2015-07-17 20:37:48
FAIRS, FESTIVALS & ROAD TRIPS
MAKE IT COUNT
Hard to believe but the days are getting shorter and a large part of summer is already behind us. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t still plenty of sunshine ahead of us as well as myriad opportunities to continue taking advantage of the season. Here are some of the best events, things to do and places to visit to keep you busy for the rest of the summer and beyond.
FAIRS
Each year, Connecticut celebrates the summer growing season with dozens of agricultural fairs, from small local and 4-H events to major fairs that draw tens of thousands of visitors. In addition to appreciating the (literal) fruits of local farmers’ labors, you can be sure to enjoy a cornucopia of great events, family activities, unusual contests and terrific entertainment. Oh, and don’t forget the food—from funnel cakes and fried dough to cotton candy and kettle corn to all manner of sumptuous flame-cooked meat, there’s something delicious for everyone. Here are some of the upcoming highlights:
The Brooklyn Fair Aug. 27-30
The oldest continously held agricultural fair in the U.S. dates back to 1809 (that’s a lot of corn dogs!) and showcases the efforts of the Windham County Agricultural Society. National country music acts have entertained here, including Collin Raye (last year), Luke Bryan and Lady Antebellum. And of course, there are events that you can only see at an ag fair: Robinson’s Racing Pigs, women’s skillet toss, veggie races and pulls aplenty—tractor, oxen, working steers, horses, ponies, etc. brooklynfair.org
Bridgewater Fair Aug. 21-23
Sponsored by the volunteer firemen of Bridgewater, this event features related activities including a firemen’s muster where units from around the state compete in drills that incorporate fire-fighting skills. The weekend’s festivities kick off with the annual Bridgewater Fair Parade, which includes fire companies and vehicles from around the region. Of course, there’s livestock and produce judging, arts and crafts, a midway with carnival rides and plenty of other family-friendly activites. For NASCAR fans, there will be a NASCARstyle simulator and tire-changing contest. bridgewaterfair.com
Goshen Fair Sept. 5-7
A staple of the long Labor Day weekend, the Goshen Fair features a variety of entertainers in addition to its packed schedule of familyfriendly events. This year, the fair welcomes Soul Sound Revue, King Kountry, A-Ray of Elvis, Nature Nick’s Animal Adventures, The Zolla Boys and the Muttville Comix. Also, there will be fireworks, a frozen t-shirt contest, and hay bale- and skillet-tossing challenges. goshenfair.org
Hebron Harvest Fair Sept. 10-13
Special to the Hebron Harvest Fair this year will be the PRCA ProRodeo, which will feature seven exciting events including bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling and roping challenges. The fair also features a Demolition Derby, where cars of all shapes and sizes will “smash, crash and bash.” hebronharvestfair.org
Durham Fair Sept. 24-27
Falling on the last weekend of September, the Durham Fair is the largest in the state, annually drawing tens of thousands over four days. Visit the always-buzzing midway, watch the animal costume parade, sample wines made from Connecticut grapes at the Connecticut Wine Festival or check out antique agricultural equipment in the farm museum. This year’s headline entertainers include CMA Award winner Martina McBride (Sept. 25) and country music superstar Craig Morgan (Sept. 26). durhamfair.com
FESTIVALS
Oyster Festivals
Oysters and Connecticut go way back, which is why the oyster is the state’s official shellfish. Oysters are native to our tidal rivers and Long Island Sound, and are farmed in beds in the Sound. Native Americans ate them, and Colonial-era settlers followed suit, creating a fisheries industry that remains vibrant and is celebrated each year in two signature festivals.
• This year, the 41st annual Milford Oyster Festival takes place Saturday, Aug. 15, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Those who attend will go through 30,000 oysters and clams, enjoy other food and wash it down with beer and wine. There’s an oyster shucking contest, of course, and lots of entertainment, including this year’s main stage headliner, The Gin Blossoms. There are also arts-and-craft s, harbor activities, tall ship schooner cruises and much more. milfordoysterfestival.org
• The Norwalk Seaport Association’s Oyster Festival runs from Friday, Sept. 11, to Sunday, Sept. 13. In addition to all of the oysters and other food, there’s the Nerveless Nocks Thrill Show, a 65-foot gondola ferris wheel, a Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, 100 juried arts-and-craft s vendors, the New England Seaport Village, a Kids’ Cove with games and rides and lots more. As for entertainment, Sept. 11 features John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band, Dennis DeYoung plays the Music of STYX on Sept. 12 and the headliner Sept. 13 is Smash Mouth. seaport.org
Music Festivals
• The Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, presented by the Yale School of Music, is a must-attend event for classical music lovers. The 74th season began July 9, but there’s plenty of great music left in August. The Alexander String Quartet and Wei-Yi Yang perform Aug. 1, the Emerson String Quartet plays Aug. 8, The Brentano String Quartet and Robert Blocker appear Aug. 15, and the Norfolk Choral Festival wraps up things Aug. 22. norfolk.yale.edu
• The Hartford Symphony’s Talcott Mountain Music Festival in Simsbury wrapped up at the end of July, but there’s more good music coming in August at the same venue, via the Summer Concerts at Simsbury Meadows. On Aug. 22 at 7 p.m., the country music legend Willie Nelson headlines with his Family and the Old Crow Medicine Show. simsburymeadowsmusic.com
• One of the best small jazz fests in the nation, the Litchfield Jazz Festival celebrates its 20th year with the 2015 festival Aug. 7 to 9 at the Goshen Fairgrounds. This year’s featured performers include Anat Cohen, Christian McBride, Wycliffe Gordon, Mike Stern, Sean Jones and Bucky Pizzarelli. Opening night begins with the Friends of the Festival Party to support Litchfield Jazz Camp scholarships. Throughout the festival, in addition to great music there’s good food and libations, fine arts, craft s and more. litchfieldjazzfest.com
• The annual Podunk Bluegrass Festival takes place Aug. 6 to 9 in Hebron and includes local, regional and national bluegrass, “bringing together the finest in bluegrass music each year.” It features tons of music, with the main stage alone hosting 13 performers, including the Blue Canyon Boys, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, The Railsplitters, Sister Sadie, Special Consensus, The New England Bluegrass Band and Tumbling Bones. There’s also action on the Americana/Acoustic Music Stage, and special events Aug. 9, including the Telefunken Band Competition. podunkbluegrass.com
• The terrific Music Mountain festival in Falls Village stretches all the way through September and features the top talent in the chamber music world. August brings the Penderecki String Quartet (Aug. 2), playing Bach, Beethoven and Schubert; the St. Petersburg String Quartet with Pamela Mia Paul on piano performs Aug. 9; the Harlem String Quartet with Francine Kay on piano appears Aug. 23.; the Dover String Quartet arrives Aug. 30; and the September roster includes the Shanghai String Quartet, the Cassatt String Quartet, the Borromeo String Quartet, and the Amernet String Quartet. There’s also a series of Saturday Twilight concerts, such as ones featuring the music of Broadway, and the Galvanized Jazz Band on Aug. 15. musicmountain.org
Beer and Food Truck Festivals
The end of the summer festival season may be closing in but it will certainly go out in style thanks to these upcoming food truck and beer events.
• New England Food Truck Affair, North Haven: On Aug. 1 and 2, try gourmet food from more than 50 New England food trucks. In addition to the artisan grub there will be music and a variety of games including a climbing wall, zip line, inflatable water slides and more.
• Craft Brew Races, New Haven: The Craft Brew Races is a series of 5k road races followed by local craft beer festivals. The event comes to New Haven on Aug. 1, noon-4 p.m. The post-race festival will feature 30-plus breweries.
• Eli Cannon’s Charity Beer Fest, Middletown: On Aug. 3, 5-9 p.m., Eli Cannon’s Tap Room, one of Connecticut’s best beer bars, hosts more than 60 breweries and multiple food trucks outside the bar. The epic event will raise funds to support the Middlesex Coalition on Housing and Homelessness.
• ShakesBeer Festival, Stratford: Me thinks this is a festival thou will want to attend! On Aug. 22 between 1 and 7 p.m., beer from 60 to 70 breweries will be showcased, live music will be performed and food trucks will be on hand. It’s all part of efforts to raise funds for the restoration and reopening of the famed American Shakespeare Theater of Stratford.
• Connecticut Food Truck Festival, East Hartford: The second annual Connecticut Food Truck Festival on Aug. 22-23 features more than 40 food trucks in a two-day extravaganza of flavor. Bring your appetite.
• Hops for Hope, New Britain: Inspired by the family of longtime Connecticut beer enthusiast and writer Stephen Wood, 100 percent of the proceeds from this elite Aug. 30 beer festival will go to the Smith-Magenis Research Foundation.
• Food Trucks in the Valley, Shelton: At this Sept. 17 fest, guests can celebrate the end of summer with local food, cider and beer. The event aims to increase awareness of Lower Naugatuck Valley Parent Child Resource Center.
Two Roads, Charter Oak and New England Brewing are just some of the Connecticut craft beer brewers represented at the Craft Brew Races in New Haven.
ROAD TRIPS
Head to the Beach(es)
As much as we love Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison, late summer’s golden, on-the-cusp aura makes us want to push eastward, closer to the actual ocean, which means our season-ending destinations are places like Rocky Neck State Park in East Lyme and Ocean Beach Park in New London.
The state’s description of Rocky Neck’s charms is almost poetic: “The beautiful, gently sloping, soft sandy beach, picnic areas, train watching, diverse trail systems and salt marsh-viewing platforms make this park ideal for families. Try crabbing or fishing. Look for ospreys, cranes, and herons or other waterfowl. Rocky Neck provides something for all members of the family.”
Ocean Beach Park, meanwhile, is like a family resort with a star attraction—the “beautiful white, sugar sand beach” at a venue that’s also home to an Olympic-size freshwater pool, an 18-hole miniature golf course and the Boardwalk Café Food Court—along with a triple water slide, spray park, a carousel and other rides, a game room, playgrounds and even concerts. It’s one-stop summer fun.
Discover the great seafood offered at lots of casual roadside places in southeastern Connecticut—some of our favorites not far from Rocky Neck and Ocean Beach are Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough in Noank, Flanders Fish Market & Restaurant in East Lyme, Hub’s Clam Shack in Groton, Fred’s Shanty in New London, Costello’s Clam Shack in Noank, Kamp Dog in New London and The Shack in East Lyme.
To complement any of the beaches in southeastern Connecticut, we recommend a side trip to Mystic center and Olde Mistick Village for the shopping.
In terms of culture and/or history, Rocky Neck is close to the Florence Griswold Museum in Old Lyme, a treasure trove of American Impressionism for the entire family to enjoy, while Ocean Beach is not far from Mystic Seaport—or be more adventuresome and discover Fort Trumbull in New London, which dates to the Revolutionary War and got its current form in the mid-1800s.
At the ‘Art’ of It
Looking for a fun and simple cultural road trip this summer? Hop in the car for an easy 20-minute ride through central Connecticut and you can find yourself at two of the state’s best art museums. Between stops, explore the state capital and have your pick of some truly impressive restaurants. It’s all available to you. Just get in the car and go.
Start the day at the New Britain Museum of American Art, which was established in 1903 and is the first museum dedicated exclusively to American art in the U.S. Be sure to check out the 21st Century Works exhibit including New Media by Julie Orser. The exhibition will open in the museum’s new McKernan Gallery on Aug. 9.
From there, drive on to the Wadsworth Atheneum, the country’s oldest public art museum, which just completed a $33 million renovation. Explore the museum’s 17 new gallery spaces, which are filled with old and new exhibits from a collection that features works from Caravaggio, Frederic Church and Salvador Dali.
Between museums, take in the sights of Hartford. Make stops at the Old State House, Riverfront and Bushnell Park—all are within walking distance of each other.
Finish the day with dinner at any of Hartford’s delicious dining options. Burgers at Max Downtown or barbecue at Bear’s Smokehouse anyone? If you end the trip in New Britain, don’t miss the wiener schnitzel or German pot roast at East Side Restaurant.
Walk on the Wild Side
Maybe one of the best ways to explore the Quiet Corner—and a good chunk of the state’s northeast region—is The Air Line State Park Trail, a former railroad path that has been converted to a public-use trail. Running almost uninterrupted for 53 miles from East Haddam to Thompson, this scenic gravel trail wends its way through more than a half dozen state parks and forests. As the original path needed to be flat and wide to best accommodate trains, it is now particularly inviting for all sorts of recreational activities. Hiking, biking and horseback riding are popular along certain sections, while nature enthusiasts and bird watchers enjoy other parts. In short, there’s something for everyone that’s easy to get to and enjoy.
With the trail stretching over a good portion of Connecticut, there are multiple dining spots along the way. Two of our favorites are Willimantic Brewing Co. in downtown Willimantic, which is at a starting point for a spur of the northern part of the trail, and The Vanilla Bean, which is a short distance from the trail’s access point in Pomfret.
For an indoor diversion, The William Benton Museum of Art on the UConn campus in Storrs is a short distance from the trail and open in the first half of August (until Aug. 15) and then again in September. In addition to the ongoing installation Five Centuries of the Benton Museum’s Best, visitors can check out Speak Up! Speak Out! Bread & Puppet Theater and Remembering the Vietnam War.
And as always, there’s shopping—The East Brook Mall in Willimantic offers national chains like Kohl’s, Dress Barn, Michael’s and Famous Footwear, as well as local fashion and jewelry retailers. There’s also a few eateries and an eight-screen movieplex.
Nectar of the Hills
No area of Connecticut offers more stunning scenery than the Litchfield Hills, and a leisurely drive in the area this summer provides the perfect excuse to take an impromptu winery tour. Three stops on the Connecticut Wine Trail are close enough that they beg to be visited together. Pair the delicious wines with a memorable meal at one of the area’s fine dining restaurants and you have a day to remember.
Start your mini wine adventure at Sunset Meadow Vineyards in Goshen. Enjoy a glass or two of the award-winning Cayuga White or Sunset Blush before moving on to Haight-Brown Vineyards in Litchfield for a glass (or several) of the Morning Harvest, Strawberry Bliss or Honey Nut Apple. Hopkins Vineyard, overlooking Lake Waramaug in Warren, produces small handcrafted batches from its premium estate-grown grapes. Many of the reds, whites and sparkling wines are award-winning and worth a try.
While you’re in the area, indulge in a little shopping in New Preston, where boutiques are at their best. Privet House offers original home goods, antiques and curiosities. Nearby at J. Seitz & Co. you can pick up everything from a detailed leather ottoman to dishware and knitwear to candles.
Desire a stroll before dinner? Stop off at White Memorial Conservation Center for a walk in the wilderness before dinner at the West Street Grill, Arethusa al Tavolo or @ The Corner—all highly palatable and praised options in the area.
Take Me on a Sea Cruise
Nothing says summer fun like getting out on the water. Those who cast off from the Norwalk and Stamford area can enjoy the beauty of Long Island Sound and views of the New York City skyline.
The schooner SoundWaters often sails from Stamford and offers afternoon and sunset voyages through Sept. 30. Participants help crewmembers raise the ship’s sails and learn about the Sound in the process. The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk’s R/V Spirit of the Sound catamaran takes guests on public marine life study cruises. During the two-and-a-half-hour cruises—which depart at 1 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays in July and August—guests study the marine biodiversity of Long Island Sound. The Norwalk Seaport Association offers cruises to Sheffield Island where guests can tour the island’s historic lighthouse. Thursday evenings through Sept. 26, a cruise and clambake is offered where participants dine in style at a tented pavilion adjacent to the 1868 lighthouse.
After returning to dry land, plan on spending time in the South Norwalk downtown district, which is hopping with a New York City vibe. Keep the maritime theme going by visiting the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, home to an IMAX theater and a bevvy of sea creatures including sharks and seals.
SoNo also offers dining hotspots like Barcelona Wine Bar and Washington Prime. Or try Local Kitchen and Beer Bar, which has (you guessed it) a locally focused menu and more than 30 beers on tap. Cheers!
Published by New Haven Register formerly 21st Century Media Newspapers . View All Articles.
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