30th Annual First Night Celebration Hartford

First Night Hartford

When: Monday, December 31

Time: From 2 p.m. to Midnight

Where: Downtown Hartford

Two magnificent fireworks shows in Bushnell Park one a 6 p.m. and one at midnight.

Events:

Architectural Treasures of Hartford- a one hour tour given at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Meet outside the Old State House on the east side.

Ancient Buring Ground Tour- 2:40-3:20 p.m.Enter through the gate on Main Street.

Bill Walach- musician and storyteller at the Pump House in Bushnell Park 6:15 to 9:45 p.m.


For a full list of events check the First Night Website

Each admission wristband will admit each person into all programming and all locations all day/evening long. It’s an “all-in-one” wristband. Come and go to any and all activities as you please. Wristbands must also be worn to fireworks displays if attending.

Wristbands may be purchased online. Deadline for online wristband sales is Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at 12 PM ET.

Prices are $12 for adults, $3 for ages 3-15, and no charge for ages 2 and under.

Wristband(s) purchased online, you will be sent via USPS in within 3 – 5 business days.


PRE-EVENT SALES OUTLET LOCATIONS

Wristbands on sale Saturday, December 1 – Monday, December 31, 2018

AAA – West Hartford, Avon, Cromwell, Enfield, Manchester, Plainville, Old Saybrook, Waterford
CHECK LOCATIONS FIRST on Dec 31

Berkshire Bank – Farmington, Glastonbury, Newington, Rocky Hill, Vernon, West Hartford, Windsor
CHECK LOCATIONS FIRST on Dec 31

CT Transit Information Booth – Downtown Hartford, State House Square

Highland Park Markets – Farmington, Glastonbury, Manchester, South Windsor, Suffield, Coventry

Old State House – 800 Main Street, Hartford CT
 

Mark Twain House Living History Tour

Visiting the Mark Twain House provides an opportunity to get to know the American author who was in his lifetime the most well-known person in the world. He spent 17 years in Hartford and they were the most productive in his life, at least when it comes to writing. He lived an exciting life and saw a great deal of the world before he settled down with his wife Livy at Nooks Farm.

If you want to take the Living History Tour, it is recommended that you book it ahead of time online. You will be able to see which of the character will be leading your tour. I am going to say, that is not guaranteed since we signed up for butler George Griffin and ended up with best friend Joe Twitchell. We are not complaining but we were a little surprised. 

Plan to arrive at least an hour before the time of your tour. A 23-minute film is offered which is well worth watching and a few galleries that you will also want to visit not to mention the gift shop. You need to be able to climb stairs to take this tour, lots and lots of stairs. The tour takes 75 minutes.

The tour begins right at the bottom of the stairs in the Visitor Center. Our group had about 10 people in it and that size was very good given the places we stopped to hear Joe spin his tales. And spin he did, this is so much more than the normal tour through the rooms, you get to hear about the real relationship between these two men.

The tour covers three floors of the house and then ends in the basement. In the basement, Joe gets out of character and answers current day questions. We then walked around the exterior of the house to appreciate its location.

We absolutely loved this tour, as a matter of fact, all of us said we would like to do it again with another character, you will see a whole other view of the great man from the eyes of some of the other people who shared his life. Worth every penny of the $25 adult ticket and I would say worth even more. I highly recommend a visit to the Mark Twain House. 

Holiday Light Fantasia Goodwin Park Hartford

Nothing says the holiday like getting in a line with hundreds of other people and driving around a park in the dark!! lol Seriously, we decided after visiting the Mark Twain House and having dinner at Max Downtown that what we needed to complete the perfect holiday afternoon/evening was Holiday Light Fantasia at Goodwin Park. 

We did all the obligatory oohs and ahs and lots of laughing when we couldn't figure out what some of the light displays were. It is $15 per car and it benefits the Channel 3 Kids Camp. You tune your car radio to 89.7 F.M. and local celeb Scott Haney explains what your money is going to give to the kids who attend the camp. You also get serenaded with Christmas music. 

If you have kids, and even if you don't it is guaranteed to get you into the holiday spirit. It takes maybe 15 or 20 minutes to drive through and some of the displays really are impressive. All in all, a fun time was had by all. 

Visit Connecticut's Own Castle At Christmas Time

 Gillette Castle 2018 Holiday Hours

Gillette Castle will be open for self-guided tours this holiday season:

Tour Days:

 December 7,8,9

December 14,15,16

December 21,22,23

Hours: Fridays from 4 p.m. -8:30 p.m., last entry 8:00 p.m. Saturdays & Sundays: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. each day, last entry is at 3:30 p.m.

Tickets can also be purchased online at www.reserveamerica.com

Same day tickets may only be purchased online until noon that day.  However, they can be purchased on-site at the Visitors' Center. 

Christmas in Bethlehem

Christmas in Bethlehem
Saturday, December 8, 2018
10:00am-4:00pm
Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden

 9 Main Street]

 North, Bethlehem, CT 06751


Tour the festively decorated house, sip hot cider & enjoy a children’s craft activity all weekend. Greenery will be for sale to benefit the Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden. Accepting donations

Holiday Open House Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum Norwalk

Holiday Open House  December 9, 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum will feature a joyful, family-friendly event and several hours of entertainment with dance and choral youth performances and a special appearance by Santa Claus and his elves.

Visitors will have an opportunity to view the Holiday Tree Exhibit, take memorable family portraits, and enjoy the music and dance performances surrounded by the shimmering lights throughout the first floor of the Mansion.

During the event, the Mansion’s Café will offer complimentary refreshments served by the Museum’s costumed interpreters. There will be mini-tours of the first-floor period rooms.

Admission $5.00

Breakfast with Santa December 1st Middletown

Third Congregational Church Miner Street Middletown, Ct. Come out and have a fabulous, all you can eat, breakfast and then visit with Santa.  Sit on Santa's lap and tell him your Christmas wishes.  Professional photos can be taken with Santa for your family memories.  Adults are $7 and children 10 years and under are $5.  

Faith Lutheran Church Christmas Craft Fair Middletown

Save the date, Saturday, December 1, 2018,  from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  300 Washington Street.  Bring the kids to see Santa and plan to stay for lunch. Shop for crafts, cookies by the found, greenery, white elephant, baked goods, wood crafts and much more. All are welcome. 

Home for the Holidays Phelps-Hatheway House Suffield

Home for the Holidays Weekend Tours

$12; $7 for children ages 6-18 (under 6 free).

Sat. & Sun., Dec. 8 & 9, 1 – 4 pm
 

Experience the season's splendor at the festively decorated Phelps-Hatheway House decorated Children's activities throughout the weekend. Light refreshments served. Weekend Tour Tickets: $12; $7 for children ages 6 -18.

Thanksgiving Weekend Church Fairs

Head to Old Saybrook for Angels and Elves Fair which is held in St John School Auditorium on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 38 plus crafters, raffles, baked goods and come enjoy breakfast and/or lunch.

St Philips Church in Ashford will host more than 40 crafters, a bake sale, soup and sandwiches and pierogies. Saturday 9 a.m. to 2  p.m.

St Joseph Church in Chester 8am to 2 p.m. on Saturday. Homemade wreaths, swags and cemetery boxes. Craft vendors, white elephant table featuring new and barely used appliances, home scents, decorations and holiday apparel. Basket raffle, soups and sandwiches, baked goods and Santa will visit from 10 a.m. til noon. 

Sacred Heart Norwichtown  Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Theme basket raffle, 50/50, handmade gifts, baked goods, white elephant, silent auction lunch and more.  

Christmas Fairs This Weekend

Saturday, Nov 17, 2018

St Andrew Church Colchester. Turkey dinner Friday night, 4 p.m. seniors 5 p.m. general public. Saturday 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. bake shop, gift baskets, kid's corner, teacup raffle, and crafters. 

St Peter Church Higganum 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jewelry, baked goods, antiques/collectibles. crafts. quilts, knitted items, wreaths, and decorations. Lunch available.

Teddy Bear Tea Phelps Hathaway House Suffield

Teddy Bear Tea

$5 per child; $10 per adult.

Sat., Dec. 8, 11 am & 1 pm

Bring your beloved bear for a sweet treat & celebration of all things Christmas! Christmas cookies & a tasty herbal tea will warm the heart & body.  A short story dedicated to the bear you love will finish our time together. Reservations required at 860.668.0055 or phelps.hatheway@ctlandmarks.org.

Festival of Angels Fair St Francis Church Middletown

What: St Francis Festival of Angels Fair date: Saturday, November 10,  9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Where: St. Francis Church Fox Parish Center 10 Elm St. Middletown, CT

A variety of artisan vendors, boutique, grandma's attic, farmers market. religious items, baked goods, and Angel's Cafe.

TOP RAFFLE PRIZE 60” LG SMART 4K ULTRA HDTV LED

A Colonial Connecticut Thanksgiving Huntington Homestead Scotland CT

November 10—A Colonial Connecticut Thanksgiving, 1786.

Governor Samuel Huntington's 1786 Proclamation states that the day be observed with praise, prayer, and "the voice of melody." Come back to the Third Society of Windham where "no servile labour may be performed this day." Traditional food dishes will be discussed by "Samuel's mother" as "the family" savors their period feast including pompon pie. A common wedding ceremony is possible, a needy neighbor may come calling for Indian meal, and a weary traveler may need victuals. Harness your coursers! $4 per person, children 12 and under free, members free.

Huntington Homestead
36 Huntington Rd
Scotland, CT

St Patrick East Hampton Holiday Bazaar

St Patrick's Parish annual Holiday Bazaar will take place on Saturday, November 3 in the parish center at 47 West High Street from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Why not stop by and see all the interesting items that will be for sale (crafts jewelry, knickknacks and much more)  and while you are there eat breakfast or lunch snacks. Plenty of free parking. 

Christmas Fair in Durham November 3-4

Its never too early to start thinking about your Christmas shopping. Notre Dame Parish in Durham will be holding their annual Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, Nov. 3,  9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Sunday, November 4 from 8 a.m. to noon.

The Christmas Bazaar will feature the Notre Dame Craft Group's famous: Jewish coffee cakes, candies, cookies, pumpkin and apple pies, knitted and crochet items, our ever popular Chinese Auction, jams, relishes, an assortment of homemade delicacies lovingly baked by church parishioners, a very large variety of houseplants, Christmas crafts by the Craft Group, and the (beautiful and always popular) Christmas table. 

This year's quilt "Winter Wonderland" which won First Prize Blue Ribbon at the Durham Fair will be displayed and raffled at the Notre Dame Christmas Bazaar. The quilt is machine pieced and quilted and measures 52" x 68". Also available are Christmas decorations and ornaments, all crafted just in time for the holiday season! Refreshments will feature breakfast and lunch on Saturday.

Hempsted Thanksgiving New London

Hempsted Thanksgiving

$5

Sat., Nov. 9, 2019, 1 – 4 p.m.

You will be able to talk with the cook about colonial foods and cooking techniques as she prepares a harvest meal over an open hearth. Watch members of the Hempsted Youth Group make cider & play historic games on the lawn. Light refreshments will be available.   

Restaurant Review: Rein's Deli Vernon

If you live in Connecticut or are just passing through Connecticut on I-84, I highly recommend that you hope off the road in Vernon and have some traditional New York-style Jewish deli food at Rein's. They have been satisfying their customers for over 40 years and if you are not a regular, you soon will be once you try them.

Kasey and I were out on a Saturday shopping expedition to the consignment shop which is located in the same plaza with Rein's. Seemed like the perfect opportunity to get some delicious food. I decided that I was in the mood for a Rachel, which in case you don't know is a Rueben with coleslaw instead of sauerkraut and sweet potato fries. Of course, I ate two dishes of pickles which are about my favorite thing in the world. 

It was very busy and we ended up sitting at the bar which worked out fine for us. They really do try to make your experience wonderful, the staff is great. I picked up some rugalach and a crumb cake on the way out to take home. They do offer soup and lots of other things to go.

I can't say enough good things about Rein's Deli, you just need to try it for yourself but please don't go at the same time as me, I don't want to have to wait any longer, lol. 

Hearth Cooking Nathan Hale Homestead

Hearth Cooking Demonstration: What To Do When the Power Goes Out

$25 per person; $20 CTL Members.

Sun., Nov. 4, 11 am – 2 pm

A beginner's class on hearth cooking! We will cover basic fireplace and cooking tools including dutch oven cooking, a hanging pot, cooking skillets, and tin kitchen. Each guest will be given a keepsake recipe book of hearth cooking to take home. Reservations required at 860.742.6917 or hale@ctlandmarks.org.

Hempsted Halloween New London

Hempsted Halloween

$5

Sat., Oct. 19, 2019, 4 – 7 p.m.

Head to New London for some spooky happenings. Get into the spirit of the season while you meet the ghosts of New Londoners with stories to tell – hear their tales & talk with them if you dare! You will enjoy the city's oldest house at twilight and make s’mores over an open fire.  

Head to the OIC across the street and take part in their Trick and Runk event and other children's activities. 

Halloween Gingerbread House Workshop at Lyman's Orchard

Lyman's Orchard will be offering a spooky good time on October 29 and 30. This is a great family activity.  Tickets must be purchased ahead of time and there are three times available, 9 a.m. 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.. Cost is $19.99 per person. 

Costumes are welcome and even encouraged!! The fun will be had by all as you use royal icing, candy corn, glitter sugar, colorful sprinkles and more to decorate your gingerbread house. 

Check the Lyman's Orchard website to register. 

Halloween Tours Lockwood Mathews Mansion Norwalk

Halloween Tours 2018

October 19, 5:00 pm - October 28, 8:00 pm

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum’s Halloween tours will be held October 19-21, 2018, and October 26-28, 2018 at the Mansion, 295 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT.

Featuring a troupe of living history volunteers led by Halloween co-chairs Midge Lopat and Rose Carroll, the Ghosts from the Civil War tours will focus on the history and legends that surround the Civil War. Listen to the tales of sightings of the specter who haunted the battlefields of Gettysburg and Chancellorsville, and the words of Lincoln who predicted his own demise. Ghosts will wander throughout the first and second floors of the Mansion, but only during these very special and spooky Halloween tours. Tour guides will do their best to protect you from the spirits who haunt the Mansion.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Restaurant Review: Amici Italian Grill Middletown

Located on Main Street in Middletown, Amici Italian Grill has become a staple of exceptional dining in the city. You might think at first that this is a formal restaurant but while you will feel as if you are in a fine dining establishment, the overall atmosphere is casual. My husband and I stopped by for lunch and were pretty much blown away.

The menu is quite extensive and making a choice was not easy, it all sounded so good. While we were deciding we had Foccacia bread with olive oil to stave off the hunger pains. The lunch menu has lots of appetizer choices, soup, salad, sandwiches, and entrees.

We decided to go with an entree which included a house salad. We like leftovers!! Al ordered the Chicken Milanese and I opted for a pasta dish with pappardelle and shrimp.

I have to say, I have never seen a bigger chicken cutlet than the one that Al got with his Chicken Milanese, not only was it huge, it was delicious. My shrimp dish was also delicious, it was light on a hot summer day and exactly what I was craving and I have to say, both meals warmed up wonderfully as leftovers. 

We didn't have enough room to try any of their tempting desserts but maybe next time!!

The only thing I can say about Amici Italian Grill that is not completely positive is parking. We were lucky, we got a space in front but parking on Main Street can be problematic without the Sears Garage. I am, however, not going to let it discourage me, we will be back!!

Haunted Corn Maze Nathan Hale Homestead

Haunted Corn Maze

Fri. & Sat., Sept. 28 & 29, 7 – 9 pm
Fri. & Sat., Oct. 5 & 6, 7 – 9 pm
Rain Date: Oct. 7

Start with a moderately scary walk through the corn maze brimming with spooks in the dark. This hair raising, the spine-tingling event will either be a night to remember or a nightmare you may wish to forget. Last tour leaves at 9 pm. Not recommended for children under 8.

September events at Hempsted House New London

New London’s Unpopular Abolitionists


Suggested donation of $5 per person.


Sun., Sept. 16, 2 – 4 pm

The Joshua Hempsted House tells powerful stories of slavery, resistance, freedom, & courage. Learn about the Hempstead sisters who were abolitionists & artists. Martha Hempstead was a published poet & student at the Philadelphia School of Design for Women. She wrote poems about the antislavery cause & supported herself with sales of her sea moss works. Mary Hempstead was a writer & artist, writing powerful letters about abolition & illustrating children’s books. Learn how these women found comfort & inspiration from other women at a time when their ideas were quite unpopular.


Walking Tour: Ye Antientist Burial Ground – The African American Connection


$10 per person


Sat., Sept. 29, 2 – 3:30 pm



Walking tour of one of New England’s earliest graveyards, with a special focus on those of African descent who are buried there. Meet your guides Sally Ryan & Jean Jordan of the New London NAACP at the burying ground at the top of Hempstead Street. Attendees are invited to volunteer with the CT Historic Cemetery to tidy the cemetery after the tour. Registration recommended at 860.443.7949 orhempsted@ctlandmarks.org.

Main Street USA New Britain

When: Saturday, September 8, 2018
Where: Walnut Hill Park
Time: Noon-9:00 p.m.

This street-style festival will be held at Walnut Hill Park where the roadway will be filled with food, craft, and vendor booths; an adult beer garden; a “kids zone” with rides and amusement activities; stages with community performances, children’s entertainment, headlining musical acts, and more! Main Street USA is a celebration of New Britain’s melting pot of cultures. The event will take place throughout the Walnut Hill Park walking loop and band shell. 

Last year more than 60 vendors provided great food and much more. 

Victorian Tea at the Lockwood Mathew Mansion Norwalk

Victoria Tea November 4, 2018, 2-4 p.m.

The Victorian Tea at the Mansion will feature a talk entitled, Edith Wharton: Women, High Society, and Art, 1870-1920, by Dr. Emily J. Orlando, a leading expert on renowned author Edith Wharton.

Dr. Orlando is the author of, Edith Wharton and the Visual Arts, and co-editor with Meredith Goldsmith of the peer-reviewed book, Edith Wharton and Cosmopolitanism (2016). Dr. Orlando is currently editing Volume 6 of, The Complete Works of Edith Wharton: Writings on Architecture, Design, and Gardens for Oxford University Press.

From 2015 to 2017 Dr. Orlando was President of the Edith Wharton Society, served from 2013 to 2016 as Book Review Editor for the Edith Wharton Review, and currently serves on the Editorial Board of the Edith Wharton Review.

Dr. Orlando is Associate Professor of English at Fairfield University and has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and essay collections including, American Literary Realism (1870-1910); Twentieth-Century Literature; Women’s Studies: An Inter-disciplinary Journal; Victoriographies: A Journal of Nineteenth-Century Writing, 1790-1914; New Voices on the Harlem Renaissance: Essays on Race, Gender, and Literary Discourse; Memorial Boxes and Guarded Interiors: Edith Wharton and Material Culture; Edith Wharton’s The Custom of the Country: A Reassessment; and Edith Wharton in Context.

The program will include a hat contest, a silent auction, and a formal traditional English tea, catered by Julyen’s Table, for anyone looking to escape everyday life surrounded by the timeless splendor of this iconic National Historic Landmark.


For Tickets Click Here

No Refunds

Lantern Tour Phelps Hathaway House Suffield

Lantern Tour

Regular admission applies

Fri., Sept. 7, 7 - 8:30 pm

Join the costumed guides on a twilight tour of this historic property! Lanterns will lead you through the dimly lit corners of the house & transport you to the time before electricity illuminated these homes. Light refreshments will follow the tour.