This Weekend

February 24, 2012

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

By this time in February, we are all suffering from a little cabin fever. We have got the cure.  Lace up your hiking boots and head to one of many trails and parks throughout the state offering scenic views and interesting sites.  Pick your own location to explore or join one of the guided tours.  On Saturday the WalkCT Family Ramble program is offering hikes featuring different themes in several locations throughout the state.  WalkCT Family Ramble: Flat Stanley's Outdoor Adventure takes place at Millers Pond State Park in Durham.  Flat Stanley has gone missing on the New England Trail.  Bring the family on a scavenger hunt and letterboxing in search for him.  Family guides will be provided.  The WalkCT Family Ramble: Cheney Railroad History Walk is in Manchester.  Hikers will have an easy, but bumpy, walk along the former railroad, built in 1869 to connect the Cheney silk mills to the main line in the North End.  At 2.5 miles, it was the shortest private freight-and-passenger railroad in the United States.  Hear about the history of the railroad and see maps and old pictures.  Saturday’s WalkCT Family Ramble:  Climb to Mount Higby Part I at Tynan Memorial Park, Mattabesett Trail in Middletown is the first of a series of hikes throughout the year.  Begin at Tynan Memorial Park moving through grassy fields, forested single track trails, old wooded roads along the rocky Mount Higby ridge including multiple, small stream crossing. The hike includes more than four hundred feet of elevation gain as you move to and along the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail; with rewarding views to the west and south awaiting those at the top.  

Extend your weekend activities with an overnight stay at the Crowne Plaza in Cromwell and enjoy the Winterfest 2012 package with Lyman Orchard.  After a fun packed day, relax and view continuous winter movies from 6 – 10 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday with the “Drive-In Theater” while bobbing or lounging in the indoor pool.  Package includes overnight accommodations, hot chocolate in your guest room and $20 to spend in the Sheffield’s Restaurant or Lounge.  Rates from $120.00.  

More outside adventures:

Winterfest & Ice Carving Competition, Middletown
Carve out sometime this weekend to travel over to the Lyman Orchard and watch the best ice carvers in America return to do battle in the second annual Ice Wars Competition.  Internationally renowned ice carver, Bill Covitz tests his ice carving skills against other high-ranking and nationally-recognized ice carvers as they all vie for prestige and a First Place finish.  There will be plenty of hands on winter fun activities for the whole family along with all the free samples you can eat at the Apple Barrel.  Festivities take place on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Eagle Watches on the Connecticut River, Madison
Join a member of the Madison Audubon Shop on a land based guided tour along the Connecticut River to view several locations known for Eagle viewing.  After the tour, travel to Oliver’s Tavern in Essex for a relaxing lunch.  Be sure to dress warmly and bring your binoculars.  Pre-registration required.  Saturdays: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. (ends March 3rd).  The tour departs from the Audubon Shop at 7:35 a.m. and returns at 1:15 p.m.

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
February 24, 2012

HARTFORD
February 21-26 - The Adams Family - Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford, 06106 .  Time(s): Tuesday-Thursday 7:30 p.m., Friday 8 p.m., Saturday 2 & 8 p.m., Sunday 1 & 6:30 p.m.  Come meet the family. They’ll be sure to leave the lights off for you!  You will not want to miss the smash-hit musical comedy that brings the darkly delirious world of Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Grandma, Wednesday, Pugsley and, of course, Lurch to spooky and spectacular life.  This magnificently macabre new musical is created by Jersey Boys authors Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice and Drama Desk-winning composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa (The Wild Party).  Admission: $17-$80.    (860) 987-5900 

HARTFORD
February 23-26 - Connecticut Flower & Garden Show "Traditions of Nature" - Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd. Hartford, 06120 Times(s): Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.  The Convention Center will be transformed into a breathtaking event for floral and garden enthusiasts.  "Traditions of Nature" is the theme for the 31st Annual Connecticut Flower & Garden Show.  Explore over 300 booths overflowing with fresh flowers, plants, herbs, bulbs, seeds, gardening books, garden equipments & much more.  View beautifully landscaped gardens.  Visit the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut design & horticulture competition based on the theme "Fabulous Fifties" Attend over 80 hours of seminars and demonstrations.  Admission: $16 Adults, $14 Seniors (Thursday and Friday only) $4 Children (6-14) Free to children 5 and under.   (860) 844-8461 

RESTAURANT WEEKS – BETHEL & STAMFORD
February 27 – March 4 - Bethel Restaurant Weeks - Various downtown locations, Bethel, 06801.  The Bethel Chamber of Commerce will launch its first-ever Discover Bethel Restaurant Week.  Participating restaurants will offer diverse cuisine according to their own prix fixe specials. 
February 26 – March 11  - Stamford Tables Winter Restaurant Weeks - Various downtown locations, Stamford 06901.  Explore downtown Stamford with specially priced menus.  (203) 701-8377 Bethel, (203) 348-5285 

NEW HAVEN
February 21-25 - “Good Goods" - Yale Repertory Theatre, 1120 Chapel Street, New Haven, 06520.  Time(s): Tuesday – Friday 8 p.m., Saturday 2 & 8 p.m.  Yale Rep presents the world premiere of Good Goods by Christina Anderson, selected by American Theatre magazine as an up-and-coming artist “whose work will be transforming America's stages for decades to come.” Amidst the cluttered shelves of a family-owned general store in a small Black town that doesn’t appear on any map, four lost souls reunite. Partnerships dissolve, alliances shift, and romances ignite as a tragic accident unleashes the town’s mysterious history. Blurring the line between body and spirit, Good Goods is an otherworldly love story of the (dis)possessed.  $20-$88   (203) 432-1234