Tag: Fair

Be a Winner @ Norfolk’s Weekend in Norfolk Aug 2-4

On August 2, 3, and 4 everyone is a “winner” in Norfolk. Fun for all is the watchword in Norfolk, Connecticut during the town’s Fourth Annual three-day, town-wide festival, A Weekend in Norfolk, better known as WIN. https://weekendinnorfolk.org. Everyone’s invited to come with family and friends to enjoy more than 80 events—mostly free—that Norfolk’s organizations, businesses, and individuals will be putting on to welcome visitors to their town.

On Friday, August 2, take a tour to see the magnificent Tiffany stained glass windows at the Immaculate Conception Church and in the Battell Chapel. If you are in a romantic mood, head to the picturesque village green to get married or to renew your vows, the organizers of WIN have bouquets, ring bearers, and witnesses standing by on the Village Green. There are also artisan demos, and the opening reception for the Norfolk Artists & Friends 11th annual exhibition, plus concerts at Infinity Hall and the Yale Music Shed. For literary lovers, there is a celebration of Walt Whitman’s 200th birthday at the Norfolk Library. If you like nature and are strong of wind and sound of heart, enter in the hike the peaks challenge, which is a three-day, six peak hiking challenge organized by the Norfolk Land trust.

The pace picks up on Saturday, August 4, with continuing art events, a furniture making demonstration, tours of Tiffany Stained Glass Windows, and multiple concerts, including a free concert at the Music Shed. The Norfolk Farmers Market is celebrating the day with a variety of special events for young and old alike including chef demonstrations. If you are a history buff, don’t miss a walk through Norfolk’s Industrial past with historian, Richard Byrne. On this walk, you will learn about the once thriving mills and factories on the Blackberry River. The popular kids’ fire hose water soccer event will take place from 12 noon to 3 pm. The day winds down with a Taste of the Town from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Manor House, and Family Fun Night at the Botelle School from 6 pm to 10 pm that will feature a DJ, field games, an outdoor movie, and food for sale. If just music is more your style there is a Debussy, Strauss and Shubert Concert at Yale Music Shed from 8 pm to 10 pm.

Sunday, August 5, is no time to go home—there are more tours including the Whitehouse (former Stoeckel Mansion), samples of a getaway day at Mountain View Green Retreat, Tiffany Stained Glass Window tours, farm tours, and an open house at the Norfolk Country Club with the chance to see its famed 9-hole golf course. In addition to the music and art shows, there will be a hot dog eating contest, a demonstration of fly tying and casting on the green, and a 5K- trail run.
For up to the minute information on WIN, Weekend In Norfolk, visit https://weekendinnorfolk.org for details.

JanetLeave a comment

New Canaan Fall Fair Oct. 13

Traditional Fall Fair activities will return to New Canaan Nature Center’s annual Fall Festival on Saturday, October 13 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m such as pony rides, a “haunted” woodland trail, apple sling shots, a hay maze, cupcake and pumpkin decorating, and fire engine rides on New Canaan’s antique fire engine, Old Faithful. The giant bungee jump, one of last year’s most popular attractions will also be back along with the “Kids On The Go” obstacle course and other inflatable rides.

A new highlight this year will be a special visit by the New Canaan Rams Varsity Football team and coaches! The team will greet kids at 11:00am and face off in a “red” vs. “black” tug-o-war which kids 10 & under can participate in.

The Fall Fair will feature a wide range of entertainment and live music throughout the day. The 5th Annual Apple Pie Eating contest will also take place with categories for youth and adults. There is an entry fee ($5 for youth and $15 for adults) and prizes will be awarded. Other live shows include birds of prey and live animal demonstrations throughout the day.

A wide range of fresh foods will be available to purchase throughout the day, including grilled hot dogs, pulled pork and vegetarian sandwiches, corn dogs, pizza, hot soup and hot and cold beverages. A variety of homemade baked goods will be for sale courtesy of Nature Center volunteers.

Admission to the Fall Fair is free and parking is available at St. Mark’s and the First Presbyterian Church. Tickets can be purchased for $1 each for the activities and food, which range from 1-7 tickets. For more information about the Fall Fair visitwww.NewCanaanNature.org of call (203) 966-9577.

JanetLeave a comment

A Taste of Litchfield Hills Aug. 25 – 27

From comfort food to gourmet dishes and live entertainment to an outdoor shopping bazaar, the 27th annual Taste of The Litchfield Hills will offer a menu of fine fare and fun at a new location.

New England’s oldest food and wine festival will be held Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 25-26, 2012, at its new location, Harwinton Fairgrounds, 150 Locust Road, Harwinton, Conn.

Since 1985, the festival has annually attracted thousands of guests for a sampling of the region’s food and wine, plus upscale shopping and live entertainment.

This year’s menu will feature such dishes as BBQ pulled pork, braised short ribs, chicken and black bean chili, fresh prosciutto Panini, lamb shawama pita wrap, lobster hush puppies, lobster mac and cheese, grilled pizza, New England clam chowder, seared sea scallops, sesame chicken and many other items. Sweet offerings will include apple cider cinnamon donuts, banana & toffee pie, fruit smoothies, old fashioned kettle corn, white chocolate apricot squares and many other delicious desserts. The 2012 Menu is available for download at www.LitchfieldFestivals.com.

Foodies will enjoy “grazing-sized” portions of house specialties prepared by chefs from regional restaurants, bistros and other purveyors of fine food with prices ranging from $4.00 to $8.00 per item. Table seating will be available in the festival’s Culinary Tent and outdoor picnic pavilions. Plus, guests are invited to picnic on the grounds with their own lawn chairs and blankets.

Participating culinary vendors will include @ The Corner (Litchfield), Backstage Restaurant (Torrington), Faddy’s Donuts & Ice Cream (Bloomfield), The Green Room Café (Winsted), Indochine Pavilion (New Haven), Infinity Bistro (Norfolk), Jake’s Wayback Burgers (Torrington), Kelly’s Kitchen (Winsted), KJ’ Grilled Pizza (Torrington), La Cupola Ristorante & Inn (Litchfield) and Noujaim’s Specialty Foods (Torrington).

An assortment of imported Italian wines from Don Tomasi Winery will be available for purchase by the glass. Samuel Adams Boston Lager beer, plus a variety of soft drinks also will be available for purchase.

Live entertainment will include country singer-songwriter Courtney Drummey (Saturday, 12-3 p.m.), jazz recording artists The Christine Spero Group (Saturday, 4-7 p.m.) and blues artists The Andy James Band (Sunday, 1-4 p.m.).

Guests will also enjoy an upscale shopping experience in the festivals outdoor bazaar featuring such unique gift items as artisan-crafted jewelry, gourmet food products, kitchenware and other products and services.

Hours for A Taste of the Litchfield Hills will be 12 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, and 12 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26, 2012.

Ticket prices are Adult (age 12-64): $10 On-Site or $8 Advance Purchase; Senior (age 65+): $8 On-Site or $6 Advance Purchase; and Child (Under 12): Free admission. Advance tickets and more information are available at www.LitchfieldFestivals.com. Admission does not include food and beverage, which are purchased separately.

Harwinton Fairgrounds is located off Route 4 on Locust Road in Harwinton, Conn., just a few minutes from the intersection of Routes 8 & 118 and is an easy day-trip from Albany, The Berkshires, Hartford, The Hudson Valley, Metro New York, New Haven and Springfield.

With its antique shops, art galleries, covered bridges and quaint villages, the Litchfield Hills is an ideal vacation destination for the three-day holiday weekend. Lodging options include dozens of bed and breakfasts, country inns, resorts, hotels and motels. Tourism information is available from the Western Conn. Convention & Visitors Bureau at 860-567-4506 or www.LitchfieldHills.com.

About A Taste of The Litchfield Hills

Since 1985, A Taste of The Litchfield Hills has annually attracted thousands of guests for a sampling of the region’s food and locally-produced wine, plus live entertainment and upscale shopping. More Info: http://www.LitchfieldFestivals.com

JanetLeave a comment

Goshen Stampede Promises Rodeo Thrills A Fathers’ Day Treat in the Litchfield Hills

No need to travel far for Wild West excitement. Broncos and bulls and daring bareback riders will bring Western-style rodeo thrills close to home for the 6th Annual Goshen Stampede in Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills, a three-day event June 17-19, perfectly timed for a Fathers Day treat.

The fun starts Friday, June 17 at 7 p.m., when the fastest horses in Connecticut and their riders will race for cash prizes and a title in Barrel Racing, an event that demands speed, timing and accuracy to bring home the money. Two big rodeo competitions will be held on Saturday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. and on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 19th at 2 p.m. To add to the fun, a kid’s rodeo will take place on Saturday at 4 p.m. for entrants up to age 12.

Rodeos aren’t the only competitions on the agenda for this gala occasion. There will be added excitement galore from two wild Demolition Derbies and the Tri-State Truck and Tractor Pulls competitions. Midway rides, free bands every night, great food and fireworks plus a petting zoo just for the kids will add to the festivities.

The Stampede will take place at the Goshen Fair Grounds, 116 Old Middle St. (Rte. 63) in Goshen. Stampede hours are Friday, June 17th 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m; Saturday, June 18th 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday, June 19th 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Admission: Adults: $12, Ages 10-18: $6 and under 10 free with a paying adult and a coupon that is available on the Stampede website. For complete schedule of events and discount tickets visit http://www.goshenstampede.com.

JanetLeave a comment