Autumn In CT: Ag Fairs, WineFest, Oktoberfest & Hawks Rule The Roost
CONNECTICUT — It’s getting a little brisk most nights now, from Salisbury to Stonington, but there are still plenty of events with enough food, wine, beer, and tractor pulling to keep Connecticut residents glowing warmly.
Portland and Harwinton are stoked for three days of ag fair madness this weekend, and both towns have had plenty of practice.
The Portland Fair has been kicking off autumn in the center of the state since 2000. The tradition will continue this year with competitive and educational, crafts, and hobbies; commercial exhibits, and plenty of food booths at a new location in 2024. Friday, 5 -11 p.m.; Saturday, 10:30 a.m.- 11 p.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.
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Harwinton’s been at it even longer: this will be the town’s 167th fair, and the event lineup is packed pretty solid for all three days. Friday, 4- 9:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.- 9:30 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
All the action’s overhead in Greenwich this weekend. Attendees at Hawk Watch Weekend 2024 on Saturday and Sunday will meet hawks and owls up close during presentations by falconers and local wildlife rehabilitators. Don’t know your hawks from your harriers? You’ll learn how to identify dozens of the big bird species during Raptor Identification Workshops. Activities for kids at The Greenwich Audubon Center will include migration games, face painting, and — our favorite — owl pellet dissections. A full schedule of events is planned for both days. Tickets are available online here.
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Organizers of The 2024 Waveny Park Arts Festival are promising over 40 artists and artisan vendors converging upon the Carriage Barn Arts Center in New Canaan on Sunday, Oct. 6.
Tough to go wrong with this one: the artists will be backed up by food trucks, live music, family activities and free admission, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., rain or shine.
Look for another big Oktoberfest this Saturday, Oct. 5, at Powder Ridge Park in Middlefield. There will be plenty of food stations, and live music from the North County Band will be the soundtrack for keg toss and stein competitions with prizes for men’s and women’s divisions. Tickets are available online here. General admission gets you in at 1 p.m., but festivities begin at noon for those with VIP ducats.
If you are more a fan of The Grape, we direct your attention to Stamford. There, WineFest on Bedford will be staggering through Latham Park on Bedford Street from 3-5:30 p.m. on Saturday. Your ticket scores you wine samples from over 30 wineries, while enjoying lawn games and live music by Zully Ramos. Nearly a dozen food vendors will also be on hand.
WineFest on Bedford, a presentation of Stamford Downtown, is for ages 21 and over, and a photo ID is required for admission. Tickets are available online here.
You’ll find more food, beer, wine and lawn games under the big tent at the 17th Annual Harvest Bounty Festival in Litchfield on Saturday, from 2-6 p.m., and you’ll find your tickets online here.
Only true film geeks need apply: On Sunday, Oct. 6, at 7 p.m., attendees at the 27th Annual Manhattan Short Film Festival screening will join film lovers in over 500 venues across the globe gathering to see the ten finalists in this year’s event. Everyone at StageOne at the Fairfield Theatre Company will have the opportunity to vote for Best Film and Best Actor. Previous finalists have earned Academy Award nominations. Ballots will be supplied upon entry. Tickets are available online here.
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