What's Going On This Weekend?

Summer has arrived...and so have the events. Here's what's going on this weekend:

June 12-14 - Mystic
Sea Music Festival, Mystic Seaport, 75 Greenmanville Ave. (Rte. 27) One of the world’s premier maritime music events. Featuring nationally and internationally renowned performers who carry on the classic traditions of the Golden Age of Sail. Admission: Museum admission, evening concerts additional. Museum open 9 a.m.-5 p.m., plus evening concerts. (888) 973-2767

June 12 - Norwalk
Family Fun Night with Madeline. Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Mathews Park, 303 West Ave.
Evening includes pizza, hands-on activities, story time and the children can get their picture taken with Madeline. 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Admission: $12.00 www.steppingstonesmuseum.org (203) 899-0606

June 13 - Varied

Connecticut Open House Day. Cultural organizations and tourism attractions throughout the state will open their doors to Connecticut residents, inviting them to discover and rediscover Connecticut's fascinating world of art, history, and tourism with a variety of special visitor incentives. Click here for Henry Whitfield Museum details and here for CT Open House Flyer. For details of all the places to visit on June 13 visit http://www.ctvisit.com/featured.aspx?id=65 1-888-CTVisit

June 13 - Cheshire
Barker Cartoon Museum Grand Re-Opening. The Barker Cartoon Museum, 1188 Highland Avenue. Grand Re-Opening- Open to the public from Noon to 4 o'clock. Admission: $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 & under, free to children 2 & under. Noon to 4:00 p.m. $5 for adults, $3 for children 12 & under, free to children 2 & under www.barkermuseum.com (203) 699-3822

June 13 - Cheshire
Strawberry Festival, First Congregational Church on the Green (Rte. 10). Old-fashioned festival with fresh strawberry shortcake, lunch, musical entertainment, games, activities for children, pony rides, petting zoo and antiques and collectibles show. Admission: Free. 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (203) 272-5323

June 13-July 18 - East Haddam
"All the Comforts of Home", Gillette Castle State Park, 67 River St. Live theater presented by the East Haddam Stage Company performing a Victorian Drawing Room comedy by William Gillette. Also performed at East Haddam Historical Society, 264 Town St. at 3:30 p.m. Admission Charged. 1:30 & 3:30 p.m. (860) 873-3521

June 13 - Hartford
Juneteenth Celebration. The Amistad Center for Art & Culture at the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St. Juneteenth is the oldest celebration marking African American freedom and achievements. ARTivities include make your own five-dollar bill, create a costume, join in the scavenger hunt, enjoy a guided tour of the Museum. Radio Disney games from noon to 1:30; Art in Motion, a community dance performance from 1:30 to 3:30. Event runs 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: Free. (860) 278-2670

June 13 - Meriden
Jimmy Fund Plant Sale/Craft & Vendor Fair Kelly and Gary Fuerstenberg's House, 76 Applewood Dr. Fundraiser for The Jimmy Fund. Superhero Parade at 11:30 a.m. Kids should come dressed as a superhero. Children's activities, plant sale, crafters and vendors. Free. 9 am-2pm
KellyCooks07@cox.net (203) 440-3092 www.jimmyfundwalk.org/kfuerst

June 13 – Middlebury
School Music Festival. Quassy Amusement Park, Rte. 64. School bands and orchestras perform throughout the afternoon. Noon-6 p.m. Admission: Parking $5. www.quassy.com (203) 758-2913

June 13 – Middlefield
Strawberry Fest at Lyman Orchards, Jct. Rtes. 147 & 157. Activities include a strawberry scavenger hunt, pie eating contests, food tastings, strawberry treats, live music and more great family fun. 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission: Free. www.lymanorchards.com (866) 349-6015

June 13 – Milford
Captain Kidd Treasure Hunt, Downtown Milford. Treasure hunt throughout the downtown area features a treasure map, free booty, lots of entertainment, and of course Captain Kidd and his pirates and wenches. Admission: Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (203) 878-2625

June 13- New Haven
Footprints in the Sand Lighthouse Point Park-2 Lighthouse Road New Haven. 3rd Annual Walk -Walk in the Memory of Someone You Love. Free event/refreshments served. 1pm-5pm free sandra_watts@sbcglobal.net (203) 889-6205


June 13 & 14 - Brooklyn
Bears & Bison Powwow & CT Open House. Creamery Brook Bison, 19 Purvis Rd, Brooklyn. Powwow with grand entry @ 12 :30, Birds of Prey 11 - 12 both days. Wagon ride to see bison Saturday ONLY @ 12 & 1:30. Open 10AM - 5PM. Powwow Admission. $5, under 14 FREE, Ride Admission $7.50, under 12 $6. www.creamerybrookbison.net 860-779-0837

June 13 – 27 New Haven
International Festival of Arts & Ideas at various locations throughout the New Haven area. An internationally renowned festival featuring world-class artists, thinkers, and leaders who engage with a diverse audience to celebrate and build community. Admission: Most events free. www.artidea.org
(888) ART IDEA (888-278-4332)

June 14-New London
“Gifts”. Palmer Auditorium at Connecticut College, 270 Mohegan Ave., New London. Connecticut Dance Continuum, under the direction of L’Ana Burton, features “Gifts,” a unique dance concert that presents an opportunity to view a wide spectrum of contemporary dance from young students to seasoned professionals. Tickets: $10. 4 PM. Free Seating available for needing families. This concert celebrates CDC’s 20th anniversary. Call 860-439-2831 to reserve.

Rain, Rain, Go Away...

As my (nearly) two-year-old and I stare out the window at what appears to be a full on typhoon, I'm reminded of one of my very first posts on this little ol' bloggity blog.

Let's visit the archives, shall we?

They Might Be Giants-- Mark Your Calendars!

The New Haven International Festival of Arts and Ideas is upon us again. As usual, they have a ton of family-friendly activities on the list of events, but perhaps the one we're most excited about is the free concert in the green with They Might Be Giants!

Mark your calendars: Sunday, June 14th at 6 pm in the New Haven Green. See you there!

Touch-A-Truck!!!

How did we miss this one? (Can you tell I've got a son?!)

Sunday June 7th, 2009
11:00-3:00
Eisenhower Park, Milford
$4.00 pre-sale (available at Milford Photo)
$5.00 at the door Rain or shine!
Featuring: Thomas The Tank Rides
Star Wars Storm Troopers and Darth Vader!!
Overflow parking & shuttle bus at Platt Tech School
Please contact Barbara Zink at (203)-464-2598 for tickets

CLICK HERE for the flyer.

What's Going On This Weekend?

June 5-6 - Milford
Fair on the Green 168 Broad St., Milford Green. More than 100 fine artist and crafters display their work; plant, bake and tag sale, refreshments. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. http://mtm-umc.org/fair (203) 874-1982

June 6 - Guilford
Little Folks’ Fair on the Guilford Green, Rte. 77. Old-time games and attractions including storyland, petting zoo, live entertainment, food, crafts. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Adults $2, children (2-12) $1, under 2 free. (203) 453-5500 . For more information, visit our more detailed post HERE

June 6 - Guilford
Tag Sale with a Purpose. Women & Family Life Center, 96 Fair Street. Not an ordinary tag sale-all proceeds benefit the programs and services of WFLC. High-quality women's business clothes, bikes, furniture, baby & kids items and practical items. It's a great community cause! Join us! 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Donations of gently used items also accepted on Friday, June 5th. Call the center for details. (203) 458-6699

June 6 - Hamden
Helen Street School's Community Day, 285 Helen Street, Hamden CT. Around the World in 80 Minutes.
A cultural twist to traditional carnival games and events. Raffles, professional face painting and much more. 11am - 3pm. Free. hsptaprez@live.com

June 6 - New Haven
Audubon Arts on the Edge, Audubon Street (between Whitney Avenue and Orange Street) Audubon Arts on the Edge is a favorite destination for parents with children of all ages as the neighborhood’s arts organizations, galleries, and retailers present a wealth of free, family oriented performances, programs, and hands-on activities. 12-5 p.m. Free. www.newhavenarts.org (203) 772-2788

June 6- Norwalk
Scandinavian Stories at Stepping Stones Museum.
Listen to folktales from Denmark, Norway and Sweden and illustrate the stories at 11:00 am & 2:30 pm. This is part of their 2009 Around the World Program.

June 6- Stratford
Stratford Day is an event where you can have fun, meet your friends, enjoy free entertainment, get some great food, check out some cool cars and motorcycles, play some games, people watch and just stroll around. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. http://stratfordday.com/

June 7 – Hamden
Hike-A-Giant 2008 / National Trail Day. Sleeping Giant State Park off Rte. 10. Two to three simultaneous hikes, varying in length and difficulty. Wear comfortable shoes, bring snacks and water. Admission: Free. 1:30 p.m. (203) 272-7841

June 7 - Old Saybrook
Old Saybrook Fire Dept- Firefighter Competition & Family Fun Day Clark Memorial (Fireman's) Field, 210 Elm St & Ingham Hill Rd. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature up to 9 area volunteer fire departments competing in numerous firefighting competitive events, from a fire-suppression obstacle course, to add-a-length fire hose events and water-drafting contests. 9:30 AM osfd@aol.com, www.oldsaybrookfire.com (860) 857-5300

June 7 - Orange
Old Fashioned Strawberry Festival. On the Green--205 Meetinghouse Lane. Hot dogs, hamburgers, fresh salads, drinks, and of course, strawberry shortcake! Crafts and games/face painting for the kids. "Furious George" will perform live! Sponsored by the Orange Congregational Church. Admission is free. 11:30am-5:30pm. 203 795-9749.

Lyman Orchard's Pick-Your-Own!

Lyman Orchards in Middlefield, CT is opening their Pick-You-Own season this Thursday, June 4 with Strawberries!
Call their 24-hour pick-your-own hotline 860-349-6015 before coming out to pick for the day’s hours and conditions.
See the website at www.lymanorchards.com for more info on events, picking info, and sign up for a discount email!

Little Folks Fair!

The Annual Guilford Little Folks Fair is Saturday June 6 from 11am-4pm.

The fair has been going on since the 50's and benefits scholarships for the nursery school in town.

Lots of old-timey fun-pony rides, petting zoo, crafts, music/entertainment, face painting, mazes, bouncy castle, edutainment stuff, food etc. It's run by the nursery school so it's perfect for little kids. Anyone older than 2nd grade would find it powerfully lame.

Best of all-it's practically free! Kids $1.00, Parents $2.00. Under 2 FREE.

Click Here to read WTNH's article about the fair.

Thanks to several of our readers for passing on info about the fair! As we've said before, we rely on readers like you to act as contributors to our blog, so please don't hesitate to email ideas and events to us: newhavenkids@gmail.com.