Category: Connecticut Travel

Farmers Market @ Wilton Historical Society in September

September is harvest time in Connecticut and visitors on Wednesday to the Wilton Historical Society can celebrate the season’s bounty at a Farmers Market here held each Wednesday in August and September from 12 noon to 5 p.m.

Visitors will find fresh vegetables, fruit, flowers, jams and jellies, bread, baked goods, pesto, cheese, honey, and maple syrup plus other homemade goodies, all from local growers and makers. Shop for organic produce, including heirloom varieties, from Ambler Farm; indulge in delectable bread, sandwiches, hand-made mozzarella and more provided by Beldotti Breads; or enjoy a take-out lunch or dinner from gourmet food trucks. A variety of local artisans will also be represented. The Farmers Market at the Wilton Historical Society will take place Sept. 4,11,18 and 25th.

When you visit the Farmers’ Market, stop in at the Historical Society! See Bullets, Bonds, and Butter: Wilton Responds to War, 1776 – 2006, exhibition (through October) and shop the Betts Store museum shop.

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42nd Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival Set for September 6,7, and 8, 2019

Three days of fun, food, entertainment on multiple stages, plus special events for families and friends, from nine to ninety marks just some of the activities to be found at the 2019 Norwalk Oyster Festival hosted by the Seaport Association on Friday, September 6, Saturday, September 7, and Sunday, September 8, 2019, at the 35-acre Veterans Memorial Park in Norwalk “Our 42nd annual festival is packed with value-added extras especially when you consider that all the entertainment including the headliners Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot, and Brian Howe, former lead singer of Bad Company is included in the ticket price,” said Mike Reilly, President of the Seaport Association. “Our mission has always been to preserve and share our maritime heritage, to help with the environment of Long Island Sound, and to have children experience our 151-year-old Lighthouse and Light Keepers Cottage. The funds raised from the Norwalk Oyster Festival helps us accomplish our mission,” adds Reilly. For tickets click here https://www.seaport.org.

The Music
The 2019 Norwalk Oyster Festival has live music from dozens of bands on multiple stages throughout the weekend and features a variety of crowd- pleasing entertainment. “The Oyster Festival is the perfect way to celebrate the end of summer. All the music and entertainment is free with the price of the ticket making it economical for the entire family,” says Mike Reilly, President of the Norwalk Oyster Festival.

On Friday night, Sept. 6, at 8:30 p.m. celebrate the rock legacy of Santana with Sacred Fire. This amazingly talented six-piece Latin Rock Band is a legendary musical force considered by many to be one of the hottest, hippest live shows around.

On Saturday afternoon, September 7 the afternoon begins with Ripchord, the Official Band of the Connecticut National Guard that will play a variety of music from classical and jazz to rock and patriotic tunes. Saturday night starts to heat up when Alex Shillo takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. with his eclectic brand of rock and country music.

Saturday night’s headliner is Mike DelGuidice and Big Shot who has taken a night off from touring with Billy Joel to perform at the Norwalk Oyster Festival. This tribute band to the music of Billy Joel with some original music thrown in packs hit after chart-topping hit in an amazingly high-energy show that leaves audiences wanting more.

Get ready to swing into Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. with the Commanders that will perform music from the Big Band Era and beyond on the Main Stage. It is 5’oclock somewhere and at 2 p.m. Jimmy Kenny and the Pirate Beach Band plugin on the Main Stage. So, put on your best “Parrothead” gear, grab some food and drinks from one of the nearby vendors and get ready to sing and dance along to some of the best of Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney and the Zac Brown Band and other tropical classics

This year the Oyster Festival has a grand finale that begins at 5 p.m. when Brian Howe, former Lead Singer of Bad Company from 1986-1994, closes out the 42nd Norwalk Oyster Festival with style, exuberance, and a blast from the past of some of our favorite songs ever. Howe has one of rock’s most legendary voices; and as he croons hit after hit he will have you dancing as the sun goes down. Today Howe is performing many popular songs by Bad Company like “Feel Like Makin Love,” “Good Lovin’ Gone Bad,” “Can’t Get Enough,” and other hits. This is a performance worth waiting for and, the ideal way to end three days of music, fun, and food.

For the Whole Family – Seaport Circus Spectacular

This year the whole family will enjoy the Seaport Circus Spectacular that will include national acts from Circus Circus in Las Vegas, and star performers from the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus and others.

This magical show includes several amazing acts like the death-defying performance created by the Dominguez Family. They have been amazing audiences around the world with riders challenging the Globe of Death, a giant metal cage, as well as their uncanny skill in navigating the inverted high wire. This energetic act is perfect for all ages because it always delivers the “wow” factor.

Hurling, whirling, twirling hula hoops combined with the amazing acrobatic performance of Nicole Taylor Weiss that defies the eye is another act in the Seaport Circus. Nicole grew up traveling the world with her circus parents learning the business of entertainment from a very young age. Nicole’s Hula Hoop show is high-energy fun at its best. She has been performing for Circus, Circus, Vargas and Cirque Musica, and with Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.

An all- around family favorite, the Hog Diggity Dog Review is also part of the Seaport’s Circus. A second-generation circus performer, Hans Klose works with 20 dogs and four pigs. The performing pigs, Roscoe weighing 750 pounds, and Shelton weighing around 700 pounds were part of Klose’s act when he worked for Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. Klose travels throughout the country with his animals in a specially made RV that keeps them totally pampered. Hans care and love for his animals is apparent in his laugh out loud routine that will charm audiences young and old.

Games, rides, and many fun activities can be found at Kids Cove. There is face painting, and pint-sized carnival games, plus cotton candy, popcorn, and candied apples. The Norwalk Oyster Festival is so family-friendly. There is a special wristband offer on Saturday and Sunday that entitles unlimited rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for $25. Sunday is Family Day when kids 12 and under get in free with a paid adult; there are also special kids meals and the $25 wristband for unlimited rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.

If you have always wanted a birds-eye view of the city, the fairgrounds and Norwalk’s beautiful coastline, climb onboard the 65 foot Gondola Ferris wheel to be treated to a unique and memorable ride you can write home about. All you have to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy. And, don’t forget your camera.

If you like to shop, head to the Arts and Crafts area where there’re more than 100 fine artists and crafters that display whimsical as well as practical items that appeal to all tastes, budgets, and ages. Jewelry, paintings, pottery, sculpture, clothing, home décor, and wearable art are just some of the treasures to be found here.

For the Foodies
A favorite at any festival is the food, and the Norwalk Oyster Festival never disappoints. After exploring the fairgrounds head to the International Food Court that dishes up everything from Mexican, Columbian, and Italian to funnel cakes, cotton candy, and, of course, oysters fresh off the boat, authentic New England lobster dinners and fresh lobster rolls. This culinary fare is prepared by dozens of local nonprofit organizations allowing them to raise funds for their charitable causes. At the Seaport Tent, learn about Norwalk’s oystering history and browse specialty items on sale celebrating the Sheffield Island Lighthouse. And, if you have worked up a thirst, no worries head to the craft beer tent that offers more than forty beers.

Tickets
The event is held at Veteran’s Park, adjacent to Norwalk Harbor on Seaview Avenue in Norwalk, CT. Admission for adults is $10 on Friday, $12 on Saturday and Sunday. Senior tickets are $10 all days. Children 5-12 year’s old are $5. Children under 5 and U.S. military personnel on active duty are free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.seaport.org.

Festival Hours: Friday, Sept. 6, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, September 7, from 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., and Sunday, September 8 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For those that want to take the train, Metro-North is offering a discount package with free shuttle service from the train station to the Oyster Festival.

Free parking and shuttle service available from Calf Pasture Beach and Norwalk City Hall. Ample parking right over the bridge in the Maritime Parking Garage and other lots.

About the Norwalk Seaport Association
The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, education and public awareness of Norwalk’s maritime environment and heritage. The Seaport Association and its volunteers are solely responsible for organizing and financing the Oyster Festival. In addition to the Oyster Festival, the Norwalk Seaport Association owns Sheffield Lighthouse and its volunteers maintain the lighthouse and grounds as a museum and nature preserve. For more information, visit http://www.seaport.org or call (203) 838-9444.

JanetLeave a comment

New @ the Washington Art Association

The Washington Art Association located @ 4 Bryan Memorial Plaza in Washington Connecticut is presenting the “Chelminski & Offenhartz” an exhibition featuring the work of two accomplished Connecticut artists, each has over five decades of experience of making visual illuminations that celebrate living in the light and color of Connecticut. For Cheminski it begins at his Bridgwater home and a wildflower meadow filled with echinacea, phlox, beebalm, foxgloves, evening primrose. For Offenhartz it’s the foot of Mohawk mountain in Cornwall.

Michael Chelminski’s landscape paintings abstract acute observation of space and light and form. His diary of rapid, observational calligraphic watercolors informs his oil paintings which incorporate a series of overlapping patterns varying in density to suggest leaves, forest, waves, clouds. His paintings are about the balance of color, value, layers and turning marks into his own pictorial vocabulary.

Harvey Offenhartz defines his work as “drawing color.” He does not paint them but draws them using oil pastels and ground colored pigment to create color interactions. The images are touched and massaged into life with an intimacy and density that draws us in to a haptic meditation. His work is not referential; he does not depict images or suggest them. Lack of a recognizable imagines is important to him. It is also why his works are untitled; preferring to generate sensation from what the viewer sees and feels.

The pairing of these two artists makes for a dazzling, yet completive visual experience .

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THE ANNUAL SALE OF RARE AND UNUSUAL PLANTS RETURNS TO WASHINGTON, CT SEPTEMBER 7-8th

WASHINGTON, CT– Hollister House Garden invites garden enthusiasts for the annual ‘Sale of Rare and Unusual Plants’ Saturday, September 7th and Sunday, September 8th. Attendees are invited to discover unique plants, tools and garden accessories from thirteen vendors from throughout New England exhibiting at the sale. Interested plant sale attendees can choose from two options ‘Preview Buying’ on Saturday, September 7th includes garden admission and cocktail party $65/pp 4-6:30 pm or enjoy the ‘All-Day Plant Sale’ only $10/pp (includes admission to the garden) on Sunday, September 8th from 9am-3pm.

The thirteen vendors that will be on-premises for the ‘Sale of Rare and Unusual Plants’ include; Broken Arrow Nursery, Cricket Hill Garden, Falls Village Flower Farm, Garden Vision Epimediums, Green Spot, Issima, Meadowbrook Gardens, O’Brien Nurserymen, Oesco, Shakespeare’s Garden, Snug Harbor Farm, Toho Studio, and Young’s at Three Rivers. New this year, a certified arborist from SavATree will be onsite to share his knowledge and expertise on topics related to keeping your trees, shrubs, and lawn beautiful, healthy and safe. Attendees are encouraged to bring along your landscape questions and concerns.

The Sale of Rare and Unusual Plants ‘Early Buying and Cocktails in the Garden’ tickets for Saturday, September 7th are $65 for non-members and $50 for HHG members, available through reservation at https://hollisterhousegarden.org/events/cocktails-and-preview-buying-at-the-sale-of-rare-and-unusual-plants/ Tickets for the ‘All-Day Plant Sale and Garden Admission will be available for $10 purchase at the gate. Please visit www.hollisterhousegarden.com for more information.

Hollister House Garden is open to visitors through October 12th. Wednesday and Friday hours are 1-4PM and Saturdays 10-4PM. Private group visits are welcome weekdays by appointment only. Directions to the garden’s 300 Nettleton Hollow Road location are also available on the website. Contact: Pamela Moffett, 860-868-2200 office@hollisterhousegarden.org

JanetLeave a comment

Heirloom Tomato Festival @ White Silo Farms

Heirloom Tomato Festival The White Silo Farm & Winery located on 32 Rte. 37 East in Sherman is hosting their 2nd annual heirloom tomato festival on Saturday, August 31st, and Sunday, September 1st, 12-5 PM both days.

The tomato festival will feature six small plates of food prepared with their farm-grown heirloom tomatoes. The menu includes: Virgin Bloody Mary served with a mini grill cheese and pickles, sliced tomato and cucumbers, marinated cherry tomato salad, quinoa, and feta stuffed tomatoes, home-made ketchup and baked parmesan steak fries, and fresh tomato sauce and sausage and pasta.

Reservations are not required, and admission is free. Wine and food purchased for a fee. Live music Saturday, 1-4:30 PM with Potter’s Field and Sunday, 1–4:30 PM with Sherman’s own Don Lowe. Free winery and field tours will be held throughout the day. Pets and children are welcome to join their parents.

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Harvest Fun @ Country Fairs in Litchfield Hills

”Tis the season. In Connecticut’s rural Litchfield Hills, harvest time means the region’s favorite end-of-summer celebrations, old-fashioned country fairs. On weekends from late August to mid-October, these much-loved traditional events will feature farm shenanigans from racing pigs to tractor pull competitions, competition for blue ribbons for prize animals and crops, midway rides, non-stop entertainment and plenty of good food.

All the fairs include judging of prize sheep, cows, pigs and goats, a rare chance for city and suburban youngsters to see fine farm animals close-up. Many of these events have been attracting families for generations. The Goshen Fair has been a tradition for over 107 years, the Bethlehem Fair has been offering up family fun for 94 years the Riverton Fair dates back to 1909, and the granddaddy of them all, the Harwinton Fair, is past its 160th birthday.

Almost every fair offers tractor pulls and lumberjack contests that send chips flying, but each event also has its own unique attractions. Fair-goers in Bethlehem can see wood chopping contests, antique tractor pulls, horse shows and even a Hollerin Contest! Goshen’s antique barn is a perennial draw for its demonstrations of handcrafts such as quilting, weaving, and basketry. Special contests at the Goshen Fair include a frozen t-shirt contest, hay bale toss, pie-eating contest, and skillet throw contest! The last major fair of the season, the Harwinton Fair is known for its country store and working blacksmith shop. The Riverton Fair, now in its 109 -year has a pie-eating contest and women’s skillet throw, lumberjack competition, rides and several drawings that include a bicycle and a Hitchcock Chair.

Litchfield Hills Country Fair Schedule
Goshen Fair August 31 – Sept. 2, Bethlehem Fair September 6-8, the Harwinton Fair October 4-6, and the Riverton Fair, October 11-13.

JanetLeave a comment