Connecticut Travel

If you woke up to rain, we’d like you to know that Weekend in Norfolk spirits are not dampened and all the indoor events will take place as scheduled. Here’s a rundown on what we know about the outdoor events now, and we will update this page as information comes in.

BEING HELD AS SCHEDULED

All indoor events (stained glass tours, Curling Club open house, art shows at historical society and Infinity, informational session about the Downtown Norfolk plan, all library events, Whitehouse tours, Music Shed concerts, etc.)

9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The landscaping workshop at Aton Forest (270 Colebrook Road) will take place indoors with some walking in the rain.

9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Land Trust trails are still open but note that they will be wet and probably will be be muddy and slippery in places. The Hike-the-Peaks challenge continues tomorrow.

10:00 to 11:30 a.m. The walk on Stoney Lonesome is taking place as planned. Bring boots and rainwear!

10:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m. The farmers market at 19 Maple Avenue is rain or shine.

12:00 to 3:00 p.m. The water soccer is being held outdoors at the Mountain Road billfold as planned (what’s a little rain compared to a firehose?).

12:30 to 1:30 Billy Bunce will perform rain or shine. (So will Moon Matrix and Soul Case.)

1:30 to 2:30 p.m. The hotdog eating contest is being held as scheduled, under a tent. Better bring an umbrella in case the tent overflows.

2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Moon Matrix will perform rain or shine. (So will Billy Bunce and Soul Case.)

4:0 to 6:00 p.m. Soul Case will perform rain or shine. (So will Moon Matrix and Billy Bunce.)

CONTINGENCY PLANS

1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The leaf printing event will move to Battell Chapel on the west side of the green if it’s still raining; if you don’t see it on the green (at the Route 44 end), then go to the chapel and look for signs to tell you which room.

1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Similarly, the sewing class will move to the historical society museum on the east side of the green in case of rain.

1:00 to 4:00 p.m. The fishing events will move to Sunday at the same time and place (the Village Green) if it’s raining at 1:00.

ALL OTHER OUTDOOR EVENT PLANS TO BE ANNOUNCED AS SOON AS WE GET WORD FROM EVENT SPONSORS

One day of Halloween just isn’t enough for some Halloween enthusiasts! Not to worry, the Seaport Association of Norwalk has a magical brew of events that will thrill young and old alike on the Haunted Lighthouse Cruise to Sheffield Island taking place on August 4 and 5. This fun-filled, child–friendly event is perfect for a family summer outing…and, best of all the chance for kids to dress up in their favorite costume before October 31!

A 45-minute cruise through Long Island Sound listening to tales of the sea sets the stage as passengers approach the 150-year-old Sheffield Island Lighthouse that is located on a wind and wave-swept deserted Island. The only way to find out what fearsome and friendly spirits reside here is to hop off the CJ Toth ferry and get ready to explore this uniquely spooktacular place with its abandoned lighthouse that has attracted supernatural beings every August for centuries.

Witches and wizards have carefully decorated the rooms of the Sheffield Lighthouse with added touches by the ghosts of lighthouse keepers that lived here in lonely isolation for long periods of time. In these rooms, visitors will find all manner of otherworldly fun – it is where spooks, spirits, spiders, sea witches, and creatures of the night abound.

It is horrifically fun to roam through the rooms of the lighthouse that seem to twist and turn and where there is a surprise around every corner! There is even one very special room that is completely dark where only the strong of heart and pure of mind should dare enter

Tickets and Times
The Haunted Lighthouse Cruise takes place on August 4 and 5 and the ferry leaves at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on both days from the Seaport’s Dock located on 4 North Water Street in South Norwalk. It is best to arrive 30 minutes prior to departure in order to snag the best seat and to facilitate boarding the ferry. The ferry only carries 49 passengers by law so advance reservations are strongly recommended. To reserve your tickets for this horrifically fun event click here https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/3341933.

About the Seaport Association
The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had a vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage.

The Norwalk Seaport Association offers a cultural, environmental, and historical journey to the Norwalk Islands. The Sheffield Island Lighthouse and the Light Keeper’s Cottage provide a unique historical and educational venue, which strives to increase awareness, appreciation and consideration for our environment and how the preservation of historic buildings and nature contribute to our quality of life.

It is our belief that preservation strengthens the perpetual partnership between the past, the present and the future. The combination of the Lighthouse and the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge offers an unparalleled opportunity to educate children of all ages and adults about the importance of preserving Long Island Sound, our environment and maritime heritage.

Music Mountain, America’s longest running summer chamber music festival, continues its 89th season with the Avalon String Quartet performing a program of Beethoven, Mozart, Dohnanyi and Shostakovich on Sunday, August 5 (3pm). The weekend music begins on Saturday, August 4 (6:30pm) with first time guest Jimmy Greene Quartet – bringing his remarkable sound and vibrant jazz to Music Mountain! Concerts are scheduled through September 23.

Sunday afternoon welcomes Avalon String Quartet with guest artist Soyeon Kate Lee, Piano performing Beethoven: Piano Quartet #2 in D Major, WoO 36; Mozart: String Quartet in D Major, K. 575 “Prussian;” Shostakovich: String Quartet #7 in F Sharp Minor, Op. 108; and Dohnanyi: Piano Quintet in C Minor, Op. 1.

Described by the Chicago Tribune as “an ensemble that invites you — ears, mind, and spirit — into its music,” the Avalon String Quartet has established itself as one of the country’s leading chamber music ensembles. The Avalon String Quartet has performed in major venues across the U.S., in London and Germany. Their many recordings have been received with critical acclaim and their live performances are often featured on Chicago’s WFMT. The Avalon String Quartet is quartet-in-residence at the Northern Illinois University School of Music.

Korean-American pianist Soyeon Kate Lee has been lauded by the New York Times as a pianist with “a huge, richly varied sound, a lively imagination and a firm sense of style,” and by the Washington Post for her “stunning command of the keyboard.” Lee has been rapturously received as guest soloist and recitalist and is an active chamber musician, frequently collaborating in many chamber music festivals throughout the United States. Ms. Lee is the co-founder and artistic director of Music by the Glass, a concert series dedicated to bringing together young professionals in New York City.

GRAMMY® Award-nominated saxophonist, composer, arranger – and Connecticut native – Jimmy Greene is considered one of the most respected saxophonists of his generation. His solo albums have been met with critical acclaim, he has appeared on numerous albums as a sideman and has toured and/or recorded with the likes of Horace Silver, Tom Harrell, Freddie Hubbard, Harry Connick, Jr., and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band, among many others. The Jimmy Greene Quartet includes keyboardist Xavier Davis, bassist Luques Curtis, and drummer Jamire Williams, in addition to Jimmy Greene on tenor saxophone. The ensemble performs regularly in jazz venues, festivals and clubs worldwide.

In December 2012, Mr. Greene’s daughter, Ana Márquez-Greene’s life was taken at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Beautiful Life, is a poignant, reflective program that honors his daughter’s love of singing with a program combining jazz, spirituals, contemporary Christian music and ballads. Greene continues to honor and memorialize her spirit with his most recent album, Flowers.

The Saturday Evening Twilight Series features pre-concert dinners at the charming Falls Village Inn. Experience a piece of history built over 175 years ago that helped shape the history of Falls Village.

Music Mountain is located in Falls Village, Connecticut on Music Mountain Road, where a short scenic drive will bring you to Gordon Hall atop Music Mountain. Free parking and picnic facilities are available. Music Mountain is supported, in part, by the Connecticut Commission On Culture & Tourism and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Chamber music concerts continue with Amernet String Quartet with Chauncey Patterson, viola and Ronald Thomas, cello (August 12); St. Petersburg Piano Quartet (August 19); Cassatt String Quartet with Paul Katz, cello (August 26); and the Labor Day Benefit Concert & Reception featuring Peter Serkin, piano, Jihyun (James) Kim, oboe, Caitlin Beare, clarinet, Claire Worsey, horn, and Adam Romey, bassoon (September 2).

The Saturday Evening Twilight Series continues with Galvanized Jazz Band (August 11); Josh Lawrence & Color Theory (August 18); Amina Figarova Quintet (August 25); and Gabriel Alegría Afro-Peruvian Sextet (September 1).

Specially Priced Concerts include: Labor Day Benefit Concert & Reception on Sunday, September 2. All tickets $75. Special Concert & Wine Reception to Celebrate the Completion of the Beethoven Quartet Cycle on Sunday, September 9. All tickets: $60.

Regularly scheduled Chamber Music Concerts are $35. Twilight Series Concerts are $30. Concert & Dinner Passes are available for all Twilight Series Concerts for $70; includes Pre-Concert Dinner (5pm) at The Falls Village Inn, a Litchfield County landmark – Classic American comfort fare, seasonal – and 6:30pm Twilight Concert at Music Mountain. Dinner reservations must be made no later than the Friday prior to concert date by calling the Music Mountain box office at 860-824-7126.

Children ages 5-18 are admitted FREE to ALL CONCERTS when accompanied by a ticket holder. Saturday evening Twilight Concerts are at 6:30 pm. Sunday afternoon Chamber Music concerts are at 3 pm. Discounts apply through participating organizations. For a complete summer schedule, special ticket prices, and to download a ticket order form visit musicmountain.org or call (860) 824-7126.

They are seeing stars in Norfolk Connecticut – not to mention planets and galaxies during the annual WIN, Weekend in Norfolk Festival taking place this year on August 3, 4 and 5. One of the many highlights of WIN is the Free Astronomy Night Event with Matthew Moore Johnson taking place on August 4 at 8 p.m. at Dennis Hill State Park on Litchfield Road.

Norfolk is one of the best places in Connecticut to stargaze…so make sure not to miss the special Astronomy Night. Don’t forget to bring your own binoculars or a telescope if you have one. Dennis Hill State Park is at an elevation of 1627 feet and Norfolk doesn’t have any “light pollution” making it an excellent spot to observe the nighttime sky.

Observing the heavens can be as easy as sitting back in a reclining summer chair and then turning a pair of binoculars or a spotting scope to the celestial heavens that are so brilliant in the quiet hamlet of Norfolk. Participants that want a more exciting and active look at the stars will be able to examine and learn about five different optical systems under the guidance of Johnson. Guests will also learn about how binoculars work and how to adjust them properly for crystal clear focused viewing.

For the “technosavvy,” Johnson will demonstrate how to use Planispheres and Smartphone applications for optimal use. He will also show participants how to take pictures of celestial objects with a smartphone and how to share them instantly with their friends. And, if you have ever wanted to learn how to read a star chart, don’t miss this star-studded event.

About the Moon

On August 4, the Moon will be in a third-quarter phase, which occurs roughly 3 weeks after the new moon when the earth is three-quarters of the way through its orbit around the earth. The Moon’s left side will be illuminated and the right side dark. The Moon will rise around midnight on the eastern horizon and set in the west around noon the next day.

About WIN- Weekend In Norfolk
No holds barred! Fun for all is the watchword in Norfolk, Conn., this coming August 3, 4 and 5 during the town’s third annual three-day, town-wide festival, A Weekend in Norfolk. Everyone’s invited to come with family and friends to enjoy the more than 80 events—mostly free—that Norfolk’s organizations, businesses, and individuals will all be putting on to welcome visitors to their town. Visit the Weekend in Norfolk Website, for details by special interest or by day and time, and be sure to come the first weekend in August 2018 (August 3, 4 and 5).

Do you know what an award-winning photo looks like for Sheffield Island Lighthouse? To find out the Seaport Association of Norwalk is calling for entries to the “150 Anniversary Celebration Photo Contest” of the Sheffield Island Lighthouse that is taking place through August 25, 2018.

Get your camera ready. It doesn’t matter if you are a first time visitor or, one that puts Sheffield Island on your bucket list every summer, the Seaport Association can’t wait to see the images that connect people to Sheffield Island’s 150-year-old history.

Perhaps it is a moment of family fun on the beach looking for shells with our classic lighthouse in the background or the first time you stepped foot onto Sheffield Island in full pirate garb watching pirates cavort in the shadows cast by our lighthouse.

Maybe your image will be the best view of the lighthouse tower and lantern or one that shows the pier and its natural surroundings that is a testament to why we have treasured this maritime landmark for 150 years and counting.

It could be as simple as capturing the architectural beauty of the stonework of the lighthouse, reflections on water, or a birds-eye view of Norwalk’s coastline. The choice is yours.

Contest Rules

The rules to enter our contest are simple. The Seaport Association’s Photo Contest in celebration of Sheffield Island’s 150 Anniversary is open to all photographers, beginners, amateurs, and pros are invited to submit their photos that discover and captivate the ecological beauty and cultural heritage of Sheffield Island on one of our cruises to the Sheffield Island Lighthouse.
To Enter follow @SheffieldIsland on Instagram. Tag @SheffieldIsland and use #SILH150.
There is one entry per contestant. The First Place Prize is $250, the Second Place Prize is $100 and the Third Place Prize is $50.

This is your chance to submit your most beautiful and creative photos of the lighthouse. Winners will be announced at the Norwalk Oyster Festival.

Stained glass lovers, rejoice! All three of Norfolk’s churches will be open at various times during Weekend in Norfolk, August 3, 4 and 5, to allow visitors to see their fabulous stained glass windows.

Church of Christ Congregational plans to have its Battell Chapel open most of the day on Saturday for viewing windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany and Maitland Armstrong. The Tiffany windows, located in a curved wall, depict the four seasons, two on either side of a woodland stream scene.

Also on Saturday, Church of the Immaculate Conception will be opening to visitors who want to see its windows. These are by Franz Meyer & Co. of Munich and were shipped to Norfolk from the factory in the mid-1920’s. The windows may also be seen after the church service on Sunday.

On Sunday, Church of the Transfiguration is having an open house for window viewing immediately after its service, which all are invited to attend. The windows are by several different artists; subjects include the innkeeper in the story of the Good Samaritan and the Transfiguration.

Other stained glass will be on view at the Norfolk Library during its art show and other events, and the Manor House Inn, especially on Sunday afternoon when the Inn will be serving lemonade on the lawn.

Weekend in Norfolk, August 3, 4 and 5, is a three-day, town-wide art, music and nature festival. Events run the gamut from art exhibits to hiking, world-class music to two ice cream socials, farm tours and kite-making lessons to the opportunity to get married on the Village Green. New events are being added all the time. Visit weekendinnorfolk.org for details.