This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
09/20/2018 12:00 AMThursday, Sept. 20
15th Annual Culinary Arts Night: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Downtown Madison, courtyard adjoining Key Bank and Grand Apizza. Features about 40 local restaurants and wine shops. Water, soft drinks, wine, and beer provided. Includes entertainment, high-reward raffle, and silent auction. Cost: $40 per person. All proceeds benefit the Madison Exchange Club's service programs. Tickets available online through Eventbrite, or can be purchased at the Madison Racquet & Swim Club, R.J. Julia Booksellers, or Robert's Food Center. Rain date: Thursday, Sept. 27. For info, visit www.madisonexchange.org.
Friday, Sept. 21 to Sunday, Sept. 23
Guilford Fair: 1 to 11 p.m., Friday; 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday. Guilford Fairgrounds, For info, visit www.guilfordfair.org.
Saturday, Sept. 22
Shoreline Harvest Art and Cool Jazz Festival: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Branford Green, Main St. Food vendors on-site. For info, contact 860-334-4642 or 1229bacgallery@gmail.com, or visit www.branfordartcenterct.com.
Sunday, Sept. 23
Tour de Branford: 8:30 a.m. Stony Creek Brewery, 5 Indian Neck Ave., Branford. For info, visit www.active.com/branford-ct/cycling/races/tour-de-branford-2018.
Super Hero Day: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shore Line Trolley Museum, 17 River St., East Haven. Cost: $10 per person. Costumes encouraged. Trolleys depart every half hour. For info, visit www.shorelinetrolley.org.
Saturday, Sept. 29
Source to the Sea: Clean Up Great Meadow: 9 a.m. Hosted by Essex Land Trust. Sponsored by the CT River Conservancy. Meet for assignment at Essex Boat Club (dirt road access between #143 and #145 River Rd.). Wear waterproof boots. Rain or shine. Refreshments served. All ages and abilities welcome. For info, contact 860-876-0306 or info@essexlandtrust.org.
Cruise Blues & Brews Festival: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Chester Fairgrounds, 11 Kirtland Ter. All proceeds benefit the At-Risk Boys Fund. Rain or shine. For info, visit www.cruisebluesandbrews.com.
Saturday, Sept. 29 and Sunday, Sept. 30
Hammonassett Festival: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday. Guilford Fairgrounds. Cost: $5 for adults; free for children 12 and younger. No pets. For info, visit www.hammonasset.org/hammonassett-festival.
Thursday, Oct. 4
First Thursday in Essex: 5 to 8 p.m. Main St. Includes free yoga, live music, classic cars, discounts, door prizes, and festive bites and sips. Sponsored by the Essex Board of Trade. For info, visit www.essexct.com.
Friday, Oct. 5
First Friday in Chester: 5 to 8 p.m. Chester Center. For info, visit www.facebook.com/visitchesterct.
Saturday, Oct. 6
50th Anniversary Hike: 10 a.m. Windswept Ridge Preserve, Essex. Enter at one of the three locations: the Windermere Way entrance, the Windsor Ln. entrance, or the Plains Rd. entrance (Rte. 153, behind Essex Financial Services building). All ages welcome. Boots recommended. Rain date: Sunday, Oct. 7 at 1 p.m. For info, contact 860-876-0306 or info@essexlandtrust.org.
Outdoor Harvest Concert: Neil Young Tribute: 3 p.m. Water's Edge Resort & Spa, 1525 Boston Post Rd., Westbrook. Seasonal craft beer and food specials available. Doors open at 2 p.m. Cost: $10. For info, visit www.watersedgeresortandspa.com.
Night Fall: 6 p.m. Pope Park, Hartford. Outdoor community performance. Grounds open at 2 p.m. Free. For info, visit www.nightfallhartford.org.
Saturday, Oct. 6 and Sunday, Oct. 7
Autumn Arts Festival: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 43 Bradley Rd., Madison. Free. Presented by Spectrum Art Gallery and Arts Center Killingworth. For info, call 860-663-5593 or visit www.artscenterkillingworth.org.
The Sound & The Flora of Stony Creek: 1 to 5 p.m., Saturday; noon to 4 p.m., Sunday. Flower show inside three private homes and six historic buildings throughout Stony Creek. Hosted by the Branford Garden Club. For info, visit www.branfordgardenclub.org.
Sunday, Oct. 7
Animal Awareness Day: Noon to 4 p.m. Branford Green. Free. Features music, food, vendors, rescue groups, mini horses, bake sale, kids' activities, and Blessing of the Animals at 1:30 p.m. Hosted by Branford Compassion Club. Rain or shine. For info, visit www.branfordcompassionclub.org.
Dogs on the Docks Parade and Competition: 1 to 3 p.m. Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St., Essex. Cost: $10 per dog; $5 per additional dog. Rain or shine. For info, visit www.ctrivermuseum.org.
Wednesday, Oct. 10
Wooden Pallet Pumpkins Craft Night: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thimble Island Brewing Company, 16 Business Park Dr., Branford. Cost: $45. For crafters 14 and older. Supplies provided. Bring snacks. Wine and beer available for purchase. Hosted by Craftivate. For info, visit www.craftivatect.com.
Thursday, Oct. 11
Westbrook Healthy Living Expo: 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Valley Shore YMCA, 201 Spencer Plains Rd., Westbrook. For info, visit www.seniorresourcesec.org/stay-informed/senior-expos.
Friday, Oct. 12 to Sunday, Oct. 14
*Sleepy Hollow Lantern Tour: Tours start at 7 p.m. Cost: $12 per person. Parmelee Farm Homestead, 465 Rte. 81, Killingworth. Cost: $15 per person. Tickets must be purchased online. For ages 8 and older. Hosted by Artful Living. For info, call 860-389-1363 or visit www.artfullivingct.com.
Saturday, Oct. 13
Halloween Window Painting: 10 a.m. to noon. Individuals, groups, and families (up to seven individuals) can decorate a business window in Guilford. Sketches must be submitted by Oct. 5. Cost: $25 per group. Winners announced at Halloween Spooktacular. For info, call 203-453-8068 or visit www.guilfordparkrec.com.
Scarecrow Making Workshop: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Town Green Gazebo, Old Saybrook. Cost: $5 per family. Hay, instruction, cider, and donuts provided. Bring clothes to stuff with hay. Hosted by Parks & Recreation. For info, visit www.oldsaybrookrec.com.
Bauer Park Harvest Festival: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 257 Copse Rd., Madison. Free. Includes pony rides, hay rides, oldfashioned games, food, cider pressing, and more. For info, visit www.madisonct.org.
Chowder Challenge for a Cause: Noon to 3 p.m. Guilford Green. Cost: $10 for attendee. For info, visit www.shorelinechamberct.com.
Archaeology Behind-the-Scenes Tour with the Curator: 2 p.m. Henry Whitfield State Museum, 248 Old Whitfield St., Guilford. Cost: $6; includes self-guided tours of the 1639 Whitfield House, the Visitor Center hands-on galleries, and the Education Building's displays. Limited to the first 40 people (ages 13 and older) who arrive. No advance reservations. Free parking. For info, contact 203-453-2457 or whitfieldmuseum@ct.gov.
Fall Feast Gala: A Culinary Celebration of the Connecticut River Valley: 6:30 to 10 p.m. Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St., Essex. Cost: $150. For info, visit www.ctrivermuseum.org.
Saturday, Oct. 13 and Sunday, Oct. 14
Ballet Spooktacular: 1 and 4 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Cost: $20 for adults; $14 for children ages 12 and younger. Costumes for children encouraged. For info, visit www.katharinehepburntheater.org.
Sunday, Oct. 14
10th Annual Vista Tour de Shore: Westbrook Elks Lodge, 142 Seaside Ave. 5, 25, 40, and 60-mile routes. Register solo or team. For info, visit www.vistatourdeshore.com.
Saturday, Oct. 20
Annual Ivoryton Library Pumpkin Chase 5K: Registration begins at the Ivoryton Village Green at 7:30 a.m. (Main St.); race starts at 8:45 a.m. for children and 9:15 a.m. for adults. The 5K-race course winds through Ivoryton Village and the Essex Land Trust's Falls River Preserve. 5K prizes awarded in 10 age groups. Runners 8 and younger running in the Kids' Fun Run will be given medals and invited to stay for craft and story time. Co-sponsored in part by the Essex Land Trust. Proceeds benefit the library. Rain or shine. For info, contact 860-876-0306 or info@essexlandtrust.org.
Harvest Day: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Dudley Farm Museum, 2351 Durham Rd., Guilford. Includes demonstrations of early 19th-century skills, crafts and games for children, food, music, and a special October Market. Free. Rain date: Oct. 27. For info, visit www.dudleyfarm.com.
Grand Reopening of Peters Woods: 10 a.m. to noon. Hosted by Clinton Land Conservation Trust. Easy to medium hike includes light refreshments. Wear sturdy shoes. Bring bug spray. Parking is off Valley Rd., Clinton. For info, visit www.clintonlandtrust.org.
Pumpkin Carving Party: 1 to 4 p.m. Parmelee Farm, 465 Rte. 81, Killingworth. Hosted by the Killingworth Chamber of Commerce. For info, visit www.parmeleefarm.org.
G.O.A.T. Brew Fest: 1 to 5 p.m. Dunkin' Donuts Park, 1214 Main St., Hartford. Hosted by Hartford Yard Goats. For info, visit www.milb.com/hartford.
Ivoryton Pumpkin Festival: 5 p.m. Ivoryton Green. Free. Hosted by Essex Park and Recreation. For info, visit www.facebook.com/ivorytonvillagepumpkinfestival.
Sunday, Oct. 21
Walk-a-Dog-a-Thon and Annual Tag Sale: Noon to 4 p.m. North Haven Town Green. For info, visit www.theanimalhavenct.org.
Photography Hike with Nick Carleno: 1 p.m. Notch Hill Brook Trail, 60 Ciro Rd., North Branford. Meet at the cul-de-sac at the end of the road. Bring camera (cell phones fine). All levels of experience welcome. Wear sturdy hiking shoes or boots. Expect moderate inclines and slightly rocky and wet terrain. Bring water and bug spray. Roughly two hours long. For info, visit www.nblandtrust.org.
24th Annual Men Who Cook Fundraising Gala: 5 to 8:30 p.m. Guilford Yacht Club, 379 New Whitfield St. Cost: $135 per person; $250 per person for patron ticket. For info, call 203-458-6699 or visit www.womenandfamilylife.org.
Autumn Moonlight Walk: 7 p.m. Surf Club, 87 Surf Club Rd., Madison. Bring flashlight. Includes bagpiper, refreshments, and telescopes for viewing with the Astronomical Society of New Haven. For info, visit www.madisonlandtrust.org/events.
Tuesday, Oct. 23 and Wednesday, Oct. 24
Ghost Walks: Clinton Historical Society, 103 East Main St. Refreshments served. Reservations required. Rain date: Thursday, Oct. 25. For info, call 860-664-0900 or visit www.clintoncthistory.org.
Thursday, Oct. 25
Halloween Luminaries with Craftivate: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thimble Island Brewing Company, 16 Business Park Dr., Branford. Early reservations requested. For info, visit www.craftivatect.com.
Friday, Oct. 26
Trunk or Treat: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets, 20 Killingworth Tpke. For info, visit www.clintonct.com.
*Haunted Halloween Bash: 7 p.m. to midnight. Wadsworth Mansion, 421 Wadsworth St., Middletown. Cost: $50. 21 and older event. For info, visit www.wadsworthmansion.com.
*Museum After Dark: Hollywood Halloween: 8 to 11 p.m. New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St. Cost: $20 for members; $30 for non-members. Advance tickets required. Beer, wine, and light snacks provided. Cash bar available for other drinks. 21 and older event. Themed costumes encouraged. For info, visit www.nbmaa.org.
Friday, Oct. 26 to Sunday, Oct. 28
Haunted River: Ghostly Tales & Valley Lore: 6 to 8:40 p.m. Connecticut River Museum, 67 Main St., Essex. Tours leave every 20 minutes. Cost: $13; $9 for ages 7 to 12. For info, visit www.ctrivermuseum.org.
Saturday, Oct. 27
Halloween Hysterics at Henry's: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Henry Whitfield State Museum, 248 Old Whitfield St., Guilford. Bring a flashlight. Admission includes crafting gravestones and gargoyles out of clay, displays on the Guilford Green graveyards and the Whitfield connection to the Salem witch trials, the origins of Halloween traditions in the Holidaze display, and candy. Cost: $6; free for children 12 and younger. Free parking. For info, contact 203-453-2457 or whitfieldmuseum@ct.gov.
Ghost Talk with Psychic and Medium Paul Rice: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Deep River Public Library, 150 Main St. No registration required. For info, call 860-526-6039 or visit www.deepriverlibrary.accountsupport.com.
Trunk or Treat: 4 to 5 p.m. North Haven High School Parking Lot, 221 Elm St. For North Haven residents. Weather permitting. For info, call 203-239-5321, ext. 530.
Annual Halloween Party: 5 to 7 p.m. Recreation Center, 308 Main St., Old Saybrook. For children in preschool to grade 3. Includes music, dancing, cookie decorating, games, prizes, giveaways, photo booth, and candy. Free. For info, visit www.oldsaybrookrec.com.
Owl-O-Ween: 6 to 8 p.m. Parmelee Farm, 465 Rte. 81, Killingworth. Hosted by A Place Called Hope. For info, visit www.parmeleefarm.org.
*Annual Masquerade Ball: 7 to 11 p.m. St. Clements Castle, 1931 Portland-Cobalt Rd., Portland. Cost: $63 per person (plus tax); $55 for vegetarian option. Includes dinner, cash bar, music, photo booth, and best mask prizes. For info, call 860-342-0593 or visit www.stclementsevents.com.
*Spooky Swing Dance Party: 8 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Cost: $25. Prizes awarded for best-dressed couple and individual. For info, call 877-503-1286 or visit www.katharinehepburntheater.org.
Sunday, Oct. 28
WALK for Vista: 9:30 a.m. Walk starts at 10 a.m. Vista's Madison Campus, 107 Bradley Rd. For info, visit www.vistalifeinnovations.org/support-vista/walk-for-vista.
Hocus Pocus Screening: 2 p.m. The Katharine Hepburn Cultural Arts Center, 300 Main St., Old Saybrook. Cost: $8 for adults; $3 for children 12 and younger. For info, visit www.katharinehepburntheater.org.
Halloween Spooktacular: 2 to 4 p.m. Guilford Green. For info, call 203-453-8068 or visit www.guilfordparkrec.com.
Wednesday, Oct. 31
Trunk or Treat: 4 to 6 p.m. Madison Town Green. For info, visit www.madisonct.com.
Thursday, Nov. 1
Rhythm & Brews: 6 to 9 p.m. The Beeracks, 250 Bradley St., East Haven. Sponsored by North Branford Land Conservation Trust, Inc. Cost: $25 in advance; $30 at the door. Admission includes one free drink, light food fare, and live entertainment. Space is limited. For info, call 203-484-0733 or visit www.nblandtrust.org.
Friday, Nov. 2
First Friday in Chester: 5 to 8 p.m. Chester Center. For info, visit www.facebook.com/visitchesterct.
*The Warren Files 'Night of the Haunted': 8 p.m. John Lyman Center, Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU), 501 Crescent St., New Haven. Hosted by Tony Spera. Cost: $15 for general public; $5 for faculty and staff; $5 for SCSU students with ID. For info, visit www.tickets.southernct.edu.
Saturday, Nov. 3
Hike Falls River Preserve: 9 a.m. Falls River Dr., Ivoryton. Falls River Drive is off Main St., Ivoryton. Bad weather cancels. For info, contact 860-876-0306 or info@essexlandtrust.org.
Friday, Nov. 9
Gala of Stars: Dancing for the Cause: 6:30 to 11 p.m. The WoodWinds, 29 Schoolground Rd., Branford. Hosted by Raise the Roof/Habitat for Humanity. For info, visit www.raisetheroofct.org.
Saturday, Nov. 10 and Sunday, Nov. 11
Shoreline Arts Trail Open Studios Weekend: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 40 member artists exhibit in Branford, Guilford, and Madison. Free. For info, visit www.shorelineartstrail.com.
Saturday, Nov. 17
Cross Lots Clean Up: 9 a.m. Cross Lots Preserve, 40 West Ave., Essex. Refreshments provided. Bring rakes, blowers, etc. Families welcome. Rain date: Sunday, Nov. 18. For info, contact 860-876-0306 or info@essexlandtrust.org.
Ongoing
Haunted Houses & Trails
*Fright Haven: Open Sept. 22 to Nov. 10. 411 Barnum Ave. Cutoff, Stratford. For info, visit www.frighthaven.com.
*Haunted Isle: Open Sept. 28 through Oct. 27 from 7 to 10 p.m. Shore Line Trolley Museum, 17 River St., East Haven. For info, visit www.shorelinetrolley.org/special-events/haunted-isle.
The Haunted Graveyard: Open Sept. 28 through Oct. 28 at dusk. Lake Compounce, 186 Enterprise Dr., Bristol. For info, visit www.hauntedgraveyard.com.
*Nightmare on Wolcott Street: Open Sept. 28 through Oct. 28 from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m., Friday and Saturday; 6 to 11 p.m., Sunday. 1058 Wolcott St., Waterbury. For info, visit www.nightmareonwolcottstreet.com.
Legends of Fear: Open Sept. 28 through Nov. 3 from 7 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday; 7 to 9:30 p.m., Sunday. Fairview Tree Farm, 2 Saw Mill City Rd., Shelton. For info, visit www.legendsoffear.com.
*Trail of Terror: Open Sept. 29 through Oct. 28 from 7 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday; 7 to 10 p.m., Sunday. 60 North Plains Hwy., Wallingford. For info, visit www.trailofterror.com.
*Rails to the Darkside: Open Oct. 5 through 27 from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Connecticut Trolley Museum, 58 North Rd., East Windsor. Cost: $18. For info, visit www.ct-trolley.org.
*The Dark Manor Haunted House: Open Oct. 5 through 31. 25 Main St., Baltic. For info, visit www.thedarkmanor.com.
*Nightmare Acres: Open Oct. 5 through Nov. 3 from 7 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday; 7 to 10 p.m., Sunday. 240 Governors Hwy., South Windsor. For info, visit www.nightmareacresct.com.
*Nautical Nightmares: Madness on the Mystic River: Open Oct. 12 through 28 from 6 to 10 p.m. Mystic Seaport. Tours depart every 15 minutes. Cost: $21 for members; $25 for non-members; $16 for youth members; $20 for youth non-members. Not recommended for children younger than 12. Advance registration required. For info, call 860-572-0711 or visit www.mysticseaport.org.
*Creeperum Haunted House: Dates TBD. 41r Marne St., Hamden. For info, visit www.creeperum.com.
Corn Mazes
Bishop's Orchards Corn Maze: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends and Columbus Day through Oct. 28. Main Orchard, 526 New England Rd., Guilford. Cost: $7 per person; free for children younger than 2. Theme: Beluga and penguin. For info, call 203-458-7425 or visit www.bishopsorchards.com.
Lyman Orchards Corn Maze: 3 to 6 p.m., Wednesday to Friday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday through Nov. 4. Lyman Orchards, 32 Reeds Gap Rd., Middlefield. Cost: $10 for adults 13 and older; $5 for children 4 to 12; free for children 3 and younger. Theme: Dancing with the Stars. For info, visit www.lymanorchards.com.
Scarecrows
Essex Scarecrow Festival: Thursday, Oct. 4 to Wednesday, Oct. 31. Main St., Essex. Presented by Essex Board of Trade. Free. Scarecrows due Tuesday, Oct. 2. For info, visit www.essexct.com.
Scarecrows Invade Madison: Saturday, Oct. 6 through Wednesday, Oct. 31. Downtown Madison. For info, visit www.madisonct.com.
Scarecrows on the Guilford Green: Scarecrow Building Contest on Saturday, Oct. 13, and then on display the weeks following. For info, call 203-453-8068 or visit www.guilfordparkrec.com.
Scarecrows on the Green: Friday, Oct. 19 to Sunday, Nov. 4. Branford Green. Hosted by Branford Garden Club. For info, visit www.branfordgardenclub.org.
Scarecrow Fest: Month of October. Downtown Old Saybrook. For info, visit www.oldsaybrookchamber.com.
Farmers' Markets
Ivoryton Farmers' Market: 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturdays through Sept. 29. Ivoryton Town Green, 103 Main St. For info, visit www.ivorytonfarmersmarket.com or www.facebook.com/ivorytonfarmersmarket.
Chester Sunday Market: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 14. Chester Village, Main St. For info, visit www.facebook.com/chestersundaymarket.
Madison Farmers' Market: 3 to 6 p.m. Fridays through Oct. 26. Madison Town Green, 26 Meetinghouse Ln. For info, call 860-550-1122 or visit www.madisonctfarmersmarket.com.
Old Saybrook Farmers' Market: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays and Wednesdays through Oct. 31. 210 Main St., Old Saybrook. For info, visit www.oldsaybrookfarmersmarket.com.
Dudley Farm Summer Farmers' Market: 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays through October. Dudley Farm, Routes 77 and 80. For info, call 203-457-0770 or visit www.dudleyfarm.com.
Misc.
Weekends from Saturday, Oct. 13 through Sunday, Oct. 28
Pumpkin Patch: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shore Line Trolley Museum, 17 River St., East Haven. Trolleys leave every 20 to 30 minutes. Cost: $10 per person. No reservations required. For info, visit www.shorelinetrolley.org/specialevents/pumpkin-patch.
*=Not recommended for young children.
To submit an event for inclusion in any of our seasonal magazines, email e.shanley@shorepublishing.com.