Connecticut Travel

Sunny Valley Preserve located on 8 Sunny Valley Lane in New Milford was founded in 1970 when George D. Pratt Jr. donated multiple parcels of agricultural and natural lands to The Nature Conservancy. One condition of Pratt’s gift is that the farms be kept in agriculture as long as possible. Today, about 650 acres of the preserve are in active agriculture. The farms, leased by independent farmers, are privately-operated businesses. Farmers at the preserve grow diverse crops and sell most products locally, providing locally-grown food and enhancing the local economy.

This year, will be the 24th year that Sunny Valley Preserve celebrates Open Farm Day on September 10 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors are invited to celebrate Connecticut’s farming and conservation heritage and share in a wonderful sense of community.
There will be many interesting demonstrations including celebrate Connecticut’s farming and conservation heritage and share in a wonderful sense of community wool-spinning and maple-syrup making. Visitors are invited to wander through informational displays including nature displays by the Pratt Center and inspect the antique and new farm equipment.

Kids will enjoy the petting zoo where they can meet some gentle farm animals, including Oreo a Belted-Galloway and Bruno, an African Spur-Thighed Tortoise and his friends from The Pratt Nature Center.

This festive event also offers a delicious lunch that has included: pumpkin soup, fresh veggie burritos, hamburgers and hot dogs along with fresh baked cookies prepared and served by the New Milford Youth Agency. After lunch kids can play a few games and paint a pumpkin! And, before you go home, make sure to stop at the farm stand to purchase fresh produce to take home.

Open Farm Day is rain or shine event. More information is available at www.nature.org/sunnyvalley or by calling the preserve at (860) 355-3716. For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Fun for families and friends from nine to ninety, the 39th annual Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival will be held this year on Saturday, September 10 and Sunday, September 11. This year’s entertainment highlights include music from nationally known-bands including Sawyer Fredericks at 4 p.m. and Funky dawgz Brass Band at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Festival goers will enjoy a wide variety of rides, cooking competitions, arts and crafts and a diverse assortment of attractions and entertainment that promise unforgettable fun.

A festival favorite will feature the action packed Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show that will feature world champion lumberjacks demonstrating their log rolling, axe throwing, chopping, sawing, tree climbing and dragster chainsaw skills. This show will take place on Saturday and Sunday. There is also a 65 – ft Gondola Ferris wheel, the Nerveless Nocks Thrill Show, and more.
The New England Seaport Village offers demonstrations, samples and displays and, the International Food Court offers a diverse selection of dining choices to add to the fun. Harbor tours are a highlight of this event.

For the Kids

The festival’s Kids Cove will wow children of all ages. The Kids’ Cove includes games, rides and entertainment. Sunday is Family Day with special family and children’s packages for entrance, rides and meals. The perk of family day on Sunday is that one child under 12 gets in free with each adult paid admission and for a mere $15 can ride all the amusement rides free from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. To round out the family fun there will be special live shows for kids on the festival’s main stage plus kids’ specials at many of the food booths.

For the Whole Family

The festival offers a wide array of attractions the whole family will enjoy, including continuous entertainment by local musicians and national acts. A multitude of fine artists and crafters display whimsical as well as practical items that appeal to all tastes, budgets and ages. For on the water fun, head to the festival docks to tour historic vessels and to cruise the scenic and historic Norwalk Harbor.

Food demonstrations and competitions, including the always-popular chowder and chili cook-offs will take place throughout the festival. A highlight of the Festival is the wide variety of great food from around the world that is available at the International Food Court. This culinary fare is prepared by dozens of local nonprofit organizations allowing them to raise vital funds for their charitable causes. At the Oyster Pavilion, learn about Norwalk’s oystering history while watching slurping and shucking contests. The celebrity Slurpoff will be held on Saturday at 3 p.m. in front of Oyster Pavilion.

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. Sunday is Family Day with special pricing on that day only — 1 child (age 5-12) free with each paid adult admission. Tickets can be purchased at http://www.seaport.org. Free Parking and Free Shuttle Bus service is provided from four (4) local parking lots, just follow the signs to Oyster Festival Parking. Festival hours are Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Save on Metro-North Railroad/Norwalk Oyster Festival Tickets
Festival goers can save on admission and rail fare when they purchase the Metro-North Railroad/Norwalk Seaport Association Oyster Festival discount package. Packages are available at all ticket offices and ticket machines (except South Norwalk Station). On sale starting July 15. Package price from GCT/Harlem-125th Street: Adults, $27; Seniors, persons with disabilities and individuals receiving Medicare, $21; Children 12, $22; Children 5-11, $5; Children under 5, free. There is also other pricing from other stations. For more information visit Metro North online.

For additional area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com

If you enjoy walking and running on beautiful nature trails then join the Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA) for the 4rd Annual Run for the Woods on Saturday, September 11 at Sessions Woods Wildlife Management Area located on Rte. 69 about three miles south of Rte. 4 in Burlington Connecticut. CFPA advocates for people that love the outdoors with the support of the CT Department of Energy and Environmental Protection have organized a 10K Trail Race that begins at 8:30 a.m., a 5K Trail Race at 9 a.m. and a 5K walk at 9:00 a.m. at Sessons Woods.

Participants will walk or jog on beautifully maintained trails and will pass by wetlands, meadows, and a beaver pond. Lucky participants may even catch a glimpse of a pileated woodpecker, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, ruffed grouse and a majestic broad-winged hawk.

Registration fees are $25 for the 5K run or walk, and $35 for the 10k run. On the day of the race, registration increases by $5. Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m. on the day of the race. If you can’t join in the events, and love the outdoors, you might consider making a general donation to CFPA or dedicating it to one of the runners or walkers. All donations go to the protection of Connecticut forests and trails. For more information, registration, and pledging guidelines visit http://www.ctwoodlands.org/run-for-the-woods/register-now-for-run-for-the-woods-2016

This year CFPA’s Run for the Woods has partnered with Connecticut Trail Runners and is part of the Blue Blazed Running Series. The races, which are run primarily on the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trails (BBHT), are organized and directed by a variety of running enthusiasts and clubs across the state. The Connecticut Forest & Park Association (CFPA) is grateful for their cooperation and support in making this series possible. The goals of the series are to promote and create greater awareness of trail running on the BBHT System, attract more runners to Connecticut trail running races, strengthen the running community, raise awareness for CFPA’s trail maintenance efforts and enhance the experience for the runners who already support our races through series points and recognition. For more race information http://www.ctwoodlands.org/run-for-the-woods

About Sessions Woods
The biggest threat facing CT’s wildlife is the loss of habitat. Since more than 90% of land in CT is privately owned, the Wildlife Division established the Sessions Woods Management Area to begin to meet the needs of the State’s wildlife. Sessions Woods is more than a tract of natural land set aside for wildlife, it also introduces visitors to wildlife and natural resources management through a variety of educational programs, demonstration sites, displays and self-guided hiking trails.

When you walk the trails here, you experience more than just the benefits of a healthy hike in the fresh outdoor air. Along the sides of the Beaver Pond Trail, Forest Meadow Trail and in the Backyard Habitat Demonstration Area you will find demonstrations of wildlife and habitat management practices.

About CFPA
The CFPA is Connecticut’s first nonprofit conservation organization that was established back in 1895 and is best known for maintaining the 825-mile Blue Blaze hiking system. Their mission is to protect forests, parks, walking trails, and open spaces for future generations by connecting people to the land. CFPA directly involves individuals and families, educators, community leaders, and volunteers to enhance and defend Connecticut’s rich natural heritage. CFPA is a private, non-profit organization that relies on members and supporters to carry out its mission.
CFPA envisions Connecticut as a place of scenic beauty whose cities, suburbs, and villages are linked by a network of parks, forests, and trails easily accessible for all people to challenge the body and refresh the spirit. They picture a state where clean water, timber, farm fresh foods, and

Westport Historical Society hosting a field trip to Norm Bloom & Son Copps Island Oyster Facility on Tuesday, August 30 at 9:30 am. For three generations Norm Bloom & Son has farmed and harvested oysters and clams from the clean, cold waters of the Connecticut Shore.

Participants will learn first-hand how shellfish are commercially raised and harvested, and how this valuable, green farming industry depends on good quality water. Join Norm Bloom and Harbor Watch Staff for this fun and educational experience as we board a commercial fishing boat off Norwalk, and see how oysters are harvested and processed. We will discover how water quality conditions affect the harvest of this crop. Earthplace’s Harbor Watch Program is working to improve water quality conditions in watersheds and estuaries through its local monitoring efforts at the on-site Harbor Watch/Bloom laboratory. Tour the museum which houses an extensive collection of shellfish memorabilia and artifacts about the history of this valuable local industry.

After the tour feel free to visit their adorable shop managed by Norm’s daughter Jeanne, to purchase shellfish harvested that day and other gifts related to the sea.

This tour is limited to 30 participants and you are advised to dress comfortably and bring a hat and sunscreen. WHS will provide bottled water and a light snack for all participants. To get a better view of natural wildlife, you can bring binoculars to see ospreys, gulls, terns, cormorants, egrets and other shore dwelling birds.

The tour is a $10 donation to WHS’s educational programs. Tour will be held on Tuesday, August 30 from 9:30am -11:30am. The facility is located at 7 Edgewater Place, East Norwalk. Please meet at the facility for the tour. Reservations are required. Email: sgold@westporthistory.org to reserve a spot or call 203-222-1424.

The second annual Torrington House tour is taking place this year on Saturday, September 10 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and the preview party is slated to be held on Friday, September 9 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.

The The 2016 Torrington house tour will feature 6 interesting homes ranging in age from 1800 to 2013. These homes offer an array of style, size and personal décor. This year’s tour also includes two re-purposed dairy barns… one of which hosts an antique flea market and one of which has been restored for private events. The house tour homes have been lovingly cared for and are literally a tour through Torrington’s history.

The houses include the Grosskost House, a colonial revival brick house built in 1934, the Harley T. Alling House built in 1918, designed by the well-respected Torrington architect, Edwin H. Waterbury, and the Leslie E. Clark House built in the tudor style in 1930. Also on the tour is a farmhouse, Giles Whiting House, built in 1800 and listed on the State Register of Historic Places, the Alpheus Hodges House, ca 1855 at The Inn at Mount Pleasant Farm built in the Gothic Revival style home around 1855 and a large barn built in 1860 and listed on the State Register of Historic Places. The final house on the tour is called Inverness, it is a grand contemporary that was built in 2013; a highlight of this home is the 30 mile view overlooking Torrington and the Naugatuck River Valley.

The Preview Party on September 9 will begin with a bus tour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. of the featured homes. The party continues from 7-9 party in the restored. post and beam barn at the Inn at Mt Pleasant Farm.The party includes: food, drink ,music and great ambiance. Preview Party attendees also receive free admission to the Saturday tour.

Tickets for the house tour on Saturday, September 10 are $30 in advance and $35 the day of the tour. The house tour includes a tour of six homes, shuttle bus (optional), and printed program. Some of the of the featured homes will have music and refreshments. Check in and shuttle buses are located at the NW CT Chamber of Commerce 333 Kennedy Drive Torrington. Tickets are available online. For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com

This season, the Litchfield History Museum located on the Green on the corner of Rte. 63 in Litchfield has planned an exhibition celebrating the world of sports in Litchfield as it exemplifies one of America’s favorite generational pastimes.

Sports and recreation are universal experiences. Whether we make it to the big leagues or never leave our backyards, these activities play important roles in our lives. They promote health and wellness as well as leisure and relaxation. They teach us about competition, but also about working together. They help build teams and form lasting relationships. Above all else, they encourage us to move, to think, and to interact.

This exhibit highlights the role of sports and recreation in Litchfield from its founding to today, showcasing the stories and experiences of Litchfield residents, players, coaches, fans, and enthusiasts. To communicate the active nature of this history, the exhibit groups together sports, games, and leisure activities of both past and present based on the actions they entail, from swinging a tennis racket to playing a game of chess. The exhibit incorporates several hands-on interactives for visitors to enjoy.

So whether you want to swing a bat with the Tri-State Champion Cowboys, race your way through the Litchfield Hills, splash around in Bantam Lake, ride a high wheel to the town green, score a basket in the school gym or play cricket with the students of the Law School, this is one exhibit you won’t want to miss!

For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com