This Weekend

June 21-23, 2013

Summer is Official

Ring in the official start of summer by taking some time to awaken your senses and experience all Connecticut has to offer. Get out on the green during the Travelers Championship at the Tournament Players Club at River Highlands in Cromwell through Sunday. The Northeast’s only PGA tour attracts the world’s best golfers and features an interactive Fan Zone and family-friendly events. Cruise the beautiful lower Connecticut River on Friday evening’s Summer Solstice Cruise aboard the vessel RiverQuest or take Saturday’s daytime Osprey Cruise where you can observe the young ospreys on the edge of the nests ready for flight. Enjoy the beauty of 15,000 blooming and colorful rose bushes at the Rose Weekend at Elizabeth Park in Hartford (Friday – Sunday). Activities include music and dance performances along with children’s events. Visit one or several of the 14 historic garden sites across the state being represented during the Connecticut’s Historic Gardens Day on Sunday. Each site will offer special activities emphasizing their garden and what makes them so special and significant. Among the participating sites are Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden in Bethlehem, the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center, the Butler McCook House & Garden both in Hartford, and the Florence Griswold House in Old Lyme. Get on your hiking shoes and hunt for butterflies at the Cedar Hill Butterfly Hunt at the Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford on Saturday. Cedar Hill supports a significant butterfly population with nearly 20 species spotted. Explore Connecticut’s state parks trail system on Sunday and take a family bike tour of Greenwich Point on the History on Wheels event. Stop along the way to engage with historians and naturalist.

Treat yourself to an overnight stay in a location that is central to many of the weekend activities. The Premiere Hotel and Suites in New Haven on Long Wharf Drive in offering a Shop and Stay Package, including an overnight stay in a executive studio suite, full buffet breakfast along with a free Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets VIP Coupon Book Voucher. Rates from $144.00

More outdoor adventures with breath-taking views:

Purplestride 5K Walk & Run , Hubbard Park, Meriden
Your choice, you can walk or run a timed race on a course through the park. But whatever your choice, there will be music and family-friendly festivities for all on Saturday.

Run For Chris 5K & Kids Run, Essex, (860) 767-0354
Meet at the Town Hall on Saturday and run through beautiful downtown Essex. Children will receive prizes.

Stratton Faxon Fairfield Road Races, Jennings Beach, Fairfield (203) 481-5933
Saturday’s event features a 5K race on a course that is flat and fast. Sunday is the half marathon race on a scenic course passing the beaches of Fairfield. Both days include on course entertainment and a post race beach party.

Merrell Down and Dirty Mud Run, Riverside Park, Hartford (860) 713-3131
Challenge yourself on Sunday on either the 5K or 10K running course filled with military-style obstacles designed for people of all fitness levels.

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, use the Events Quick Search on the right side of the page.

 

This Weekend in Connecticut
June 21-23, 2013

NEW HAVEN
June 15-29 - International Festival of Arts & Ideas - Multiple venues. Time: Call for schedule of performances and ticket information. A 15-day extravaganza of performing arts, lectures, and conversations that takes over theaters and open spaces in New Haven each June. More than 80% of festival events are completely free. (888) 278-4332, (203) 498-1212

STAMFORD
June 21 - Steve Martin and The Steep Canyon Rangers featuring Edie Brickell - Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic Street, Stamford, 06901. Time: 8 p.m. Don’t miss this“must see” performance showcasing new material performed by Martin and Brickell including songs from their newly released album (April 2013) “Love Has Come for You,” along with the unique hybrid of bluegrass and comedy. Admission: $55-$175. (203) 325-4466

FRANKLIN
June 21 - Family Square Dance - Blue Slope Country Museum, 138 Blue Hill Road. Franklin, 06254. Time: 7:30 – 10:30 p.m. Enjoy an evening of pure fun at the hoedown in the Bank Barn at the Blue Slope Farm. No experience is necessary. Open to singles, couples and families - young and old.. Calls made by Joe LoPresti and his County Friends for both squares and line. Admission: $6 per person, $25 per family. (860) 642-642-6413

ESSEX
June 21-23 - The Hot Steamed Jazz Festival - Essex Steam Train, 1 Railroad Avenue, Essex, 06426. Time(s): Friday 6 p.m.-10:30 p.m., Saturday. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. & 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m., Sunday. noon-5 p.m. Join in the celebrations at the New Orleans-style traditional Jazz Festival. There’s plenty of music to get your toes tapping from festival favorites to first-time performers. Admission: $35 Single Session, $60 Saturday all-day pass, $100, Full Weekend Pass $8 Children under 12 (800) 348-0003

WINDSOR LOCKS
June 22-23 - Great Aviation Adventure - New England Air Museum, Rte. 75, Windsor Locks, 06096. Time: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Calling all aviation enthusiasts! Get up close and view more than 25 aircrafts displayed on the Signature Flight Support ramp at Bradley International Airport. Centerpiece of the weekend will be a flying B-25J Mitchell that served in the Central Pacific during World War II. Parking for the show will be at the Museum, no parking is available at the ramp. Admission: $17 General, $6 Children ages 4-11. Plus a $5.00 fee for the shuttle bus.: (860) 623-3305

GLASTONBURY
June 22 - Antique & Vintage Collectibles Show - Museum on the Green, 1944 Main Street, Glastonbury, 06033 Dealers from all over New England offer antiques and vintage collectibles in all price ranges. Exceptional opportunity to enhance your collections, buy gifts for friends or decorate your home. Admission: $4.