Town of Bethel

Facts about Bethel

Town/City established:

• Incorporated 1855.

Named from:

• Hebrew: House of God.

County:

• Fairfield

Notable citizens (past and present):

• Phineas Taylor Barnum (P.T. Barnum), founder of the circus that became the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Baily Circus.

Top Attractions:

• Sycamore Drive-In Restaurant; in operation since 1948, a great nostaligic time still serving burgers and is now a town landmark.
• Blue Jay Orchards; pick-your-own apple farm and pumpkin patch in the fall.
• Hollandia Nursery; more than 20 acres of exquisitely landscaped gardens, barns, greenhouses, giant gazebos, and quaint shops.

Annual Visitor’s Events:

• Community Market, June-September.
• Summer Concert Series, July-August.
• SummerFest, July.
• Trunk or Treat Street Halloween Bash, October.
• WinterFest & Tree Lighting Ceremony, November.

Quality of the town/city:

• A small New England town formed in 1855, and located in northern Fairfield County. Bethel lies 60 miles northeast of New York City and 50 miles southwest of Hartford. A town of more than 18,000 people on over 17 square miles. Bethel has a small town charm, an active community calendar of events, walkable downtown offering a variety of restaurants, and an active historical society.