Month: October 2017

The Bruce Museum’s 36th annual Outdoor Arts Festival takes place rain or shine on Museum grounds on Columbus Day weekend, Saturday and Sunday, October 7- 8, from 10 am to 5 pm. More than 90 artists from across the country, many new to the Bruce Museum festival, will be showcased this year. The juried works include painting on canvas, board and paper, mixed media in 2D and 3D, drawings and graphics, including digital media, sculpture and photography. All works are available for purchase and artists are on hand to discuss their work.

The Bruce Museum’s Outdoor Arts Festival has been ranked in the top 100 nationally among Fine Arts Fairs, drawing strong competition among artists who want to participate in the show.

Live music, varied menu offerings, and children’s art activities are all available to provide family fun. Festival admission is $8 and includes admission to the Bruce Museum galleries. The Festival is free to Bruce Museum members and children less than 5 years old. Not yet a member? At the Festival entrance visitors will be able to join the Bruce Museum at a discount, and will receive instant free admission and many discounts both at the Festival — many exhibitors offer discounts for Bruce Museum members — and in the Museum store. Visitors are asked to park on Museum Drive and Steamboat Road or in the Island Beach Parking lot near exit 3 off I-95. The Museum is a short walk from MetroNorth’s Greenwich railroad station. For information, visit www.brucemuseum.org, or call (203) 869-0376. For more area information www.visitwesternct.com.

Plan a weekend in the historic villages of Salisbury and Lakeville, CT and enjoy a wide variety of special events and activities. It’s a real “home-town” celebration in the beautiful Litchfield Hills on Columbus Day Weekend – October 6, 7 and 8.

Stroll along the scenic Main Street to find attic treasures, home-made baked goods, and previously-loved books and jewelry in local churches. Be sure not to miss the beautiful Quilt Show. Sample freshly-baked bread and enjoy delicious apple crisp and purchase Greek pastries and local honey. To add to the fun, there are many outdoor booths, special sales in the shops and art exhibitions in galleries that line the street. SThere is an environmental exhibit at the Historical Society and the Salisbury Library is holding a special book sale. Colorful scarecrows line the street, so don’t miss your chance to cast your vote for your favorite scarecrow.

Kids will have a blast at this fair! They’ll love the pumpkin decorating, face painting, crafts, and games. Both young and old will enjoy the magic shows and old-fashioned hayrides. Listen to live music by the Salisbury Band and the Joint Chiefs. Stop by LaBonne’s for delicious samples from many food vendors. Decorate small pumpkins on the White Hart lawn and then enjoy the “Birds of Prey” program, featuring live hawks and owls by Audubon Sharon. Later in the evening, enjoy lobsters or a delicious roast beef dinner, followed by live music at the Coffee House.

On Saturday, October 7, start the day by participating in a 5K run along the rail trail. Then indulge in a hearty breakfast of freshly-made blueberry pancakes. Look for local artisans selling hand-made jewelry, pottery, textiles, leather goods, and more. There will be several programs taking place throughout the day including a child identification program, composting program and a free workshop on how to make autumn garlands and wreaths. There will also be robots built by the high school Robotics Team. If you have worked up an appetite, no worries, this fair is serving up something to please every palate from hot dogs, chili and cornbread, to baked potatoes with toppings, and mac ‘n cheese—along with delicious apples, popcorn, and fresh cider.

On Sunday, October 8 the day starts off with the annual pancake breakfast! End the weekend at the Brew-Ski Fest located on 80 Mountain Road that is hosted by Salisbury Winter Sports Association. There will be thirty craft breweries participating plus two hard cider breweries and plenty of brats, tickets are $35 on the day of the event. For an up-to-date schedule of times and locations, go to www.salisburyfallfestival.org. For online tickets for the brew-ski visit http://www.brewskifest.com.

The Carriage House on the grounds of the Torrington Historical Society located on 192 Main Street in downtown Torrington is hosting a new exhibition that is showing off the Society’s new acquisitions. This collection showcases a variety of items that have been added to the Society’s collection within the past few years.

What You Will See

Collections on display include: a guitar made in Torrington ca. 1856 by noted American luthier James Ashborn; photographs of the Conley Inn (later the Yankee Pedlar) taken in 1891 when the inn first opened; paintings of local people and places; photographs of Torrington from the 1850s through the 1950s; a machinist’s toolbox used by Joseph Ruwet; products manufactured in our
city including a 19th century Hendey lathe; and, one of the most popular items in the exhibit – a sign from The Sugar Shack, a 1970s gathering spot for local teens.

Hours

Admission to the Carriage House Gallery is free; the gallery is located behind the Hotchkiss Fyler House. The Gallery and House are open Wed. – Sat. from 12 noon to 4 p.m.