BETHLEHEM (CT) OFFERS A FESTIVE START TO THE HOLIDAY SEASON

They call this little town in the Litchfield Hills of Connecticut “Christmas Town” with good reason. Bethlehem’s Christmas Town Festival is scheduled for December 2 and 3, celebrating its 42nd birthday this year as one of New England’s favorite ways to kick off the season. Wherever you turn, special treats are waiting, from the town green to the post office to the Abbey of Regina Laudis and the 1754 Bellamy-Ferriday House. Some of the unique attractions continue when the festival is over. The opening ceremony and Tree Lighting on the Green will take place on Friday, December 2 @ 6 p.m. with Honorary Emcee WFSB TV3 News personality, Irene O'Connor. On Saturday only there is a Santa Made Me Do It 5K road race that begins at 10 a.m. For details click here.

Vendors and More On the Green

The quaint town green, centered with a giant tree, is home to over 70 vendors with unique gift items, wreaths, and delicious foods for sale. Strolling carolers and musicians help keep things lively, Santa will be waiting at the firehouse to pose for pictures with young friends, and everyone is invited to climb aboard for hayrides offered in front of First Church. Collectors can garner this year’s unique limited edition Christmas Town pewter ornament, sold only during the Festival. 

Bethlehem’s beautiful eighteenth-century Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden will be festively decorated and open for tours and holiday cheer during festival hours. Guides will offer house tours and there will be hot cider and a scavenger hunt for children. The home is located at 9 Main Street North, information can be found at www.ctlandmarks.org

Hours for the Christmas Town Festival are Friday, December 2 from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Saturday, December 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, see www.christmastownfestival.com or phone 203-266-7510, ext. 300.

Christmas Town Mailings at the Post Office

 

 

The Bethlehem post office is busy in December serving the many who come every year to mail holiday cards with their unique postmarks.  Visitors can select favorites among the “Christmas Cachet” designs, hand-stamp, and mail these unique greetings to friends and family. The idea of the special stamps dates to 1938, when a local Postmaster, the late Earl Johnson, designed a “cachet,” a special rubber stamp featuring a tree and lettering that said, “From the Little Town of Bethlehem, Christmas Greetings.” New cachets have been added almost every year since. Over 70 designs are now available and nearly 200,000 cards are mailed each year from this small post office.  Located at 34 East Street, the post office will have extended hours during the festival, Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Precious Crèches at the Abbey

One of Bethlehem’s not-to-be-missed jewels is open all month for visitors. The museum-quality eighteenth-century Neapolitan crèche on view in a vintage barn at the Abbey of Regina Laudis includes hundreds of beautiful hand-carved figures. Made of wood, terra cotta, and porcelain, the figures portray the Holy Family, angels, the Three Kings, merchants and peddlers, children, peasants, and farm animals.  This fabulous gift from artist and philanthropist Loretta Hines Howard is similar to the one Howard donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is prominently displayed every Christmas. 

A second Crèche, The Lauren Ford Crèche, created by a favorite Connecticut artist, is displayed in a farm shed near the Lower Abbey Chapel. This charming rustic Nativity scene displays figures of Jesus, Mary and Joseph dressed in typical New England garb.

The Monastic Art Shop on the property offers crafts, cheeses, jams, herbal teas, flavored vinegar, herbs, and honey, all created on-site by Abbey’s residents.

The Abbey of Regina Laudis, located at 249 Flanders Road, is open to visitors daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.abbeyofreginalaudis.org

Indigenous Artists & More Holiday Market @ Institute for American Indian Studies November 26 & 27, December 3 & 4, 10 & 11

 

Once again this year, the Institute for American Indian Studies located at 38 Curtis Road in Washington is hosting a one-of-a-kind holiday shopping experience that celebrates Native American culture. What makes this Holiday Market unique is that it pays tribute to indigenous people across the United States and provides a spectacular opportunity to see Native American-inspired work that is handmade, artfully displayed, and sold. 

The Holiday Market located in one of the Institute’s impressive exhibition galleries takes place on Saturday, November 26, and Sunday, November 27, and Saturday, December 3, and Sunday, December 4. The final weekend for the holiday market is on Saturday, December 10, and Sunday, December 11. The market is free and open to the public from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. 

A tour of the museum is an insightful experience that compliments this unique shopping experience. Entrance to the museum is a nominal fee ($12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $8 for children; members of the museum are free), and includes the newly installed national traveling exhibit, “Nebizun: Water is Life, “curated by Vera Longtoe Sheehan (Elnu Abenaki) of the Abenaki Arts and Education Center. 

The Holiday Market has so many gifts to choose from including Native American jewelry, paintings, photography, and unusual ornaments perfect for Christmas trees to decorative gourds, pottery, rattles, flutes, and more at a variety of price points. The chance to talk with the artists that have created these one-of-a-kind objects and to learn about the culture that inspired them makes your gift purchase even more meaningful. 

For music lovers, musicians, and collectors, the magical-sounding authentic Woodland Native American flutes handcrafted by Allan Madahbee are truly unique. Madahbee is an Anishnawbe, born on Manitoulin Island, and is a registered Native American in Canada and the United States. In addition to the one-of-a-kind flutes, Madahbee is offering handmade beaded moccasins, woodcarvings, rock sculptures, and original paintings inspired by his ancestors and experiences. 

Another vendor, Kim Lewis from Native Visions will be offering an astounding array of Native American Art from Oklahoma and the Southwest including a fine selection of original paintings and prints, Zuni Fetishes, silver jewelry, pottery by Mel Cornshucker, plus Hopi, and Navajo Kachinas. 

A long-time favorite of the Holiday Market is Primitive Technologies, a nationally known small business that has worked with everyone from filmmakers to museum curators to recreate the material culture of prehistoric Native American life. They offer exquisite wood-fired replica pottery, hand constructed from local river clay, hand-carved flint arrowheads and flint animal necklaces, carved stone art, traditional stone tools, containers made out of natural materials, unusual jewelry, and decorative gourds. 

Jessie Rose, from the Schaghticoke Tribal Nation, and owner of Rooted in Alchemy will have an array of herbal mixtures including sage, sweetgrass, cedar, and more. Brandy Sawyer, of Cherokee descent, will also be at the holiday market with a wonderful selection of contemporary Native American-inspired art. 

The Museum's Gift Shop will be open and brimming with gifts large and small in many price ranges. Highlights of the gift shop include a distinctive collection of Native American jewelry, including wampum jewelry crafted by Annawon Weeden, Mashpee Wampanoag, and Pequot artist Dan Simonds, head of the Wampum Wear Collective. There are decorative gourds and ornaments created by Jeanne Morningstar Kent, a member of the Nulhegan Coosuk-Abenaki of Vermont, and Native American food from Sweet Grass Trading Company from the Cherokee Indian Reservation. Let your holiday merriment begin at the Institute’s Holiday Market signature event which offers unusual gift items and an immersive cultural experience that celebrates contemporary and traditional Native American-inspired art. 

About The Institute for American Indian Studies

Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have the 16th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. The Institute for American Indian Studies is located at 38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT.

Open Holiday Weekends @ Tina's Baskets - Studio of a Award Winning Weaver

The holiday spirit is alive and well in Studio #305, Tina's Baskets and Woven Arts, at Whiting Mills, Winsted, Connecticut. Master weaver, Tina Puckett is a national and international award-winning artist known for her woven arts and dimensional weaving. The studio is open on weekends this holiday season giving folks the chance to shop in a highly acclaimed artist's studio with the added bonus of meeting Tina, watching her weave, and learning what inspires her sought-after woven pieces, which are available at a variety of affordable price points. 

Finding the perfect present can be a tricky business - and yet a local artist Tina Puckett weaves baskets, bowls, wall hangers, and sculptures that are pieces of art. Tina's Baskets & Woven Art is sure to satisfy even the most discerning on your holiday list. Visiting her rustic art studio is an adventure in itself, especially if you are on the hunt for something special that is sustainable, ready to be used time and time again, and loved for years to come. 

Many things make Tina's Baskets and Woven Arts, unusual. Each piece is inspired by Tina’s imagination and the natural beauty of bittersweet vines that she weaves into the dynamic shapes with hand-dyed reeds that create a mélange of colors that will not be found anywhere else. What enhances the character of each piece is the addition of the bittersweet vine that is foraged by Tina in the woods near her studio in the Northwest Corner of Connecticut. 

Tina's atmospheric studio # 305 is located in Whiting Mills at 100 Whiting Street in Winsted, Connecticut, and will be open and welcoming the public on Friday, November 25, Saturday, November 26, and Sunday, November 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

On the following weekend, Tina's Baskets & Woven Art will be participating in the highly anticipated Whiting Mills Holiday Open Studios on Saturday, December 3, and Sunday, December 4 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to Tina's studio, visitors will also have the opportunity to visit other studios that are not normally open. 

The holiday merriment at Tina's Baskets & Woven Arts continues for two more weekends on Saturday, December 10 & 17, and Sunday, December 11 & 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information please email tina@tinasbaskets.com or visit the website. 

About Tina's Baskets & Woven Art 

Tina Puckett is an internationally awarded weaver of baskets and woven arts. You can see her works in her studio #305/ Tina's Baskets. Located at Whiting Mills in Winsted, Connecticut. Tina has been weaving since 1981 using hand-dyed reeds, bittersweet vines, and a variety of found objects like beads or seagrass. Her work is showcased at galleries across the World and as well at her own gallery/studio where you will often find her weaving on weekends from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are preferred and can be arranged by texting 860-309-6934.

Learn about the beautiful parks of Bristol

 Bristol, Connecticut has some of the most undiscovered parks in the state whose history is not well known. To learn more, join the Bristol Historical Society on Thursday, November 17 @ 7 p.m. The Historical Society is located at 98 Summer Street in a classic brick building.

Join Sarah Larson, Deputy Superintendent of Bristol Parks, Recreation, Youth and Community Services, as she discusses the history of Bristol’s park system, the role that Rockwell and Page Park played in shaping Bristol during the 20th century, and future park projects. There will also be a display of old park maps, postcards, and more for the guest’s viewing pleasure.

Doors will open at 6:30. Seating is limited to the first hundred that enter. Admission is free for BHS members; a $5 donation is requested for non-members. Parking is available behind the building. Refreshments will be served. For more information click here.

It’s All About the Meat – Terra Gaucha Now Open in Stamford

Terra Gaucha, Connecticut’s only authentic Churrascaria or Brazilian Steakhouse located at Stamford Town Center, 280 Tresser Blvd. in Stamford is now open. The new restaurant will occupy the former space of the Cheesecake Factory in the heart of downtown Stamford. This prime location is easily accessible with plenty of parking. A special introductory price for lunch and dinner will run through the end of October.

Experience Brazilian hospitality and food in Stamford, CT @ Terra Gaucha

Stamford’s new churrasco-styled restaurant, Terra Gaucha, offering authentic Brazilian food is like going to the land of the gauchos (Brazilian cowboys) and more! One of the things to know about this extraordinary dining experience is that churrasco refers to a style of cooking that was invented in the 1800s by the gauchos, of Brazil. They found that slow-roasting meat flavored only with rock salt over open flames brought out the natural flavor of meat and made it more succulent. Today, the churrascaria-style steakhouse is popular all over Brazil and is now trending in the United States. On October 22 this time-honored tradition of fire-roasting meat – beef, chicken, lamb, pork, and seafood on skewers with a dash of salt arrived in Stamford, Connecticut. “Although Stamford is part of a large metropolitan area, I think that it is a very close-knit and welcoming community that we want to be a part of. Stamford has a unique identity and we are looking forward to bringing a taste of southern Brazilian hospitality and cuisine to this dynamic area,” said owner, Rodolfo Melo. “It is our third location and we couldn’t be more excited about introducing our gaucho chefs to the folks that live here.”

Fire roasted meat - a house specialty

Terra Gaucha “gaucho chefs” are experts in the art of fire-roasting meats. They hand select, butcher, and season each fire-roasted skewer that is served, elevating this centuries-old cooking technique. At Terra Gaucha a red carpet cultural experience is rolled out for diners with delectable meat and seafood brought on long skewers and expertly carved, tableside. Part of the fun is watching servers slicing meat right into your dish instead of having it plated in the kitchen. To add to the experience, each guest receives a card, one side is red and says “No Thanks” and the other side is green and says “Yes Please.” This ensures you will always get the juiciest meats cooked to your liking with the added benefit of pacing yourself by indicating when you are ready to eat and when you want to stop. This signature experience is the price-fixed all-you-can-eat “Rodizio” consisting of unlimited trips to the gourmet salad bar and unlimited tableside service of fire-roasted meats and seafood. The waiters keep bringing meat until you tell them to stop! 

Experience tableside service!

Simply seasoned, fire-roasted meats are the heart of the Rodizio experience at Terra Gaucha where diners discover a variety of flavors. The most prized cut of meat is called Picanha, a savory crescent-shaped prime cut of top sirloin with a carefully crafted fat cap that flavors the entire cut. Since it is the prime part of top sirloin flavored only with a dash of rock salt, it’s extremely tender and utterly delicious. The meat offerings in this cathedral of churrasco doesn’t stop there – bacon-wrapped chicken breasts, chicken drumsticks marinated in bourbon and beer, grilled salmon, grilled shrimp with a passion fruit and mango glaze, lamb in a special mint marinade and lightly wine-marinated pork are also part of the meat parade. Mainstays of the extensive salad bar include smoked salmon, lobster bisque, shrimp salad, and much more. Traditional dessert like a Brazilian Flan or something decadent like a Petite Gateau-Molten Lava cake.

Dinner also includes a bountiful salad bar 

Terra Gaucha offers a full-service bar and a restaurant with 200 seats inside, three private dining rooms for groups and special occasions, and an outside patio that seats 40. The restaurant is open for Lunch Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dinner is offered Monday – Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday, 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., Saturday, 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Sunday, 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. The last seating is 30 minutes before closing. For more information call 475-977-3522 or visit terragaucha.net.

Save room for a traditional dessert

About Terra Gaucha

This Brazilian-style steakhouse offers an authentic cultural churrasco dining experience that allows diners to experience the best of southern Brazilian hospitality and cuisine. There are three locations including Stamford, Connecticut, Tampa, Florida, and Jacksonville, Florida. The restaurant offers lunch and dinner and has private rooms for group or special occasion dining.

Artifact Identification Day @ Institute For American Indian Studies October 22

 

Do you have any stone artifacts or Northeastern Native American cultural items that you would like to have identified? Do you want to know about the, who, what, how, and when of your mystery items? If you do, then register to participate in Artifact ID Day at the Institute for American Indian Studies located at 38 Curtis Road in Washington, Connecticut on Saturday, October 22 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

As part of Connecticut’s statewide Archeology Awareness Month and International Archeology Day, this program conducted by the Institute’s Research Department provides a chance to uncover the past and discover more about an artifact in your possession that you have always been curious about. The cost to participate is $15 for non-members and $5 for members. To register click here and if you have questions please call 860-868-0518. 

This event gives participants the opportunity to learn about the objects that they have questions about with an expert in the field of archaeological and cultural study. The Research Department archeologists and staff will provide interesting insights and commentary on your items but will not appraise or speculate about the value of an object. 

To better identify your object, you should have some information available. If a family member gave it to you, ask them for any details they might remember. It is also helpful to know the general location of where your artifact was found. If you are bringing a cultural artifact, it is helpful to know approximately when it was found. This program features a mix of commentary and methods of stone and cultural artifact identification in a manner that is useful to newcomers, hobbyists, collectors, the curious, archaeologists, and researchers. 

About Institute for American Indian Studies 

Located on 15 acres of woodland acres the Institute For American Indian Studies on 38 Curtis Road in Washington, Connecticut preserves and educates through archeology, research, exhibitions, and programs. They have the 16th c. Algonquian Village, Award-Winning Wigwam Escape Room, and a museum with temporary and permanent displays of authentic artifacts from prehistory to the present allows visitors to foster a new understanding of the world and the history and culture of Native Americans. 

About International Archeology 

Archeology and the thrill of discovery are celebrated during the entire month of October. Every October the AIA and archaeological organizations around the world present archaeological programs and activities for people of all ages and interests. Whether it is a family-friendly archaeology fair, a guided tour of a local archaeological site, a simulated dig, a lecture or a classroom visit from an archaeologist, the interactive, hands-on International Archaeology Day programs provide participants with the chance to be an archaeologist for a day. International Archeology Day is held on the third Saturday of every October.

Weekend Workshops @ Wilton Historical Society for Indigenous People’s Day

 

On October 8, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. proclaimed October 11 of that year Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The holiday has arisen in the United States in the last three decades as an alternative to Columbus Day and was first celebrated in Berkeley, California in 1992. On October 8, from 11:00-12:00, Wilton Historical will be offering an Indigenous Peoples’ Day workshop for kids. 

The morning’s activities at the Wilton Historical Society located on 224 Danbury Road will include a discussion of the Siwanoy Indigenous Americans of Wilton and Norwalk and coastal Long Island Sound, followed by a wampum-inspired beading activity, and a basket-making craft. A traditional spice cake will be served as an acknowledgment of the formerly celebrated Columbus Day, and the significance of Christopher Columbus in the colonial spice trade. 

The event promises to be a festive and timely way to learn about the Indigenous peoples who called Wilton home for thousands of years. Suggested for ages 6 – 10. Members: $10 per child; Non-members $15 per child. Please email info@wiltonhistorical.org to register 

Did You Know? 

The indigenous people encountered by English colonists in the 1700’s referred to the area north of today’s Wilton Center as Pimpewaug. The exact translation of Pimpewaug is unclear, but name refers to the Norwalk River and the surrounding Norwalk River valley. Today’s Pimpewaug Road is a reminder of the original name that Wilton’s first residents used.

The 44th Norwalk Oyster Festival Fri., Sept. 09, Sat., Sept. 10, and Sun. Sept. 11 @ Veterans Park, Norwalk

 

One of New England's favorite events, the Norwalk Oyster Festival presented by First County Bank is back in full swing in 2022. There is no better way to say goodbye to summer, than at the three-day festival-taking place from Friday, September 9th through Sunday, September 11th at Veterans Park, adjacent to Norwalk’s historic harbor. “Performances by nationally known musicians, incredible family entertainment, and “Kids Cove” activities are free with admission, making it fun for the whole family,” says Mike Reilly, President of the Norwalk Seaport Association, and Chairman of the Norwalk Oyster Festival. “For 15 years First County Bank has supported us, helping to make the Norwalk Oyster Festival a longtime Fairfield County tradition." “As the official end of summer celebration, the Norwalk Oyster Festival is something that First County Bank and the Fairfield County community looks forward to year after year,” said Robert Granata Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First County Bank. 

 For the Whole Family 

There are so many ways for families to have fun this year. Nationally enjoyed professional entertainment will be taking place throughout the day at various locations on the festival grounds. If you are feeling lucky, head to the midway where you will find a variety of exciting games of chance. Don’t miss the mind-boggling act called Big Bee the Transforming Robot Car. Kids are thrilled to watch a regular car turn itself into a 15- foot action robot and, then get their photo taken with it! There is always something around the next corner that amazes and delights young and old alike. Here is a partial list of some of the acts you can catch, free of charge with the price of admission. 

Ready Go Dog Show 

This year the whole family will enjoy the Ready Go Dog Show that packs plenty of oohs and aahhs with its combination of comedy, family fun, and amazing high-flying canine athletes. The show consists of rescued dogs and features champion Frisbee dogs, thrill-seeking diving dogs, and the highest box jump dog in the world! A highlight for the audience is the chance to meet and greet the four-legged stars of this thrilling show after their riveting performance. The Ready Go Dog Show has been seen on the FOX game show, Game of Talents, ESPN, the Today Show and Friends, and many others!

Sheffield Island Circus 

Pink cotton candy, the smell of popcorn, glittering costumes, and the astounding feats of daredevils make the Sheffield Island Circus something magical. Show favorites include clowns whose laugh-out-loud antics will have children rolling with non-stop laughter! The circus fun doesn’t stop there. For thrill-seekers, there is the terrifying Globe of Death motorcycle performance that keeps spectators at the edge of their seats. The performers have been amazing audiences around the world, as two or more motorcycles run together in the large steel globe known as the “Globe of Death.” This energetic act is perfect for all ages because it always delivers the “wow” factor. Other acts include the performance of elegant aerial tricks from more than 20 feet up in the air and the colorful and fast-moving hula-hoop show. 

Sunday is Family Day Plus Rides and Wristbands 

Sunday, September 11th is Family Day all day when all kids get in Free with one paid adult admission. Carnival rides are one of the most exciting and thrilling things you can do at the Norwalk Oyster Festival. One of the best deals around on Saturday and Sunday is the specially priced wristband @ $30 each which is available for unlimited rides from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for everyone. 

 The Music 

The 2022 has live music from dozens of bands on multiple stages throughout the weekend and features a variety of crowd-pleasing entertainment. 

On Friday night, September 9, the Norwalk Oyster Festival kicks off with Jana Kramer direct from Nashville. Kramer is an actress, an AMC award-winning country music singer, and a New York Times best-selling author. Known for her role as Alex Dupre in the television series One Tree Hill, she started her music career in 2012, seven of her singles charted on Hot Country Songs and Country Airplay, including the top 10 platinum-selling hits "Why Ya Wanna" and "I Got the Boy." Kramer went on to win ‘New Female Vocalist of the Year at the 2012 Academy of Country Music Awards and, in 2015, she was nominated for ‘Best Female Vocalist of the Year at the ACMs. 

To get Saturday night rocking, Alex Shillo takes the stage at 7:30 p.m. with his eclectic brand of rock and country music with a nod to his favorite, Bruce Springsteen. Shillo's band is composed of top-notch musicians, that have performed with such artists as Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band, The Four Tops, The Temptations, Johnny Mathis, Gloria Gaynor, and John Cafferty, to name a few. 

When Mike DelGuidice and Big Shot, take the stage on Saturday @ 8:30 p.m. the party really gets started. Mike DelGuidice, a multi-instrumentalist, dynamic vocalist, singer, songwriter, and recording artist is currently on tour with Rock N Roll Legend Billy Joel. Mike DelGuidice and his band, Big Shot is known nationwide for performing a show of astonishing renditions of Billy Joel’s songbook, in addition to songs by Elton John, Van Morrison, Paul McCartney, Marc Cohn, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles, John Denver, James Taylor, Chicago, and a few of Mike’s eclectic original songs, and much more. DelGuidice is a world-class vocalist and can sing just about anything. “We are delighted to bring this world-class entertainer and his band to the 44th annual Norwalk Oyster Festival,” said Mike Reilly, President of the Norwalk Seaport Association and Chairman of the Norwalk Oyster Festival. 

This year on Sunday, September 11, the Norwalk Oyster Festival wraps up with the high-energy music of Get the Led Out, a band that has captured the essence of the recorded music of Led Zeppelin. Hailing from Philly, this band of six accomplished musicians brings Led Zeppelin to the Main Stage in all its mythic glory. Their two energy-driven heart pulsing set spans the career of the legendary “Zep” in all its depth and glory with the studio overdubs that Zeppelin themselves never performed live. Whether you like blues-soaked groove-driven rock anthems or more intimate acoustic sounds, by the end of the performance, you will understand why Get the Led Out has been hailed as “The American Led Zeppelin” nationally. 

New This Year - Sheffield Island Laser Lightshow 

New this year, the Sheffield Island Laser Lightshow promises to take you on a phantasmagorical journey. This 22- minute 3-D laser beam light show will be projected over the heads of the entire audience at the festival. The show is set to the music of Pink Floyd which is sure to carry the audience away with cutting-edge effects, high-powered lasers, and tons of smoke and haze effects. The show features bright colorful laser beams that sweep and move thru the sky at night along with animated artwork projected all over the stage. This professionally produced award-winning laser show will take place on Friday and Saturday night at the conclusion of the Main Stage entertainment to keep the party going just a little bit longer. 

Arts and Crafts Galore 

If you like to shop, head to the Arts and Crafts area where there’re more than 100 fine artists and crafters that display whimsical as well as practical items that appeal to all tastes, budgets, and ages. Jewelry, paintings, pottery, sculpture, clothing, home décor, and wearable art are just some of the treasures to be found here. At the Seaport Tent, learn about Norwalk’s oyster history, Sheffield Island Lighthouse, and browse specialty items on sale celebrating the island and lighthouse. 

For the Foodies

Whether you are craving a salty or savory meal, a sugary treat to satisfy your sweet tooth, or an afternoon or evening snack, you’re guaranteed to find a favorite fair food at the Norwalk Oyster Festival and much more. After exploring the fairgrounds head to the International Food Court that dishes up everything from Mexican, Columbian, Greek, Jamaican, and Italian to funnel cakes, cotton candy, and, popcorn to name just a few goodies. New England favorites include fresh oysters shucked before your eyes, authentic New England lobster dinners, and fresh melt-in-your-mouth lobster rolls. Some of this culinary fare is prepared by dozens of local nonprofit organizations allowing them to raise funds for their charitable causes. And, if you work up a thirst there are plenty of choices from lemonade, fruit, and soft drinks to our popular craft beer tent offering more than forty beers. 

Where 

The Norwalk Oyster Festival is held at Veteran’s Park, adjacent to Norwalk Harbor on Seaview Avenue in Norwalk, CT. Admission This year pricing is Adults -$14, seniors - $10, Children - 5 to 12 years old $6 on Friday and Saturday, and Children under 5 are free. Sunday is Family Day and all children are free! To avoid the wait, tickets can be purchased online at http://www.seaport.org. 

Hours: 

Friday, Sept. 9, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, September 10, from 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., and Sunday, September 11 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Parking & Shuttles 

Free parking and shuttle buses are available at these locations: 9/10 – Norwalk Community College and Calf Pasture Beach 5:30– 11:30 p.m. 9/11 - Norwalk Community College and Calf Pasture Beach and Norwalk City Hall – 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. 9/12 - Norwalk Community College and Calf Pasture Beach and Norwalk City Hall – 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 p.m. 

Fee Parking 

Webster and Haviland Street parking lot, and the Maritime and Iron Works garage. All are within walking distance of the festival. 

About First County Bank  

Presenting Sponsor First County Bank, headquartered in Stamford, Conn. for 170 years, is an independent mutual community bank with 16 branches in Stamford, Norwalk, Darien, Greenwich, Fairfield, New Canaan, and Westport offering deposit products, mortgages, wealth management, business banking services, and a full array of digital banking products including mobile and online banking. First County Bank has more than 220 employees, assets in excess of $1.7 billion, and is a winner of the Hearst Connecticut Top WorkPlaces 2020 award. For additional information, please visit www.firstcountybank.com

About the Norwalk Seaport Association 

The Norwalk Seaport Association was founded in 1978 as a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, education, and public awareness of Norwalk’s maritime environment and heritage. The Seaport Association and its volunteers are solely responsible for organizing and financing the Oyster Festival. In addition to the Oyster Festival, the Norwalk Seaport Association owns Sheffield Lighthouse; its volunteers maintain the lighthouse and grounds as a museum and nature preserve. For more information, visit http://www.seaport.org or call (203) 838-9444.

Celebrate Harborfest in Stamford August 27, 2022

 

Be there with SoundWaters to welcome thousands back to Stamford’s waterfront for HarborFest, Stamford’s celebration of its thriving and historic harbor. This year HarborFest will take place on Saturday, August 27. HarborFest is the highlight of the Stamford summer season and 2022—the event’s 6th anniversary—will be the best yet. Hosted at Harbor Point, home to 5,000 affluent residents Includes fun activities for all ages on and beside the harbor Features environmentally friendly activities, exhibitors, and vendors. There is free admission and free parking.

The event schedule is as follows 

10:00am – 6:00pm HarborFest Daytime Activities

• HarborFest Village
• Seaside Mini Golf*
• Kids Boat Building
• Education Stations
• Touch-A-Boat
• Touch-A-Truck
• Face Painting*
• Waterfront Painting w/ Pinot’s Palette*
• Marine Animals
• Kids Boat Building

10:15am: Harbor History Tours, sponsored by O&G (also 11:15, 12:15 & 1:15)*

11:00am: Harbor Boat Rides, sponsored by ShopRite (also 12:15, 1:30, 2:45 & 4:15)*

Noon – 6:00pm: Oyster Lounge / Wine & Beer Sales / Food Trucks*

12:30pm: “Under the Sea” Dog Costume Parade

1:00 – 3:00pm: Cardboard Kayak Building**

3:15 – 4:00pm: Aquarion Cardboard Kayak Race

5:30 – 7:30pm: Schooner SoundWaters Sunset Cruise**

*Additional fee required

** Additional fee & preregistration required

A highlight of the day is the 6th annual cardboard kayak race! Teams of six boat builders build a cardboard kayak using provided materials and race on it in Stamford Harbor! The boat building takes place from 1 pm-3 pm and the race is 3:15 pm - 4:15 pm.

All Jazzed Up @ A Star Party @White Memorial Foundation in Litchfield

White Memorial Foundation is located off Rte. 202 in Litchfield and is the largest nature and conservation center in Connecticut. It boasts more than 35 miles of trails through a variety of habitats. It has a beautiful nature museum that highlights natural areas that are preserved here making exploring easy before setting out.

Courtesy White Memorial Foundation

White Memorial Foundation also has a number of interesting programs offered to the public. On Friday, August 26 at 8 p.m. in the A.B. Cedar Room guests are welcome to participate in the Star Party, an event perfect for stargazers. This astronomy program is organized by members of the Litchfield Hills Amateur Astronomy Club and the Mattatuck Astronomical Society. Weather permitting, there will be star gazing after the program. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. You are invited to bring your own telescope or binoculars. This program is free of charge and open to the public.

On Saturday, August 27 folks are invited to bring a picnic and BYOB and settle down for a sultry evening of soothing jazz standards from the American Songbook and more. South Lake Jazz will be performing standard favorites from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the activity shed. South Lake is Jon Concilio: Double Bass, Brendan Walsh: Guitar, Mik Mitnik: Drums, and Allan Becker: Soprano, Alto, and Tenor Sax, Flute, and Keyboards. Tickets are available online and are $10. Please pay in advance by going online or calling 860-567-0857.

Jazz in the Activity Shed - photo courtesy White Memorial Foundation

Rare Online Auction of the Art of Rosemary Connor @ New Milford Historical Society

 The New Milford Historical Society is hosting a one-of-a-kind auction through Thursday, August 18 at 7 p.m. of the art of Rosemary Connor. The Rosemary Connor collection was generously donated by her family to the New Milford Historical Society & Museum to be used for fundraising purposes. All sales proceeds of this artwork will benefit the museum located at 6 Aspetuck Avenue in downtown New Milford, CT. Click here to bid.

Rosemary was born in Bridgeport, CT in 1944. She began an apprenticeship at the young age of 7 with the renowned watercolorist Woldemar Neufeld. Rosemary then went on to receive a bachelor of fine arts degree from Pratt Institute. Upon graduation, Rosemary worked as an art director at New York advertising agency J. Walter Thompson Co. In1 966 Rosemary began exhibiting her works in oil, watercolor, and acrylics throughout New York and New England.

Rosemary went on to gain worldwide recognition by virtue of her harmonious paintings being exhibited in galleries, public institutions and museums inclusive of works in the permanent collections of The National Arts Club in N.Y.C., The New Britain Museum of American Art, The New Milford Historical Society, The Springfield Art Museum and The Slater Memorial Museum.

As a proud member of one of New Milford, Connecticut's founding families, Rosemary was a longstanding contributor of her art and time to the local community for fundraising and to increase public awareness of the arts. In

In addition to this art collection, included are many other items of local historical interest. These items have been donated to the museum for fundraising purposes or consigned to this specialty auction. Most are related to New Milford, CT, and surrounding Connecticut towns including Brookfield, Danbury, Newtown, Bethel, Bridgewater, Warren, Litchfield, Sherman, and Ridgefield.

Local Collectibles Include

Books: Danbury Images of The Past, Eric Sloane (One Signed), Yearbooks, Church History Books, Woldemar Neufeld New Milford Portfolio, Tales of Old New Milford, Howard Peck's New Milford, Edith Newton's New Milford, 1955 Flood History

Bottles: Noble Pharmacy, Marcus Dairy Bar, Lover Lane Dairy, New Britain Peplau's Dairy, Tollgate Dairy Farms (Litchfield), State of Connecticut Milk, New Milford Hunt & Miller Hutchinson, Judd's Bridge Dairy, Marcus Dairy Milk Carton, Milk Bottle Caps

Postcards: Greenlawn Inn, Young's Hotel, Washington Oak, First National Bank Building, Canterbury School, New Milford Main Street, New Milford Town Hall, Homestead Inn, Stanley's Diner, Danbury Fair Racetrack

Souvenir Plates: Congregational Church of Brookfield, Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Francis Xavier Church, 1976 New Milford American Bicentennial

Local Advertising: New Milford Savings Bank Ruler, Danbury News Times Newspaper Box, Bethel Dolan Hat, Danbury Colonial, Ford License Plate, Mayflower Inn Creamers and Ashtray, Kimberly Clark Mugs, 1991 Ridgefield Map, Vintage Gift Boxes

Other Artwork: Prints by Robert Parker, Charcoal Children's Portrait by Edd Ashe, Trivets/Ceramic Tiles by Eric Sloane, Classic Car Club of America Museum Signed Poster by Chris Osborne, Woldemar Neufeld Bandstand Print & Historical Society, Railroad Station Print by Dennis Stuart

Other Really Cool Items of Interest: New Milford Wannopee Lettuce Leaf Plate, Housatonic Art League Banners, New Milford Christmas Ornament, Framed New Milford 250th Anniversary Banner, New Milford Baseball Hats, Knapp House Anniversary Rug Fragment, White Memorial Award Cup, Connecticut Grange 100th Anniversary Horseshoe Paperweight, Declaration of Independence Connecticut Signers Bronze Medal, 1907 New Milford Bicentennial Medal, Immaculate High School Medals, Newtown Plate by Woodbury Pewter, Sports Banners, Connecticut License Plates, McGrath Realty Sign, New Milford Flag, Conn's Dairy Cream Transport Cylinder, Reproduction New Milford Map, Class of 1933 Danbury Normal School

Bradley International Airport Launches New, Nonstop Service to Las Vegas

 The Connecticut Airport Authority (CAA) is pleased to announce that new, nonstop service from Bradley International Airport to Las Vegas is launching today. The first flight is scheduled to depart for Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) this afternoon. “We are thrilled to celebrate Frontier Airlines and their inaugural flight to Las Vegas,” said Kevin A. Dillon, A.A.E., Executive Director of the Connecticut Airport Authority. “Thanks to new nonstop service and Frontier’s low fares, our passengers can get to this exciting destination easily and affordably. We are grateful for Frontier’s continued investment at Bradley International Airport and look forward to our continued partnership in bringing exciting new routes and great travel deals to Connecticut.” 

 “Frontier is excited to continue to grow in Hartford,” said Daniel Shurz, Senior Vice President of Commercial at Frontier Airlines. “Our new nonstop service from Bradley International Airport to Las Vegas offers consumers an affordable and convenient option for visiting one of the most popular vacation destinations in America.” 

 The new service to Las Vegas operates daily, with the inaugural flight taking off as follows:

 

BDL to LAS: 5:46 PM ET (Departure) – 8:22 PM PT (Arrival) 

 The new nonstop service complements Frontier Airlines’ existing menu of nonstops from Bradley International Airport. In addition to Las Vegas, the airline currently offers service to Atlanta, Denver, Orlando, Raleigh-Durham and San Juan. Frontier Airlines has been operating at Bradley Airport since 2018. For flight schedules, fare information and booking options, visit www.FlyFrontier.com 

 About Bradley International Airport Bradley International Airport 

(BDL) invites you to “Journey On” and once again experience the convenience of traveling at New England’s second-largest airport. Recognized nationally by leading travel publications for its ease of travel, Bradley International Airport is ready to welcome you with new nonstops, expanded services and accredited COVID-19 safety measures. The award-winning airport is operated by the Connecticut Airport Authority, and its operations are entirely self-funded. The airport contributes nearly $3.6 billion to the regional economy. For more info, visit www.flyBDL.org.

Glow Wild Lantern Festival at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo this fall

Journey through a wonderland of illuminated larger-than-life lanterns inspired by our wild world at the Beardsley Zoo this fall. It is a phantasmagorical experience that is fun and educational.

This amazing festival will culminate a year of festivities celebrating the Zoo’s 100th birthday and will be held every Thursday - Sunday from September 15- November 27. The festival will showcase more than 35 large-scale illuminated displays, featuring hundreds of beautiful individual and interactive lanterns. 

Spanning the width and breadth of Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo’s 30 acres, guests are invited to walk through glowing corridors. Displays of flora and fauna will light up the night sky, dazzling guests of all ages! The Glow Wild Lantern Festival is designed for everyone to enjoy –whether a family outing, romantic date, or coworker get-together. 

Celebrate Summer 2022 @ Weekend in Norfolk

 

It’s summertime, and that means road trip season. Time to hit the open road and see the sights. For the ideal “nearcation" and the perfect alternative to those hot, crowded city streets, Norfolk, Conn.’s 7th annual Weekend in Norfolk (WIN) is close at hand in beautiful northwest Connecticut. 

WIN is a small-town festival with the perfect mixture of easy family fun and sophisticated things to see and do. Once in town, people slow down and linger over all the activities that are easygoing, friendly and, best of all, mostly free. Everything is close together or just a short walk away through this lovely, historic village; it’s easy to relax and enjoy everything. And WIN offers endless opportunities for summer fun. You can get married or renew your vows on the Village Green, discover the town’s vibrant art and music scene, get soaked playing water soccer, get a 3-card Tarot reading and connect with nature by learning how to fly-fish. At WIN, you and your family and friends will have a “winning” time… because there’s something to please everyone. WIN is ready to welcome you on Friday, August 5; Saturday, August 6, and Sunday, August 7 when Norfolk's red carpet will be fully rolled out! 

Enjoy live music

Highlights - Friday, August 5, 2022 

On Friday, August 5, give your kids the lay of the land, by taking a short walk around Norfolk Green, one of the most beautiful in the state. The fountain at the south end of the green is picture-perfect. The marble fountain was designed by famous architect Stanford White in 1889 and has two basins including one for small animals! Don't forget to stop by the library, the Norfolk Hub, and the Guilded Artisan to view the art shows. A highlight of the day is the stained glass tours. View the intricate windows created by Franz Mayer of Munich at the Immaculate Conception Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and the beautiful windows at the Battell Chapel created by D. Maitland Armstrong and Louis Comfort Tiffany from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. If you are in a romantic mood, you are invited to get married or renew your vows on the Village Green - bouquets are supplied and a justice of the peace, ring bearers, and witnesses are on hand! The fun continues with an opening reception at the Art Barn Gallery on the magnificent Battell Stoeckel Estate from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. while kids are invited to a hula-hoop event on the Village Green from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. As for music, get ready for a free concert on Station Place by the Grantville Dawgs from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The evening concludes with a ticketed concert at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival Shed. 

Treasure Hunt at a town-wide tag sale

Highlights - Saturday, August 6, 2022 

For those who didn't get up early to take the Hike-the-Peaks challenge or the self-guided walking tour of Norfolk's historic houses, the fun begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday with the Farmers Market on 19 Maple Ave. This lively gathering offers fresh fruit and vegetables, cooking demos, as well as an interesting array of arts and crafts. New this year, the Farmer’s Market has planned a special event just for kids! Talk about engaging and exciting fun that includes a scavenger hunt, corn hole toss, candy jar guess, face painting, giant bubbles, free hot dogs and sodas for kids, plus prizes! For the outdoor sports enthusiast in your family, don't miss the fly fishing lessons at 9 a.m. and 12 noon with expert fisherman Doug McDevitt who will demonstrate the art of casting and share many insider tips and tricks that will help you land the big one! 

Go to the opening of the Asia-Connecticut Cultural Center

New this year for sleuths and treasure hunters is the town-wide tag sale from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., maps will be available online and at WIN's information center, 2 Station Place. Another new and exciting event is the grand opening of the Connecticut - Asia Cultural Center, which consists of three floors, each dedicated to one Eastern religious culture including Taoist, Confucian, and Buddhist cultures. If your children love water, don't miss the popular fire hose water soccer game that begins at 12 noon at the Town Playing Field on Mountain Road. The day is rounded out by free three-card Tarot Readings by the Healing Nest from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Art lovers will enjoy the tour of stained glass windows at Immaculate Conception, Battell Chapel, and the Church of Transfiguration that begins at the Battell Chapel at 12:30 p.m. There is also a special guided walk of the historic Main Street with the Director of the Norfolk Historical Society Museum at 2 p.m. Afterward, visit the museum to see their exhibit called Main Street: A Look Back 100 Years.

Kids have fun @ WIN

 Saturday night is the Family Fun Day and Movie event ($10 per family) from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Botelle School. The movie will be Disney’s Encanto, which tells the tale of an extraordinary family living in a magical house in the mountains of Columbia. There will be loads of fun for kids including face painting, a bounce house, candy, drinks, snacks, and much more. For classical music lovers, there is a ticketed concert at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival Shed from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

Get fly-fishing tips from experts

Highlights, Sunday, August 7, 2022 

Sunday begins with the Church of Christ Congregational outdoor worship service on the Green from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The art galleries in town will be open all day and stained glass window tours will be offered at the Immaculate Conception Church from 12 noon to 1 p.m. and at the Battell Chapel from 12 noon to 3 p.m. A fly fishing lesson at Wood Creek Pond from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. is perfect for sports lovers and hiking the many trails in Norfolk is a great way to reconnect with the great outdoors. An afternoon highlight for kids is a magic show called “Magic Moments” with Master Magician Brian Lazotte at the Berkshire County Store. And if you are wondering what fun the future holds, don't miss the three-card tarot reading by Healing Nest from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. There is also a special guided walk of the historic Main Street with the Director of the Norfolk Historical Society Museum at 2 p.m. Afterward, visit the museum to see their exhibit called Main Street: A Look Back 100 Years. 

Visit the WIN website for up-to-the-minute details about Weekend in Norfolk -your perfect family road trip to Norfolk, Connecticut. And, don't forget to make sure your cell phone is charged up for Instagrammable photos of good old-fashioned summer fun!