CONNECTICUT — Autumn, like the colored leaves that are its calling cards, is dropping this weekend, officially at 8:43 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 22, in the Northern Hemisphere.
Of course, in Connecticut, when the leaves turn golden, a young man’s fancy turns to… garlic. The 17th Annual Garlic Festival wafts into Olde Mystick Village this weekend, and over 50 vendors who put garlic in everything will be on hand to help you do the same. Times are Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., with live music throughout.
A more traditional autumnal experience will be on tap at several Oktoberfest celebrations this weekend.
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The Counterweight Brewing Company in Cheshire does Oktoberfest up right, brewing Bavarian dancers, yodeling, and a stein-hoisting competition in with their beer. Friday and Saturday, noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday noon to 8 p.m.
You’ll need tickets for The Annual “Ok2berfest” at Two Roads Brewing Company in Stratford, now in its 11th year. Lumberjacks will compete, pretzels will be tossed, and there’s even a German Spelling Bee, all in the midst of all the polka music you — or anyone — could ever want to hear. Rain or shine, noon Saturday until 6:30 p.m. Sunday.
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Dockside Brewery in Milford will be offering a German menu and music at its Oktoberfest Bash on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Quassy Amusement Park and Waterpark in Middlebury will be holding its Oktoberfestivities in its Fieldside Pavilion across both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available online here.
Swap out your lederhosen for some overalls and skedaddle over to Guilford for the state’s second-oldest agricultural fair, running Friday through Sunday. The Guilford Fair is a pretty big show, with live music, a circus, and its own parade alongside the usual pig racing and tractor pulling.
Friday 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., at the Guilford Fairgrounds.
The Town of Orange will be having its fair on Saturday and Sunday as well. Look for a classic car show, and expect plenty of pancakes. Gates open both days at 8 a.m. On a smaller scale is Deep River Day, the municipality’s “celebration of small town life,” and they mean it: expect sidewalk sales, a farmer’s market, pet parade, a 5K run, book sale and garden club plant sale along with the requisite food trucks. Down Main Street, on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Catch your breath at The Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at their first-ever Harvest Moon Market. Just in time for the fall solstice, the market will showcase indigenous and non-indigenous farmers, crafters and culture for a family-friendly day full of activities. Admission to the marketplace is free.
The Norwalk Boat Show opens Thursday in the Norwalk Cove Marina, and will run through Sunday. In addition to plenty of boats to ogle, you’ll find free power boat rides, paddle boating, free boating lessons, live music, kids’ activities and demos of the latest gear for the weekend seaman. Tickets are available online here.
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That covers your water activity. As for earth and sky, look no further than The Windsor Eco Monarch Festival, on the Windsor Town Green Saturday, Sept. 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Organizers call it a “unique, artsy, green event.” You’ll call it a bonanza, if your jam is artisan-crafted goods with an eco-friendly bent. The event is the work of The Windsor Monarch Project, which serves “to preserve the health of the monarch butterfly through raise and release programs, planting habitats and educating the public of the vital importance the monarch plays in our environment.” Wins all around. Rain date is Sunday.
End your Saturday with some fireworks in Downtown New London with a celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. Beside the big booms, look for live music at the Parade Plaza with Orquesta Yunquena and DJ Red from Bomba, cultural dancing, and the El Traviezo Mexican food truck. Saturday, 6 to 9 p.m.
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