Go to the Colebrook Fair Labor Day Weekend

As the summer season begins to come to an end, the country fair and festival season is just beginning. Once again, this year, the bucolic village of Colebrook located in the far northwest corner of the Litchfield Hills is hosting their annual Labor Day Weekend Festival on Sat. Sept. 2 from 9 am - 4 pm. Colebrook is an architectural gem; the heart of this village located at the crossroads of Rtes. 182A and 183 is a perfectly preserved reminder of Connecticut's architectural past.

The Colebrook Fair began as an event of the school children at the old Center School, a two-room schoolhouse once located at the foot of Schoolhouse Road. The year was 1943, and the country was embroiled in the sad events and worries of World War II. Ruth Bushnell, the teacher of the 5th through 8th grades, came up with the idea of a children’s fair to instill a sense of happiness when happiness was in short supply and, 73 years later, the Colebrook Fair is still providing family fun with lots of smiles.

This year, fair goers will enjoy unique crafters, a variety of vendors, great food, raffles, a flea market and more.  Kids can compete in pie eating or frog jumping contests, a pet show or the “make-your-own” Cardboard Boat Regatta.  

The frog jumping contest dates back to the first fair held in Colebrook and kids have fun competing in several categories in this time-honored tradition.   To round out the fun, kids will enjoy, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides, games, the Fire Department’s “touch-a-truck” and smokehouse.

 The 5th Annual Car Show will feature an incredible array of antique and classic vehicles. There are several awards categories and cars run the gamut from antiques, muscle and classics to imports, trucks and, new and cool!

For additional information visit the website of the fair.

Paint to the Music and Hands on Drumming @ The Mattatuck Museum Waterbury

Go on a creative journey with a Paint to the Music studio class @ The MATT, led by artist Amber Maida, on Tuesday, September 7 at 5:30 p.m.

Listen to music and interpret the sounds you hear in a painting, drawing or mixed media work. Amber Maida, winner of the Museum’s 2015 MIXMASTER Juried Members Exhibition, will give a demonstration and assist each participant in creating their own sound-inspired work. Before you begin, enjoy a glass of wine and mingle with other art lovers.

Cost is $12 for Members and $20 for General Admission. Materials will be provided. To register call (203) 753-0381 x130 or at www.mattmuseum.org.

On Friday, Sept. 8 from 1:00-3:00 p.m, the  Mattatuck Museum will hold a hands-on drumming program with instructor Craig Norton.

Join Craig Norton for a few hours of participatory musical merriment in one of the galleries @ The MATT and experience the joy that comes with making music! Everyone gets to play a drum or two, dance, laugh and learn while playing rhythms from around the world. Bring your own drums or play one provided. Craig Norton is the founder of Hands On Drumming, an organization that specializes in leading fun and engaging community drum circles.

The program is $8 for Museum members, $12 for General Admission, and $3 for BRASS Members.

About the Museum

Located in the heart of downtown Waterbury’s architectural district, the Mattatuck Museum is a vibrant destination, known locally and regionally as a community-centered institution of American art and history. For more information on all of the Museum’s programs, events, and exhibits visit the website at www.mattmuseum.org or call (203) 753-0381.

WWI Exhibit Danbury Answers the Call through November 11

The Danbury Historical Society, now in its 75th year of celebrating local history has launched a new exhibition, The Great War, Danbury Answers the Call focusing on World War I.

This exhibit focuses on the contributions of Danbury citizens at home and abroad during World War I. All branches of service are recognized in this fascinating display.

This summer, the Museum is offering an expanded tour schedule through Labor Day and is offering guided tours of the historic buildings (John & Mary Rider House (c.1785), John Dodd Hat Shop (c.1790), The Marian Anderson Studio and The Little Red Schoolhouse) located at their 43 Main St. campus.  The guided tours are available daily Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Danbury Museum & Historical Society is a BLUE STAR MUSEUM offering free admission to the nation's active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve through Labor Day.

Flamingos Flock at Maritime Aquarium Norwalk

No bird may claim a cultural influence as big and long as the flamingo, and no place in Connecticut is featuring the big pink icons this summer except The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. A small flock, or "flamboyance," of flamingos will be standing – often, on one leg – in the aviary on the Aquarium's riverfront courtyard through Labor Day, Sept. 4. The exhibit is free with Aquarium admission.

For family fun this summer, The Maritime Aquarium has more big sharks, the greatest variety of jellyfish, the only black dragon and the 'greenest' research vessel, while also being the most affordable aquarium in New England. This flamingo exhibit is the pink icing on the cake. The flamingos exhibit will complement the new IMAX® movie, "Amazon Adventure," opening July 1 on the Aquarium's six-story screen.

People love flamingos because they're just such a big and beautiful and interesting bird. Cultures have been celebrating them for ages – literally – and now you can too at the Maritime Aquarium. Ancient Egyptians are said to have used the flamingo to represent the reincarnation of their sun god. The birds have turned up in cave paintings in Spain and in ancient art of Peru. Alice used a flamingo as a croquet mallet when she went through the looking glass. And, of course, pink flamingos became a cultural icon of leisure and tropical travel in 1950s' America ... although today the image has evolved to represent hip high kitsch.

Displayed at The Maritime Aquarium will be six Chilean flamingos (Phoenicopterus chilensis), a larger species – 4 to 5 feet tall – native to southern South America. They're distinguished from other flamingo species by their paler plumage, by the downward half of their bills being black, and by their greyish legs with notably pink "knees." (Although, technically, what looks like their knees are really their "ankles.")

Chilean flamingos are considered to be "Near Threatened," with humans representing their main threat because of hunting, egg harvesting and by the loss of – and changes to – their natural habitats. The birds at the Aquarium are on loan for the summer from a zoo in Louisiana. Get details about all of the Aquarium's summer offerings – including cruises onto Long Island Sound, a mesmerizing expanded jellyfish area, and the new IMAX movie "Amazon Adventure" – at www.maritimeaquarium.org.

Art in the Park Festival and Art Contest @ Weir Farm National Historic Site

On Friday, August 25, 2017 Weir Farm National Historic Site, the Friends of Weir Farm, and the Weir Farm Art Center will host an Art in the Park Festival, culminating with judging and announcement of the winners of this year's art competition. The park welcomes artists, neighbors, national park lovers, and visitors of all ages and experience levels to create Art in the Park during this free day-long event.

 

Beginning at 10:00 am, the event will include art demonstrations, activity stations, free-to-use art supplies, music, refreshments, and more! Advanced artists are encouraged to bring their supplies, and the park will provide supplies for those that don't have their own. All visitors will have the opportunity to create works of art and enter the contest. At the end of the day, an on-site exhibition will feature entries for viewing and judging. Visitors will have the chance to vote for their favorite piece during the festival and help determine a winner for the Visitor's Choice Award. Other awards will be determined by a panel of judges and winners for each category will be announced at 5:00 pm to wrap up the festivities. A detailed schedule of activities and demonstration times will be available on the park website at www.nps.gov/wefa in mid-August.

 

The theme of the 2017 art contest is Impressions of Weir Farm. As the only national park dedicated to American Impressionism, and one that leaves an impression on everyone who visits, this year's theme challenges visitors to create something colorful, exciting, and unique based on their experience at Weir Farm NHS. Entries will be judged on the use of color, quality of work, originality, creativity, and how well the work is related to the theme.

 

There will be a special category for professional or advanced artists, and several categories based on age for all other entries. All winners will be featured on the park's website and social media and receive an award. The winner of the professional artist category will receive the Weir Masterpiece Award and have the option to display their work at the park following the contest.

 

In addition to submitting works of art during the August 25th Art in the Park Festival, visitors and professional artists can enter by dropping off original artwork at the park during visitor center hours. The park will accept entries in person or by mail up to the day of the event. Please include your name, age, phone number, and email address with your artwork. Entries must be received and on display by 4:00 pm on August 25th for judging. Winners will be announced at 5:00 pm.

 

Artwork can be taken home after the event, or picked up during visitor center hours through September 17, 2017. By entering the contest, the artist gives permission for the park to use images of the work on the park's website, social media, and print media. Professional artists may request crediting or limitations on use.

 

Park staff will be on hand to assist artists with supplies, and a free shuttle service will be offered from overflow parking areas just minutes from the park throughout the day. Leave your cares behind, pack a lunch, and enjoy creating and experiencing Art in the Park!