The Guilford Fair
It was a long, hot summer, as we roll into fall, we turn our attention away from the beach to the plethora of fairs and festival around the state – something for the Irish (and Irish wannabes), lobster lovers, wine aficionados, and those just looking for fun, family activities. And don’t forget to take advantage of the Branford Land Trust’s series of walks that explore its newest acquisition – Red Hill Woods.
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Guilford Fair
The annual Guilford Fair takes place Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Sept. 16, 17, and 18 at the Guilford Fairgrounds. The fair is a large agricultural exhibit that began in 1859 and features an extensive array of activities, booths, events and entertainment all included with admission. Ride tickets are additional. “American Idol” Nick Fradiani takes the stage Saturday night at 8:30 p.m., returning to his hometown after a long tour across the country.
Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, $5 children ages 6 – 11, children 5 and under admitted free. A three-day discount pass is available for $25. Parking on site is $5. There are no refunds in event of inclement weather or show cancellation. Free parking is available off of Exit 57 with shuttle bus service.
For the full event schedule visit www.guilfordfair.org.
Additional fairs around the state
The list is long! If you’re up for traveling a bit there are many other fairs this weekend.
Four Town Fair: Sept. 15 through 18 at Egypt Road and Billings Road, Somers
2 Left Feet Blues Festival: Sept. 17 at Powder Ridge Mountain Park, 99 Powder Hill Road, Middlefield
Lisbon Fall Festival and Road Race: Sept. 16 and 17 at 19 South Burnham Hwy., Lisbon
Milford Irish Festival: Sept. 16 and 17 at Fowler Field Rotary Pavilion behind the Milford Public Library, 57 New Haven Ave., Milford
Harvest Festival at Haight-Brown Vineyard: Sept. 17 at 29 Chestnut Hill Road, Litchfield
Westport Rotary LobsterFest: Sept. 17 at Compo Beach, Westport
Orange Country Fair: Sept. 17 and 18 at 525 Orange Center Road, Orange
Harvest Festival at Stonington Vineyard: Sept. 17 and 18 at Stonington Vineyards, 523 Taugwonk Road, Stonington
New Milford Lion’s County Fair: Sept. 17 and 18 at Harrybrooke Park, New Milford
Saturday, Sept. 17
Short Beach Union Church Tag Sale
The sale will take place at the Short Beach Union Church, 14 Pentecost St., from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Do your fall cleaning and bring in your treasures (no clothing). There’s still time to drop off items on through Friday, from 5 to 8 p.m.
Proceeds to benefit the Branford Food Pantry and the Short Beach Union Church. For more information, call 203 – 466-6274.
Sunday, September 18
2016 Seymour Pumpkin Festival
The 51st Annual Seymour Pumpkin Festival will take place – rain or shine – at French Memorial Park, 62 Spruce St., Seymour, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The festival offers carnival rides, live entertainment, a barnyard petting zoo, games, children’s contests, arts & craft vendors, and food booths. Entrance to the Festival is free.
The festival will host over 100 booths featuring some new and eclectic arts & crafts vendors, silk and velvet soft sculpture, comic book art and emoji magnets, birdhouses; garden art, soaps and scrubs made from craft beers and local wines, caricaturist, face painting and henna. The Freemasons from Morningstar Lodge 47 will offer their free Child Identification Program (CHiP) generating children’s ID packets.
Contest and raffle activities take place at the Headquarters Booth. Entries for the Pumpkin Decorating Contest must be delivered by noon for judging at 12:30 p.m. The children’s Costume Contest will begin at noon near the festival headquarters. The Pick of the Patch is a teacup raffle showcasing craft items donated by vendors and tickets are four for $1.
An expanded selection of children’s carnival rides and ticket books will be available. Live musical entertainment will be provided throughout the day by the band Velocity, and dance routines will be performed by area studios.
For details, visit their Facebook page (Seymour Pumpkin Festival) page and check out Twitter (@seymourpmknfest) for updates and information.
Teddy Roosevelt: Mind, Body, & Spirit
Actor and author Ted Zalewski brings one of America’s greatest presidents to life at the annual John Loeb Lecture from 2 to 3:15 p.m. at the Blackstone Library, 785 Main St.
Combining history, drama, and fun, Zalewski gives voice to many of Roosevelt’s own words, writings, and beliefs. Cowboy, soldier, naturalist, historian, father, statesman, and winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace, Theodore Roosevelt lived a life that inspires us still.
Registration required. To register, click here.
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Wednesday, Sept. 21
O Sole Meow
The Branford Compassion Club hosts “O Sole Meow,” an Italian Night Dinner benefit for the feline rescue and adoption organization on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at 6 p.m. at Pompeo’s restaurant, 485 W. Main St., Branford. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the buffet, which also features a wine raffle, 50/50 raffle, and silent auction.
Tickets are $32, available online at brownpapertickets.com. Info at [email protected] or at branfordcompassionclub.org. All proceeds help defray operating expenses for the shelter and its care of homeless felines.
Saturday, Sept. 24
Nature Walk – Red Hill Woods
The Branford Land Trust will hold another of its series of walks at Red Hill Woods, a 29-acre parcel at the end of Red Hill Road, just north of 950 acres of protected open space protected by the Branford Land Trust, the Guilford Land Conservation Trust, and the Town of Branford. The walk will begin at 10 a.m.
The land trust’s goal is to raise $200,000 to preserve and protect this stunning property, along with Spectacle Island, for generations to come. The walks are approximately one mile in length, and will take about an hour. Walkers should expect moderate terrain, with some sloping trails and inclines. Bring water. Walking sticks welcome.
DIRECTIONS: From Leetes Island Road, turn onto Red Hill Road and continue past Van Wie Pond to the very end of the road. Park along the gravel lane.Visit www.branfordlandtrust.org today to learn more about Red Hill Woods and to make a donation.
Legacy Theatre Gala: Music of the Night
The Legacy Theatre will host a gala entitled Music of the Night featuring a live orchestra and Broadway performers at Goodspeed’s Terris Theatre in Chester from 6 to 10 p.m. to benefit the Legacy Theatre and the restoration of the historic Stony Creek Puppet House.
Broadway performer Sasha Weiss will be featured.
The fourth annual gala is a black tie event that includes a reception, silent auction, heavy hors d’oeuvres, and music honoring the music of Rodgers and Hammerstein and Andrew Lloyd Webber, performed by an orchestra and singers from the Legacy Theatre and Broadway stage.
The Legacy Theatre was established in June 2011 and purchased the 1903 Stony Creek Puppet House theater in March 2013. Since its purchase, professionals have been working to obtain approvals and are now finalizing designs to outfit this historic building with a theater. But first a lawsuit must be resolved.
Tickets are $125 each. Click here for reservations.
Sunday, Sept. 25
Tour de Branford 2016
BCTV’s “Tour de Branford 2016” will feature two different tours, beginning and ending at the Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Neck Avenue. The 40-mile tour starts at 8:30 a.m. and there is a rest stop at the Sugar Loaf Recreation Area at the 20-mile mark with water, snacks, and restrooms. The 15-mile tour starts at 9:30 a.m.
Post event, there will be beer and food from gourmet food for purchase.
Registration is $50 for the 40-mile tour and $30 for the 15-mile tour.
The first Tour de Branford in 2015 attracted 200 cyclists from more 40 municipalities throughout Connecticut, as well as out-of-state cyclists. Participants were able to take a beautiful tour throughout picturesque shoreline scenery in Branford, as well as fall scenery in Guilford and North Branford.
Proceeds from the event will support BCTV’s production facilities, enabling a variety of local coverage.
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