Pickin' & Fiddlin' Contest

Forty years ago, the Roxbury Volunteer Fire Department in conjunction with it’s annual “Old Roxbury Days” sponsored a contest to display the skills of musicians playing country and bluegrass music.  Over the years this contest has grown and is now the biggest of its’ kind in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut. Fiddlers from near and far will be competing once again this year for more than $3200 in prize money so the competition will not only be fierce but also entertaining.

This year’s event will be held at Hurlburt Park located at 18 Apple Lane Roxbury on Saturday July 12, 2014 beginning at 2:00 pm.  and the musical categories are endless. You can listen and watch talented musicians play the  Old Time Fiddle; Old Time Banjo; Mandolin; Trick and Fancy Fiddle.  There will also be  Finger Picking and Flat Picking Guitar; Bluegrass Banjo and Band Playoff. An number of bands will be interspersed between competitive categories to keep spectators entertained.

Remember to bring a lawn chair, blanket, picnic and your own beverages; but please leave your dog at home.  Food, refreshments and crafts will also be available at this popular event for purchase.

Admission is $10. Children under 10 are free. Free parking is also available. Contestant registration starts at 1:30pm. The rain date for the event is Sunday, July 13, 2014 at noon.

Roxbury Race for Open Space Set for September 17

A 5K "Race for Open Space" will be held in Roxbury on Saturday, September 17, starting at the River Road Preserve on River Road at 8:30 a.m. Co-sponsored by the Roxbury Land Trust and Roxbury Road Race Series, the race is open to all ages for walking or running.

Registration is $5 per person, with children under 10 free.The race will benefit the stonewall restoration project at the Mine Hill Preserve that was completed this summer.

Work at the historic 19th century iron ore mining complex, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, encompassed reconstruction of massive stonewalls in five areas, as well as much-needed drainage improvements.

The Roxbury Land Trust has preserved 3,400 acres of farmland, woodlands, wildlife habitats, watercourses, wetlands and open space in Roxbury and neighboring communities since it was established in 1970. The non-profit organization, which is governed by a volunteer board of directors and is supported by membership dues and charitable contributions, now maintains 32 preserves with 30 miles of hiking trails and three active farms, as well as offers a wide range of educational programs.

For more information, visit www.roxburylandtrust.org or call 860-350-4148.