CONNECTICUT — There’s a food truck festival in Connecticut this weekend, obviously, but there are some more events from a different playbook that may surprise you.
For example, Christmas in July is still a thing, with early yuletide events scheduled in Plainfield and Bristol.
Hay Burr Inn Equine Rescue & Sanctuary, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in Plainfield, is holding a fund-raiser the next two Saturdays, July 20 and 27, from 7:30-9:30 p.m. The humans will get to know the equines along the Winter Trail of Lights, a specially decorated dirt path that is about a half-mile long. This is a donation-based fundraiser to help with the care and upkeep of the horses and donkeys, who are older, injured, or retired animals that were either owner surrenders or rescued from the kill pen.
The next morning, July 21 from 10 a.m. to noon, artisanal candle and soap makers Soothing Ways will be holding a Christmas candle-making class at their store in The Bristol Bazaar. Tickets are available online here.
The Bazaar is taking its show of makers on the road and across Connecticut all summer long. On July 21, the crafting caravan stops at the Long View Ciderhouse in Southington from noon to 5 p.m. The outdoors exhibition will feature 25-plus makers, top shelf ciders, food trucks and the “best view around.” Admission is free.
Also on Sunday, the Stamford Town Center will play host to The Columbian Carnival, with live music, dancers, food, and games. It all goes down in the Restaurant Plaza level from 1-8 p.m.
Or maybe you prefer to stick with a good old-fashioned Connecticut food truck festival? That’s easily arranged: The Riverfront Food Truck Festival in Hartford begins Thursday and runs through Saturday.
“Whether you’re craving cupcakes and country music, poutine and pop, or just looking for a lobster roll and lawn games,” the fest’s organizers promise you’ll find it there. The food’s coming from over 30 trucks, as well as celebrity chef demonstrations from culinary experts Erica Blaire Roby and Rasheed Philips in the MoheganSunCasino.com Tent. The music is coming from all over the globe, including a performance Saturday night from Javier Colon. The full rundown is online here.
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Someone told us it’s all happening at the Beardsley Zoo Teddy Bear Festival on Saturday, and we’re inclined to believe them. It’s “a whole day of adventures planned with games, storytelling, and lots of bear hugs,” as well as a “teddy bear clinic” to ensure your stuffed plush is in tip-top shape. Zoo tickets are available online here.
Don’t leave Hartford without checking out the shenanigans at the Connecticut Science Center on Saturday, when everyone will be celebrating Pokémon Day. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as their favorite Pokémon or trainer, capture hidden Pokémon around the Science Center, trade cards, participate in some live science activities, and more. Pikachu will be on-hand for photo ops. Tickets to the Center are available online here.
The events will be a little bit more New England nostalgic and a lot less anime manic at the Blueberry Festival at Lyman Orchards in Middlefield Saturday. The event includes yard games, a pie-eating contest, horse-drawn wagon rides, touch-a-truck, petting farm, and, of course, a food trucks. The live music will include a special performance by The Salvation Army Brass Ensemble Band. Admission is free, hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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