Cool Events This Weekend and Next

The new and the old are on tap this weekend and next. The new? A farmers’ market opening today for its first season. The old but yet so new, the Branford Festival coming up a weekend from now.

Thursday, June 11

Farmers’ Market Debuts 

Branford Alps Farmers Market debuts today. The market is located at the intersection of Alps Road and Route 1. Look for the large white tent. Hours are every Thursday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and every Thursday evening thereafter through the end of October.

Friday, June 12

Madison Farmers’ Market

Madison Town Green, 26 Meetinghouse Road, 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Friday.

International Festival of Arts and Ideas 

The festival presents a superb array of events beginning tonight and ending June 27 in New Haven. Family Day is this Sunday on the New Haven Green, featuring Magmanus, Moona Luna and special guest Dan Zanes. Free. Click here for the schedule of events.

Saturday, June 13

Branford Land Trust’s Turtles and Snakes Walk

Put on your explorer hat for this fun walk at the Supply Ponds with turtle and snake enthusiast Luis Moreira. Walk begins at 2:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Branford Land Trust’s Nature Explorer Program, you will learn about local turtles and snakes and how to look for them right here in Branford.
Families are especially invited to attend, but this time dogs must be left at home. Gather at the main parking area. From Route 1, take either Mill Plain Road and then make the first left onto Short Rocks Road, or take Chestnut Street, which goes directly into the preserve to the parking area. For further information, call 203 – 415-1571 or visit www.branfordlandtrust.org. Free and open to the public. The event will take place if there is light rain, but will move to the rain date of June 14 if there is heavy rain.

For all BLT walks, please wear appropriate dress and comfortable, supportive walking shoes. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome. Admission: Free.

Plein Air [outdoor painting] On Town Green

Artists will paint Branford today. They will gather in the morning and paint scenes around the town green, or buildings, storefonts, street scenes or any subjects that interest them. Other works by these artists will be on display at the First Congregational Church on the green. The stores on the green are participating in this event by displaying the finished paintings in their windows on June 20, during the Branford Festival and the following week. Rain date is June 14. For information contact: Jay Babina, 203 – 481-3221 or Richard Blacher 203 – 481-3321.

Sunday, June 14

A Special Village At The Blackstone 

A magical fairy village has sprung up on the Blackstone Library grounds! The fairies moved in on June 4, and will move out again on June 14. With help from the Branford Garden Club, the fairies have taken up residence under trees and bushes, along walkways, nooks and crannies all around the outside of the Blackstone building. Come visit the village before the fairies disappear!

Coming up soon! The Branford Festival

Festival Days: June 19 – June 21

The great Branford Festival, now in its 31st year, returns to the Green next weekend, beginning Friday night, June 19, and ending Sunday, June 21. We include Festival activities this week because there are many, many events and planning is key. The festival begins on Friday, June 19, at 5 p.m., continues on Saturday, June 20, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. and resumes on Sunday, June 21, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More than 200 vendors will set up shop on the town green on Saturday. More than 4,000 people are expected to attend, Festival directors say. There are some wonderful bands, chorale groups and foods and desserts of all kinds. On Sunday morning, the 35th Annual Branford Road Race gets underway at 10:15 a.m. More than 3,000 runners are expected to participate in a series of races, including the five-mile run. Here’s a link to the festival site.
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