The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Weekend in Norfolk offers something for everyone
NORFOLK — Bucolic Norfolk, population 1,600, is rolling out the red carpet to celebrate this year’s Weekend in Norfolk, Friday through Sunday.
On the weekend docket are concerts from chamber music by the Emerson String Quartet and the Frank Vignola Jazz Trio to a rock group concert and free live music at Robertson Plaza in the center of town, sponsored by Infinity Hall.
Art lovers can enjoy a variety of demonstrations hosted by the Artisans Guild of Norfolk and two art shows, one featuring the work of Turi Rostad at the Norfolk Library, and the 10th Anniversary Exhibition of the Norfolk Artists & Friends at the Battell Stoeckel Gallery, featuring a variety of work in a multitude of media.
Two photography shows will be offered: Marie Kendall’s late 19th century photos at the Norfolk Historical Society and a group show of contemporary work at Infinity Gallery. A special highlight for art lovers on all three days is the guided tours of Norfolk’s three churches featuring their stained glass windows. Battell Chapel is particularly
known for its stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany and Maitland Armstrong.
Because of its location, Norfolk is one of the best places in Connecticut to stargaze. If you love astronomy, don’t miss the free Astronomy Night with Matthew Moore Johnson on Saturday starting at 8 p.m. at Dennis Hill State Park on Litchfield Road.
Dennis Hill tops out at an elevation of 1,627 feet and Norfolk has no light pollution, making it an excellent spot to observe the nighttime sky. Before you go stargazing, you can attend a Do-Over Prom for adults, being held in the Botelle School gym, complete with prom king and queen, a photo booth, food and a great disk jockey.
To win an “Icebox of Connecticut” t-shirt, complete the six-peak challenge offered by the Norfolk Landtrust by taking a selfie at the peak of all six hiking trails that surround Norfolk. Trail information is available at the two WINformation centers, one on the Village Green and one inside the Hub downtown. A trail run is set for noon on Sunday and, on Saturday, a hike along the Stoney Lonesome Trail with a guide who will explain the history of the famous railroad disaster that occurred there.
Foodies will enjoy a Farmers Market (including a church pie sale) on Saturday, two ice cream socials (on Saturday and Sunday), plus a Saturday afternoon downtown food court and special deals and menus at the town’s restaurants all weekend. A special treat on Sunday is a variety of farm tours at Husky Meadows Farm, Lost Ruby Farm, and Broad Field Farm. This is a great chance to sample their farmto-table goodies, fresh from the farm.
A number of activities for children are availabel, from two old-fashioned ice cream socials, face-painting, games and a children’s concert to a fire hose water soccer game, a leaf-printing workshop sponsored by Great Mountain Forest, a hand-sewing class with free materials supplied by the Historical Society, a free paint-a-chick and stamping workshop, and Dino’s Funky Puppet Show at the Norfolk Library.
Sports lovers should head to the Norfolk Curling Club, which is offering an open house of their state of the art two-sheet facility. Fly-fishing and fly-tying demonstrations will be held, a summer smallmouth fishing workshop and an open house at the Norfolk Country Club, which has a renowned ninehole golf course designed in the late 1920s by A.W. Tillinghast.
For a breather on Sunday, the Yale School of Music is opening Whitehouse for tours on Sunday afternoon. Manor House Bed and Breakfast, a stately Tudor mansion, is offering lemonade on the lawn followed by a free yoga session. Mountain View Green Retreat is offering a series of three complimentary stations, each highlighting a different aspect of wellness and rejuvenation from fresh pressed juices to a tea ceremony and healthy food from around the world.
Norfolk’s parks beckon this weekend and every weekend. An easy trail to the summit of 240-acre Dennis Hill State Park rewards hikers with panoramic views and the observation tower at Haystack Mountain State Park can be reached by auto followed by a short walk up a steep trail. Campbell Falls State Park, a natural reserve area, offers views of the falls tumbling over craggy rock formations.
Visitors who stay overnight will discover some delightful local lodgings like the Blackberry River Inn, a 1761 Colonial; Mountain View Green Retreat, an elegantly restored Victorian, and the Manor House Inn, a romantic 1898 Tudor bed and breakfast.
If the romantic spirit of the town inspires, you can make an appointment for Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. to be wed or renew your vows on the Village Green. A justice of the peace will officiate; flowers will be supplied and ring bearers and witnesses will be standing by. Make a reservation (contact info@weekendinnorfolk.org) and, if you’re getting married, bring your license.
Check out the Weekend in Norfolk website, weekendinnorfolk.org, for the most up to date listing of events to plan your day or days of “WINning” fun in Norfolk.