September 3, 2010

Excitement in the Air

Take the “Labor” out of Labor Day weekend and keep the excitement alive with the many races, festivals and celebrations. Over the weekend the Connecticut River will once again be buzzing with the roar of engines and the spray of rooster tails. The U.S. Title Series Powerboat Race will conclude its six-month-long season at the Riverfront in both Hartford and East Hartford. Experience Greek culture at the ODYSSEY: A Greek Festival, Friday through Monday at Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange. There will be plenty of Greek food, live music and dancing. The Meet the Artists & Artisans Labor Day Show takes place beneath the shade of the apple trees at Olde Mistick Village in Mystic. Saturday through Monday, this 60 award-winning exhibitor show features national award winning artists and artisans from Florida to Maine. All work is original and unique. Saturday is Prudence Crandall Day at the Prudence Crandall Museum in Canterbury. The celebration honors the 207th birthday of Connecticut’s State Female Hero. Enjoy a self-guided tour through the museum, 1830’s children’s games and a special theatrical performance by Young Audiences of Connecticut. Over 5,000 racers will be on the starting line on Monday in New Haven for the 33rd Stratton Faxon New Haven Road Race. This year’s event will feature opportunities for everyone to get involved with a Kids Fun Run and a T-Shirt Design Contest.

Escape for the weekend plan an overnight! Interested in staying in an eco-friendly property? Connecticut has fifteen hotels, motels and B& Bs across the state certified through the new Connecticut Green Lodging Program. One, Omni New Haven at Yale in New Haven is offering a special discount for the New Haven Road Race. Another is The Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton, offering a Mystic Family Escape package. The package includes overnight accommodations and family admission to the Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport (two adults and two children).

More to enjoy on Labor Day weekend:

Historic Festival XXVIII, In Conjunction with A Taste of the Litchfield Hills , Salisbury (860) 435-5000
Enjoy a family friendly weekend at the famed Lime Rock Park in Salisbury. An expanded number of races are scheduled for Saturday and Monday and the “Sunday in the Park” car show has grown. Embrace the glamour, glory and style of historic and vintage sports cars. New this year is the addition of A Taste of the Litchfield Hills. Sample foods from traditional New England fare to international specialties prepared by chefs from local restaurants, bistros and other purveyors. There will be plenty of live music and an outdoor bazaar. The Historic Festival runs from Friday to Monday and the Taste of Litchfield Hills runs from Saturday to Monday.

Taste of the Shoreline, Guilford (203) 453-9677
Take the family to the Guilford Fairground on Saturday for a great family event. The day will be filled with food provided by many restaurants and food establishments from Guilford and along the shoreline. There will be family entertainment, contests and children’s activities. The culmination of the day will be an evening of music accompanied by food served by some of the best restaurants along the shore.

These highlights represent just a sampling of the many exciting events taking place across Connecticut this weekend. For more information about these and other entertaining activities, click on Events.

This Weekend in Connecticut
September 3, 2010

HARTFORD
September 4-5 - Sesame Street LIVE: Elmo's Healthy Heroes - XL Center, One Civic Center Plaza, Hartford, CT 06106. Time(s): Saturday. 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Sunday 1 and 4:30 p.m. When Super Grover loses his superness, Sesame Street needs a hero. Never fear, Elmo and his team of Healthy Heroes are here. Teaching lessons of healthy habits through song and dance, your favorite Sesame Street friends explore exercise, nutrition, sleep, energy and hygiene - all in a quest to put the "super" back in Super Grover. Admission: $12-$35. Phone: (860) 727-8010

COVENTRY
September 5 - Coventry Farmers' Market: Green Up-Connecticut Fair - Nathan Hale Homestead, 2299 South Street, Coventry, CT 06238. Time(s): 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Enjoy this large and diverse farmers' market plus an interactive environmental fair. Bring the kids for free family activities or take a tour of the Nathan Hale Homestead. Admission: Fair is free; Regular admission applies to the House Tours (860) 742-1419

MYSTIC
September 4-6 - Fish & Ships Seafood Festival - Mystic Seaport, 75 Greenmanville Avenue (Rte. 27), Mystic, CT 06355. Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Enjoy fresh seafood, play 19th century games on the Village Green, get out on the water aboard the 111 year old ship "Sabino," and so much more. Admission: Museum admission, cost of food is additional. (888) 973-2767

MIDDLEBURY
September 4-5 - Constitution State Feis - Quassy Amusement Park, Rte. 64, Middlebury, CT 06762. Time(s): Park opens 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., Program 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. In addition to the fun filled activities of the park, this weekend has an added bonus. The Irish Dance Competition with hundreds of dancers from throughout New England will take place at the Lakeside Theatre and patio area. Don’t miss the excitement. Admission: $30 Carload Weekend all Labor Day Weekend. (203) 758-2913

CLINTON
September 3-6 - Labor Day Sidewalk Sale - Clinton Crossing Premium Outlet, Killingworth Turnpike, Clinton, CT 06413. Time(s): Friday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 .m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Don't miss the annual Labor Day Weekend Sale Friday through Monday for discounts of 25%-65% on designer fashions and sportswear, shoes, children’s apparel, fine leather and luggage, accessories and jewelry, housewares and home furnishings, gifts and specialty items. (860) 664-0700