nothin New Haven Independent | Cool Events This Weekend, Here & Beyond

Cool Events This Weekend, Here & Beyond

File Photo

Cool Events in the next couple of weeks or so have the Branford Green as a focus as well as the river and shore and the town’s iconic library. Labor Day weekend brings the ever-popular Short Beach Days (pictured) and a walk along the Greenway Trail with the Branford Land Trust. The popular Guilford Fair kicks off the fall agricultural season. The weather is blissfully cool (as well)… there will be plenty of time to hunker in within the coming months with books collected from the annual Friends of Blackstone Library book sale. Speaking of the shore, we’re thinking of those who have been displaced in Texas by Hurricane Harvey. We’re aware of our vulnerability here; we remember Sandy and Irene and the Texas disaster gives us pause to rethink our own plans.

Saturday, Sept. 2 to Monday, Sept. 4

Short Beach Days Rock 

File Photo

The 71st annual Short Beach Days, four days of pure fun for kids of all ages, combines a sand sculpture and lip sync talent contest, a family day, free trolley rides and a Labor Day parade on Monday, complete with local floats. This year’s theme is Deep Blue Sea. No surprise there.

The movie Pirates of the Caribbean” will be shown Friday night. On Saturday, Sept. 2, at 2:30 p.m. the famous sand sculpture event gets underway at Johnson Beach as families gather to carve their sculpture in the wet sand. There’s bingo on Saturday night. On Sunday, Sept. 3 there is family day at Pardee Park, along with free trolley rides and a pie baking contest. On Monday, Labor Day, the annual Short Beach parade gets underway at 11 a.m. , rain or shine.

Saturday, Sept. 2

An Insider’s Look at the Blackstone Library 

If you’re new to town or just curious about that magnificent granite building on Main Street, this is your chance to learn all about it. On Saturday, Sept. 2, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., you can tour the Blackstone Library, learn historical tidbits, and get an insider’s peek into the day in the life of a Blackstone library employee. To register, call 203 – 488-1441.

Labor Day Walk 

The Shoreline Greenway Trail will hold a walk through Young’s Park and along Birch Road beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 2.

Meet at the Young’s Park parking lot off Blackstone Avenue (Route 146). For more information, call Leo Cristofar at 203 – 214-5824.

Saturday, Sept. 9

Branford Folk Music Society’s 44th Season 

The Branford Folk Music Society kicks off its 44th season of concerts on Saturday, Sept. 9, with a return visit from North Sea Gas, one of Scotland’s most popular folk bands.

The concert will take place at 8 p.m. in the auditorium of the First Congregational Church of Branford, 1009 Main St., on the Town Green. Admission is $25 for non-members, $20 for members and $5 for children age 12 and under.

Ronnie MacDonald, Grant Simpson and Dave Gilfillan comprise North Sea Gas and in concert they bring along guitars, mandolins, fiddles, bouzoukis, whistles, bodhrans, banjos and cracking senses of humor. They last performed at Branford Folk in 2013 and it was standing room only.

North Sea Gas is known for their energetic repertoire that incorporates lively vocals and awe-inspiring three-part harmonies. The trio has been together for more than 35 years and has recorded 20 albums, the latest entitled When We Go Rolling Home” released just this summer.

For more information, call 203 – 488-7715 or visit www.branfordfolk.org.

Sunday, Sept. 10

The Mystery of Sleep’

ScienceBlog.com

Are you among the sleepless? The Mystery of Sleep – Why a Good Night’s Rest is Vital to a Better, Healthier Life” will be presented by Yale Professor Meir Kryger at the Branford Forum, 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10, at the Branford Library, 758 Main St. Kryger will discuss his new book. Free.

For more information, email [email protected].

Wednesday, Sept. 13

A New Bird Atlas for Connecticut 

Menunkatuck Audubon’s 2017 – 2018 program series will begin with UConn Professor Morgan Tingley presenting an overview of the Connecticut Bird Atlas Project on Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Blackstone Library.

Prof. Tingley’s presentation will describe the project’s history, methodology, volunteer training, and need. He has a background in data collected in the field with biodiversity informatics and novel quantitative modeling techniques to understand critical ecological questions about organisms.

The Connecticut birding community will be called on to conduct surveys for the Connecticut Bird Atlas Project starting in 2018. The project will focus on all birds that breed, winter or migrate in Connecticut. It will contribute meaningful data for the State Action Wildlife Plan, to contribute to conservation planning, and to establish Environment Health Metrics.

To register, call 203 – 488-1441.

Friday, Sept. 15, to Sunday, Sept. 17

Guilford Fair

The annual Guilford Fair takes place Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Sept. 15, 16, and 17 at the Guilford Fairgrounds. The Guilford Fair, a large agricultural fair that began in 1859, features an extensive array of activities, booths, events and entertainment all included with admission. Ride tickets are additional.

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.

Saturday, Sept. 16

Perennial Plant Sale 

A plant sale takes place in Ruby’s Garden at the United Methodist Church, 811 East Main St., on Saturday, Sept. 16, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Perennial fall plantings include clematis, creeping phlox, hosta, irises, shasta daisies, spirea, sedums and more. Landscaping plants include dwarf forsythia and other shrubs and trees. Pricing will be $5 to $18 for plants and $25 for trees.

Call Ruby Lawrence at 203 – 494-06911 for more information or visit the www.umcbranford.org.

Tuesday, Sept. 19


Book Talk: Solitary Odyssey of a Female Kind

Author Isabella Green discusses her book Solitary Odyssey of a Female Kind” at Blackstone Library, 758 Main St., at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19. Her compelling endeavor takes her backpacking around the world, on a budget, by herself after she returns from serving in the Persian Gulf War. Join her on a journey through many different cultures, religions & obstacles during her quest for healing, peace and a pilgrimage to retrieve her stolen spirit.

To RSVP, call 203 – 488-1441, extension 318, or visit www.blackstonelibrary.org.

Saturday, Sept. 16

Branford Land Trust’s Annual Branford River Parade

Kayakers and canoeists from Branford and surrounding communities will celebrate the beauty of the Branford River in a boat parade from behind the Branford High School to Branford Point Saturday, Sept. 16.

Boaters should drop boats off behind Branford High School between 8:30 and 9:15 a.m., driving to the parking lot at Parker Park at Branford Point to leave their cars/trucks and taking the shuttle bus (hired for this event) back to the high school for the 10 a.m. parade start.

Paddlers are encouraged to decorate their boats (or persons). Then, bring a picnic for you and your family, and join us to enjoy lunch at Branford Point at the end of our river journey. We will share memories about our trip, and enjoy the view of Branford Harbor and the river. (Rain date: Sept. 17, parade starts at 11 a.m., drop-off 9:30 – 10:15 a.m.)

This annual event is free and open to the public. It is presented by the BLT’s Nature Explorer Program, which coordinates events for adults and families. For updated information call Matt Radulski at 203 – 627-1063 or visit www.branfordlandtrust.org.

Short Beach Union Church Tag Sale 

The annual Short Beach Union Church Tag Sale takes place Saturday, Sept. 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 14 Pentecost St. Treasures of all kind available – no clothing or non-recycle baby items. Refreshments. Proceeds to benefit the Branford Food Pantry and the church.

Items can be dropped of on Sundays (Sept. 10 and 17, 1 to 4 p.m.) and Monday to Thursday (Sept. 18 to 21, 5 to 8 p.m.).

For more information, call 203 – 466-6274.

Sunday, Sept. 24

BCTV’s Tour de Branford  

BCTV’s Tour de Branford 2017, takes place Sunday, Sept. 24. The ride is designed for bicyclists to enjoy the beautiful scenery along in Branford and the shoreline. There’s both a 15-mile and 40-mile ride to choose from. The event starts and ends at the Stony Creek Brewery.

Thursday, Sept. 28 to Sunday, Oct. 1

Library Book Sale

File Photo

Friends of Blackstone Library holds its annual book sale under the tent on the Branford Green from Thursday, Sept. 28 to Sunday, Oct. 1. Admission for Preview Night, Thursday, from 5 to 7 p.m., is $15; free for members of the Friends of the Library. The general sale is Thursday, 7 p.m. to midnight; Friday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to midnight; and Sunday, noon to 3 p.m. Yes, folks still read books.

For more information, call 203 – 488-1441.

Saturday, Sept. 30

Trinity Church Fair 

The 110th annual Trinity Church Annual Fair opens on the green Saturday, Sept. 30, with the traditional blueberry pancake at 7:30 a.m., ending at 10:30 a.m. Venues open throughout the morning starting at 8 a.m. and continue till p.m.

American lunch on the grill served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.: sausage & pepper grinders/clam chowder and garlic toast. Supper from 4 to 6 p.m., plus there’s apple crisp and whipped cream. 
Kids games, silent auctions, giant tag sale, jewelry, needle crafts, homemade baked goods, preserves, homegrown produce, books, DJ music, and more.

Canned foods will be collected for the Branford Food Pantry to help residents in need.

Sunday, Oct. 1

Animal Awareness Day

Branford Compassion Club will host Animal Awareness Day from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, on the Branford Green. The Blessing of the Animals is held at 1:30 p.m., along with children’s activities, business vendors, animal rescue organizations, bake sale, food, and music. Details, sponsor, and vendor information at branfordcompassionclub.org.

Saturday, Oct. 15, and Sunday, Oct. 16

A Hogwarts Halloween 

Registration is open for a Hogwarts Halloween at the Blackstone Library. Sessions take place Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to noon or from 1 to 3 p.m. OR on Sunday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to noon or from 1 to 3 p.m. The event is for children age 6 and up.

Children will get the feeling they truly have entered the halls of Hogwarts. Upon arrival, they will be escorted by Prefects to the Great Hall, where they will be greeted by Professor McGonagall. From there, attendees will take classes in Charms, Potions, and Divination.

This year’s school session also involves an escape challenge – Dolores Umbridge has been known to lock an entire class out of the Hogwarts building and onto the Hogwarts grounds. It will be up to each class to work together to solve the clues and find the magic key that opens the door back into Hogwarts proper. And, of course, no one will leave without their wand from Ollivander’s Wand Shop personally matched by Ollivander.

These sessions are drop-off only, with Prefects escorting the children through their two hours of classes. Admission is $30 per child. Costumes are encouraged. Also available for purchase: Class T‑Shirts (long sleeved), $20 each, and School Portraits, $10 each. Details at www.blackstone.lioninc.org/hogwarts-at-blackstone-faqs/.

###

Sign up for our morning newsletter

Don't want to miss a single Independent article? Sign up for our daily email newsletter! Click here for more info.


Post a Comment

Commenting has closed for this entry

Comments

There were no comments