual Shad Derby Day parade. At that point in time, the eighth and latest organization to join the Bureau was the Windsor Jaycee Women's club who assumed the responsibility of hosting the Shad derby coronation Ball & the Shad Derby Bike Decorating contest. In 1984, the Windsor Junior Woman’s Club established the “Mary Ellin Messina Community Service Award” for the shad Derby queen candidates.
In 1997, with production and sale of the Strong House, the first in a series of wooden replicas of Windsor’s historical buildings was launched. The profits from the sale of the Shad Derby Landmark Series Collection help defray the cost of various Shad Derby activities.
In 2008, Windsor Freemasons joined the Shad Fest Bureau and started the Shad Derby Masonic Lobster Fest a few years later. In 2011, the Exchange Club of Windsor joined the Bureau and partnered with the Bureau to create the Shad Derby Kick-Off Fundraiser. The Windsor Historical Society joined the Bureau in 2012 and began the annual Trivia Night Contest. In 2013, the additions of the Windsor Women’s Club (GFWC), Win-TV, The Rotary Club of Windsor/Windsor Locks and the Town of Windsor Recreation & Leisure Services were welcomed to the Windsor Shad Fest Bureau.
In 2013, limited edition Festival T-Shirts & Koozies were sold helping celebrate and support the Festival. Like the wooden replicas in year’s past, these new Festival collectors items helped defray costs of Windsor’s Most Beloved Festival.
In 2014, the Windsor Shad Fest Bureau welcomed the addition of the fifteenth member organization - the Windsor Art Center - to join the other volunteer organizations involved with planning and organizing the Windsor Shad Derby Festival. Shad Derby Festival banners were also created in 2014 as the Bureau joined forces and assisted the efforts of First Town Downtown’s town center enhancement project.
A true honor was bestowed upon the Shad Derby Festival in early 2014 as Bloomfield’s Back East Brewery honored the beloved hometown festival with the naming of Back East’s new signature recipe pale ale - fitting called the Shad Derby Pale Ale. 2014 also marked the return of Bloomfield’s famous radio station WDRC 102.9FM broadcasting live from the Town Green on Shad Derby Day May 17, 2014. It had been well over 30 years since WDRC last broadcasted live from Windsor Center on Shad Derby Day.
2015 celebrated the 50th anniversary of the inaugural Shad Derby Festival & Parade on the Town Green and crowning of the 50th Shad Derby Queen. Over 22 events were held in association of the beloved Festival. Back East Brewery's Shad Derby Pale Ale grew so popular from the previous year's inception that the brewery decided to can the beer for all of the New England area to enjoy. To close out the 50th year celebration, the Windsor Shad Fest Bureau held the Windsor Shad Fest Honors in October to honor one current deserving member from each volunteer civic organization associated with the Festival and in the true spirit of the Shad Derby.
From a simple beginning, the Shad Derby Festival evolved into a beloved annual event by Windsor citizens, their neighbors and many participating organizations & businesses in the local New England area. A spirit of unity, community, tradition and accomplishments has also grown over the years through various events, organizations and dedicated volunteers. It is in this spirit (and spirit of the Shad) that we hope to continue to make Windsor a great place to live , work & play while celebrating Windsor's Most Beloved Hometown Festival and favorite New England tradition every spring.
Since that time, thousands of anglers have participated in the annual Windsor Shad Derby. Fishermen come to Windsor from neighboring states, and as far as Delaware, to enjoy fishing along the river’s banks during the Shad Run. The shad swim up the Connecticut River, pass through tributaries such as the Farmington and spawn there. Most of the fish, except the young ones who stay until late fall, remain about six weeks before they head down the Connecticut River to the Sound, then north in the Atlantic Ocean to Canada’s maritime provinces.
In 1966, as the Derby grew in size, the Windsor Chamber of Commerce joined forces with the Windsor Rod and Gun Club to promote the town of Windsor and its businesses to those attending the fishing event. Through the efforts of Windsor residents Frank Parker, Harry Ellingwood & Stanley Loucks 1966 also saw the establishment of the Festival & Parade on the Green as well as the Shad Derby Coronation Ball. A queen was selected to reign over various festivities. This year we will select our 50th queen.
A longstanding tradition was begun in 1972 with distribution of numbered medallions and pins for Shad Derby volunteers. The annual tradition was started by Roger Olsen of Combustion Engineering. These valued medals are distributed still to this day during the Shad Derby Gala as a token of appreciation to all the past Festival Chairs, current event chairs and all volunteers associated with continuing the Shad Derby Festival in Windsor.
As the Shad Derby Festival grew, so did the need for volunteers, resulting in the Shad Derby seeking the addition of the Windsor Jaycees. In 1972, they organized and assumed the responsibility for the Parade and Green activities. The Shad Fest Bureau was officially chartered with the State of Connecticut on May 7, 1975. This was the culmination of many years of planning and work on the part of all organizations sponsoring the Derby. The Bureau was chartered to control and organize Shad Derby activities as well as determine policy and develop financial support for the Festival. The charter members of the Bureau were the Windsor Rod and Gun Club, the Windsor Chamber of Commerce, the Windsor Jaycees, and the Windsor Junior Woman’s Club. Additional organizations could be invited to join the Bureau by unanimous approval of the charter members.
Each year the Shad Fest Bureau appoints Festival Chairpersons and coordinators (chairs) for various Shad Derby events.
Over the years, many men & women have worn the derby hat and held the honor (and responsibility) of Festival Derby Chair. Michael Rabbett (8 times) and Mayor Donald S. Trinks (7 times) share the unique honor of being named Festival chairs more than 3 times in the Shad Derby’s history. 6 people have been named Festival Chair 3 times each - Dr. Robert Gange, Kerry Ruiz, Kathy Kopacz, Deana Stechschulte, Kristin Hoffman and Neill Sachdev.
In 1980, the Windsor Lions Club joined the Shad Fest Bureau and introduced the Arts & Crafts Festival. This was followed by the invitation of the Kiwanis Club whose Shad Derby 5K Road Race has become a popular Derby event every Shad Derby Day morning. In 1981, The Windsor Jaycees established the Sheila Schmidt Family Fishing Derby at Washington Park. In 1982, the Civitan Club came aboard and assumed responsibility for the Queen’s Float in the annual Shad Derby Day parade. At that point in time, the eighth and latest organization to join the Bureau was the Windsor Jaycee Women's club who assumed the responsibility of hosting the Shad derby coronation Ball & the Shad Derby Bike Decorating contest. In 1984, the Windsor Junior Woman’s Club established the “Mary Ellin Messina Community Service Award” for the shad Derby queen candidates.
In 1997, with production and sale of the Strong House, the first in a series of wooden replicas of Windsor’s historical buildings was launched. The profits from the sale of the Shad Derby Landmark Series Collection help defray the cost of various Shad Derby activities.
In 2008, Windsor Freemasons joined the Shad Fest Bureau and started the Shad Derby Masonic Lobster Fest a few years later. In 2011, the Exchange Club of Windsor joined the Bureau and partnered with the Bureau to create the Shad Derby Kick-Off Fundraiser. The Windsor Historical Society joined the Bureau in 2012 and began the annual Trivia Night Contest. In 2013, the additions of the Windsor Women’s Club (GFWC), Win-TV, The Rotary Club of Windsor/Windsor Locks and the Town of Windsor Recreation & Leisure Services were welcomed to the Windsor Shad Fest Bureau.
In 2013, limited edition Festival T-Shirts & Koozies were sold helping celebrate and support the Festival. Like the wooden replicas in year’s past, these new Festival collectors items helped defray costs of Windsor’s Most Beloved Festival.
In 2014, the Windsor Shad Fest Bureau welcomed the addition of the fifteenth member organization - the Windsor Art Center - to join the other volunteer organizations involved with planning and organizing the Windsor Shad Derby Festival. Shad Derby Festival banners were also created in 2014 as the Bureau joined forces and assisted the efforts of First Town Downtown’s town center enhancement project.
A true honor was bestowed upon the Shad Derby Festival in early 2014 as Bloomfield’s Back East Brewery honored the beloved hometown festival with the naming of Back East’s new signature recipe pale ale - fitting called the Shad Derby Pale Ale. 2014 also marked the return of Bloomfield’s famous radio station WDRC 102.9FM broadcasting live from the Town Green on Shad Derby Day May 17, 2014. It had been well over 30 years since WDRC last broadcasted live from Windsor Center on Shad Derby Day.
2015 celebrated the 50th anniversary of the inaugural Shad Derby Festival & Parade on the Town Green and crowning of the 50th Shad Derby Queen. Over 22 events were held in association of the beloved Festival. Back East Brewery's Shad Derby Pale Ale grew so popular from the previous year's inception that the brewery decided to can the beer for all of the New England area to enjoy. To close out the 50th year celebration, the Windsor Shad Fest Bureau held the Windsor Shad Fest Honors in October to honor one current deserving member from each volunteer civic organization associated with the Festival and in the true spirit of the Shad Derby.
From a simple beginning, the Shad Derby Festival evolved into a beloved annual event by Windsor citizens, their neighbors and many participating organizations & businesses in the local New England area. A spirit of unity, community, tradition and accomplishments has also grown over the years through various events, organizations and dedicated volunteers. It is in this spirit (and spirit of the Shad) that we hope to continue to make Windsor a great place to live , work & play while celebrating Windsor's Most Beloved Hometown Festival and favorite New England tradition every spring.
"Mr. Shad" John Cardillo of the Windsor Rod & Gun Club (from the 1990 Yankee Magazine article).
Frank Parker, one of the founders of the Festival on the Green & Parade.
|
Plaque erected in 1976 by the Windsor Jaycees along the Farmington River (located behind Bart's Restaurant) to "Honor the community spirit which fostered and has nurtured the Shad Derby".
|
First Shad - Free License presented to Tom Govoni.
