Tag: Connecticut Travel

Parmalee, Lita Ford and Jump: America’s Van Halen Experience at the 48th Norwalk Oyster Festival September 11-13

The Norwalk Seaport Association has unveiled its 2026 entertainment lineup, running September 11 through September 13, 2026. The 48th annual three-day festival blends seaside charm with arena-level performances. The weekend kicks off Friday night with a jolt of rock history. At 8 p.m. on September 11, Lita Ford—the groundbreaking guitarist and former Runaways member—brings her unmistakable brand of glam metal to Norwalk. Known for hits like “Kiss Me Deadly” and the powerful duet “Close My Eyes Forever” with Ozzy Osbourne, Ford’s career spans decades, accolades, and a permanent place in rock’s cultural DNA. Her presence anchors opening night with grit, nostalgia, and undeniable star power.

Lita Ford brings glam metal to the Norwalk Oyster Festival

Taking over the Xfinity Main Stage on Saturday at 8:30 p.m., September 12, is multi-platinum country group Parmalee—a band that has steadily climbed from regional favorite to national powerhouse. With more than 1.6 billion on-demand streams and six No. 1 hits, Parmalee has helped redefine modern country music, threading together classic storytelling with a polished, crossover-ready sound. Expect a setlist stacked with fan favorites like “Carolina,” “Close Your Eyes,” and “Already Callin’ You Mine alongside newer chart-toppers including “Take My Name,” “Girl in Mine,” and “Cowgirl,” a track that recently made history as one of the longest-running No. 1 songs by a band on the Billboard Country Airplay chart in over a decade. Recent releases include the deeply personal “How Do I Let You Go” and their current single, “God Knew Better.”

Dance to the multi-platinum country group Parmalee

On Sunday, the festival shifts into high gear one last time as JUMP: America’s Van Halen Experience closes out the weekend. Taking the Xfinity Main Stage at 4 p.m. on September 13, the band delivers a high-octane tribute to Van Halen’s David Lee Roth era—complete with faithful renditions, theatrical flair, and a setlist that dives beyond the biggest hits into deep-cut territory for true fans.

The high octane performance of JUMP: America’s Van Halen Experience closes out the weekend

The Norwalk Oyster Festival is about much more than headlining performers; it’s an experience the whole family can enjoy. On Sunday, Kids Day makes it especially fun for families, with children 12 and under admitted free with a paying adult. Many of the festival’s shows are included with your ticket and scheduled throughout the day, so you can catch your favorites without missing a moment. And, if your family loves rides, an unlimited ride wristband is available on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

As Norwalk Oyster Festival Chairman, Mike Reilly puts it, “The Norwalk Oyster Festival brings it all together – arena-sized live bands, a craft village, rides, great food, and family entertainment, all packed into one unforgettable three-day weekend.”

This year’s presenting sponsor, Mohegan Sun Online Casino, is once again raising the bar with a VIP experience, bringing a touch of resort-level service to the festival. “Our partnership with the Norwalk Seaport Association continues to be an amazing relationship for our business and our presence in the community,” said Colin Mulhern, Event Manager, Mohegan Sun Online Casino.

For tickets and full event details, visit https://www.seaport.org/norwalkoysterfestival_entertainment

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A Special Treat at this Year’s Weekend In Norfolk for Gardeners, August 2, 2026

This year, Weekend in Norfolk is taking place from July 31 – August 2 and a highlight are Norfolk’s Gardens. There is something unmistakably magical about the summer gardens in Norfolk. At this summer’s WIN, on Sunday, August 2, 2026, one of the standout experiences is the rare opportunity to step inside four exceptional private gardens alongside a thoughtfully cultivated community garden. Each space offers its own personality, rhythm, and story—inviting visitors to slow down and truly see what makes a garden come alive. Private gardens have a special kind of quiet magic. Every path, planting choice, and tucked-away corner reflects the care and personality of the person who created it, making these spaces feel less like landscapes and more like deeply personal worlds.

At Feeding Body and Soul on 84 Maple Avenue, that idea comes to life beautifully: “Our garden’s focus is to feed us, our chickens, our bees—and our souls.” The garden is shaped by organic practices and a natural, thoughtful rhythm—from removing invasive species to working with challenging terrain and letting beauty emerge in its own time. Behind the house, a skillfully built kitchen garden rises from sloped, stone-filled ground, with raised beds lined with gravel, cold frames along a retaining wall, espaliered apple and pear trees, and space for bees, chickens, and future gatherings. Out front, the mood softens into a naturalized meadow, where native plants sway in shades of green and white, brightened by bursts of seasonal color.

At Connections (76 Maple Avenue), the garden does something rare: it stretches beyond a single property, seamlessly linking two neighboring landscapes through a network of peaceful woodland paths. As you wander along meandering, wood-chipped trails edged with salvaged sapling trunks, the journey gently guides you downhill through the woods. Along the way, the transition feels natural and unforced—paths glide through a shallow depression before opening into mature plantings that surround the house and lawn. The result is a landscape that feels truly connected in every sense. More than simply beautiful, these neighboring gardens are a quiet testament to the idea that outdoor spaces can unite people just as powerfully as they shape the land.

At 290 Bruey Road, professionally designed gardens create a beautiful story of transformation. What were once two separate properties have been thoughtfully brought together through woodland pathways, layered plantings, and carefully shaped garden spaces. Visitors move through a sweeping transition from structured lawn and mature shrubs into a more shaded woodland setting, where winding paths, curated shade gardens, and restored areas invite moments of discovery along the way.

The second property, now serving as the primary residence, continues to evolve as a living landscape. With expanded plantings and newly diversified vegetable beds, the garden remains a work in progress—one that keeps growing, changing, and revealing new layers of design over time.

Our next stop, Formal Borders, is at 152 Litchfield Road and features a lovely Arts and Crafts–style home and garden dating back to 1908. With care and thoughtful interpretation, the current owners have brought new energy to the original design by Marian Coffin, restoring the garden’s historic charm while giving it a fresh sense of life.

Highlights include a refined formal parterre stretching south from the house, along with a striking double border on the west side, recreated using guidance from an original working plan. One of the garden’s most delightful features is a graceful half-moon of dwarf and semi-dwarf evergreens. What began as a chance collection of gifted plants has grown into a lush natural screen, now enclosing an extra perennial bed and adding depth and intimacy to the space. Altogether, Formal Borders offers a serene blend of history, beauty, and thoughtful evolution.

The final stop, the Community Garden at 128 Greenwoods Road East, on the grounds of Botelle Elementary School, offers something just as meaningful as it is beautiful: a true sense of shared purpose. Sponsored by the town’s Recreation Committee, this welcoming space brings together neighbors, families, and young gardeners in a collaborative effort that blossoms throughout the season.
In the height of summer, visitors can see children from the Summer Gardening Club caring for their own beds, along with a vibrant mix of vegetables like pumpkins, tomatoes, peas, lettuce, kale, and more. Some plots are even dedicated to supporting the local Food Pantry, helping the garden make a difference in the wider community.

Guests will enjoy hands-on learning through composting demonstrations led by resident expert Doug Semmes, and the first 25 visitors will receive a complimentary herb seedling to take home. Looking ahead, the garden’s impact will continue to grow this fall through programming designed to engage local fifth- and sixth-graders in ongoing stewardship.

Whether you’re drawn by inspiration, tranquility, or the sheer visual beauty of a summer garden in full bloom, this experience offers more than a simple tour. It offers a way of seeing—one that stays with you long after the season fades. Because truly, there is something special about gardening. And in Norfolk, at the height of summer, you can feel it in every leaf, every blossom, and every carefully tended path. For more information about Weekend in Norfolk https://weekendinnorfolk.org/

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Docktails & Oysters A Seaside Celebration of Flavor & Tradition Hosted by the Norwalk Seaport Association June 20, 2026

Mark your calendars for Saturday, June 20, 2026, and prepare for an unforgettable evening on the water. From 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., the Norwalk Seaport Association, in partnership with fourth-generation oyster farmers Norm Bloom and Son, invites you to its signature summer celebration — Docktails and Oysters. Set against the stunning waterfront backdrop of the historic Norm Bloom and Son dock in Norwalk, this one-of-a-kind event blends fresh-from-the-Sound oysters, live music, local flavors, and maritime tradition into a celebration like no other.

Beyond the food and festivities, Docktails & Oysters supports a meaningful cause. Every ticket purchased benefits the Norwalk Seaport Association’s educational programming and the ongoing restoration and maintenance of Sheffield Island Lighthouse. “For guests who have sailed to the lighthouse aboard one of the Association’s popular cruises, this Sheffield Island–inspired gathering offers another way to connect with the organization’s mission in a relaxed and festive setting,” said Rick McQuaid, President of the Seaport Association.

This event is also a celebration of Norwalk’s deep-rooted oyster-farming heritage. The renowned Copps Island Oysters cultivated by Norm Bloom and Son are nurtured under the dock, and then planted in the sandy bottom of Long Island Sound. The time-honored farming techniques used today have been practiced for centuries. The result? Oysters prized worldwide for their sweet, briny flavor and plump, tender meat.

If you’ve never tasted oysters literally fresh off the boat, this is your moment. Watch skilled shuckers expertly open each oyster before your eyes — setting them on trays with fresh lemons and a variety of delicious sauces. It’s culinary theater at its finest! Not an oyster lover? No problem. The evening will also feature a delicious spread of stationed appetizers catered by Seaside Sliders, along with craft beer and wine to complement the coastal cuisine.

With Long Island Sound as your backdrop and live music filling the early summer air, Docktails & Oysters blends fun, flavor, and philanthropy. It’s a chance to reconnect with friends, meet new faces, and celebrate the working waterfront that defines Norwalk’s character. Attendance is limited to just 200 guests, and the event sells out each year. Tickets are available online at https://www.seaport.org/docktailsandoysters2026.

For those looking to toast summer while supporting a cherished Connecticut landmark, Docktails & Oysters promises an evening that is as meaningful as it is memorable.

About the Norwalk Seaport Association

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 by a group of local citizens who had the vision to revitalize South Norwalk and preserve Norwalk’s maritime heritage. The 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 that strives to increase awareness, appreciation, and consideration for the environment and how the preservation of historic buildings contributes to our quality of life. 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 our maritime heritage.

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Great Mountain Forest Launches 1st Annual Nature Writing Retreat at Historic Yale Camp

From August 7-9, 2026, Great Mountain Forest (GMF) will host its First Annual Nature Writing Retreat at the historic Yale Camp in Falls Village, CT, inviting writers of all levels to draw inspiration from one of New England’s most storied landscapes.

This immersive three-day retreat reflects on the legacy of American writer and longtime New York Times nature columnist Hal Borland, whose work was rooted in this landscape. It explores how wilderness shapes language and strengthens close observation, craft, and environmental understanding.

Michael Zafros, GMF executive director stated, “There are few uses of a forest more sustainable than serving as inspiration. Hosting writers and artists is a great way to explore and provide this use of our forests. This new program demonstrates how Great Mountain Forest can be an antidote to the challenges facing our world. The retreat brings people together, builds community in the forest, gets participants outside and off their screens, and uses nature sustainably to heal and inspire minds and souls.”

Set within GMF’s 6,400-acre forest, the program features six workshops led by nationally recognized authors, poets, and environmental experts. Participants will engage in field observation, writing, and discussion focused on description, ecological literacy, eco-poetry, and nature-based storytelling.

The weekend includes journaling and campfire conversation on Friday, a guided nature walk and workshops on Saturday, and a closing reflection on Sunday. Enrollment is limited, with an optional post-retreat online anthology of participant work.

As Hal Borland wrote, “I challenge anyone to stand on a hilltop and fail to see a new expanse not only around him, but in him, too.” This inaugural retreat invites writers to do exactly that while launching what GMF envisions as a signature annual event celebrating writing, conservation, and the enduring relationship between people and forests.

Yale Camp offers rustic lodging, quiet woodland trails, and shared gathering spaces with meals provided by Chef Stawitz of GMF catering.

The 2026 Great Mountain Forest Nature Writing Retreat is made possible in part with support from H. Bruce McEver, Roshy and Dalton Dwyer, and Housatonic Heritage. The Nature Writing Retreat is curated by Tom Shachtman.

Nature Writing Retreat Details

Dates: August 7-9, 2026
Location: Yale Camp, 209 Chattleton Road, Falls Village, CT

Registration Fees:
$385 through May 31; $435 after May 31
Students: $285 through May 31; $335 after May 31 (discount by request)

Registration Deadline: July 24, 2026. Enrollment is limited

Optional Lodging: $70 for two nights

For more information or to register, visit: https://greatmountainforest.org/writing-retreat-2026/

About Great Mountain Forest
Great Mountain Forest (GMF) is a leader in forest stewardship. For more than a century, we have been demonstrating how sustainable management can protect biodiversity and support ecosystems. By serving as a hub for education and research, we are spreading the benefits of sustainable management so that communities across New England derive educational, economic, and recreational and health benefits from their forests—now and well into the future. GMF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit encompassing 6,300 acres of contiguous forestland in Norfolk, Canaan, and Falls Village Connecticut.

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The Danbury Concert Association presents Ilya Yakushev, piano Sunday, March 22 at 3:00 p.m.

Renowned pianist Ilya Yakushev will make his Danbury debut at the stunning Visual & Performing Arts Center of Western Connecticut State University on Sunday, March 22 at 3:00 p.m. The third of four concerts in the Danbury Concert Association’s

Renowned pianist Ilya Yakushev
2025/26 series will feature works by Beethoven, Bach, Rachmaninoff, Gershwin, and Liszt, and be followed by a meet-the-artist reception that is open to all.

Tickets will be available on WCSU’s Eventbrite page for $25, and admission is free for ages 18 and under courtesy of a grant from the Danbury Cultural Commission.

About the artist
Ilya Yakushev has mesmerized audiences at major venues around the world, including Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall; Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco; Sejong Performing Arts Center in Seoul, Korea; Great Philharmonic Hall in St. Petersburg; and Victoria Hall in Singapore. His many awards include first prizes at the 2005 World Piano Competition in Cincinnati and, at age 12, the Young Artists Concerto Competition in his native St. Petersburg. A New York Times critic has noted that “Mr. Yakushev…cultivates a fiery, impetuous persona with both energy and brash humor…ready to pounce but delicate…at the keyboard he can do just about anything he wants.”

About the Visual & Performing Arts Center (VPAC)
The VPAC’s Veronica Hagman Concert Hall (located at 43 Lake Ave. Extension in Danbury) has been a premier performance venue since it opened in 2014. The acoustics are excellent, and the vibe is at once casual and refined. With the hall’s open, in-the-round seating (for up to 350) each concertgoer can sit back and enjoy the artist–audience connection.

Mark your calendar for the fourth and final performance of the series, featuring cellist Sophie Shao & Friends, on Sunday, June 7 at 3 p.m. See https://www.danburyconcert.org/ for details.

About the Danbury Concert Association
The DCA, a 501(c)(3) organization, has a local, volunteer board that organizes its series. Thanks to support from individual and corporate donors, and granting organizations like the Danbury Cultural Commission, it brings exceptional artists to the stunning concert hall on WCSU’s west side campus. The DCA invites everyone who wants to experience “beautiful music, where they live” to come to its concerts.

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Sip, Shop, and Fall in Love with Handcrafted Art at Whiting Mills

The world over, February is considered the month of love. There is no better way to celebrate than with a unique and heartwarming experience at the Annual Valentine’s Day “Sip and Shop” on February 8 from 11 am to 4 pm at Whiting Mills in Winsted.

This event offers more than just shopping—it’s a celebration of creativity, connection, and joy nestled within the historic walls of a beautiful 19th century restored mill. With more than 40 artisan studios to explore plus pop-ups, you’ll find yourself surrounded by the hum of creativity, the sparkle of handcrafted treasures, and a festive atmosphere perfect for celebrating romance, friendship, and a little self-love.

Tina’s Baskets and Woven Art – A Studio That Speaks from the Heart
Nestled within the rustic, Instagram-worthy walls of Whiting Mills, you’ll find Tina Puckett’s cozy working studio, #305—a place where fine art and heartfelt craftsmanship come together. Tina creates intricate baskets, bowls, wall hangings, and sculptures using her signature hand-dyed reeds and hand harvested natural materials like bittersweet vines and seagrass.

Each piece is one of a kind—a perfect metaphor for the uniqueness of the person you’re gifting it to. Visitors love chatting with Tina about the stories behind her work, watching her weave in real time, and discovering the artistic process that transforms humble materials into timeless expressions of love.

Forget mass produced gifts – this February say, “I Love You” with a gift that feels truly personal. Whether it’s a romantic present, a thank-you to mom, or a surprise for your best friend, a handcrafted piece from Tina’s Baskets and Woven Art says it all.

Tina’s studio is open weekends in February from 11 AM to 4 PM or by appointment for a private shopping session. Gift certificates for weaving classes and baskets are also available. For more information visit tinasbaskets.com or call (860) 309-6934.

About Tina Puckett
Tina Puckett has been mastering the art of weaving since 1981. Her work incorporates hand-dyed reeds, bittersweet vines, and other natural materials, creating pieces that are as durable as they are beautiful. A true artisan, Tina’s woven art is showcased in galleries throughout the United States, though her Whiting Mills studio remains the heart of her creative world. For custom orders or inquiries, text Tina directly at 860-309-6934 or visit tinasbaskets.com

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