Derby / Shelton Fireworks
Here’s an extensive list of fireworks and festivities taking place across the state of Connecticut this year in celebration of Independence Day. We’ll add to and revise this list as we find out more.
If you have a tip, please email us at info@ctweekender.com or send us a message on twitter @CTWeekender. Know of a great place to watch the fireworks from? Leave a comment below and share it with others!
Tags: 4th of July, Fireworks
Hill-Stead Museum's Sunken Garden
Humans’ biological reaction summer, it seems, is to create festivals. After all, Woodstock was set in summer. And so is the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival.
Like Woodstock, Sunken Garden offers live music. Even better than Woodstock, it offers poetry, too.
Set in the backyard of the Hill-Stead Museum (in Farmington, Connecticut), Sunken Garden’s outdoor poetry festival is truly unique in that the stage is, literally, a sunken garden (imagine a belly button with a lush garden at the center). Each night of the festival, Sunken Garden features one musical act and two poetry acts. Because the festival strongly supports growing and emerging artists, most evenings highlight winners of a poetry contest, such as Fresh Voices, Hill-Stead’s own poetry contest for high school students, or a group of poets, such as the poets of Cave Canem, a non-profit organization that cultivates new voices in African American poetry. The other poet of the evening is usually an established name like, you know, Billy Collins or C. K. Williams (who open and close the festival, respectively).
I had the pleasure of attending this week’s installment of the festival (well, technically, I read in it, but that’s beside the point) featuring the Uptown Trio, Connecticut Poetry Circuit (that’s where I fit in), and Baron Wormser. Due to uncertainty over the weather, this particular night’s festivities were held inside an intimate barn-like setting next to the garden, where the artists fittingly blended in with the audience.
Although festival patrons are invited to bring their own picnic dinner, the festival does offer a catered dinner as well as, of course, red or white wine. At the culmination of each evening, the musicians and poets participate in a meet-and-greet in the festival’s store where patrons can peruse through a selection of each artist’s work and finish up their red or white wine. Now that’s a lot classier than Woodstock.
This year’s festival runs every other week from June 10 – August 5. Admission is free to the public, but bring money for parking and wine.
Tags: Art, Farmington, Farmington CT, Festivals, Free, free events, Gardens, live music, Museums, Poetry, Summer Festivals
Like watermelon, beach days, and all other things good, The International Festival of Arts and Ideas comes with every summer. Now in its fourteenth year, New Haven’s gem of fusion corrals international events from over 75 countries. Like its name suggests, the two-week festival showcases both arts and ideas in the form of live music, theatre, dance, discussion panels, classes, and tours.
Last weekend, the festival opened with two free concerts from Buckwheat Zydeco and Slavic Soul Party–altogether, a Global Dance Party–and They Might Be Giants, not to mention bike tours, a children’s film festival, walking tours, a foodie tour, an “ideas” discussion panel featuring video game luminaries, films, films, films, and the Favorite Poem Project with Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky.
This weekend, join the festival for an open rehearsal, and performances, of Reggie Wilson and Andreya Ouamba’s “The Good Dance-dakar/brooklyn”, walking and bike tours of New Haven, a celebration of Connecticut bands, the conductor-less string orchestra Sejong, the bluegrass band Goldrush, soul legend Mavis Staples, and the Village of Villages, a cultural and communal creative exchange.
With 85% of its events free of charge, the festival stays alive during the week as well. I had the pleasure of enjoying a rare sunny day on Wednesday watching Caravan of Thieves, Arti Dixson Quartet, and Cobalt Rhythm Kings perform on the green. Connecticut residents and families gathered around the stage with picnic baskets, blankets, and lawn chairs, which they quickly abandoned to dance. The mark of any good festival is the conversation between the artists and the audience, and at the concerts I attended, the two were chatting comfortably like old friends.
Like the arts and ideas it boasts, the festival’s website is both comprehensive and cutting-edge. With vivid animation, crisp videos and images, and an intimate description of each event/artist, the website is almost as fun as attending the festival itself. Almost.
Tags: Art, Dance, Events, Festivals, Film, Free, New Haven, New Haven Arts, New Haven County, Summer Festivals, Theatre
We passed this waterfall in on a recent trip to Hopkins Vineyard in Warren. The falls are located in the rural town village of New Preston, which is just a short drive from the shores of Lake Waramaug. To catch a glimpse, we pulled into a small parking area on the side of route 45 (map) which gave us a great view of the falls.
New Preston is known known for its traditional rural New England architecture, and includes many well preserved 18th and 18th century homes built in the Georgian, Greek Revival, and American Shingle styles, as well as 18th and early 19th century mills along the East Aspetuck River. The area is a great place to drive to if you’re looking for scenic views of rural Connecticut, and serves as a the perfect gateway to the Litchfield Hills.
Nearby attractions include Mt Bushnell State Park, Lovers Leap State Park, Kent Falls State Park and the Hopkins Vineyard.
Tags: East Aspetuck River, Litchfield County, Litchfield Hills, New Preston, Waterfalls
Since we’ve been spending so much time in the western part of the state, we decided to take a suggestion given to us via our Facebook page and travel to Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford, CT.
The 230 acres of lawns, gardens, and beach surrounding the mansion provide panoramic views of Long Island Sound, making it an ideal place to go for a picnic location or to lie on the beach and take in the sun. The park was packed with people, both on the beach and near the mansion. At the mansion there was a wedding was occurring with a Top Hat wearing groom and a horse-riding bride, and in the parking area there was a British Car Show. We had gotten there a bit too late to catch the last mansion tour, but we still had a great afternoon exploring the park. To get more information including a park map , photos, and a history of the mansion, click here.
Tags: Architecture, Botanical Gardens, Gardens, Long Island Sound, New London County, Panoramic Views, Picknicking, Waterford
Osbornedale State Park
The 2009 National Trails Day will be held this Saturday and Sunday, June 6th and June 7th, with over 130 events taking place throughout Connecticut! Take a hike, walk, paddle, bike or horse ride at a Trails Day event and enjoy all that our beautiful state has to offer.
All parking fees will be waived for Trails Day. For a full listing of the events taking place, click below to read more or download the brochure (PDF). Events will take place on Saturday, June 6th unless otherwise noted.
Tags: All Ages, Free, Hiking Trails, Kayaking, Outdoor Activities, Outdoors, The Appalachian Trail
It’s arguably one of the most scenic hiking trails and series of waterfalls in Connecticut, yet it seems like hardly anyone outside of Beacon Falls has ever even heard about Spruce Brook Ravine (aka High Rock Park). The trail’s towering trees, deep ravine and multiple waterfalls makes it feel more like a mountain side in New Hampshire than it does the Naugatuck Valley.
To get to the trail, you need to follow a bumpy dirt road which runs parallel to a railroad track. You’ll want to park in the first parking area you find as the primary parking area has been closed off due to an unsafe bridge.
The area is a part of the Naugatuck State Forest, which covers almost 5,000 acres and is spread across Naugatuck, Beacon Falls, Oxford, Bethany, Hamden, Cheshire, Ansonia, and Seymour.
The Forest originated with Harris Whittemore, an industrialist and member of the State Forest and Park Commission. In 1921, Mr. Whittemore began buying parcels of land in the Naugatuck Valley, intending to donate them to the State. Unfortunately, he did not live long enough to realize his dream, but after his death in 1928, his family continued to acquire land, and in 1931, almost 2,000 acres were donated in his memory.
Tags: Beacon Falls, Hiking Trails, Naugatuck, Naugatuck Valley, Seymour, Waterfalls
“If you meet the Black Dog once, it shall be for joy; if twice, it shall be for sorrow; and the third time shall bring death.” - W.H.C. Pynchon
The legend of the Black Dog has been told by those living near the Hanging Hills of Meriden for over 100 years. Those who claim to have seen the dog describe it as a supernatural creature who supposedly leaves no footprints and remains completely silent as it travels along the ridges of Meriden’s Hubbard Park. At least six deaths have been blamed on third meetings with the Black Dog.
One of the earliest accounts of the dog was published in the Connecticut Quarterly, (April-June, 1898) by New York geologist W.H.C. Pynchon. According to Pynchon, in February 1891 he and geologist Herbert Marshall of the USGS were conducting geologic research in the Hanging Hills when they saw the dog. But this was not the first time for either man. Years earlier, while Pynchon was studying some rocks near the Merimere Reservoir, he happened to notice a little dog standing on a boulder nearby. When Pynchon finally moved on, the friendly little dog trotted eagerly alongside him all the way up to the West Peak and later down into Southington, where Pynchon entered a restaurant for lunch. Later, the dog began following Pynchon back to his hotel, but by the time the two got back to the spot where they originally met, the dog was suddenly gone. Pynchon whistled for his new found sidekick, but the little dog seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Marshall, who had seen the dog twice before, scoffed at the legend. While the two men were studying a rock formation near the ledge of a cliff, they noticed the dog approaching them; wagging its tail excitedly without making a sound. As the dog drew closer, Marshall slipped on the ice and plunged to his death. His body was later recovered by authorities. This was the 3rd time Marshall had seen the dog, and the second time for Pynchon. Reports of the Black Dog continue to circulate today.
The Hanging Hills of Meriden offer much more than spooky legends about supernatural black dogs. The ridge is located entirely within Hubbard Park, which offers spectacular cliffside views, a stone tower known as Castle Craig, hiking trails, and picnic areas. The Metacomet Trail passes through the park. For more information including directions, trail maps and pictures, click here.
Tags: Blue Blaze Trails, Hanging Hills, Haunted Places, Hiking Trails, Legends, Meriden, Metacomet Ridge, New Haven County, Spooky Places, Supernatural Creatures
Instead of going for the traditional Memorial Day backyard BBQ’s, my friend and I headed to the Saugatuck River in Westport for an afternoon of kayaking.
For the kayak rental, we visited Eastern Mountain Sports on the Black Rock Turnpike in Fairfield. One of their staff members was very helpful and provided the suggestion of kayaking the Saugatuck. The rental cost $50 for a full day, and included the kayak, life jacket, and paddle. (If $50 seems a bit high, you can call the Fairfield Kayak Company, where you’ll find a 4 hour rental for only $30. Another great choice for rentals is a company called Downunder Kayaking in Norwalk.)
We entered the river from a state-owned public boat launch under the I-95 bridge. There were plenty of parking spaces, and it was very easy to get into the water. To get there, we had to pass the Bridge Street Bridge, which was built in 1882 and is the oldest surviving moveable bridge in Connecticut.
Once in the water we chose to go downstream, where the river opens to a large estuary and then spills into Long Island Sound, passing large homes and boats along the way. After about 2 hours of casual paddling around the calm river, we loaded the kayaks on top of our cars and headed towards downtown Fairfield for a burger and beer at Archie Moore’s Bar & Restaraunt on Sanford Street — a great way to finish off the day.
Tags: Fairfield County, Kayaking, Long Island Sound, Outdoor Activities, Saugatuck River, Westport
There were plenty of people out enjoying the weather at New Haven’s East Rock Park on Thursday afternoon. With temperatures in the 80’s it was the perfect day to check out the panoramic view of downtown New Haven or to go for a jog along one of the park’s many trails.
For those who have never been to East Rock, it’s free and open to the public from sunrise to sunset. In addition to the scenic views, the park offers plenty hiking, biking trails, and picnic areas. For more about East Rock including a trail map and directions, click here.
