The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
New Haven County events
BRANFORD BRANFORD JAZZ
Branford Jazz Concerts take place on the Branford Green, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursdays, June 29 to Aug. 24, nine concerts in all. Includes local and national acts with refreshments available for purchase from local businesses. Details, visit www. branfordjazz.com.
HAMMERFEST TRIATHLON
The Hammerfest Triathlon, a USAT sanctioned sprint distance triathlon, takes place at the Owenego Inn Beach and Tennis Club in Branford, Sunday, Sept. 17. The race route includes a .5-mile open water swim. Cookout and Fun Run follow the race. Visit active.com (search Hammerfest) for more information or to register.
PEACH AND CHOWDER FESTIVAL
Church of Christ Congregational, 192 Thimble Islands Road, Stony Creek, holds its annual Peach and Chowder, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 12. Details at 203-488-7827.
WOOFSTOCK
Free music festival to benefit the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter takes place from 11 a.m. (Woofwalk) to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 12, on the Branford Green. Admission free, but donations accepted; raffles, Hippie Dog Contest, kids’ zone, art, food. Details at www.woofstockonthebranfordgreen.org.
EAST HAVEN SUNDAY CONCERTS
Free Sunday Concerts take place on the East Haven Green at 6 p.m. in July and August: July 9 – Avenue Groove; July 16 – Steppin Out; July 23 – Groove Time; July 30 – Timmy Maia Experience; Aug. 6 – Sapphire Band; Aug. 13 – Vinnie Carr Party Band; Aug. 20 – Neapolitan Night; Aug. 27 – The Sin Sisters. Details – call 203468-3204, or visit townofeasthavenct.org.
CHURCH CARNIVAL
Our Lady of Pompeii Church Carnival runs from Tuesday, July 25, to Saturday, July 29, at 355 Foxon Road. For details, call 203-469-0764.
FALL FESTIVAL
The 26th annual East Haven Fall Festival takes place Sept. 8, 9, 10, on the Green. Music, food, rides, crafts and fun for all ages. Details at townofeasthaven.org.
GUILFORD HENRY WHITFIELD MUSEUM
Take a tour of Connecticut’s oldest house, The Henry Whitfield House, circa 1639, and learn what life was like in the time of the Puritans, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Admission – adults, $8, seniors (60+), $6, college students with ID, $6, youth (6-17), $5, children under 6, admitted free. Details at www.cultureandtourism.org and search “Henry Whitfield Museum,” or visit facebook. com/HenryWhitfieldStateMuseum.
ROTARY LOBSTERFEST
Guilford Rotary’s LobsterFest kicks off at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 24, at Guilford Fairgrounds, with lobster and all the fixings during the 22nd annual Guilford Rotary Lobsterfest. Gates are open from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., with dinner served 5 to 7:30 p.m. Entertainment provided until 8 p.m. Tickets are $60; $10 children’s meal tickets, available at the gate; table for eight is $450. Tickets and details at guilfordrotarylobsterfest.com.
CRAFT EXPO
Guilford Art Center’s Craft Expo takes over the historic Guilford Green – noon to 9 p.m., Friday, July 14; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 15; and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 15. Features fine handmade crafts by more than 180 contemporary artists from across North America, including jewelry, clothing, fiber, pottery, glass, leather, metal, sculpture and wood; food court, children’s activities, musical entertainment, silent auction Admission $9, adults; $7 seniors; members, children under 12, and active military service personnel admitted free. Details at guilfordartcenter.org or call 203-453-5947.
ANNUAL ANTIQUE CAR SHOW, FLEA MARKET
Time Machines Antique Car Show & Flea Market runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, July 23, Guilford Fairgrounds, 111 Lovers Lane, rain or shine. The event features 22 judged car classes including muscle cars, pick-up trucks, mustangs, model A Fords, fire trucks, and more. Admission – adults, $4; seniors, $3; under 12, free. Call 860-741-0277 or visit www.tbirdsofconn.org, or oldride.com.
EARLY GUILFORD DAYS FAMILY FESTIVAL
All five Guilford museums — Henry Whitfield, Hyland House, Dudley Farm Museum, Medad Stone Tavern, and Thomas Griswold House — will be open for craft demonstrations, hands-on activities, and refreshments on Saturday, July 29, and Sunday, July 30. Details, email whitfieldmuseum@ct.gov.
SHAKESPEARE ON THE SHORELINE
Shakespeare on the Shoreline performs “The Tempest,” one of Shakespeare’s treasured plays at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2 through 6, on the Guilford Green, Bring blankets, chairs, and picnics to enjoy theater under the stars. Admission is free. Details at shorelinearts.org.
SHORELINE JEWISH FESTIVAL
Shoreline Jewish Festival runs from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 6, on the Guilford Green. Traditional and contemporary food, music. Details at www. jewishshoreline.org.
TASTE THE SHORELINE
The 27th annual Taste the Shoreline takes place from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, on the Guilford Green. Details at www.shorelinechamberct.org.
GUILFORD FAIR
The Guilford Fair, a large agricultural fair that began in 1859, takes place Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Sept. 15, 16, and 17 at the Guilford Fairgrounds. Extensive array of activities, booths, events, and entertainment all included with admission. Ride tickets are additional. Admission $10 for adults, $8 for senior citizens, $5 children ages 6-11, children 5 and under admitted free. Three-day discount pass is $25. Parking is $5. Free parking off of Exit 57 with shuttle bus service. Details at www.guilfordfair.org.
MADISON REMARKABLE HOMES TOUR
The Madison Historical Society’s fifth annual Remarkable Homes Tour takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 25. Includes some of Madison’s loveliest homes. Tickets $35 in advance; $40 day of the tour. Maps provided for the self-guided tour that begins at Lee’s Academy, 14 Meetinghouse Lane. Details – call 203-245-4567 or visit madisonhistory. org.
CONCERT SERIES
All Sunday concerts on the Madison Green are free, family-friendly events taking place from 6 to 8 p.m., as are the Sunday concerts at the Madison Surf Club, from 7 to 9 p.m. Bring a chair or blanket. Details at madisonct.org.
GRASSY STRIP MUSIC AND ART SERIES
The free music and art series runs from 7:30 to 9 p.m. June 28 to Aug. 30, front lawn of Madison Beach Hotel, 94 West Wharf Road. Details at www.grassystrip.com.
ANTIQUES SHOW
The 44th Annual Madison Antiques Show to benefit the North Madison Congregational Church takes place on the Green, Boston Post Road, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 8, rain or shine. Quality antiques and collectibles, furniture, clocks, glass, dolls, china, silver, quilts, tools, carpets, jewelry and more. Refreshments from the Church Bakery Shop. Admission donation $5; children under 10 with adult admitted free. Details at fccmadison.org.
SUMMER BREEZE RIDE The 2017 Summer Breeze Half Century/Metric/ Century Ride for Autism meets at Polson Middle School, 302 Green Hill Road, Madison, at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, July 16. The ride offers a variety of distances. Details – call 203-208-0943 or visit sarahfoundation.org. DINNERS AT THE FARM
Enjoy an elegant dinner at the farm evening, Barberry Hill Farm, 353 Boston Post Road, Madison, beginning at 6 p.m. from July 26 through 30 with orchard fruit cocktail, passed hors d’oeuvres, and a tour of the farm. Dinner by Chester’s River Tavern is served at 7 p.m. Tickets range between $125 and $150 per person, depending upon the evening chosen. Details and tickets, call 860-526-8078 or visit dinnersatthefarm.com.
MADISON ANTIQUES FAIR
Madison Historical Society’s 46th annual Antiques Fair takes place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26, on the Madison Green. Includes some 100 antiques exhibitors from the Northeast, New York state, and Mid-Atlantic states, 18th and 19th century American and European furniture, silver, paintings, porcelains, and fine linens and quilts, along with rugs, wicker, prints, vintage clothing, estate jewelry, clocks, architectural design furnishings, country collectibles and more. Admission $7, $5 for members, children under 13 admitted free. Details at madisonhistory.org.
HAMMONASSET FESTIVAL
The Hammonasset Festival takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 30 to Oct. 1, at the Guilford Fairgrounds (due to work in progress at Hammonasset Park). The event features music, food, nature and animal displays, Native American dance troupes, Native American artists and crafters, a Native American Blessing and Smudging ceremony, authentic Native American cuisine, live wildlife shows, environmental exhibits, and museum outreach programs. Details at www. hammonasset.org, or call 203-245-9192.
MILFORD SUMMER NIGHTS BY HARBOR LIGHTS
The Rotary Pavilion at Fowler Field in Milford comes alive with the sounds of a variety of local bands at 7 p.m. on Friday nights, late June through early August. The music ranges from big band swing to rock and roll. Sponsored by the Annual Milford Oyster Festival. Free admission. Bring
a picnic (no alcohol permitted) and chairs or a blanket to sit on. Rain cancellation notices will be broadcast on WPLR and WICC radio stations. Details at milfordct.com.
MILFORD ROTARY LOBSTER BAKE
The 41st annual Milford Rotary Lobster Bake, sponsored by Milford Bank, will take place from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at Milford Boat Works, 1 High St., rain or shine. Proof of age required for alcohol consumption. Details at www. milfordrotary.org. No tickets at the door.
OYSTER FESTIVAL
The 43rd Annual Milford Oyster Festival takes place, rain or shine, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 19, in downtown Milford. With free admission, the event features food, entertainment, classic cars and oysters. Oyster Eve is from 6 to 9:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 18, 6 to 9:30 p.m. Details at www. milfordoysterfestival.org.
ANTIQUE FIRE APPARATUS SHOW
The 46th Annual Antique Fire Apparatus Show and Muster, sponsored by Engine 260 Inc. and Southern Connecticut Antique Fire Apparatus Collectors takes place in Eisenhower Park, Route 121, Milford, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9. The event features a parade, firefighter team competitions, flea market, exhibitions and demonstrations. Free admissionDetails at engine260.org, call 203874-2605, or email engine260@aol.com.
IRISH FESTIVAL
The Irish Heritage Society of Milford’s Annual Festival runs from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16 at the Rotary Pavilion behind the library. The event features Irish food, music, crafts, entertainment and gifts. Friday admission is $5 per person, children 12 and under admitted free; Saturday, admission is $10 per person, children 12 and under admitted free. Details at milfordirish.org.
MAC FEST 2017
The Milford Arts Council’s annual arts festival, formerly known as The New England Arts & Crafts Festival, was reinvented in 2015 as MAC Fest. In mid September, the Green will be full of artists and artisan vendors and workshops, followed by a free concert at 5 p.m. The single-day festival on the Milford Green celebrates the Milford Arts Council programming and community partnerships, and to invite the community to “Be a Part of Art.” Includes juried hand-crafted, original fine art/artisans, gourmet food vendors, author’s tent, pop-up workshops in art, dance and food/wine tastings, floral arranging and more. The event also includes a sidewalk chalk contest, young person’s theater boot camp, a plein air painting event and live music. Application and details at www.milfordarts.org.
NORTH HAVEN NORTH HAVEN FAIR
The North Haven Fair, 290 Washington Ave., opens at 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, and runs until 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 10. Entertainment, pony, horse, and ox drawing contests, juggler, wrestling, chainsaw carving, petting zoo, kids’ games, agricultural exhibits, skills contest, rides, and more. Shows are free with paid admission – $5 Thursday; $10 Friday through Sunday; children under 12 free; age 65 and over $5 on Sunday. Details at northhaven-fair.com.
WEST HAVEN OUTDOOR CONCERTS
Concerts take place at 7 p.m. on Fridays, July 7 through Aug. 18 on the West Haven Green and in Old Grove Park. Concert cancellations due to weather are rescheduled for Mondays - same time and venue. The concerts are free. For schedule information, go to the Department of Parks and Recreation website, www.whparkrec.com, or call 203-937-3677.
SAVIN ROCK FESTIVAL
The 36th Annual Savin Rock Festival, July 27 to July 30, Old Grove Park, features live music, carnival rides, contests and great food. The fourday festival offers a taste of Savin Rock nostalgia, with a midway of games, rides, entertainment and food stands serving up the fare — fried seafood, split hot dogs, frozen custard — that catapulted “the Rock” to notoriety as “the Coney Island of Connecticut.” Join the citizens of West Haven as they celebrate this flagship festival. Details at savinrockmuseum.com.
WESTFEST
The third Annual WestFest on the West Haven Green is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 2. Showcases local businesses, including crafters, vendors, artists, and UNH student organizations. Face-painting, pie eating contests and water balloon toss contests. Free admission; shuttles from the University of New Haven Maxcy parking lot beginning at 10:30 a.m.
9⁄11 REMEMBRANCE
The 16th Annual 9⁄11 Flag-raising Ceremony is at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Sept. 11, at the William A. Soderman Memorial Flagpole, Bradley Point Park. At 7 p.m., at the Richard S. Gabrielle Sept. 11 Memorial, join the Savin Rock Beach Walk 16th Annual 9⁄11 Candlelight Vigil.
APPLE FESTIVAL
An old-fashioned apple festival takes over the West Haven Green noon to 10 p.m., Sept. 30; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sept. 31; and noon to 6 p.m., Oct. 1, rain or shine. This 13th annual festival, hosted by the First Congregational Church, pays homage to the days of yore with apples, cider and a smorgasbord of apple desserts. The festival’s International Day celebrates culture and diversity Sept. 24. Other activities include rides, food and craft vendors, bands, nonprofit and community group booths, a car show, and a wide variety of apple-related food. For information call 203-494-6021 or visit www.westhavenapplefest. com.
NEW HAVEN CONNECTICUT OPEN TENNIS
The Connecticut Open will take place at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale, 45 Yale Ave. Aug. 18 to 26. The former New Haven Open professional women’s tennis event leads into the U.S. Open, and offers spectators the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the top tennis players in the world, as well as partake in multiple “special access” off-court entertainment events. Details at ctopen. org.
NEW HAVEN JAZZ
Jazz Haven, in association with the Department of Arts, Culture & Tourism, and the Cultural Affairs Commission, City of New Haven, present the annual New Haven Jazz Festival in late August, dates to be determined. Includes a variety of performances along with food, arts, and crafts vendors. Ongoing Jazz Haven community jam sessions on Tuesdays at 7:30, alternating between Three Sheets Bar and Grille, 372 Elm St., and Pacific Standard Tavern, 212 Crown St. Details at jazzhaven.org.
‘THE BRITISH CASTLE’ EXHIBIT
The Yale Center for British Art exhibition “Art in Focus: The British Castle – a Symbol in Stone,” explores medieval castles through Sunday, Aug. 6; some are in ruins, and some still inhabited. The exhibition features paintings that depict castles as art and inform viewers about their various roles in history and culture. Windsor Castle and Dover Castle are two of those featured. The gallery is located at 1080 Chapel St. Admission is free. Details at britishart.yale.edu.
THE STRING QUARTET TRUCK
Music Haven presents The String Quartet Truck, which performs at various times and locations throughout the city of New Haven. The String Quartet Truck engages audiences in the streets of New Haven. The 2017 schedule is still in development, visit musichavenct.org/string-cortet-truck-intro to find their daily stops. Listening is free.
LONG WHARF THEATER
“Small Mouth Sounds,” the Obie award-winning hit by Bess Wohl, directed by Rachel Chavkin, runs from Aug. 30to Sept. 24at Long Wharf Theater in New Haven. Details, call 203-787-4282 or go to longwharf.org.
SHUBERT THEATER
“Dean Lives: A Salute to Dean Martin,” featuring Drew Anthony as Dean Martin, backed by a swinging 12-piece orchestra, takes place Saturday, Sept. 23, at 8 p.m. The tribute show features all of Dean’s most beloved songs across three acts – from the early days of Dean and Jerry, to the days of the Sands hotel in Las Vegas, to the one-of-a-kind Dean Martin show that brought joy into the living rooms of millions all woven together by memories of the “lovable old caretaker.” Details at shubert.com or call 203-562-5666.
ELM CITY SHAKESPEARE
Elm City Shakespeare In Residence at Southern Connecticut State University will perform “The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet” at Edgerton Park, New Haven, at 8p.m. Aug. 17to Sept. 3. The free performance is directed by Rafael Masse. The company produces outstanding theater and educational programs that enrich the lives of people from widely diverse cultural, socio-economic and educational backgrounds. Details at www.elmshakespeare.org.