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SUMMARY:Odyssey ’26 Greek Festival
DESCRIPTION:Odyssey ’26: A Greek Festival returns to Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange over Labor Day weekend\, filling four days with Greek food\, live music\, traditional dancing\, cooking demonstrations\, church tours and a sprawling marketplace. \nRunning Friday\, September 4 through Monday\, September 7\, Odyssey is celebrating its 44th year in 2026. The festival is held rain or shine across the church’s grounds at 480 Racebrook Road\, with both admission and parking free. \nAnd if food is the reason for making the trip\, this is not a festival where the Greek menu is an afterthought. Parishioners spend months preparing for a weekend built around dishes ranging from lamb roasted on the spit and moussaka to spanakopita\, souvlaki\, flaming saganaki and loukoumades. \nForty-Four Years of Going Greek in Orange\nOdyssey began more than four decades ago as a way for the Saint Barbara parish to invite the surrounding community into its traditions. \nThe festival has grown considerably since then. \nToday\, organizers describe Odyssey as one of Connecticut’s largest Greek festivals\, with the celebration spreading indoors and outdoors across the church’s country setting. \nThe basic purpose\, however\, remains remarkably close to where it started. \nSaint Barbara’s parishioners use the weekend to share the food\, music\, dance\, Orthodox faith and traditions of their Hellenic heritage with thousands of visitors who may otherwise have little connection to the church. \nThat hospitality is built right into the festival’s greeting: Kali Orexi\, or “healthy appetite.” \nFor Odyssey\, that’s useful advice. \nCome Hungry: Greek Food Is at the Center of Odyssey\nThere is a lot to work through over four days. \nThe 2026 festival lineup includes gyro\, lamb chops\, souvlaki\, lamb on the spit\, moussaka\, spanakopita and Greek salads\, along with an assortment of smaller dishes and appetizers. \nSaganaki brings some theater to the meal. The sharp Greek cheese is flambéed at the festival’s Gourmet Meze grill\, creating the familiar burst of flame before it’s served. \nThen there are the pastries. \nOne of Odyssey’s longtime favorites is loukoumades\, small pieces of fried dough traditionally finished with honey and cinnamon. Other Greek pastries and sweets round out the dessert side of the festival. \nThis isn’t simply a collection of outside vendors selling Greek-inspired food. Saint Barbara emphasizes the work of its own parishioners in preparing the dishes and pastries that have become associated with Odyssey over its four-decade history. \nCooking demonstrations take that idea a little further by showing visitors how some of those traditions make their way into the kitchen. \nA New Taverna Arrives for 2026\nThere’s a significant addition this year. \nOdyssey is introducing a new Taverna\, giving visitors a place to have a glass of Greek wine or Greek beer while listening to live music. \nThe new space strengthens something Odyssey has always had at its center: this isn’t supposed to feel like a food pickup operation. \nIt’s meant to be somewhere people stay. \nRather than grabbing a gyro and heading for the parking lot\, visitors can settle in\, listen to the bands\, watch the dancers and make an afternoon or evening out of the festival. \nAnd there will be plenty of music. \nTwo Live Greek Bands Keep Odyssey Moving\nOdyssey ’26 features two live Greek bands\, with music running throughout the weekend. \nGrecian Nights will perform daily\, including at the new Taverna\, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to hear live Greek music without having to plan around a single concert time. \nMusic and dance are closely connected here. \nThe Odyssey Dancers return with performances of traditional Greek dances\, dressed in costumes that reflect the culture and regional traditions behind the dances themselves. \nFor visitors\, watching is optional. \nGreek festivals have a habit of turning spectators into participants\, and the live music provides plenty of opportunities for people to join the dancing even if their technique isn’t going to earn them a place with the Odyssey Dancers. \nThe Saint Barbara Choir will also perform during the festival\, bringing another musical tradition into the weekend. \nStep Inside Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church\nFood and dancing may bring many people through the gates\, but Odyssey also gives visitors an opportunity to learn about the community hosting it. \nPresentations and tours inside Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church introduce guests to Orthodox Christianity\, the church itself and the traditions represented within its sanctuary. \nThat’s an important part of what separates Odyssey from a generic Greek-themed food festival. \nThe festival exists because of the parish. \nFor Saint Barbara\, sharing Greek culture and sharing the church’s spiritual home are intertwined. Visitors can walk inside\, look at the religious art and architecture and learn why the sanctuary looks and functions differently from churches they may know from other Christian traditions. \nNo religious background is required to participate in the presentations. \nShop the Odyssey Marketplace\nThe festival’s marketplace provides another reason to wander beyond the food tents. \nVendors and festival booths offer goods and gifts alongside the cultural programming\, giving Odyssey the feel of a temporary Greek village spread across the church grounds. \nA giant raffle is another longstanding component of the weekend. \nTaken together\, the marketplace\, music\, dancing\, cooking demonstrations\, church presentations and food make Odyssey an event that rewards wandering rather than following a rigid schedule. \nYou can arrive for lunch and discover a dance performance. \nStop for loukoumades and find live music underway. \nWalk through the marketplace and end up inside the church learning something you didn’t know about Greek Orthodox tradition. \nThat’s essentially how Odyssey is designed to work. \nFour Days\, Including Labor Day\nOdyssey opens at noon each day. \nOn Friday\, Saturday and Sunday\, the festival continues until 10 p.m.\, allowing the atmosphere to change considerably between a family-oriented afternoon visit and an evening of live music\, dancing\, food and drinks. \nLabor Day Monday is shorter\, running from noon to 6 p.m. \nThe festival takes place rain or shine\, with activities spread between indoor and outdoor spaces. \nAdmission is free. \nParking is also free\, with spaces available on the Saint Barbara property and additional parking next door at Holy Infant Church. \nThat makes Odyssey particularly easy to approach as a spontaneous Labor Day weekend trip. There is no admission ticket to justify and no need to commit to an entire day. \nAlthough once the food starts arriving\, staying awhile becomes considerably easier. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Odyssey ’26: A Greek Festival\nDates: Friday\, September 4 through Monday\, September 7\, 2026\nFriday: Noon–10 p.m.\nSaturday: Noon–10 p.m.\nSunday: Noon–10 p.m.\nMonday: Noon–6 p.m.\nLocation: Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church\nAddress: 480 Racebrook Road\, Orange\, CT 06477\nAdmission: Free\nParking: Free\, including additional parking next door at Holy Infant Church\nFood: Gyro\, lamb chops\, souvlaki\, lamb on the spit\, moussaka\, spanakopita\, saganaki\, Greek salads\, pastries\, loukoumades and more\nEntertainment: Two live Greek bands\, Odyssey Dancers and Saint Barbara Choir\nAlso: Cooking demonstrations\, church tours and presentations\, marketplace and giant raffle\nNew for 2026: Taverna serving Greek wine and beer with live music from Grecian Nights\nWeather: Rain or shine \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/odyssey-26-greek-festival/2026-09-07/
LOCATION:Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church\, 480 Racebrook Road\, Orange\, 06477\, United States
CATEGORIES:Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
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SUMMARY:Connecticut Renaissance Faire 2026 Guide
DESCRIPTION:Connecticut Renaissance Faire 2026 transforms the Lebanon Country Fairgrounds into a sprawling 16th-century fantasy village for nine weekends of jousting\, comedy\, live music\, costumed characters\, artisan shopping\, food\, games and themed adventures. \nThe Faire runs from August 29 through October 25 at 122 Mack Road in Lebanon\, with regular hours from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. It also opens on holiday Mondays\, including Labor Day and Columbus Day. \nFor 2026\, the Faire is advertising more than 40 shows each day across 13 stages\, along with dozens of games and activities and more than 200 artisans\, food vendors and other merchants. \nAnd this isn’t an event where you simply watch from the sidelines. \nWalk through the gates and you enter a village populated by kings\, queens\, knights\, fairies\, musicians\, rogues and other characters who interact with visitors throughout the day. You can watch armored combat\, cheer at the joust\, throw an axe\, shop for a handmade sword or drinking horn\, take the kids on human-powered rides\, eat a turkey leg and end up in a conversation with a member of the royal court on the way to your next show. \nHere’s how to plan a day at the 2026 Connecticut Renaissance Faire. \nWhen Is the Connecticut Renaissance Faire?\nThe 2026 season runs from August 29 through October 25. \nThe Faire is generally open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.\, with special openings on Labor Day and Columbus Day. \nThe season is divided into themed weekends\, so the experience changes as fall progresses. Themes for 2026 include Dragons & Dungeons\, Roses & Romance\, Shirefolk\, Faerie Ring Revels\, Pirates & Vikings\, Time Travelers\, All Hallows and the new Merry Macabre weekend. \nLabor Day weekend\, September 5–7\, is Dragons & Dungeons\, a fantasy-focused weekend built around quests\, heroes and legendary characters. \nCostumes aren’t required to attend. Some visitors arrive in everyday clothes\, while others treat the themed weekends as an opportunity to build elaborate Renaissance\, fantasy\, pirate\, Viking or other character costumes. \nHow Much Are Connecticut Renaissance Faire Tickets?\nGeneral admission for the 2026 season is $18 for adults and $10 for youth\, while children in the Faire’s child admission category enter free. \nAdmission covers the Faire itself and its regular stage performances. Certain games\, rides\, food\, drinks and premium experiences cost extra. \nOne useful change from the way some fairs and festivals operate is that there are no food tickets. Food and beverages are purchased directly from individual merchants. \nSame-day re-entry is also permitted with a handstamp\, so leaving the grounds doesn’t necessarily mean the end of your Faire day. \nStart With the Shows\nTrying to see everything at the Connecticut Renaissance Faire in one day is probably the wrong approach. \nThere are simply too many performances. \nThe 2026 Faire uses 13 stages and advertises more than 40 shows daily. Entertainment ranges from music and comedy to acrobatics\, combat demonstrations\, theatrical performances and interactive shows. \nOne of the biggest spectacles is the armored combat demonstration from the Knights of Gore. These aren’t performers simply swinging lightweight theatrical weapons around one another. The demonstrations feature fighters in plate armor engaging in full-contact medieval-style combat. \nThe Knights of Gore also present educational demonstrations throughout the day covering subjects such as medieval helmets\, the roles of knights and squires and siege weapons including the trebuchet. \nThe Joust Remains a Centerpiece\nIt’s difficult to imagine a Renaissance faire without knights charging toward one another on horseback. \nJousting remains one of the major attractions in Lebanon. \nThe 2026 season includes jousting from Roundtable Productions and Equus Nobilis\, both listed among the Faire’s new entertainment additions this year. \nThe joust combines horsemanship\, theatrical storytelling and medieval-style competition on a scale that’s difficult to replicate on one of the smaller stages. \nIf seeing a joust is high on your list\, check the schedule when you arrive and build the rest of the day around it rather than assuming you’ll simply stumble across the right performance. \nThere Is Plenty of Comedy\nNot everything involves swords and armor. \nComedy is scattered throughout the Faire\, sometimes on a stage and sometimes walking directly toward you in the lanes. \nThe Norfolk Theatricals specialize in interactive theatrical comedy\, presenting deliberately chaotic original plays with audience members sometimes pulled into the performance. \nBone Dallaire roams the grounds as a self-important thespian and playwright whose opinion of his own talent may exceed everyone else’s. \nThe Faire’s cast of Crown Players adds another layer of continuous theater. Instead of performing only at scheduled times\, characters inhabit the village and interact with guests throughout the day. \nThat distinction is important for first-time visitors. \nThe Connecticut Renaissance Faire isn’t simply a collection of scheduled shows surrounded by food booths. The space between the stages is part of the performance. \nMusic Runs From Celtic Traditions to Sea Chanteys\nLive music is another major part of the day. \nThe 2026 roster includes performers working with Celtic music\, traditional folk\, sea chanteys and other styles that fit naturally into the Faire setting. \nJesse Ofgang and the Diaspora\, new for 2026\, combine Scottish and Irish musical traditions with contemporary rhythms using instruments including bagpipes\, whistles and guitars. \nNemeton: Folk Fantasy Music and Dance brings an especially unusual collection of instruments to the Faire\, including bagpipes\, drums\, double flutes\, penny whistles\, English concertina\, medieval small pipes\, rauschpfeife and hurdy-gurdy. \nNew England’s Misfits of Avalon draw from Celtic music with hammered dulcimer\, mandolin\, guitar and violin. \nOther weekends bring different musicians\, including the maritime and Celtic sounds of the Crimson Pirates and southeastern Connecticut’s Bards of Gungywamp. \nBecause performers vary by themed weekend\, it’s worth checking the schedule for the specific date you’re attending. \nSome of the Best Entertainment Is Strange\nRenaissance faires have always left room for acts that don’t fit neatly into a category. \nThat’s part of the fun. \nFor 2026\, Fly by Night joins the Connecticut Faire with a combination of comedy\, juggling\, whip cracking and sideshow skills. The duo of Steve King and Ryan Roberts has been performing since 1990 and appeared as semifinalists on the fourth season of America’s Got Talent. \nCircus Stella puts rescued dogs into a circus environment alongside Dextre Tripp\, mixing canine tricks with juggling\, ladder balancing\, rope walking and unicycling. \nElsewhere\, visitors can encounter puppetry\, dance\, storytelling\, magic and roaming performers without necessarily planning to see them. \nLeave some empty space in the schedule. \nAt a Renaissance faire\, getting distracted is part of the itinerary. \nGames and Rides Go Beyond the Stages\nThere’s plenty to do when you want to participate rather than watch. \nThe Faire’s games and activities include old-fashioned and Renaissance-inspired challenges\, physical games and human-powered attractions. \nSome activities carry an additional fee. \nYou’ll find opportunities to test skill and strength\, explore the Royal Maze and take part in attractions spread throughout the village. \nFor families with younger children\, this can provide a useful break between longer stage performances. \nFor adults\, it can become surprisingly competitive. \nEat the Turkey Leg\, But Don’t Stop There\nYes\, there are giant turkey legs. \nThe Faire’s Turkey Legs and More stand serves the oversized roasted festival staple along with turkey sundaes\, mac and cheese\, smoked chicken\, lemonade and fried dough. \nBut the food selection has grown far beyond the Renaissance-faire stereotype. \nThe 2026 Faire lists 37 food merchants and seven pubs and taverns\, with meals\, desserts\, snacks and beverages distributed throughout the grounds. \nThere are burgers and hot dogs\, chicken sandwiches\, baked goods\, fried seafood\, sweets and a broad assortment of festival food. \nThe Faire also identifies vendors offering vegetarian\, vegan\, gluten-free and dairy-free choices. \nEvery food merchant is required to offer at least one item priced at $7\, an attempt to keep at least one lower-priced choice available at each location. \nOutside snacks and nonalcoholic drinks are also permitted. \nYou Can Walk the Faire With a Drink\nThere are no isolated beer tents requiring guests to remain inside a designated drinking area. \nAdults can purchase alcoholic beverages from the Faire’s pubs and taverns and carry their drinks while exploring the grounds. \nValid identification is required for alcohol purchases. \nThat also makes the taverns part of the atmosphere rather than simply concession stands. \nFor visitors looking for something more structured\, the Faire offers two separate 21-and-over experiences. \nThe Pub Crawl Is a 90-Minute Quest\nThe Connecticut Renaissance Faire Pub Crawl isn’t simply four drink tickets stapled together. \nThe approximately 90-minute experience is hosted by Fae Frostwhiperer and takes a group of no more than 15 participants through four Faire taverns. \nThere are four alcoholic drinks along the way\, but participants also complete challenges\, play games\, sing\, chant and interact with their guide. \nOne stop at Shattered Shield includes Liar’s Dice\, a vegetable platter and an exclusive small-batch mead that isn’t sold from the tavern’s regular menu. \nAnother stop includes a Test of Strength at King’s Inn Crossing. \nPub Crawls depart twice each Faire day\, at 11 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. \nThe price is $75\, plus a processing fee when purchased online. Tickets can also be purchased at Shattered Shield without the online processing fee\, although each crawl is limited to 15 participants and can sell out. \nParticipants must be 21 or older with valid identification. \nRegular Faire admission is not included with the Pub Crawl. \nWhiskey Tastings Offer a Quieter Break\nFor adults who prefer sipping to crawling\, guided whiskey tastings offer a considerably calmer experience. \nThe approximately one-hour sessions explore a curated selection of whiskies\, with hosts discussing origins\, production methods\, flavor profiles and techniques for nosing and tasting. \nCharcuterie is served alongside the pours. \nThe experience is designed for both beginners and experienced whiskey drinkers\, and advance reservations are strongly recommended because seating is intentionally limited. \nParticipants must be 21 or older and bring valid government-issued photo identification. \nLike the Pub Crawl\, a whiskey tasting is an additional experience. Regular Connecticut Renaissance Faire admission must be purchased separately. \nShopping Is a Major Part of the Faire\nDon’t treat the merchant area as an afterthought. \nThe Faire says the 2026 season includes 213 artisans\, games and food vendors\, with 32 new shops joining the grounds this year. \nThe marketplace is where the fantasy world starts becoming something you can take home. \nDepending on the merchant\, visitors can find clothing\, leatherwork\, jewelry\, drinking vessels\, artwork\, fantasy accessories\, home décor and handcrafted goods. \nSome merchants make items that are specifically useful for people building Renaissance or fantasy costumes\, while others sell pieces that work perfectly well outside the Faire. \nFor someone arriving without a costume\, the marketplace also provides an easy way to gradually become more appropriately dressed as the day progresses. \nYou may enter in jeans. \nThere is no guarantee you will leave without a cloak. \n2026 Is a Significant Expansion Year\nThe Faire has added a substantial amount of new material for 2026. \nIts official count includes 11 new shows\, 32 new shops and seven new food offerings. \nAmong the new entertainment are the two jousting productions\, Fly by Night and Jesse Ofgang and the Diaspora. \nThe Faire is also introducing Merry Macabre\, a new themed weekend for October 24–25 that takes the season into darker territory just before Halloween. \nThat expansion matters even to people who have attended in previous years. \nThe basic formula remains recognizable\, but the Faire is deliberately designed so returning on another weekend doesn’t simply reproduce the same day. \nBringing Kids to the Connecticut Renaissance Faire\nChildren don’t have to understand Renaissance history to find things to do here. \nThere are family-oriented performances\, interactive games\, rides and characters throughout the village. \nOne particularly memorable experience is the Knighting Ceremony with the King and Queen\, where children can present themselves before King Basil and Queen Gwendolyn Genevieve and receive royal recognition before the parade. \nThere are also quests and interactive encounters with the Knights of Gore. \nThe Faire’s combination of structured shows and wandering characters means children can become involved in the fantasy rather than spending the entire day watching adults perform. \nYes\, You Can Bring Your Pet\nThe Connecticut Renaissance Faire has an unusually broad pet policy. \nWell-behaved dogs\, cats\, rabbits\, ferrets\, rats and lizards are permitted. \nPet admission is $5 per animal\, while service animals enter free. \nDogs and cats must have proof of current rabies vaccination. A veterinarian’s letter\, email or current rabies tag can serve as proof. \nPets must remain on a non-retractable leash no longer than six feet and owners are responsible for cleaning up after them. \nLivestock\, horses\, donkeys\, mules and other large animals aren’t permitted. \nThe Faire advises owners to bring food and water for their animals. Water bowls may be available from merchants\, but pet food isn’t sold on the grounds. \nPets are also permitted on the parking shuttles. \nParking Has Changed for 2026\nThis is one section worth reading before leaving home. \nThe Faire has a new parking system for 2026. \nVisitors who want to park directly at the Faire grounds at 122 Mack Road can purchase Premium Parking for $10 per vehicle. \nThere are only 525 Premium Parking spaces available each Faire day\, and they must be purchased online in advance for the specific date you’re attending. \nYou cannot purchase Premium Parking when you arrive at the lot. \nVIP admission includes Premium Parking. \nThere are also 125 free ADA parking spaces at the main Faire site for vehicles displaying a valid handicapped placard or plate. These spaces can’t be reserved and are available on a first-available basis. \nMotorcycles can park at the main site for free. \nFree Parking and Shuttles Are Available\nYou don’t have to pay to park. \nThe Faire operates free satellite parking with continuous shuttle service beginning at 9:30 a.m. \nOne free lot is located at 744 Trumbull Highway in Lebanon. \nAdditional parking is available at Lebanon Middle School\, 891 Exeter Road\, and Lyman Memorial High School\, 917 Exeter Road. \nThere is one important wrinkle with the school lots: the shuttles do not pick up directly at the schools. \nGuests parking at either school walk to the Mobil station located between the two schools\, which serves as the shuttle pickup and drop-off point. \nThe last shuttle leaves the Faire 30 minutes after closing. \nAnd don’t blindly follow your GPS. \nThe Faire specifically warns visitors not to use Barker Road\, which police close to through traffic on Faire weekends. \nWhere to Stay\nFor visitors coming from farther away\, the Faire maintains a list of nearby lodging options rather than operating an on-site campground. \nBecause the event runs for nine weekends\, staying overnight can also make sense for visitors who want to attend both Saturday and Sunday without making the drive twice. \nCheck lodging availability early for popular themed weekends\, particularly as the season moves toward October and foliage season in eastern Connecticut. \nWhat First-Time Visitors Should Know\nThe easiest mistake is approaching the Connecticut Renaissance Faire like an attraction where everything follows one obvious route. \nIt doesn’t. \nThere are performances happening simultaneously\, characters wandering the lanes\, merchants to explore\, food to try and activities that can consume far more time than expected. \nCheck the day’s performance schedule first and choose the handful of shows you really don’t want to miss. \nThen allow the rest of the day to happen around them. \nYou might stop for lunch and encounter a roaming performer. \nYou might head toward a stage and spend 30 minutes shopping instead. \nYou might intend to watch one song and stay for an entire set. \nThat’s not poor planning. \nThat’s pretty much how a Renaissance faire is supposed to work. \nConnecticut Renaissance Faire 2026 Details\nEvent: Connecticut Renaissance Faire\nSeason: August 29–October 25\, 2026\nRegular Days: Saturdays and Sundays\, plus Labor Day and Columbus Day\nHours: 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m.\nLocation: Lebanon Country Fairgrounds\nAddress: 122 Mack Road\, Lebanon\, CT 06249\nAdult General Admission: $18\nYouth Admission: $10\nChild Admission: Free\nEntertainment: More than 40 shows daily across 13 stages\nMarketplace: More than 200 artisans\, food vendors\, games and other merchants\nFood: 37 food merchants and seven pubs and taverns\nPremium On-Site Parking: $10\, advance date-specific purchase required\nFree Parking: Satellite lots with shuttle service\nPet Admission: $5; service animals free\nSame-Day Re-Entry: Permitted with handstamp\nOutside Food: Snacks and nonalcoholic drinks permitted \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \nTo purchase tickets\, click the Event Ticketing link below. \n  \n  \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/connecticut-renaissance-faire-2026-guide/2026-09-07/
LOCATION:Lebanon Fair Grounds\, 122 Mack Road\, Lebanon\, 06249\, United States
CATEGORIES:Lebanon Fairgrounds
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T230000
DTSTAMP:20260903T151855Z
CREATED:20260903T151855Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T151855Z
UID:10007461-1788771600-1788822000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:165th Woodstock Fair Guide
DESCRIPTION:165th Woodstock Fair returns to South Woodstock for five days over Labor Day weekend\, September 3–7\, bringing one of Connecticut’s oldest agricultural traditions together with major concerts\, livestock shows\, carnival rides\, fair food and several new attractions. \nThe 2026 Main Stage lineup is unusually strong. Tonic headlines Friday night\, Kool & the Gang takes over Saturday\, Trace Adkins performs Sunday\, and Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine and the Pet Sounds Band close the Fair on Labor Day Monday. The Flying Wallendas and magician Leon Etienne also perform throughout the weekend. \nAll Main Stage entertainment is included with Fair admission. \nBut the Woodstock Fair is still\, fundamentally\, an agricultural fair. Livestock barns\, dairy cattle\, sheep\, goats\, rabbits\, agricultural competitions and the historic Brunn Barn sit alongside the flashing lights of the Fiesta Shows midway. \nFor its 165th edition\, the Fair is adding something new to that mix: Rustic Tap & Vine\, a dedicated beer and wine area featuring Connecticut producers. \nHere’s what to know before heading to South Woodstock. \nWhen Is the 2026 Woodstock Fair?\nThe Woodstock Fair runs Thursday\, September 3 through Monday\, September 7\, 2026 at the Woodstock Fairgrounds\, 281 Route 169 in South Woodstock. \nOpening times vary by day. \nThursday: 4 p.m.\nFriday: Noon\nSaturday: 9 a.m.\nSunday: 9 a.m.\nLabor Day Monday: 9 a.m. \nThursday through Sunday\, the Main Gate remains open until 9:30 p.m.\, with other gates closing at 9 p.m. Carnival rides and games continue until 11 p.m. \nMonday operates on an earlier schedule. All gates close at 7 p.m.\, with carnival rides and games continuing until 8 p.m. \nThe barns and exhibition halls also have their own closing times\, so visitors primarily interested in the agricultural side shouldn’t wait until late evening to explore them. \nHow Much Are Woodstock Fair Tickets?\nOnline general admission for 2026 is $16.95 for adults\, including the processing fee. \nAdmission for active-duty military members with identification is $11.80\, while seniors 65 and older with identification also pay $11.80 online. \nChildren 10 and younger are admitted free. \nOne of the biggest values in the ticket is the entertainment. \nThe major concerts\, Flying Wallendas performances\, Leon Etienne’s magic shows and other stage entertainment are included with paid Fair admission. There is no separate concert ticket required for Kool & the Gang\, Trace Adkins\, Tonic or Al Jardine. \nMain Stage performances are general admission with no reserved seating. \nGuests may bring folding chairs for the grass-covered area in front of the stage. \nFriday Night: Tonic Headlines the Main Stage\nFriday\, September 4\, starts the first full day of the Fair at noon. \nThe Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m.\, followed by Soul Afire at 5 p.m. and Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30. \nThen the Main Stage shifts into ’90s alternative rock. \nTonic performs at 8 p.m. \nFormed in Los Angeles in the 1990s\, Tonic broke nationally with its 1996 debut album Lemon Parade. The record produced the band’s signature hit\, “If You Could Only See\,” along with “Open Up Your Eyes.” \nThe band’s success carried into subsequent albums\, and Tonic earned two Grammy nominations for its 2002 album Head on Straight. \nFriday also brings the Old Fiddlers Club of Rhode Island to Center Stage at noon\, Soul Afire at 2:30 p.m.\, Leon Etienne at 3:45 and the Fair’s Country Karaoke Contest at 6. \nSaturday Night: Kool & the Gang\nSaturday brings the biggest dance party of the weekend. \nKool & the Gang headlines the Main Stage at 8 p.m. September 5. \nFew bands arrive with a catalog more immediately recognizable at a fairground. \nThe group’s decades of funk\, soul\, R&B and pop produced “Celebration\,” “Jungle Boogie\,” “Ladies’ Night\,” “Get Down on It\,” “Too Hot\,” “Cherish” and a long list of other hits. \nThe band’s history reaches back to Jersey City in 1964\, making Kool & the Gang’s longevity particularly appropriate for the 165th edition of a fair that has built its own identity around tradition. \nSaturday’s Main Stage begins much earlier. \nThe Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m. The Stevie Nicks Experience performs at 5\, followed by Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30 and Kool & the Gang at 8. \nCenter Stage has its own schedule beginning with Quest Martial Arts at 10:30 a.m.\, followed by the East Woodstock Cornet Band at 11:30. Quest returns at 2 p.m.\, the Stevie Nicks Experience performs at 2:30\, Leon Etienne appears at 3:45\, and the Pop Karaoke Contest begins at 5. \nSunday Night Belongs to Trace Adkins\nSunday\, September 6\, turns the Main Stage toward country music. \nTrace Adkins performs at 8 p.m. \nThe Louisiana-born singer has spent three decades in country music\, with a catalog that includes “You’re Gonna Miss This\,” “Every Light in the House\,” “Ladies Love Country Boys\,” “Songs About Me” and “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” \nAdkins has also been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2003. \nBefore the headliner\, the Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m. Nick Bosse and the Northern Roots take the stage at 5\, followed by Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30. \nCenter Stage begins Sunday at 10 a.m. with Whitney Doucet\, followed by Danielson Martial Arts at 11:15\, another Whitney Doucet performance at noon\, Danielson Martial Arts at 1:30\, Nick Bosse at 2:30 and Leon Etienne at 4. \nAl Jardine Closes the Fair on Labor Day\nThe final day gets an appropriate end-of-summer soundtrack. \nAl Jardine of the Beach Boys and the Pet Sounds Band perform at 5:30 p.m. Monday\, September 7. \nJardine was a founding member of the Beach Boys\, singing and playing guitar as the group created one of the defining catalogs in American popular music. \nHis lead vocals include “Help Me\, Rhonda\,” while his decades with the Beach Boys connected him to records ranging from the early surf hits through Pet Sounds and beyond. \nMonday’s Main Stage begins with the Flying Wallendas at 11:30 a.m. Leon Etienne performs at 12:30\, the Wallendas return at 2\, Red Light Band performs at 2:30\, and Etienne returns at 4 before Jardine closes the 165th Fair. \nThe Flying Wallendas Perform Throughout the Weekend\nThe Flying Wallendas are more than another stage act on the schedule. \nThe Wallenda name has been synonymous with high-wire performance for generations\, dating back to the European circus tradition that eventually brought the family to the United States. \nTheir appearances are spread throughout the Fair\, making them one of the easiest major attractions to catch even if you’re attending primarily for something else. \nThey perform Thursday at 6 p.m.; Friday\, Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m.; and Monday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. \nThat gives visitors nine opportunities over the five-day Fair. \nLeon Etienne Brings Magic to Multiple Stages\nAnother performer will be difficult to miss. \nLeon Etienne’s Magic Rocks appears repeatedly on both the Main and Center stages. \nEtienne has built his act around large-scale illusions\, sleight of hand\, comedy and rock-show energy rather than the quieter presentation of a traditional stage magician. \nHis national television appearances have included America’s Got Talent\, where he became one of the show’s recognizable magic acts. \nAt Woodstock\, he’s performing multiple times throughout Labor Day weekend\, making his show one of the easier entertainment options to work into a full day. \nDon’t Skip the Agriculture\nIt would be easy to look at a lineup containing Kool & the Gang and Trace Adkins and think of Woodstock primarily as a music festival with carnival rides. \nThat misses the heart of the Fair. \nThe Woodstock Fair describes itself as Connecticut’s largest agricultural fair\, and its agricultural competitions remain a major part of the five-day event. \nFriday begins with the Rabbit Exhibition and Sheep Show at noon\, followed by the Goat Show at 1 p.m. and Youth Dairy Cattle Show at 3. \nSaturday starts early with the Dairy Cattle Show and Rabbit Exhibition at 9 a.m.\, Youth Sheep Show at 9:30 and Sheep Lead Line at 6 p.m. \nSunday includes rabbits\, sheep and goats in the morning and Beef Showmanship at 3 p.m. \nMonday begins with the Beef Show and Rabbit Exhibition at 9 a.m.\, followed by the Sheep Show at 9:30. \nThe Youth Dairy Cattle Show on Friday is followed by showmanship and a costume class\, while Sunday’s Beef Showmanship is followed by steer and costume classes. \nVisit the Brunn Barn Museum\nOne of the best places to understand why the agricultural part of Woodstock matters is the Brunn Barn Museum. \nThe barn itself dates to 1822. \nIt was dismantled in 2004 and reconstructed at the Woodstock Fairgrounds in time for the 2005 Fair. \nInside\, the focus is on New England’s agricultural past. \nAntique farm equipment and tools help show how work was accomplished before tractors\, combines and other modern machinery transformed farming. \nThe barn also hosts demonstrations and educational displays. \nIn a Fair increasingly filled with modern entertainment\, the Brunn Barn provides a direct connection to the agricultural history that created events like Woodstock in the first place. \nNew for 2026: Rustic Tap & Vine\nOne of the biggest additions to the 165th Fair is decidedly more modern. \nRustic Tap & Vine debuts in 2026 as a new beer and wine destination inside the Fair. \nThe project was created in partnership with bankHometown\, a division of TruNorth Bank\, along with Taylor Brooke Brewery and Winery\, Bear Hands Brewing Company and Black Pond Brewery. \nThe new attraction opens with the Fair at 4 p.m. Thursday. \nRustic Tap & Vine operates Thursday from 4–7 p.m.; Friday\, Saturday and Sunday from noon–7 p.m.; and Labor Day Monday from noon–6 p.m. \nFor adults who remember when a fair beer meant little more than grabbing whatever was being poured at a concession stand\, the dedicated space gives the 2026 Fair another distinct destination. \nThe Midway Is Back With Fiesta Shows\nFiesta Shows operates the Woodstock Fair midway\, with rides ranging from family attractions to the sort of spinning machinery that looks much more entertaining from the ground depending on your tolerance for centrifugal force. \nThe expected 2026 lineup includes the Super Cyclone Coaster\, Spider Wheel\, Warrior\, Top Gun\, Thunder Bolt\, Zero Gravity\, Hyper Spin\, Pharaoh’s Fury\, Fire Ball\, Spinning Coaster\, Zipper\, Starship Exodus and Hurricane. \nThere are also gentler options including the carousel\, train\, Crazy Bus\, Rock’n Tug and slide. \nRide height requirements vary. \nIndividual ride credits will be available at the Fair\, while advance unlimited-ride options are also available. \nRide Wristbands Can Save Money\nIf the midway is going to be a major part of your day\, buying in advance can save a few dollars. \nThursday’s unlimited wristband is $30 online or $35 on site and is valid from 4–10 p.m. \nFriday is split into two sessions\, noon–5 p.m. or 5 p.m.–close\, with wristbands costing $30 online or $35 on site. \nSaturday\, Sunday and Monday use all-day Megapass wristbands at $40 online or $45 on site. \nThese do not include Fair admission. \nWristbands and Megapasses also aren’t valid for the bumper cars\, mechanical bull\, rock wall or bungee jump. \nFamily Fun Goes Beyond the Midway\nFamilies who don’t want to spend the entire day buying ride credits have another option. \nThe Fabulous Family Fun Area is open all five days with the Records and Burpee Petting Zoo\, inflatable games and Sandtasia Sand Sculpture. \nThe Pork Chop Revue also performs throughout the weekend. \nDespite the name\, it’s not a barbecue demonstration. \nThe show features trained pigs performing tricks and comedic routines and has become the kind of oddball agricultural entertainment that fits naturally at a country fair. \nSaturday also brings Vinny’s Pizza Eating Contest at 2:15 p.m. \nOn Sunday\, the competitive eating turns to dessert with a Blueberry Pie Eating Contest at 2:15. \nYou Can Enter the Karaoke Contest\nThe audience can become the entertainment on Friday and Saturday. \nFriday’s Country Karaoke Contest begins at 6 p.m. on Center Stage. \nSaturday’s Pop Karaoke Contest starts at 5 p.m. \nEach contest is limited to 10 contestants\, and advance registration is available through the Fair. \nParticipants are asked to arrive at Center Stage 30 minutes before the contest\, with registration beginning 15 minutes before showtime. \nSomeone can even enter both competitions\, although a separate registration is required for each. \nLabor Day Starts With a Cornhole Tournament\nMonday morning brings a different kind of competition. \nThe Woodstock Fair Cornhole Tournament begins at 10 a.m. September 7 on Center Stage. \nTwo-person teams compete in either Social or Competitive divisions. \nRegistration is $50 per team\, or $25 per player\, and the entire registration pool goes into the prize purse. \nThe Woodstock Fair adds another $2\,500. \nTournament registration does not include Fair admission or parking\, and players need to bring their own regulation cornhole bags. The Fair supplies the boards. \nCome Hungry\nWoodstock’s food list is enormous. \nThis is still the place for fried dough\, funnel cakes\, sausage and peppers\, giant eclairs\, fried Oreos\, caramel apples\, ice cream\, kettle corn and the sort of food decisions that seem completely reasonable inside a fairground. \nBut the selection goes considerably further. \nThere are lobster rolls and lobster quesadillas from Cousins Maine Lobster; clam cakes and chowder; jerk chicken and oxtails; Polish food including pierogi\, kielbasa and stuffed cabbage; gyros; barbecue brisket; poutine; tacos; empanadas; Indian street food; Thai dishes; Colombian-American food; Mediterranean dishes; bubble tea and specialty coffee. \nYou can find bacon on a stick. \nYou can find chocolate-covered bacon. \nYou can find a deep-fried PB&J. \nThere is even a vendor dedicated entirely to gluten-free fair food\, with gluten-free funnel cakes\, fried Oreos\, chicken tenders\, corn dogs and donuts. \nLocal churches\, Scouts\, Lions\, veterans groups and other nonprofits also operate food stands\, continuing a piece of the Fair that feels considerably closer to its community roots. \nParking Is Not Included\nThis is important for first-time visitors. \nThe Woodstock Fair does not operate an on-site parking lot. \nInstead\, neighboring farms\, businesses and organizations provide parking around the Fairgrounds and set their own prices. \nFor 2026\, the Fair lists several nearby options at $10. \nFairvue Farm is on Route 171 near the South Gate. \nValleyside Farm is near Routes 171 and 169 and provides access convenient to the Main and Service gates. \nSouth Woodstock Baptist Church offers parking near Roseland Park and North Gate roads. \nScranton’s Shops is across the street and diagonally north of the Service Gate. \nBring the extra $10 into your day’s budget rather than arriving expecting admission to include parking. \nPlan on Walking\nThe Woodstock Fair is big. \nBetween the livestock areas\, exhibition halls\, stages\, food stands\, midway\, agricultural attractions and parking outside the grounds\, a visit can involve a considerable amount of walking. \nComfortable shoes aren’t a bad idea. \nIt’s also worth looking at the Fair map before arriving\, particularly if you’re trying to catch a specific livestock show and a Main Stage performance on the same day. \nThe agricultural Fair and entertainment Fair coexist\, but they’re not all concentrated into one compact midway. \nWhich Day Should You Go?\nIf music is the deciding factor\, the choice is straightforward. \nGo Friday for Tonic. \nGo Saturday for Kool & the Gang. \nGo Sunday for Trace Adkins. \nGo Monday for Al Jardine and the Pet Sounds Band. \nFor the broadest all-day Fair experience\, Saturday and Sunday provide early 9 a.m. openings and entertainment running into the evening. \nMonday is a good choice for visitors who prefer an earlier day\, with the Fair opening at 9 a.m. and winding down after Al Jardine’s 5:30 p.m. concert. \nThursday is the abbreviated opening night\, beginning at 4 p.m. \nAnd if the animals are your priority\, check the livestock schedule before choosing a date. Different species and competitions take place on different days. \nEvent Details\nEvent: 165th Woodstock Fair\nDates: Thursday\, September 3–Monday\, September 7\, 2026\nLocation: Woodstock Fairgrounds\nAddress: 281 Route 169\, South Woodstock\, CT 06267\nThursday Opening: 4 p.m.\nFriday Opening: Noon\nSaturday Opening: 9 a.m.\nSunday Opening: 9 a.m.\nMonday Opening: 9 a.m.\nAdult Online Admission: $16.95 including processing fee\nSenior 65+ Online Admission: $11.80 with ID\nActive-Duty Military Online Admission: $11.80 with ID\nChildren: Ages 10 and younger free\nMain Stage Headliners: Tonic\, Kool & the Gang\, Trace Adkins\, Al Jardine of the Beach Boys and the Pet Sounds Band\nOther Major Entertainment: Flying Wallendas and Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks\nNew for 2026: Rustic Tap & Vine\nMidway: Fiesta Shows\nParking: Nearby independently operated lots; listed 2026 options are $10\nMain Stage Shows: Included with paid Fair admission; general admission seating \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \nTo purchase tickets\, click the Event Ticketing link below. \n\n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/165th-woodstock-fair-guide/2026-09-07/
LOCATION:Woodstock Fairgrounds\, 281 Route 169\, South Woodstock\, 06267\, United States
CATEGORIES:Woodstock Fairgrounds
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DTSTAMP:20260905T212351Z
CREATED:20260905T212351Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260905T212351Z
UID:10007477-1788696000-1788732000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Odyssey ’26 Greek Festival
DESCRIPTION:Odyssey ’26: A Greek Festival returns to Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange over Labor Day weekend\, filling four days with Greek food\, live music\, traditional dancing\, cooking demonstrations\, church tours and a sprawling marketplace. \nRunning Friday\, September 4 through Monday\, September 7\, Odyssey is celebrating its 44th year in 2026. The festival is held rain or shine across the church’s grounds at 480 Racebrook Road\, with both admission and parking free. \nAnd if food is the reason for making the trip\, this is not a festival where the Greek menu is an afterthought. Parishioners spend months preparing for a weekend built around dishes ranging from lamb roasted on the spit and moussaka to spanakopita\, souvlaki\, flaming saganaki and loukoumades. \nForty-Four Years of Going Greek in Orange\nOdyssey began more than four decades ago as a way for the Saint Barbara parish to invite the surrounding community into its traditions. \nThe festival has grown considerably since then. \nToday\, organizers describe Odyssey as one of Connecticut’s largest Greek festivals\, with the celebration spreading indoors and outdoors across the church’s country setting. \nThe basic purpose\, however\, remains remarkably close to where it started. \nSaint Barbara’s parishioners use the weekend to share the food\, music\, dance\, Orthodox faith and traditions of their Hellenic heritage with thousands of visitors who may otherwise have little connection to the church. \nThat hospitality is built right into the festival’s greeting: Kali Orexi\, or “healthy appetite.” \nFor Odyssey\, that’s useful advice. \nCome Hungry: Greek Food Is at the Center of Odyssey\nThere is a lot to work through over four days. \nThe 2026 festival lineup includes gyro\, lamb chops\, souvlaki\, lamb on the spit\, moussaka\, spanakopita and Greek salads\, along with an assortment of smaller dishes and appetizers. \nSaganaki brings some theater to the meal. The sharp Greek cheese is flambéed at the festival’s Gourmet Meze grill\, creating the familiar burst of flame before it’s served. \nThen there are the pastries. \nOne of Odyssey’s longtime favorites is loukoumades\, small pieces of fried dough traditionally finished with honey and cinnamon. Other Greek pastries and sweets round out the dessert side of the festival. \nThis isn’t simply a collection of outside vendors selling Greek-inspired food. Saint Barbara emphasizes the work of its own parishioners in preparing the dishes and pastries that have become associated with Odyssey over its four-decade history. \nCooking demonstrations take that idea a little further by showing visitors how some of those traditions make their way into the kitchen. \nA New Taverna Arrives for 2026\nThere’s a significant addition this year. \nOdyssey is introducing a new Taverna\, giving visitors a place to have a glass of Greek wine or Greek beer while listening to live music. \nThe new space strengthens something Odyssey has always had at its center: this isn’t supposed to feel like a food pickup operation. \nIt’s meant to be somewhere people stay. \nRather than grabbing a gyro and heading for the parking lot\, visitors can settle in\, listen to the bands\, watch the dancers and make an afternoon or evening out of the festival. \nAnd there will be plenty of music. \nTwo Live Greek Bands Keep Odyssey Moving\nOdyssey ’26 features two live Greek bands\, with music running throughout the weekend. \nGrecian Nights will perform daily\, including at the new Taverna\, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to hear live Greek music without having to plan around a single concert time. \nMusic and dance are closely connected here. \nThe Odyssey Dancers return with performances of traditional Greek dances\, dressed in costumes that reflect the culture and regional traditions behind the dances themselves. \nFor visitors\, watching is optional. \nGreek festivals have a habit of turning spectators into participants\, and the live music provides plenty of opportunities for people to join the dancing even if their technique isn’t going to earn them a place with the Odyssey Dancers. \nThe Saint Barbara Choir will also perform during the festival\, bringing another musical tradition into the weekend. \nStep Inside Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church\nFood and dancing may bring many people through the gates\, but Odyssey also gives visitors an opportunity to learn about the community hosting it. \nPresentations and tours inside Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church introduce guests to Orthodox Christianity\, the church itself and the traditions represented within its sanctuary. \nThat’s an important part of what separates Odyssey from a generic Greek-themed food festival. \nThe festival exists because of the parish. \nFor Saint Barbara\, sharing Greek culture and sharing the church’s spiritual home are intertwined. Visitors can walk inside\, look at the religious art and architecture and learn why the sanctuary looks and functions differently from churches they may know from other Christian traditions. \nNo religious background is required to participate in the presentations. \nShop the Odyssey Marketplace\nThe festival’s marketplace provides another reason to wander beyond the food tents. \nVendors and festival booths offer goods and gifts alongside the cultural programming\, giving Odyssey the feel of a temporary Greek village spread across the church grounds. \nA giant raffle is another longstanding component of the weekend. \nTaken together\, the marketplace\, music\, dancing\, cooking demonstrations\, church presentations and food make Odyssey an event that rewards wandering rather than following a rigid schedule. \nYou can arrive for lunch and discover a dance performance. \nStop for loukoumades and find live music underway. \nWalk through the marketplace and end up inside the church learning something you didn’t know about Greek Orthodox tradition. \nThat’s essentially how Odyssey is designed to work. \nFour Days\, Including Labor Day\nOdyssey opens at noon each day. \nOn Friday\, Saturday and Sunday\, the festival continues until 10 p.m.\, allowing the atmosphere to change considerably between a family-oriented afternoon visit and an evening of live music\, dancing\, food and drinks. \nLabor Day Monday is shorter\, running from noon to 6 p.m. \nThe festival takes place rain or shine\, with activities spread between indoor and outdoor spaces. \nAdmission is free. \nParking is also free\, with spaces available on the Saint Barbara property and additional parking next door at Holy Infant Church. \nThat makes Odyssey particularly easy to approach as a spontaneous Labor Day weekend trip. There is no admission ticket to justify and no need to commit to an entire day. \nAlthough once the food starts arriving\, staying awhile becomes considerably easier. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Odyssey ’26: A Greek Festival\nDates: Friday\, September 4 through Monday\, September 7\, 2026\nFriday: Noon–10 p.m.\nSaturday: Noon–10 p.m.\nSunday: Noon–10 p.m.\nMonday: Noon–6 p.m.\nLocation: Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church\nAddress: 480 Racebrook Road\, Orange\, CT 06477\nAdmission: Free\nParking: Free\, including additional parking next door at Holy Infant Church\nFood: Gyro\, lamb chops\, souvlaki\, lamb on the spit\, moussaka\, spanakopita\, saganaki\, Greek salads\, pastries\, loukoumades and more\nEntertainment: Two live Greek bands\, Odyssey Dancers and Saint Barbara Choir\nAlso: Cooking demonstrations\, church tours and presentations\, marketplace and giant raffle\nNew for 2026: Taverna serving Greek wine and beer with live music from Grecian Nights\nWeather: Rain or shine \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/odyssey-26-greek-festival/2026-09-06/
LOCATION:Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church\, 480 Racebrook Road\, Orange\, 06477\, United States
CATEGORIES:Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
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DTSTAMP:20260903T140908Z
CREATED:20260903T140908Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T140908Z
UID:10007440-1788690600-1788717600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Connecticut Renaissance Faire 2026 Guide
DESCRIPTION:Connecticut Renaissance Faire 2026 transforms the Lebanon Country Fairgrounds into a sprawling 16th-century fantasy village for nine weekends of jousting\, comedy\, live music\, costumed characters\, artisan shopping\, food\, games and themed adventures. \nThe Faire runs from August 29 through October 25 at 122 Mack Road in Lebanon\, with regular hours from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. It also opens on holiday Mondays\, including Labor Day and Columbus Day. \nFor 2026\, the Faire is advertising more than 40 shows each day across 13 stages\, along with dozens of games and activities and more than 200 artisans\, food vendors and other merchants. \nAnd this isn’t an event where you simply watch from the sidelines. \nWalk through the gates and you enter a village populated by kings\, queens\, knights\, fairies\, musicians\, rogues and other characters who interact with visitors throughout the day. You can watch armored combat\, cheer at the joust\, throw an axe\, shop for a handmade sword or drinking horn\, take the kids on human-powered rides\, eat a turkey leg and end up in a conversation with a member of the royal court on the way to your next show. \nHere’s how to plan a day at the 2026 Connecticut Renaissance Faire. \nWhen Is the Connecticut Renaissance Faire?\nThe 2026 season runs from August 29 through October 25. \nThe Faire is generally open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.\, with special openings on Labor Day and Columbus Day. \nThe season is divided into themed weekends\, so the experience changes as fall progresses. Themes for 2026 include Dragons & Dungeons\, Roses & Romance\, Shirefolk\, Faerie Ring Revels\, Pirates & Vikings\, Time Travelers\, All Hallows and the new Merry Macabre weekend. \nLabor Day weekend\, September 5–7\, is Dragons & Dungeons\, a fantasy-focused weekend built around quests\, heroes and legendary characters. \nCostumes aren’t required to attend. Some visitors arrive in everyday clothes\, while others treat the themed weekends as an opportunity to build elaborate Renaissance\, fantasy\, pirate\, Viking or other character costumes. \nHow Much Are Connecticut Renaissance Faire Tickets?\nGeneral admission for the 2026 season is $18 for adults and $10 for youth\, while children in the Faire’s child admission category enter free. \nAdmission covers the Faire itself and its regular stage performances. Certain games\, rides\, food\, drinks and premium experiences cost extra. \nOne useful change from the way some fairs and festivals operate is that there are no food tickets. Food and beverages are purchased directly from individual merchants. \nSame-day re-entry is also permitted with a handstamp\, so leaving the grounds doesn’t necessarily mean the end of your Faire day. \nStart With the Shows\nTrying to see everything at the Connecticut Renaissance Faire in one day is probably the wrong approach. \nThere are simply too many performances. \nThe 2026 Faire uses 13 stages and advertises more than 40 shows daily. Entertainment ranges from music and comedy to acrobatics\, combat demonstrations\, theatrical performances and interactive shows. \nOne of the biggest spectacles is the armored combat demonstration from the Knights of Gore. These aren’t performers simply swinging lightweight theatrical weapons around one another. The demonstrations feature fighters in plate armor engaging in full-contact medieval-style combat. \nThe Knights of Gore also present educational demonstrations throughout the day covering subjects such as medieval helmets\, the roles of knights and squires and siege weapons including the trebuchet. \nThe Joust Remains a Centerpiece\nIt’s difficult to imagine a Renaissance faire without knights charging toward one another on horseback. \nJousting remains one of the major attractions in Lebanon. \nThe 2026 season includes jousting from Roundtable Productions and Equus Nobilis\, both listed among the Faire’s new entertainment additions this year. \nThe joust combines horsemanship\, theatrical storytelling and medieval-style competition on a scale that’s difficult to replicate on one of the smaller stages. \nIf seeing a joust is high on your list\, check the schedule when you arrive and build the rest of the day around it rather than assuming you’ll simply stumble across the right performance. \nThere Is Plenty of Comedy\nNot everything involves swords and armor. \nComedy is scattered throughout the Faire\, sometimes on a stage and sometimes walking directly toward you in the lanes. \nThe Norfolk Theatricals specialize in interactive theatrical comedy\, presenting deliberately chaotic original plays with audience members sometimes pulled into the performance. \nBone Dallaire roams the grounds as a self-important thespian and playwright whose opinion of his own talent may exceed everyone else’s. \nThe Faire’s cast of Crown Players adds another layer of continuous theater. Instead of performing only at scheduled times\, characters inhabit the village and interact with guests throughout the day. \nThat distinction is important for first-time visitors. \nThe Connecticut Renaissance Faire isn’t simply a collection of scheduled shows surrounded by food booths. The space between the stages is part of the performance. \nMusic Runs From Celtic Traditions to Sea Chanteys\nLive music is another major part of the day. \nThe 2026 roster includes performers working with Celtic music\, traditional folk\, sea chanteys and other styles that fit naturally into the Faire setting. \nJesse Ofgang and the Diaspora\, new for 2026\, combine Scottish and Irish musical traditions with contemporary rhythms using instruments including bagpipes\, whistles and guitars. \nNemeton: Folk Fantasy Music and Dance brings an especially unusual collection of instruments to the Faire\, including bagpipes\, drums\, double flutes\, penny whistles\, English concertina\, medieval small pipes\, rauschpfeife and hurdy-gurdy. \nNew England’s Misfits of Avalon draw from Celtic music with hammered dulcimer\, mandolin\, guitar and violin. \nOther weekends bring different musicians\, including the maritime and Celtic sounds of the Crimson Pirates and southeastern Connecticut’s Bards of Gungywamp. \nBecause performers vary by themed weekend\, it’s worth checking the schedule for the specific date you’re attending. \nSome of the Best Entertainment Is Strange\nRenaissance faires have always left room for acts that don’t fit neatly into a category. \nThat’s part of the fun. \nFor 2026\, Fly by Night joins the Connecticut Faire with a combination of comedy\, juggling\, whip cracking and sideshow skills. The duo of Steve King and Ryan Roberts has been performing since 1990 and appeared as semifinalists on the fourth season of America’s Got Talent. \nCircus Stella puts rescued dogs into a circus environment alongside Dextre Tripp\, mixing canine tricks with juggling\, ladder balancing\, rope walking and unicycling. \nElsewhere\, visitors can encounter puppetry\, dance\, storytelling\, magic and roaming performers without necessarily planning to see them. \nLeave some empty space in the schedule. \nAt a Renaissance faire\, getting distracted is part of the itinerary. \nGames and Rides Go Beyond the Stages\nThere’s plenty to do when you want to participate rather than watch. \nThe Faire’s games and activities include old-fashioned and Renaissance-inspired challenges\, physical games and human-powered attractions. \nSome activities carry an additional fee. \nYou’ll find opportunities to test skill and strength\, explore the Royal Maze and take part in attractions spread throughout the village. \nFor families with younger children\, this can provide a useful break between longer stage performances. \nFor adults\, it can become surprisingly competitive. \nEat the Turkey Leg\, But Don’t Stop There\nYes\, there are giant turkey legs. \nThe Faire’s Turkey Legs and More stand serves the oversized roasted festival staple along with turkey sundaes\, mac and cheese\, smoked chicken\, lemonade and fried dough. \nBut the food selection has grown far beyond the Renaissance-faire stereotype. \nThe 2026 Faire lists 37 food merchants and seven pubs and taverns\, with meals\, desserts\, snacks and beverages distributed throughout the grounds. \nThere are burgers and hot dogs\, chicken sandwiches\, baked goods\, fried seafood\, sweets and a broad assortment of festival food. \nThe Faire also identifies vendors offering vegetarian\, vegan\, gluten-free and dairy-free choices. \nEvery food merchant is required to offer at least one item priced at $7\, an attempt to keep at least one lower-priced choice available at each location. \nOutside snacks and nonalcoholic drinks are also permitted. \nYou Can Walk the Faire With a Drink\nThere are no isolated beer tents requiring guests to remain inside a designated drinking area. \nAdults can purchase alcoholic beverages from the Faire’s pubs and taverns and carry their drinks while exploring the grounds. \nValid identification is required for alcohol purchases. \nThat also makes the taverns part of the atmosphere rather than simply concession stands. \nFor visitors looking for something more structured\, the Faire offers two separate 21-and-over experiences. \nThe Pub Crawl Is a 90-Minute Quest\nThe Connecticut Renaissance Faire Pub Crawl isn’t simply four drink tickets stapled together. \nThe approximately 90-minute experience is hosted by Fae Frostwhiperer and takes a group of no more than 15 participants through four Faire taverns. \nThere are four alcoholic drinks along the way\, but participants also complete challenges\, play games\, sing\, chant and interact with their guide. \nOne stop at Shattered Shield includes Liar’s Dice\, a vegetable platter and an exclusive small-batch mead that isn’t sold from the tavern’s regular menu. \nAnother stop includes a Test of Strength at King’s Inn Crossing. \nPub Crawls depart twice each Faire day\, at 11 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. \nThe price is $75\, plus a processing fee when purchased online. Tickets can also be purchased at Shattered Shield without the online processing fee\, although each crawl is limited to 15 participants and can sell out. \nParticipants must be 21 or older with valid identification. \nRegular Faire admission is not included with the Pub Crawl. \nWhiskey Tastings Offer a Quieter Break\nFor adults who prefer sipping to crawling\, guided whiskey tastings offer a considerably calmer experience. \nThe approximately one-hour sessions explore a curated selection of whiskies\, with hosts discussing origins\, production methods\, flavor profiles and techniques for nosing and tasting. \nCharcuterie is served alongside the pours. \nThe experience is designed for both beginners and experienced whiskey drinkers\, and advance reservations are strongly recommended because seating is intentionally limited. \nParticipants must be 21 or older and bring valid government-issued photo identification. \nLike the Pub Crawl\, a whiskey tasting is an additional experience. Regular Connecticut Renaissance Faire admission must be purchased separately. \nShopping Is a Major Part of the Faire\nDon’t treat the merchant area as an afterthought. \nThe Faire says the 2026 season includes 213 artisans\, games and food vendors\, with 32 new shops joining the grounds this year. \nThe marketplace is where the fantasy world starts becoming something you can take home. \nDepending on the merchant\, visitors can find clothing\, leatherwork\, jewelry\, drinking vessels\, artwork\, fantasy accessories\, home décor and handcrafted goods. \nSome merchants make items that are specifically useful for people building Renaissance or fantasy costumes\, while others sell pieces that work perfectly well outside the Faire. \nFor someone arriving without a costume\, the marketplace also provides an easy way to gradually become more appropriately dressed as the day progresses. \nYou may enter in jeans. \nThere is no guarantee you will leave without a cloak. \n2026 Is a Significant Expansion Year\nThe Faire has added a substantial amount of new material for 2026. \nIts official count includes 11 new shows\, 32 new shops and seven new food offerings. \nAmong the new entertainment are the two jousting productions\, Fly by Night and Jesse Ofgang and the Diaspora. \nThe Faire is also introducing Merry Macabre\, a new themed weekend for October 24–25 that takes the season into darker territory just before Halloween. \nThat expansion matters even to people who have attended in previous years. \nThe basic formula remains recognizable\, but the Faire is deliberately designed so returning on another weekend doesn’t simply reproduce the same day. \nBringing Kids to the Connecticut Renaissance Faire\nChildren don’t have to understand Renaissance history to find things to do here. \nThere are family-oriented performances\, interactive games\, rides and characters throughout the village. \nOne particularly memorable experience is the Knighting Ceremony with the King and Queen\, where children can present themselves before King Basil and Queen Gwendolyn Genevieve and receive royal recognition before the parade. \nThere are also quests and interactive encounters with the Knights of Gore. \nThe Faire’s combination of structured shows and wandering characters means children can become involved in the fantasy rather than spending the entire day watching adults perform. \nYes\, You Can Bring Your Pet\nThe Connecticut Renaissance Faire has an unusually broad pet policy. \nWell-behaved dogs\, cats\, rabbits\, ferrets\, rats and lizards are permitted. \nPet admission is $5 per animal\, while service animals enter free. \nDogs and cats must have proof of current rabies vaccination. A veterinarian’s letter\, email or current rabies tag can serve as proof. \nPets must remain on a non-retractable leash no longer than six feet and owners are responsible for cleaning up after them. \nLivestock\, horses\, donkeys\, mules and other large animals aren’t permitted. \nThe Faire advises owners to bring food and water for their animals. Water bowls may be available from merchants\, but pet food isn’t sold on the grounds. \nPets are also permitted on the parking shuttles. \nParking Has Changed for 2026\nThis is one section worth reading before leaving home. \nThe Faire has a new parking system for 2026. \nVisitors who want to park directly at the Faire grounds at 122 Mack Road can purchase Premium Parking for $10 per vehicle. \nThere are only 525 Premium Parking spaces available each Faire day\, and they must be purchased online in advance for the specific date you’re attending. \nYou cannot purchase Premium Parking when you arrive at the lot. \nVIP admission includes Premium Parking. \nThere are also 125 free ADA parking spaces at the main Faire site for vehicles displaying a valid handicapped placard or plate. These spaces can’t be reserved and are available on a first-available basis. \nMotorcycles can park at the main site for free. \nFree Parking and Shuttles Are Available\nYou don’t have to pay to park. \nThe Faire operates free satellite parking with continuous shuttle service beginning at 9:30 a.m. \nOne free lot is located at 744 Trumbull Highway in Lebanon. \nAdditional parking is available at Lebanon Middle School\, 891 Exeter Road\, and Lyman Memorial High School\, 917 Exeter Road. \nThere is one important wrinkle with the school lots: the shuttles do not pick up directly at the schools. \nGuests parking at either school walk to the Mobil station located between the two schools\, which serves as the shuttle pickup and drop-off point. \nThe last shuttle leaves the Faire 30 minutes after closing. \nAnd don’t blindly follow your GPS. \nThe Faire specifically warns visitors not to use Barker Road\, which police close to through traffic on Faire weekends. \nWhere to Stay\nFor visitors coming from farther away\, the Faire maintains a list of nearby lodging options rather than operating an on-site campground. \nBecause the event runs for nine weekends\, staying overnight can also make sense for visitors who want to attend both Saturday and Sunday without making the drive twice. \nCheck lodging availability early for popular themed weekends\, particularly as the season moves toward October and foliage season in eastern Connecticut. \nWhat First-Time Visitors Should Know\nThe easiest mistake is approaching the Connecticut Renaissance Faire like an attraction where everything follows one obvious route. \nIt doesn’t. \nThere are performances happening simultaneously\, characters wandering the lanes\, merchants to explore\, food to try and activities that can consume far more time than expected. \nCheck the day’s performance schedule first and choose the handful of shows you really don’t want to miss. \nThen allow the rest of the day to happen around them. \nYou might stop for lunch and encounter a roaming performer. \nYou might head toward a stage and spend 30 minutes shopping instead. \nYou might intend to watch one song and stay for an entire set. \nThat’s not poor planning. \nThat’s pretty much how a Renaissance faire is supposed to work. \nConnecticut Renaissance Faire 2026 Details\nEvent: Connecticut Renaissance Faire\nSeason: August 29–October 25\, 2026\nRegular Days: Saturdays and Sundays\, plus Labor Day and Columbus Day\nHours: 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m.\nLocation: Lebanon Country Fairgrounds\nAddress: 122 Mack Road\, Lebanon\, CT 06249\nAdult General Admission: $18\nYouth Admission: $10\nChild Admission: Free\nEntertainment: More than 40 shows daily across 13 stages\nMarketplace: More than 200 artisans\, food vendors\, games and other merchants\nFood: 37 food merchants and seven pubs and taverns\nPremium On-Site Parking: $10\, advance date-specific purchase required\nFree Parking: Satellite lots with shuttle service\nPet Admission: $5; service animals free\nSame-Day Re-Entry: Permitted with handstamp\nOutside Food: Snacks and nonalcoholic drinks permitted \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \nTo purchase tickets\, click the Event Ticketing link below. \n  \n  \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/connecticut-renaissance-faire-2026-guide/2026-09-06/
LOCATION:Lebanon Fair Grounds\, 122 Mack Road\, Lebanon\, 06249\, United States
CATEGORIES:Lebanon Fairgrounds
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260906T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260906T230000
DTSTAMP:20260903T151855Z
CREATED:20260903T151855Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T151855Z
UID:10007460-1788685200-1788735600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:165th Woodstock Fair Guide
DESCRIPTION:165th Woodstock Fair returns to South Woodstock for five days over Labor Day weekend\, September 3–7\, bringing one of Connecticut’s oldest agricultural traditions together with major concerts\, livestock shows\, carnival rides\, fair food and several new attractions. \nThe 2026 Main Stage lineup is unusually strong. Tonic headlines Friday night\, Kool & the Gang takes over Saturday\, Trace Adkins performs Sunday\, and Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine and the Pet Sounds Band close the Fair on Labor Day Monday. The Flying Wallendas and magician Leon Etienne also perform throughout the weekend. \nAll Main Stage entertainment is included with Fair admission. \nBut the Woodstock Fair is still\, fundamentally\, an agricultural fair. Livestock barns\, dairy cattle\, sheep\, goats\, rabbits\, agricultural competitions and the historic Brunn Barn sit alongside the flashing lights of the Fiesta Shows midway. \nFor its 165th edition\, the Fair is adding something new to that mix: Rustic Tap & Vine\, a dedicated beer and wine area featuring Connecticut producers. \nHere’s what to know before heading to South Woodstock. \nWhen Is the 2026 Woodstock Fair?\nThe Woodstock Fair runs Thursday\, September 3 through Monday\, September 7\, 2026 at the Woodstock Fairgrounds\, 281 Route 169 in South Woodstock. \nOpening times vary by day. \nThursday: 4 p.m.\nFriday: Noon\nSaturday: 9 a.m.\nSunday: 9 a.m.\nLabor Day Monday: 9 a.m. \nThursday through Sunday\, the Main Gate remains open until 9:30 p.m.\, with other gates closing at 9 p.m. Carnival rides and games continue until 11 p.m. \nMonday operates on an earlier schedule. All gates close at 7 p.m.\, with carnival rides and games continuing until 8 p.m. \nThe barns and exhibition halls also have their own closing times\, so visitors primarily interested in the agricultural side shouldn’t wait until late evening to explore them. \nHow Much Are Woodstock Fair Tickets?\nOnline general admission for 2026 is $16.95 for adults\, including the processing fee. \nAdmission for active-duty military members with identification is $11.80\, while seniors 65 and older with identification also pay $11.80 online. \nChildren 10 and younger are admitted free. \nOne of the biggest values in the ticket is the entertainment. \nThe major concerts\, Flying Wallendas performances\, Leon Etienne’s magic shows and other stage entertainment are included with paid Fair admission. There is no separate concert ticket required for Kool & the Gang\, Trace Adkins\, Tonic or Al Jardine. \nMain Stage performances are general admission with no reserved seating. \nGuests may bring folding chairs for the grass-covered area in front of the stage. \nFriday Night: Tonic Headlines the Main Stage\nFriday\, September 4\, starts the first full day of the Fair at noon. \nThe Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m.\, followed by Soul Afire at 5 p.m. and Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30. \nThen the Main Stage shifts into ’90s alternative rock. \nTonic performs at 8 p.m. \nFormed in Los Angeles in the 1990s\, Tonic broke nationally with its 1996 debut album Lemon Parade. The record produced the band’s signature hit\, “If You Could Only See\,” along with “Open Up Your Eyes.” \nThe band’s success carried into subsequent albums\, and Tonic earned two Grammy nominations for its 2002 album Head on Straight. \nFriday also brings the Old Fiddlers Club of Rhode Island to Center Stage at noon\, Soul Afire at 2:30 p.m.\, Leon Etienne at 3:45 and the Fair’s Country Karaoke Contest at 6. \nSaturday Night: Kool & the Gang\nSaturday brings the biggest dance party of the weekend. \nKool & the Gang headlines the Main Stage at 8 p.m. September 5. \nFew bands arrive with a catalog more immediately recognizable at a fairground. \nThe group’s decades of funk\, soul\, R&B and pop produced “Celebration\,” “Jungle Boogie\,” “Ladies’ Night\,” “Get Down on It\,” “Too Hot\,” “Cherish” and a long list of other hits. \nThe band’s history reaches back to Jersey City in 1964\, making Kool & the Gang’s longevity particularly appropriate for the 165th edition of a fair that has built its own identity around tradition. \nSaturday’s Main Stage begins much earlier. \nThe Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m. The Stevie Nicks Experience performs at 5\, followed by Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30 and Kool & the Gang at 8. \nCenter Stage has its own schedule beginning with Quest Martial Arts at 10:30 a.m.\, followed by the East Woodstock Cornet Band at 11:30. Quest returns at 2 p.m.\, the Stevie Nicks Experience performs at 2:30\, Leon Etienne appears at 3:45\, and the Pop Karaoke Contest begins at 5. \nSunday Night Belongs to Trace Adkins\nSunday\, September 6\, turns the Main Stage toward country music. \nTrace Adkins performs at 8 p.m. \nThe Louisiana-born singer has spent three decades in country music\, with a catalog that includes “You’re Gonna Miss This\,” “Every Light in the House\,” “Ladies Love Country Boys\,” “Songs About Me” and “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” \nAdkins has also been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2003. \nBefore the headliner\, the Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m. Nick Bosse and the Northern Roots take the stage at 5\, followed by Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30. \nCenter Stage begins Sunday at 10 a.m. with Whitney Doucet\, followed by Danielson Martial Arts at 11:15\, another Whitney Doucet performance at noon\, Danielson Martial Arts at 1:30\, Nick Bosse at 2:30 and Leon Etienne at 4. \nAl Jardine Closes the Fair on Labor Day\nThe final day gets an appropriate end-of-summer soundtrack. \nAl Jardine of the Beach Boys and the Pet Sounds Band perform at 5:30 p.m. Monday\, September 7. \nJardine was a founding member of the Beach Boys\, singing and playing guitar as the group created one of the defining catalogs in American popular music. \nHis lead vocals include “Help Me\, Rhonda\,” while his decades with the Beach Boys connected him to records ranging from the early surf hits through Pet Sounds and beyond. \nMonday’s Main Stage begins with the Flying Wallendas at 11:30 a.m. Leon Etienne performs at 12:30\, the Wallendas return at 2\, Red Light Band performs at 2:30\, and Etienne returns at 4 before Jardine closes the 165th Fair. \nThe Flying Wallendas Perform Throughout the Weekend\nThe Flying Wallendas are more than another stage act on the schedule. \nThe Wallenda name has been synonymous with high-wire performance for generations\, dating back to the European circus tradition that eventually brought the family to the United States. \nTheir appearances are spread throughout the Fair\, making them one of the easiest major attractions to catch even if you’re attending primarily for something else. \nThey perform Thursday at 6 p.m.; Friday\, Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m.; and Monday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. \nThat gives visitors nine opportunities over the five-day Fair. \nLeon Etienne Brings Magic to Multiple Stages\nAnother performer will be difficult to miss. \nLeon Etienne’s Magic Rocks appears repeatedly on both the Main and Center stages. \nEtienne has built his act around large-scale illusions\, sleight of hand\, comedy and rock-show energy rather than the quieter presentation of a traditional stage magician. \nHis national television appearances have included America’s Got Talent\, where he became one of the show’s recognizable magic acts. \nAt Woodstock\, he’s performing multiple times throughout Labor Day weekend\, making his show one of the easier entertainment options to work into a full day. \nDon’t Skip the Agriculture\nIt would be easy to look at a lineup containing Kool & the Gang and Trace Adkins and think of Woodstock primarily as a music festival with carnival rides. \nThat misses the heart of the Fair. \nThe Woodstock Fair describes itself as Connecticut’s largest agricultural fair\, and its agricultural competitions remain a major part of the five-day event. \nFriday begins with the Rabbit Exhibition and Sheep Show at noon\, followed by the Goat Show at 1 p.m. and Youth Dairy Cattle Show at 3. \nSaturday starts early with the Dairy Cattle Show and Rabbit Exhibition at 9 a.m.\, Youth Sheep Show at 9:30 and Sheep Lead Line at 6 p.m. \nSunday includes rabbits\, sheep and goats in the morning and Beef Showmanship at 3 p.m. \nMonday begins with the Beef Show and Rabbit Exhibition at 9 a.m.\, followed by the Sheep Show at 9:30. \nThe Youth Dairy Cattle Show on Friday is followed by showmanship and a costume class\, while Sunday’s Beef Showmanship is followed by steer and costume classes. \nVisit the Brunn Barn Museum\nOne of the best places to understand why the agricultural part of Woodstock matters is the Brunn Barn Museum. \nThe barn itself dates to 1822. \nIt was dismantled in 2004 and reconstructed at the Woodstock Fairgrounds in time for the 2005 Fair. \nInside\, the focus is on New England’s agricultural past. \nAntique farm equipment and tools help show how work was accomplished before tractors\, combines and other modern machinery transformed farming. \nThe barn also hosts demonstrations and educational displays. \nIn a Fair increasingly filled with modern entertainment\, the Brunn Barn provides a direct connection to the agricultural history that created events like Woodstock in the first place. \nNew for 2026: Rustic Tap & Vine\nOne of the biggest additions to the 165th Fair is decidedly more modern. \nRustic Tap & Vine debuts in 2026 as a new beer and wine destination inside the Fair. \nThe project was created in partnership with bankHometown\, a division of TruNorth Bank\, along with Taylor Brooke Brewery and Winery\, Bear Hands Brewing Company and Black Pond Brewery. \nThe new attraction opens with the Fair at 4 p.m. Thursday. \nRustic Tap & Vine operates Thursday from 4–7 p.m.; Friday\, Saturday and Sunday from noon–7 p.m.; and Labor Day Monday from noon–6 p.m. \nFor adults who remember when a fair beer meant little more than grabbing whatever was being poured at a concession stand\, the dedicated space gives the 2026 Fair another distinct destination. \nThe Midway Is Back With Fiesta Shows\nFiesta Shows operates the Woodstock Fair midway\, with rides ranging from family attractions to the sort of spinning machinery that looks much more entertaining from the ground depending on your tolerance for centrifugal force. \nThe expected 2026 lineup includes the Super Cyclone Coaster\, Spider Wheel\, Warrior\, Top Gun\, Thunder Bolt\, Zero Gravity\, Hyper Spin\, Pharaoh’s Fury\, Fire Ball\, Spinning Coaster\, Zipper\, Starship Exodus and Hurricane. \nThere are also gentler options including the carousel\, train\, Crazy Bus\, Rock’n Tug and slide. \nRide height requirements vary. \nIndividual ride credits will be available at the Fair\, while advance unlimited-ride options are also available. \nRide Wristbands Can Save Money\nIf the midway is going to be a major part of your day\, buying in advance can save a few dollars. \nThursday’s unlimited wristband is $30 online or $35 on site and is valid from 4–10 p.m. \nFriday is split into two sessions\, noon–5 p.m. or 5 p.m.–close\, with wristbands costing $30 online or $35 on site. \nSaturday\, Sunday and Monday use all-day Megapass wristbands at $40 online or $45 on site. \nThese do not include Fair admission. \nWristbands and Megapasses also aren’t valid for the bumper cars\, mechanical bull\, rock wall or bungee jump. \nFamily Fun Goes Beyond the Midway\nFamilies who don’t want to spend the entire day buying ride credits have another option. \nThe Fabulous Family Fun Area is open all five days with the Records and Burpee Petting Zoo\, inflatable games and Sandtasia Sand Sculpture. \nThe Pork Chop Revue also performs throughout the weekend. \nDespite the name\, it’s not a barbecue demonstration. \nThe show features trained pigs performing tricks and comedic routines and has become the kind of oddball agricultural entertainment that fits naturally at a country fair. \nSaturday also brings Vinny’s Pizza Eating Contest at 2:15 p.m. \nOn Sunday\, the competitive eating turns to dessert with a Blueberry Pie Eating Contest at 2:15. \nYou Can Enter the Karaoke Contest\nThe audience can become the entertainment on Friday and Saturday. \nFriday’s Country Karaoke Contest begins at 6 p.m. on Center Stage. \nSaturday’s Pop Karaoke Contest starts at 5 p.m. \nEach contest is limited to 10 contestants\, and advance registration is available through the Fair. \nParticipants are asked to arrive at Center Stage 30 minutes before the contest\, with registration beginning 15 minutes before showtime. \nSomeone can even enter both competitions\, although a separate registration is required for each. \nLabor Day Starts With a Cornhole Tournament\nMonday morning brings a different kind of competition. \nThe Woodstock Fair Cornhole Tournament begins at 10 a.m. September 7 on Center Stage. \nTwo-person teams compete in either Social or Competitive divisions. \nRegistration is $50 per team\, or $25 per player\, and the entire registration pool goes into the prize purse. \nThe Woodstock Fair adds another $2\,500. \nTournament registration does not include Fair admission or parking\, and players need to bring their own regulation cornhole bags. The Fair supplies the boards. \nCome Hungry\nWoodstock’s food list is enormous. \nThis is still the place for fried dough\, funnel cakes\, sausage and peppers\, giant eclairs\, fried Oreos\, caramel apples\, ice cream\, kettle corn and the sort of food decisions that seem completely reasonable inside a fairground. \nBut the selection goes considerably further. \nThere are lobster rolls and lobster quesadillas from Cousins Maine Lobster; clam cakes and chowder; jerk chicken and oxtails; Polish food including pierogi\, kielbasa and stuffed cabbage; gyros; barbecue brisket; poutine; tacos; empanadas; Indian street food; Thai dishes; Colombian-American food; Mediterranean dishes; bubble tea and specialty coffee. \nYou can find bacon on a stick. \nYou can find chocolate-covered bacon. \nYou can find a deep-fried PB&J. \nThere is even a vendor dedicated entirely to gluten-free fair food\, with gluten-free funnel cakes\, fried Oreos\, chicken tenders\, corn dogs and donuts. \nLocal churches\, Scouts\, Lions\, veterans groups and other nonprofits also operate food stands\, continuing a piece of the Fair that feels considerably closer to its community roots. \nParking Is Not Included\nThis is important for first-time visitors. \nThe Woodstock Fair does not operate an on-site parking lot. \nInstead\, neighboring farms\, businesses and organizations provide parking around the Fairgrounds and set their own prices. \nFor 2026\, the Fair lists several nearby options at $10. \nFairvue Farm is on Route 171 near the South Gate. \nValleyside Farm is near Routes 171 and 169 and provides access convenient to the Main and Service gates. \nSouth Woodstock Baptist Church offers parking near Roseland Park and North Gate roads. \nScranton’s Shops is across the street and diagonally north of the Service Gate. \nBring the extra $10 into your day’s budget rather than arriving expecting admission to include parking. \nPlan on Walking\nThe Woodstock Fair is big. \nBetween the livestock areas\, exhibition halls\, stages\, food stands\, midway\, agricultural attractions and parking outside the grounds\, a visit can involve a considerable amount of walking. \nComfortable shoes aren’t a bad idea. \nIt’s also worth looking at the Fair map before arriving\, particularly if you’re trying to catch a specific livestock show and a Main Stage performance on the same day. \nThe agricultural Fair and entertainment Fair coexist\, but they’re not all concentrated into one compact midway. \nWhich Day Should You Go?\nIf music is the deciding factor\, the choice is straightforward. \nGo Friday for Tonic. \nGo Saturday for Kool & the Gang. \nGo Sunday for Trace Adkins. \nGo Monday for Al Jardine and the Pet Sounds Band. \nFor the broadest all-day Fair experience\, Saturday and Sunday provide early 9 a.m. openings and entertainment running into the evening. \nMonday is a good choice for visitors who prefer an earlier day\, with the Fair opening at 9 a.m. and winding down after Al Jardine’s 5:30 p.m. concert. \nThursday is the abbreviated opening night\, beginning at 4 p.m. \nAnd if the animals are your priority\, check the livestock schedule before choosing a date. Different species and competitions take place on different days. \nEvent Details\nEvent: 165th Woodstock Fair\nDates: Thursday\, September 3–Monday\, September 7\, 2026\nLocation: Woodstock Fairgrounds\nAddress: 281 Route 169\, South Woodstock\, CT 06267\nThursday Opening: 4 p.m.\nFriday Opening: Noon\nSaturday Opening: 9 a.m.\nSunday Opening: 9 a.m.\nMonday Opening: 9 a.m.\nAdult Online Admission: $16.95 including processing fee\nSenior 65+ Online Admission: $11.80 with ID\nActive-Duty Military Online Admission: $11.80 with ID\nChildren: Ages 10 and younger free\nMain Stage Headliners: Tonic\, Kool & the Gang\, Trace Adkins\, Al Jardine of the Beach Boys and the Pet Sounds Band\nOther Major Entertainment: Flying Wallendas and Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks\nNew for 2026: Rustic Tap & Vine\nMidway: Fiesta Shows\nParking: Nearby independently operated lots; listed 2026 options are $10\nMain Stage Shows: Included with paid Fair admission; general admission seating \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \nTo purchase tickets\, click the Event Ticketing link below. \n\n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/165th-woodstock-fair-guide/2026-09-06/
LOCATION:Woodstock Fairgrounds\, 281 Route 169\, South Woodstock\, 06267\, United States
CATEGORIES:Woodstock Fairgrounds
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T220000
DTSTAMP:20260905T213351Z
CREATED:20260905T213350Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260905T213351Z
UID:10007476-1788609600-1788645600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Odyssey ’26 Greek Festival
DESCRIPTION:Odyssey ’26: A Greek Festival returns to Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange over Labor Day weekend\, filling four days with Greek food\, live music\, traditional dancing\, cooking demonstrations\, church tours and a sprawling marketplace. \nRunning Friday\, September 4 through Monday\, September 7\, Odyssey is celebrating its 44th year in 2026. The festival is held rain or shine across the church’s grounds at 480 Racebrook Road\, with both admission and parking free. \nAnd if food is the reason for making the trip\, this is not a festival where the Greek menu is an afterthought. Parishioners spend months preparing for a weekend built around dishes ranging from lamb roasted on the spit and moussaka to spanakopita\, souvlaki\, flaming saganaki and loukoumades. \nForty-Four Years of Going Greek in Orange\nOdyssey began more than four decades ago as a way for the Saint Barbara parish to invite the surrounding community into its traditions. \nThe festival has grown considerably since then. \nToday\, organizers describe Odyssey as one of Connecticut’s largest Greek festivals\, with the celebration spreading indoors and outdoors across the church’s country setting. \nThe basic purpose\, however\, remains remarkably close to where it started. \nSaint Barbara’s parishioners use the weekend to share the food\, music\, dance\, Orthodox faith and traditions of their Hellenic heritage with thousands of visitors who may otherwise have little connection to the church. \nThat hospitality is built right into the festival’s greeting: Kali Orexi\, or “healthy appetite.” \nFor Odyssey\, that’s useful advice. \nCome Hungry: Greek Food Is at the Center of Odyssey\nThere is a lot to work through over four days. \nThe 2026 festival lineup includes gyro\, lamb chops\, souvlaki\, lamb on the spit\, moussaka\, spanakopita and Greek salads\, along with an assortment of smaller dishes and appetizers. \nSaganaki brings some theater to the meal. The sharp Greek cheese is flambéed at the festival’s Gourmet Meze grill\, creating the familiar burst of flame before it’s served. \nThen there are the pastries. \nOne of Odyssey’s longtime favorites is loukoumades\, small pieces of fried dough traditionally finished with honey and cinnamon. Other Greek pastries and sweets round out the dessert side of the festival. \nThis isn’t simply a collection of outside vendors selling Greek-inspired food. Saint Barbara emphasizes the work of its own parishioners in preparing the dishes and pastries that have become associated with Odyssey over its four-decade history. \nCooking demonstrations take that idea a little further by showing visitors how some of those traditions make their way into the kitchen. \nA New Taverna Arrives for 2026\nThere’s a significant addition this year. \nOdyssey is introducing a new Taverna\, giving visitors a place to have a glass of Greek wine or Greek beer while listening to live music. \nThe new space strengthens something Odyssey has always had at its center: this isn’t supposed to feel like a food pickup operation. \nIt’s meant to be somewhere people stay. \nRather than grabbing a gyro and heading for the parking lot\, visitors can settle in\, listen to the bands\, watch the dancers and make an afternoon or evening out of the festival. \nAnd there will be plenty of music. \nTwo Live Greek Bands Keep Odyssey Moving\nOdyssey ’26 features two live Greek bands\, with music running throughout the weekend. \nGrecian Nights will perform daily\, including at the new Taverna\, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to hear live Greek music without having to plan around a single concert time. \nMusic and dance are closely connected here. \nThe Odyssey Dancers return with performances of traditional Greek dances\, dressed in costumes that reflect the culture and regional traditions behind the dances themselves. \nFor visitors\, watching is optional. \nGreek festivals have a habit of turning spectators into participants\, and the live music provides plenty of opportunities for people to join the dancing even if their technique isn’t going to earn them a place with the Odyssey Dancers. \nThe Saint Barbara Choir will also perform during the festival\, bringing another musical tradition into the weekend. \nStep Inside Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church\nFood and dancing may bring many people through the gates\, but Odyssey also gives visitors an opportunity to learn about the community hosting it. \nPresentations and tours inside Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church introduce guests to Orthodox Christianity\, the church itself and the traditions represented within its sanctuary. \nThat’s an important part of what separates Odyssey from a generic Greek-themed food festival. \nThe festival exists because of the parish. \nFor Saint Barbara\, sharing Greek culture and sharing the church’s spiritual home are intertwined. Visitors can walk inside\, look at the religious art and architecture and learn why the sanctuary looks and functions differently from churches they may know from other Christian traditions. \nNo religious background is required to participate in the presentations. \nShop the Odyssey Marketplace\nThe festival’s marketplace provides another reason to wander beyond the food tents. \nVendors and festival booths offer goods and gifts alongside the cultural programming\, giving Odyssey the feel of a temporary Greek village spread across the church grounds. \nA giant raffle is another longstanding component of the weekend. \nTaken together\, the marketplace\, music\, dancing\, cooking demonstrations\, church presentations and food make Odyssey an event that rewards wandering rather than following a rigid schedule. \nYou can arrive for lunch and discover a dance performance. \nStop for loukoumades and find live music underway. \nWalk through the marketplace and end up inside the church learning something you didn’t know about Greek Orthodox tradition. \nThat’s essentially how Odyssey is designed to work. \nFour Days\, Including Labor Day\nOdyssey opens at noon each day. \nOn Friday\, Saturday and Sunday\, the festival continues until 10 p.m.\, allowing the atmosphere to change considerably between a family-oriented afternoon visit and an evening of live music\, dancing\, food and drinks. \nLabor Day Monday is shorter\, running from noon to 6 p.m. \nThe festival takes place rain or shine\, with activities spread between indoor and outdoor spaces. \nAdmission is free. \nParking is also free\, with spaces available on the Saint Barbara property and additional parking next door at Holy Infant Church. \nThat makes Odyssey particularly easy to approach as a spontaneous Labor Day weekend trip. There is no admission ticket to justify and no need to commit to an entire day. \nAlthough once the food starts arriving\, staying awhile becomes considerably easier. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Odyssey ’26: A Greek Festival\nDates: Friday\, September 4 through Monday\, September 7\, 2026\nFriday: Noon–10 p.m.\nSaturday: Noon–10 p.m.\nSunday: Noon–10 p.m.\nMonday: Noon–6 p.m.\nLocation: Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church\nAddress: 480 Racebrook Road\, Orange\, CT 06477\nAdmission: Free\nParking: Free\, including additional parking next door at Holy Infant Church\nFood: Gyro\, lamb chops\, souvlaki\, lamb on the spit\, moussaka\, spanakopita\, saganaki\, Greek salads\, pastries\, loukoumades and more\nEntertainment: Two live Greek bands\, Odyssey Dancers and Saint Barbara Choir\nAlso: Cooking demonstrations\, church tours and presentations\, marketplace and giant raffle\nNew for 2026: Taverna serving Greek wine and beer with live music from Grecian Nights\nWeather: Rain or shine \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/odyssey-26-greek-festival-2/
LOCATION:Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church\, 480 Racebrook Road\, Orange\, 06477\, United States
CATEGORIES:Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T180000
DTSTAMP:20260905T213852Z
CREATED:20260905T213852Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260905T213852Z
UID:10007439-1788604200-1788631200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Connecticut Renaissance Faire 2026 Guide
DESCRIPTION:Connecticut Renaissance Faire 2026 transforms the Lebanon Country Fairgrounds into a sprawling 16th-century fantasy village for nine weekends of jousting\, comedy\, live music\, costumed characters\, artisan shopping\, food\, games and themed adventures. \nThe Faire runs from August 29 through October 25 at 122 Mack Road in Lebanon\, with regular hours from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. It also opens on holiday Mondays\, including Labor Day and Columbus Day. \nFor 2026\, the Faire is advertising more than 40 shows each day across 13 stages\, along with dozens of games and activities and more than 200 artisans\, food vendors and other merchants. \nAnd this isn’t an event where you simply watch from the sidelines. \nWalk through the gates and you enter a village populated by kings\, queens\, knights\, fairies\, musicians\, rogues and other characters who interact with visitors throughout the day. You can watch armored combat\, cheer at the joust\, throw an axe\, shop for a handmade sword or drinking horn\, take the kids on human-powered rides\, eat a turkey leg and end up in a conversation with a member of the royal court on the way to your next show. \nHere’s how to plan a day at the 2026 Connecticut Renaissance Faire. \nWhen Is the Connecticut Renaissance Faire?\nThe 2026 season runs from August 29 through October 25. \nThe Faire is generally open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.\, with special openings on Labor Day and Columbus Day. \nThe season is divided into themed weekends\, so the experience changes as fall progresses. Themes for 2026 include Dragons & Dungeons\, Roses & Romance\, Shirefolk\, Faerie Ring Revels\, Pirates & Vikings\, Time Travelers\, All Hallows and the new Merry Macabre weekend. \nLabor Day weekend\, September 5–7\, is Dragons & Dungeons\, a fantasy-focused weekend built around quests\, heroes and legendary characters. \nCostumes aren’t required to attend. Some visitors arrive in everyday clothes\, while others treat the themed weekends as an opportunity to build elaborate Renaissance\, fantasy\, pirate\, Viking or other character costumes. \nHow Much Are Connecticut Renaissance Faire Tickets?\nGeneral admission for the 2026 season is $18 for adults and $10 for youth\, while children in the Faire’s child admission category enter free. \nAdmission covers the Faire itself and its regular stage performances. Certain games\, rides\, food\, drinks and premium experiences cost extra. \nOne useful change from the way some fairs and festivals operate is that there are no food tickets. Food and beverages are purchased directly from individual merchants. \nSame-day re-entry is also permitted with a handstamp\, so leaving the grounds doesn’t necessarily mean the end of your Faire day. \nStart With the Shows\nTrying to see everything at the Connecticut Renaissance Faire in one day is probably the wrong approach. \nThere are simply too many performances. \nThe 2026 Faire uses 13 stages and advertises more than 40 shows daily. Entertainment ranges from music and comedy to acrobatics\, combat demonstrations\, theatrical performances and interactive shows. \nOne of the biggest spectacles is the armored combat demonstration from the Knights of Gore. These aren’t performers simply swinging lightweight theatrical weapons around one another. The demonstrations feature fighters in plate armor engaging in full-contact medieval-style combat. \nThe Knights of Gore also present educational demonstrations throughout the day covering subjects such as medieval helmets\, the roles of knights and squires and siege weapons including the trebuchet. \nThe Joust Remains a Centerpiece\nIt’s difficult to imagine a Renaissance faire without knights charging toward one another on horseback. \nJousting remains one of the major attractions in Lebanon. \nThe 2026 season includes jousting from Roundtable Productions and Equus Nobilis\, both listed among the Faire’s new entertainment additions this year. \nThe joust combines horsemanship\, theatrical storytelling and medieval-style competition on a scale that’s difficult to replicate on one of the smaller stages. \nIf seeing a joust is high on your list\, check the schedule when you arrive and build the rest of the day around it rather than assuming you’ll simply stumble across the right performance. \nThere Is Plenty of Comedy\nNot everything involves swords and armor. \nComedy is scattered throughout the Faire\, sometimes on a stage and sometimes walking directly toward you in the lanes. \nThe Norfolk Theatricals specialize in interactive theatrical comedy\, presenting deliberately chaotic original plays with audience members sometimes pulled into the performance. \nBone Dallaire roams the grounds as a self-important thespian and playwright whose opinion of his own talent may exceed everyone else’s. \nThe Faire’s cast of Crown Players adds another layer of continuous theater. Instead of performing only at scheduled times\, characters inhabit the village and interact with guests throughout the day. \nThat distinction is important for first-time visitors. \nThe Connecticut Renaissance Faire isn’t simply a collection of scheduled shows surrounded by food booths. The space between the stages is part of the performance. \nMusic Runs From Celtic Traditions to Sea Chanteys\nLive music is another major part of the day. \nThe 2026 roster includes performers working with Celtic music\, traditional folk\, sea chanteys and other styles that fit naturally into the Faire setting. \nJesse Ofgang and the Diaspora\, new for 2026\, combine Scottish and Irish musical traditions with contemporary rhythms using instruments including bagpipes\, whistles and guitars. \nNemeton: Folk Fantasy Music and Dance brings an especially unusual collection of instruments to the Faire\, including bagpipes\, drums\, double flutes\, penny whistles\, English concertina\, medieval small pipes\, rauschpfeife and hurdy-gurdy. \nNew England’s Misfits of Avalon draw from Celtic music with hammered dulcimer\, mandolin\, guitar and violin. \nOther weekends bring different musicians\, including the maritime and Celtic sounds of the Crimson Pirates and southeastern Connecticut’s Bards of Gungywamp. \nBecause performers vary by themed weekend\, it’s worth checking the schedule for the specific date you’re attending. \nSome of the Best Entertainment Is Strange\nRenaissance faires have always left room for acts that don’t fit neatly into a category. \nThat’s part of the fun. \nFor 2026\, Fly by Night joins the Connecticut Faire with a combination of comedy\, juggling\, whip cracking and sideshow skills. The duo of Steve King and Ryan Roberts has been performing since 1990 and appeared as semifinalists on the fourth season of America’s Got Talent. \nCircus Stella puts rescued dogs into a circus environment alongside Dextre Tripp\, mixing canine tricks with juggling\, ladder balancing\, rope walking and unicycling. \nElsewhere\, visitors can encounter puppetry\, dance\, storytelling\, magic and roaming performers without necessarily planning to see them. \nLeave some empty space in the schedule. \nAt a Renaissance faire\, getting distracted is part of the itinerary. \nGames and Rides Go Beyond the Stages\nThere’s plenty to do when you want to participate rather than watch. \nThe Faire’s games and activities include old-fashioned and Renaissance-inspired challenges\, physical games and human-powered attractions. \nSome activities carry an additional fee. \nYou’ll find opportunities to test skill and strength\, explore the Royal Maze and take part in attractions spread throughout the village. \nFor families with younger children\, this can provide a useful break between longer stage performances. \nFor adults\, it can become surprisingly competitive. \nEat the Turkey Leg\, But Don’t Stop There\nYes\, there are giant turkey legs. \nThe Faire’s Turkey Legs and More stand serves the oversized roasted festival staple along with turkey sundaes\, mac and cheese\, smoked chicken\, lemonade and fried dough. \nBut the food selection has grown far beyond the Renaissance-faire stereotype. \nThe 2026 Faire lists 37 food merchants and seven pubs and taverns\, with meals\, desserts\, snacks and beverages distributed throughout the grounds. \nThere are burgers and hot dogs\, chicken sandwiches\, baked goods\, fried seafood\, sweets and a broad assortment of festival food. \nThe Faire also identifies vendors offering vegetarian\, vegan\, gluten-free and dairy-free choices. \nEvery food merchant is required to offer at least one item priced at $7\, an attempt to keep at least one lower-priced choice available at each location. \nOutside snacks and nonalcoholic drinks are also permitted. \nYou Can Walk the Faire With a Drink\nThere are no isolated beer tents requiring guests to remain inside a designated drinking area. \nAdults can purchase alcoholic beverages from the Faire’s pubs and taverns and carry their drinks while exploring the grounds. \nValid identification is required for alcohol purchases. \nThat also makes the taverns part of the atmosphere rather than simply concession stands. \nFor visitors looking for something more structured\, the Faire offers two separate 21-and-over experiences. \nThe Pub Crawl Is a 90-Minute Quest\nThe Connecticut Renaissance Faire Pub Crawl isn’t simply four drink tickets stapled together. \nThe approximately 90-minute experience is hosted by Fae Frostwhiperer and takes a group of no more than 15 participants through four Faire taverns. \nThere are four alcoholic drinks along the way\, but participants also complete challenges\, play games\, sing\, chant and interact with their guide. \nOne stop at Shattered Shield includes Liar’s Dice\, a vegetable platter and an exclusive small-batch mead that isn’t sold from the tavern’s regular menu. \nAnother stop includes a Test of Strength at King’s Inn Crossing. \nPub Crawls depart twice each Faire day\, at 11 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. \nThe price is $75\, plus a processing fee when purchased online. Tickets can also be purchased at Shattered Shield without the online processing fee\, although each crawl is limited to 15 participants and can sell out. \nParticipants must be 21 or older with valid identification. \nRegular Faire admission is not included with the Pub Crawl. \nWhiskey Tastings Offer a Quieter Break\nFor adults who prefer sipping to crawling\, guided whiskey tastings offer a considerably calmer experience. \nThe approximately one-hour sessions explore a curated selection of whiskies\, with hosts discussing origins\, production methods\, flavor profiles and techniques for nosing and tasting. \nCharcuterie is served alongside the pours. \nThe experience is designed for both beginners and experienced whiskey drinkers\, and advance reservations are strongly recommended because seating is intentionally limited. \nParticipants must be 21 or older and bring valid government-issued photo identification. \nLike the Pub Crawl\, a whiskey tasting is an additional experience. Regular Connecticut Renaissance Faire admission must be purchased separately. \nShopping Is a Major Part of the Faire\nDon’t treat the merchant area as an afterthought. \nThe Faire says the 2026 season includes 213 artisans\, games and food vendors\, with 32 new shops joining the grounds this year. \nThe marketplace is where the fantasy world starts becoming something you can take home. \nDepending on the merchant\, visitors can find clothing\, leatherwork\, jewelry\, drinking vessels\, artwork\, fantasy accessories\, home décor and handcrafted goods. \nSome merchants make items that are specifically useful for people building Renaissance or fantasy costumes\, while others sell pieces that work perfectly well outside the Faire. \nFor someone arriving without a costume\, the marketplace also provides an easy way to gradually become more appropriately dressed as the day progresses. \nYou may enter in jeans. \nThere is no guarantee you will leave without a cloak. \n2026 Is a Significant Expansion Year\nThe Faire has added a substantial amount of new material for 2026. \nIts official count includes 11 new shows\, 32 new shops and seven new food offerings. \nAmong the new entertainment are the two jousting productions\, Fly by Night and Jesse Ofgang and the Diaspora. \nThe Faire is also introducing Merry Macabre\, a new themed weekend for October 24–25 that takes the season into darker territory just before Halloween. \nThat expansion matters even to people who have attended in previous years. \nThe basic formula remains recognizable\, but the Faire is deliberately designed so returning on another weekend doesn’t simply reproduce the same day. \nBringing Kids to the Connecticut Renaissance Faire\nChildren don’t have to understand Renaissance history to find things to do here. \nThere are family-oriented performances\, interactive games\, rides and characters throughout the village. \nOne particularly memorable experience is the Knighting Ceremony with the King and Queen\, where children can present themselves before King Basil and Queen Gwendolyn Genevieve and receive royal recognition before the parade. \nThere are also quests and interactive encounters with the Knights of Gore. \nThe Faire’s combination of structured shows and wandering characters means children can become involved in the fantasy rather than spending the entire day watching adults perform. \nYes\, You Can Bring Your Pet\nThe Connecticut Renaissance Faire has an unusually broad pet policy. \nWell-behaved dogs\, cats\, rabbits\, ferrets\, rats and lizards are permitted. \nPet admission is $5 per animal\, while service animals enter free. \nDogs and cats must have proof of current rabies vaccination. A veterinarian’s letter\, email or current rabies tag can serve as proof. \nPets must remain on a non-retractable leash no longer than six feet and owners are responsible for cleaning up after them. \nLivestock\, horses\, donkeys\, mules and other large animals aren’t permitted. \nThe Faire advises owners to bring food and water for their animals. Water bowls may be available from merchants\, but pet food isn’t sold on the grounds. \nPets are also permitted on the parking shuttles. \nParking Has Changed for 2026\nThis is one section worth reading before leaving home. \nThe Faire has a new parking system for 2026. \nVisitors who want to park directly at the Faire grounds at 122 Mack Road can purchase Premium Parking for $10 per vehicle. \nThere are only 525 Premium Parking spaces available each Faire day\, and they must be purchased online in advance for the specific date you’re attending. \nYou cannot purchase Premium Parking when you arrive at the lot. \nVIP admission includes Premium Parking. \nThere are also 125 free ADA parking spaces at the main Faire site for vehicles displaying a valid handicapped placard or plate. These spaces can’t be reserved and are available on a first-available basis. \nMotorcycles can park at the main site for free. \nFree Parking and Shuttles Are Available\nYou don’t have to pay to park. \nThe Faire operates free satellite parking with continuous shuttle service beginning at 9:30 a.m. \nOne free lot is located at 744 Trumbull Highway in Lebanon. \nAdditional parking is available at Lebanon Middle School\, 891 Exeter Road\, and Lyman Memorial High School\, 917 Exeter Road. \nThere is one important wrinkle with the school lots: the shuttles do not pick up directly at the schools. \nGuests parking at either school walk to the Mobil station located between the two schools\, which serves as the shuttle pickup and drop-off point. \nThe last shuttle leaves the Faire 30 minutes after closing. \nAnd don’t blindly follow your GPS. \nThe Faire specifically warns visitors not to use Barker Road\, which police close to through traffic on Faire weekends. \nWhere to Stay\nFor visitors coming from farther away\, the Faire maintains a list of nearby lodging options rather than operating an on-site campground. \nBecause the event runs for nine weekends\, staying overnight can also make sense for visitors who want to attend both Saturday and Sunday without making the drive twice. \nCheck lodging availability early for popular themed weekends\, particularly as the season moves toward October and foliage season in eastern Connecticut. \nWhat First-Time Visitors Should Know\nThe easiest mistake is approaching the Connecticut Renaissance Faire like an attraction where everything follows one obvious route. \nIt doesn’t. \nThere are performances happening simultaneously\, characters wandering the lanes\, merchants to explore\, food to try and activities that can consume far more time than expected. \nCheck the day’s performance schedule first and choose the handful of shows you really don’t want to miss. \nThen allow the rest of the day to happen around them. \nYou might stop for lunch and encounter a roaming performer. \nYou might head toward a stage and spend 30 minutes shopping instead. \nYou might intend to watch one song and stay for an entire set. \nThat’s not poor planning. \nThat’s pretty much how a Renaissance faire is supposed to work. \nConnecticut Renaissance Faire 2026 Details\nEvent: Connecticut Renaissance Faire\nSeason: August 29–October 25\, 2026\nRegular Days: Saturdays and Sundays\, plus Labor Day and Columbus Day\nHours: 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m.\nLocation: Lebanon Country Fairgrounds\nAddress: 122 Mack Road\, Lebanon\, CT 06249\nAdult General Admission: $18\nYouth Admission: $10\nChild Admission: Free\nEntertainment: More than 40 shows daily across 13 stages\nMarketplace: More than 200 artisans\, food vendors\, games and other merchants\nFood: 37 food merchants and seven pubs and taverns\nPremium On-Site Parking: $10\, advance date-specific purchase required\nFree Parking: Satellite lots with shuttle service\nPet Admission: $5; service animals free\nSame-Day Re-Entry: Permitted with handstamp\nOutside Food: Snacks and nonalcoholic drinks permitted \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \nTo purchase tickets\, click the Event Ticketing link below. \n  \n  \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/connecticut-renaissance-faire-2026-guide-2/
LOCATION:Lebanon Fair Grounds\, 122 Mack Road\, Lebanon\, 06249\, United States
CATEGORIES:Lebanon Fairgrounds
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T230000
DTSTAMP:20260905T214043Z
CREATED:20260905T213707Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260905T214043Z
UID:10007459-1788598800-1788649200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:The 165th Woodstock Fair Guide
DESCRIPTION:165th Woodstock Fair returns to South Woodstock for five days over Labor Day weekend\, September 3–7\, bringing one of Connecticut’s oldest agricultural traditions together with major concerts\, livestock shows\, carnival rides\, fair food and several new attractions. \nThe 2026 Main Stage lineup is unusually strong. Tonic headlines Friday night\, Kool & the Gang takes over Saturday\, Trace Adkins performs Sunday\, and Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine and the Pet Sounds Band close the Fair on Labor Day Monday. The Flying Wallendas and magician Leon Etienne also perform throughout the weekend. \nAll Main Stage entertainment is included with Fair admission. \nBut the Woodstock Fair is still\, fundamentally\, an agricultural fair. Livestock barns\, dairy cattle\, sheep\, goats\, rabbits\, agricultural competitions and the historic Brunn Barn sit alongside the flashing lights of the Fiesta Shows midway. \nFor its 165th edition\, the Fair is adding something new to that mix: Rustic Tap & Vine\, a dedicated beer and wine area featuring Connecticut producers. \nHere’s what to know before heading to South Woodstock. \nWhen Is the 2026 Woodstock Fair?\nThe Woodstock Fair runs Thursday\, September 3 through Monday\, September 7\, 2026 at the Woodstock Fairgrounds\, 281 Route 169 in South Woodstock. \nOpening times vary by day. \nThursday: 4 p.m.\nFriday: Noon\nSaturday: 9 a.m.\nSunday: 9 a.m.\nLabor Day Monday: 9 a.m. \nThursday through Sunday\, the Main Gate remains open until 9:30 p.m.\, with other gates closing at 9 p.m. Carnival rides and games continue until 11 p.m. \nMonday operates on an earlier schedule. All gates close at 7 p.m.\, with carnival rides and games continuing until 8 p.m. \nThe barns and exhibition halls also have their own closing times\, so visitors primarily interested in the agricultural side shouldn’t wait until late evening to explore them. \nHow Much Are Woodstock Fair Tickets?\nOnline general admission for 2026 is $16.95 for adults\, including the processing fee. \nAdmission for active-duty military members with identification is $11.80\, while seniors 65 and older with identification also pay $11.80 online. \nChildren 10 and younger are admitted free. \nOne of the biggest values in the ticket is the entertainment. \nThe major concerts\, Flying Wallendas performances\, Leon Etienne’s magic shows and other stage entertainment are included with paid Fair admission. There is no separate concert ticket required for Kool & the Gang\, Trace Adkins\, Tonic or Al Jardine. \nMain Stage performances are general admission with no reserved seating. \nGuests may bring folding chairs for the grass-covered area in front of the stage. \nFriday Night: Tonic Headlines the Main Stage\nFriday\, September 4\, starts the first full day of the Fair at noon. \nThe Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m.\, followed by Soul Afire at 5 p.m. and Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30. \nThen the Main Stage shifts into ’90s alternative rock. \nTonic performs at 8 p.m. \nFormed in Los Angeles in the 1990s\, Tonic broke nationally with its 1996 debut album Lemon Parade. The record produced the band’s signature hit\, “If You Could Only See\,” along with “Open Up Your Eyes.” \nThe band’s success carried into subsequent albums\, and Tonic earned two Grammy nominations for its 2002 album Head on Straight. \nFriday also brings the Old Fiddlers Club of Rhode Island to Center Stage at noon\, Soul Afire at 2:30 p.m.\, Leon Etienne at 3:45 and the Fair’s Country Karaoke Contest at 6. \nSaturday Night: Kool & the Gang\nSaturday brings the biggest dance party of the weekend. \nKool & the Gang headlines the Main Stage at 8 p.m. September 5. \nFew bands arrive with a catalog more immediately recognizable at a fairground. \nThe group’s decades of funk\, soul\, R&B and pop produced “Celebration\,” “Jungle Boogie\,” “Ladies’ Night\,” “Get Down on It\,” “Too Hot\,” “Cherish” and a long list of other hits. \nThe band’s history reaches back to Jersey City in 1964\, making Kool & the Gang’s longevity particularly appropriate for the 165th edition of a fair that has built its own identity around tradition. \nSaturday’s Main Stage begins much earlier. \nThe Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m. The Stevie Nicks Experience performs at 5\, followed by Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30 and Kool & the Gang at 8. \nCenter Stage has its own schedule beginning with Quest Martial Arts at 10:30 a.m.\, followed by the East Woodstock Cornet Band at 11:30. Quest returns at 2 p.m.\, the Stevie Nicks Experience performs at 2:30\, Leon Etienne appears at 3:45\, and the Pop Karaoke Contest begins at 5. \nSunday Night Belongs to Trace Adkins\nSunday\, September 6\, turns the Main Stage toward country music. \nTrace Adkins performs at 8 p.m. \nThe Louisiana-born singer has spent three decades in country music\, with a catalog that includes “You’re Gonna Miss This\,” “Every Light in the House\,” “Ladies Love Country Boys\,” “Songs About Me” and “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” \nAdkins has also been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2003. \nBefore the headliner\, the Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m. Nick Bosse and the Northern Roots take the stage at 5\, followed by Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30. \nCenter Stage begins Sunday at 10 a.m. with Whitney Doucet\, followed by Danielson Martial Arts at 11:15\, another Whitney Doucet performance at noon\, Danielson Martial Arts at 1:30\, Nick Bosse at 2:30 and Leon Etienne at 4. \nAl Jardine Closes the Fair on Labor Day\nThe final day gets an appropriate end-of-summer soundtrack. \nAl Jardine of the Beach Boys and the Pet Sounds Band perform at 5:30 p.m. Monday\, September 7. \nJardine was a founding member of the Beach Boys\, singing and playing guitar as the group created one of the defining catalogs in American popular music. \nHis lead vocals include “Help Me\, Rhonda\,” while his decades with the Beach Boys connected him to records ranging from the early surf hits through Pet Sounds and beyond. \nMonday’s Main Stage begins with the Flying Wallendas at 11:30 a.m. Leon Etienne performs at 12:30\, the Wallendas return at 2\, Red Light Band performs at 2:30\, and Etienne returns at 4 before Jardine closes the 165th Fair. \nThe Flying Wallendas Perform Throughout the Weekend\nThe Flying Wallendas are more than another stage act on the schedule. \nThe Wallenda name has been synonymous with high-wire performance for generations\, dating back to the European circus tradition that eventually brought the family to the United States. \nTheir appearances are spread throughout the Fair\, making them one of the easiest major attractions to catch even if you’re attending primarily for something else. \nThey perform Thursday at 6 p.m.; Friday\, Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m.; and Monday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. \nThat gives visitors nine opportunities over the five-day Fair. \nLeon Etienne Brings Magic to Multiple Stages\nAnother performer will be difficult to miss. \nLeon Etienne’s Magic Rocks appears repeatedly on both the Main and Center stages. \nEtienne has built his act around large-scale illusions\, sleight of hand\, comedy and rock-show energy rather than the quieter presentation of a traditional stage magician. \nHis national television appearances have included America’s Got Talent\, where he became one of the show’s recognizable magic acts. \nAt Woodstock\, he’s performing multiple times throughout Labor Day weekend\, making his show one of the easier entertainment options to work into a full day. \nDon’t Skip the Agriculture\nIt would be easy to look at a lineup containing Kool & the Gang and Trace Adkins and think of Woodstock primarily as a music festival with carnival rides. \nThat misses the heart of the Fair. \nThe Woodstock Fair describes itself as Connecticut’s largest agricultural fair\, and its agricultural competitions remain a major part of the five-day event. \nFriday begins with the Rabbit Exhibition and Sheep Show at noon\, followed by the Goat Show at 1 p.m. and Youth Dairy Cattle Show at 3. \nSaturday starts early with the Dairy Cattle Show and Rabbit Exhibition at 9 a.m.\, Youth Sheep Show at 9:30 and Sheep Lead Line at 6 p.m. \nSunday includes rabbits\, sheep and goats in the morning and Beef Showmanship at 3 p.m. \nMonday begins with the Beef Show and Rabbit Exhibition at 9 a.m.\, followed by the Sheep Show at 9:30. \nThe Youth Dairy Cattle Show on Friday is followed by showmanship and a costume class\, while Sunday’s Beef Showmanship is followed by steer and costume classes. \nVisit the Brunn Barn Museum\nOne of the best places to understand why the agricultural part of Woodstock matters is the Brunn Barn Museum. \nThe barn itself dates to 1822. \nIt was dismantled in 2004 and reconstructed at the Woodstock Fairgrounds in time for the 2005 Fair. \nInside\, the focus is on New England’s agricultural past. \nAntique farm equipment and tools help show how work was accomplished before tractors\, combines and other modern machinery transformed farming. \nThe barn also hosts demonstrations and educational displays. \nIn a Fair increasingly filled with modern entertainment\, the Brunn Barn provides a direct connection to the agricultural history that created events like Woodstock in the first place. \nNew for 2026: Rustic Tap & Vine\nOne of the biggest additions to the 165th Fair is decidedly more modern. \nRustic Tap & Vine debuts in 2026 as a new beer and wine destination inside the Fair. \nThe project was created in partnership with bankHometown\, a division of TruNorth Bank\, along with Taylor Brooke Brewery and Winery\, Bear Hands Brewing Company and Black Pond Brewery. \nThe new attraction opens with the Fair at 4 p.m. Thursday. \nRustic Tap & Vine operates Thursday from 4–7 p.m.; Friday\, Saturday and Sunday from noon–7 p.m.; and Labor Day Monday from noon–6 p.m. \nFor adults who remember when a fair beer meant little more than grabbing whatever was being poured at a concession stand\, the dedicated space gives the 2026 Fair another distinct destination. \nThe Midway Is Back With Fiesta Shows\nFiesta Shows operates the Woodstock Fair midway\, with rides ranging from family attractions to the sort of spinning machinery that looks much more entertaining from the ground depending on your tolerance for centrifugal force. \nThe expected 2026 lineup includes the Super Cyclone Coaster\, Spider Wheel\, Warrior\, Top Gun\, Thunder Bolt\, Zero Gravity\, Hyper Spin\, Pharaoh’s Fury\, Fire Ball\, Spinning Coaster\, Zipper\, Starship Exodus and Hurricane. \nThere are also gentler options including the carousel\, train\, Crazy Bus\, Rock’n Tug and slide. \nRide height requirements vary. \nIndividual ride credits will be available at the Fair\, while advance unlimited-ride options are also available. \nRide Wristbands Can Save Money\nIf the midway is going to be a major part of your day\, buying in advance can save a few dollars. \nThursday’s unlimited wristband is $30 online or $35 on site and is valid from 4–10 p.m. \nFriday is split into two sessions\, noon–5 p.m. or 5 p.m.–close\, with wristbands costing $30 online or $35 on site. \nSaturday\, Sunday and Monday use all-day Megapass wristbands at $40 online or $45 on site. \nThese do not include Fair admission. \nWristbands and Megapasses also aren’t valid for the bumper cars\, mechanical bull\, rock wall or bungee jump. \nFamily Fun Goes Beyond the Midway\nFamilies who don’t want to spend the entire day buying ride credits have another option. \nThe Fabulous Family Fun Area is open all five days with the Records and Burpee Petting Zoo\, inflatable games and Sandtasia Sand Sculpture. \nThe Pork Chop Revue also performs throughout the weekend. \nDespite the name\, it’s not a barbecue demonstration. \nThe show features trained pigs performing tricks and comedic routines and has become the kind of oddball agricultural entertainment that fits naturally at a country fair. \nSaturday also brings Vinny’s Pizza Eating Contest at 2:15 p.m. \nOn Sunday\, the competitive eating turns to dessert with a Blueberry Pie Eating Contest at 2:15. \nYou Can Enter the Karaoke Contest\nThe audience can become the entertainment on Friday and Saturday. \nFriday’s Country Karaoke Contest begins at 6 p.m. on Center Stage. \nSaturday’s Pop Karaoke Contest starts at 5 p.m. \nEach contest is limited to 10 contestants\, and advance registration is available through the Fair. \nParticipants are asked to arrive at Center Stage 30 minutes before the contest\, with registration beginning 15 minutes before showtime. \nSomeone can even enter both competitions\, although a separate registration is required for each. \nLabor Day Starts With a Cornhole Tournament\nMonday morning brings a different kind of competition. \nThe Woodstock Fair Cornhole Tournament begins at 10 a.m. September 7 on Center Stage. \nTwo-person teams compete in either Social or Competitive divisions. \nRegistration is $50 per team\, or $25 per player\, and the entire registration pool goes into the prize purse. \nThe Woodstock Fair adds another $2\,500. \nTournament registration does not include Fair admission or parking\, and players need to bring their own regulation cornhole bags. The Fair supplies the boards. \nCome Hungry\nWoodstock’s food list is enormous. \nThis is still the place for fried dough\, funnel cakes\, sausage and peppers\, giant eclairs\, fried Oreos\, caramel apples\, ice cream\, kettle corn and the sort of food decisions that seem completely reasonable inside a fairground. \nBut the selection goes considerably further. \nThere are lobster rolls and lobster quesadillas from Cousins Maine Lobster; clam cakes and chowder; jerk chicken and oxtails; Polish food including pierogi\, kielbasa and stuffed cabbage; gyros; barbecue brisket; poutine; tacos; empanadas; Indian street food; Thai dishes; Colombian-American food; Mediterranean dishes; bubble tea and specialty coffee. \nYou can find bacon on a stick. \nYou can find chocolate-covered bacon. \nYou can find a deep-fried PB&J. \nThere is even a vendor dedicated entirely to gluten-free fair food\, with gluten-free funnel cakes\, fried Oreos\, chicken tenders\, corn dogs and donuts. \nLocal churches\, Scouts\, Lions\, veterans groups and other nonprofits also operate food stands\, continuing a piece of the Fair that feels considerably closer to its community roots. \nParking Is Not Included\nThis is important for first-time visitors. \nThe Woodstock Fair does not operate an on-site parking lot. \nInstead\, neighboring farms\, businesses and organizations provide parking around the Fairgrounds and set their own prices. \nFor 2026\, the Fair lists several nearby options at $10. \nFairvue Farm is on Route 171 near the South Gate. \nValleyside Farm is near Routes 171 and 169 and provides access convenient to the Main and Service gates. \nSouth Woodstock Baptist Church offers parking near Roseland Park and North Gate roads. \nScranton’s Shops is across the street and diagonally north of the Service Gate. \nBring the extra $10 into your day’s budget rather than arriving expecting admission to include parking. \nPlan on Walking\nThe Woodstock Fair is big. \nBetween the livestock areas\, exhibition halls\, stages\, food stands\, midway\, agricultural attractions and parking outside the grounds\, a visit can involve a considerable amount of walking. \nComfortable shoes aren’t a bad idea. \nIt’s also worth looking at the Fair map before arriving\, particularly if you’re trying to catch a specific livestock show and a Main Stage performance on the same day. \nThe agricultural Fair and entertainment Fair coexist\, but they’re not all concentrated into one compact midway. \nWhich Day Should You Go?\nIf music is the deciding factor\, the choice is straightforward. \nGo Friday for Tonic. \nGo Saturday for Kool & the Gang. \nGo Sunday for Trace Adkins. \nGo Monday for Al Jardine and the Pet Sounds Band. \nFor the broadest all-day Fair experience\, Saturday and Sunday provide early 9 a.m. openings and entertainment running into the evening. \nMonday is a good choice for visitors who prefer an earlier day\, with the Fair opening at 9 a.m. and winding down after Al Jardine’s 5:30 p.m. concert. \nThursday is the abbreviated opening night\, beginning at 4 p.m. \nAnd if the animals are your priority\, check the livestock schedule before choosing a date. Different species and competitions take place on different days. \nEvent Details\nEvent: 165th Woodstock Fair\nDates: Thursday\, September 3–Monday\, September 7\, 2026\nLocation: Woodstock Fairgrounds\nAddress: 281 Route 169\, South Woodstock\, CT 06267\nThursday Opening: 4 p.m.\nFriday Opening: Noon\nSaturday Opening: 9 a.m.\nSunday Opening: 9 a.m.\nMonday Opening: 9 a.m.\nAdult Online Admission: $16.95 including processing fee\nSenior 65+ Online Admission: $11.80 with ID\nActive-Duty Military Online Admission: $11.80 with ID\nChildren: Ages 10 and younger free\nMain Stage Headliners: Tonic\, Kool & the Gang\, Trace Adkins\, Al Jardine of the Beach Boys and the Pet Sounds Band\nOther Major Entertainment: Flying Wallendas and Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks\nNew for 2026: Rustic Tap & Vine\nMidway: Fiesta Shows\nParking: Nearby independently operated lots; listed 2026 options are $10\nMain Stage Shows: Included with paid Fair admission; general admission seating \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \nTo purchase tickets\, click the Event Ticketing link below. \n\n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/165th-woodstock-fair-guide-2/
LOCATION:Woodstock Fairgrounds\, 281 Route 169\, South Woodstock\, 06267\, United States
CATEGORIES:Woodstock Fairgrounds
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/165th-Woodstock-Fair-Guide.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260904T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260904T230000
DTSTAMP:20260903T151855Z
CREATED:20260903T151855Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T151855Z
UID:10007458-1788523200-1788562800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:165th Woodstock Fair Guide
DESCRIPTION:165th Woodstock Fair returns to South Woodstock for five days over Labor Day weekend\, September 3–7\, bringing one of Connecticut’s oldest agricultural traditions together with major concerts\, livestock shows\, carnival rides\, fair food and several new attractions. \nThe 2026 Main Stage lineup is unusually strong. Tonic headlines Friday night\, Kool & the Gang takes over Saturday\, Trace Adkins performs Sunday\, and Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine and the Pet Sounds Band close the Fair on Labor Day Monday. The Flying Wallendas and magician Leon Etienne also perform throughout the weekend. \nAll Main Stage entertainment is included with Fair admission. \nBut the Woodstock Fair is still\, fundamentally\, an agricultural fair. Livestock barns\, dairy cattle\, sheep\, goats\, rabbits\, agricultural competitions and the historic Brunn Barn sit alongside the flashing lights of the Fiesta Shows midway. \nFor its 165th edition\, the Fair is adding something new to that mix: Rustic Tap & Vine\, a dedicated beer and wine area featuring Connecticut producers. \nHere’s what to know before heading to South Woodstock. \nWhen Is the 2026 Woodstock Fair?\nThe Woodstock Fair runs Thursday\, September 3 through Monday\, September 7\, 2026 at the Woodstock Fairgrounds\, 281 Route 169 in South Woodstock. \nOpening times vary by day. \nThursday: 4 p.m.\nFriday: Noon\nSaturday: 9 a.m.\nSunday: 9 a.m.\nLabor Day Monday: 9 a.m. \nThursday through Sunday\, the Main Gate remains open until 9:30 p.m.\, with other gates closing at 9 p.m. Carnival rides and games continue until 11 p.m. \nMonday operates on an earlier schedule. All gates close at 7 p.m.\, with carnival rides and games continuing until 8 p.m. \nThe barns and exhibition halls also have their own closing times\, so visitors primarily interested in the agricultural side shouldn’t wait until late evening to explore them. \nHow Much Are Woodstock Fair Tickets?\nOnline general admission for 2026 is $16.95 for adults\, including the processing fee. \nAdmission for active-duty military members with identification is $11.80\, while seniors 65 and older with identification also pay $11.80 online. \nChildren 10 and younger are admitted free. \nOne of the biggest values in the ticket is the entertainment. \nThe major concerts\, Flying Wallendas performances\, Leon Etienne’s magic shows and other stage entertainment are included with paid Fair admission. There is no separate concert ticket required for Kool & the Gang\, Trace Adkins\, Tonic or Al Jardine. \nMain Stage performances are general admission with no reserved seating. \nGuests may bring folding chairs for the grass-covered area in front of the stage. \nFriday Night: Tonic Headlines the Main Stage\nFriday\, September 4\, starts the first full day of the Fair at noon. \nThe Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m.\, followed by Soul Afire at 5 p.m. and Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30. \nThen the Main Stage shifts into ’90s alternative rock. \nTonic performs at 8 p.m. \nFormed in Los Angeles in the 1990s\, Tonic broke nationally with its 1996 debut album Lemon Parade. The record produced the band’s signature hit\, “If You Could Only See\,” along with “Open Up Your Eyes.” \nThe band’s success carried into subsequent albums\, and Tonic earned two Grammy nominations for its 2002 album Head on Straight. \nFriday also brings the Old Fiddlers Club of Rhode Island to Center Stage at noon\, Soul Afire at 2:30 p.m.\, Leon Etienne at 3:45 and the Fair’s Country Karaoke Contest at 6. \nSaturday Night: Kool & the Gang\nSaturday brings the biggest dance party of the weekend. \nKool & the Gang headlines the Main Stage at 8 p.m. September 5. \nFew bands arrive with a catalog more immediately recognizable at a fairground. \nThe group’s decades of funk\, soul\, R&B and pop produced “Celebration\,” “Jungle Boogie\,” “Ladies’ Night\,” “Get Down on It\,” “Too Hot\,” “Cherish” and a long list of other hits. \nThe band’s history reaches back to Jersey City in 1964\, making Kool & the Gang’s longevity particularly appropriate for the 165th edition of a fair that has built its own identity around tradition. \nSaturday’s Main Stage begins much earlier. \nThe Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m. The Stevie Nicks Experience performs at 5\, followed by Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30 and Kool & the Gang at 8. \nCenter Stage has its own schedule beginning with Quest Martial Arts at 10:30 a.m.\, followed by the East Woodstock Cornet Band at 11:30. Quest returns at 2 p.m.\, the Stevie Nicks Experience performs at 2:30\, Leon Etienne appears at 3:45\, and the Pop Karaoke Contest begins at 5. \nSunday Night Belongs to Trace Adkins\nSunday\, September 6\, turns the Main Stage toward country music. \nTrace Adkins performs at 8 p.m. \nThe Louisiana-born singer has spent three decades in country music\, with a catalog that includes “You’re Gonna Miss This\,” “Every Light in the House\,” “Ladies Love Country Boys\,” “Songs About Me” and “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” \nAdkins has also been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2003. \nBefore the headliner\, the Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m. Nick Bosse and the Northern Roots take the stage at 5\, followed by Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30. \nCenter Stage begins Sunday at 10 a.m. with Whitney Doucet\, followed by Danielson Martial Arts at 11:15\, another Whitney Doucet performance at noon\, Danielson Martial Arts at 1:30\, Nick Bosse at 2:30 and Leon Etienne at 4. \nAl Jardine Closes the Fair on Labor Day\nThe final day gets an appropriate end-of-summer soundtrack. \nAl Jardine of the Beach Boys and the Pet Sounds Band perform at 5:30 p.m. Monday\, September 7. \nJardine was a founding member of the Beach Boys\, singing and playing guitar as the group created one of the defining catalogs in American popular music. \nHis lead vocals include “Help Me\, Rhonda\,” while his decades with the Beach Boys connected him to records ranging from the early surf hits through Pet Sounds and beyond. \nMonday’s Main Stage begins with the Flying Wallendas at 11:30 a.m. Leon Etienne performs at 12:30\, the Wallendas return at 2\, Red Light Band performs at 2:30\, and Etienne returns at 4 before Jardine closes the 165th Fair. \nThe Flying Wallendas Perform Throughout the Weekend\nThe Flying Wallendas are more than another stage act on the schedule. \nThe Wallenda name has been synonymous with high-wire performance for generations\, dating back to the European circus tradition that eventually brought the family to the United States. \nTheir appearances are spread throughout the Fair\, making them one of the easiest major attractions to catch even if you’re attending primarily for something else. \nThey perform Thursday at 6 p.m.; Friday\, Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m.; and Monday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. \nThat gives visitors nine opportunities over the five-day Fair. \nLeon Etienne Brings Magic to Multiple Stages\nAnother performer will be difficult to miss. \nLeon Etienne’s Magic Rocks appears repeatedly on both the Main and Center stages. \nEtienne has built his act around large-scale illusions\, sleight of hand\, comedy and rock-show energy rather than the quieter presentation of a traditional stage magician. \nHis national television appearances have included America’s Got Talent\, where he became one of the show’s recognizable magic acts. \nAt Woodstock\, he’s performing multiple times throughout Labor Day weekend\, making his show one of the easier entertainment options to work into a full day. \nDon’t Skip the Agriculture\nIt would be easy to look at a lineup containing Kool & the Gang and Trace Adkins and think of Woodstock primarily as a music festival with carnival rides. \nThat misses the heart of the Fair. \nThe Woodstock Fair describes itself as Connecticut’s largest agricultural fair\, and its agricultural competitions remain a major part of the five-day event. \nFriday begins with the Rabbit Exhibition and Sheep Show at noon\, followed by the Goat Show at 1 p.m. and Youth Dairy Cattle Show at 3. \nSaturday starts early with the Dairy Cattle Show and Rabbit Exhibition at 9 a.m.\, Youth Sheep Show at 9:30 and Sheep Lead Line at 6 p.m. \nSunday includes rabbits\, sheep and goats in the morning and Beef Showmanship at 3 p.m. \nMonday begins with the Beef Show and Rabbit Exhibition at 9 a.m.\, followed by the Sheep Show at 9:30. \nThe Youth Dairy Cattle Show on Friday is followed by showmanship and a costume class\, while Sunday’s Beef Showmanship is followed by steer and costume classes. \nVisit the Brunn Barn Museum\nOne of the best places to understand why the agricultural part of Woodstock matters is the Brunn Barn Museum. \nThe barn itself dates to 1822. \nIt was dismantled in 2004 and reconstructed at the Woodstock Fairgrounds in time for the 2005 Fair. \nInside\, the focus is on New England’s agricultural past. \nAntique farm equipment and tools help show how work was accomplished before tractors\, combines and other modern machinery transformed farming. \nThe barn also hosts demonstrations and educational displays. \nIn a Fair increasingly filled with modern entertainment\, the Brunn Barn provides a direct connection to the agricultural history that created events like Woodstock in the first place. \nNew for 2026: Rustic Tap & Vine\nOne of the biggest additions to the 165th Fair is decidedly more modern. \nRustic Tap & Vine debuts in 2026 as a new beer and wine destination inside the Fair. \nThe project was created in partnership with bankHometown\, a division of TruNorth Bank\, along with Taylor Brooke Brewery and Winery\, Bear Hands Brewing Company and Black Pond Brewery. \nThe new attraction opens with the Fair at 4 p.m. Thursday. \nRustic Tap & Vine operates Thursday from 4–7 p.m.; Friday\, Saturday and Sunday from noon–7 p.m.; and Labor Day Monday from noon–6 p.m. \nFor adults who remember when a fair beer meant little more than grabbing whatever was being poured at a concession stand\, the dedicated space gives the 2026 Fair another distinct destination. \nThe Midway Is Back With Fiesta Shows\nFiesta Shows operates the Woodstock Fair midway\, with rides ranging from family attractions to the sort of spinning machinery that looks much more entertaining from the ground depending on your tolerance for centrifugal force. \nThe expected 2026 lineup includes the Super Cyclone Coaster\, Spider Wheel\, Warrior\, Top Gun\, Thunder Bolt\, Zero Gravity\, Hyper Spin\, Pharaoh’s Fury\, Fire Ball\, Spinning Coaster\, Zipper\, Starship Exodus and Hurricane. \nThere are also gentler options including the carousel\, train\, Crazy Bus\, Rock’n Tug and slide. \nRide height requirements vary. \nIndividual ride credits will be available at the Fair\, while advance unlimited-ride options are also available. \nRide Wristbands Can Save Money\nIf the midway is going to be a major part of your day\, buying in advance can save a few dollars. \nThursday’s unlimited wristband is $30 online or $35 on site and is valid from 4–10 p.m. \nFriday is split into two sessions\, noon–5 p.m. or 5 p.m.–close\, with wristbands costing $30 online or $35 on site. \nSaturday\, Sunday and Monday use all-day Megapass wristbands at $40 online or $45 on site. \nThese do not include Fair admission. \nWristbands and Megapasses also aren’t valid for the bumper cars\, mechanical bull\, rock wall or bungee jump. \nFamily Fun Goes Beyond the Midway\nFamilies who don’t want to spend the entire day buying ride credits have another option. \nThe Fabulous Family Fun Area is open all five days with the Records and Burpee Petting Zoo\, inflatable games and Sandtasia Sand Sculpture. \nThe Pork Chop Revue also performs throughout the weekend. \nDespite the name\, it’s not a barbecue demonstration. \nThe show features trained pigs performing tricks and comedic routines and has become the kind of oddball agricultural entertainment that fits naturally at a country fair. \nSaturday also brings Vinny’s Pizza Eating Contest at 2:15 p.m. \nOn Sunday\, the competitive eating turns to dessert with a Blueberry Pie Eating Contest at 2:15. \nYou Can Enter the Karaoke Contest\nThe audience can become the entertainment on Friday and Saturday. \nFriday’s Country Karaoke Contest begins at 6 p.m. on Center Stage. \nSaturday’s Pop Karaoke Contest starts at 5 p.m. \nEach contest is limited to 10 contestants\, and advance registration is available through the Fair. \nParticipants are asked to arrive at Center Stage 30 minutes before the contest\, with registration beginning 15 minutes before showtime. \nSomeone can even enter both competitions\, although a separate registration is required for each. \nLabor Day Starts With a Cornhole Tournament\nMonday morning brings a different kind of competition. \nThe Woodstock Fair Cornhole Tournament begins at 10 a.m. September 7 on Center Stage. \nTwo-person teams compete in either Social or Competitive divisions. \nRegistration is $50 per team\, or $25 per player\, and the entire registration pool goes into the prize purse. \nThe Woodstock Fair adds another $2\,500. \nTournament registration does not include Fair admission or parking\, and players need to bring their own regulation cornhole bags. The Fair supplies the boards. \nCome Hungry\nWoodstock’s food list is enormous. \nThis is still the place for fried dough\, funnel cakes\, sausage and peppers\, giant eclairs\, fried Oreos\, caramel apples\, ice cream\, kettle corn and the sort of food decisions that seem completely reasonable inside a fairground. \nBut the selection goes considerably further. \nThere are lobster rolls and lobster quesadillas from Cousins Maine Lobster; clam cakes and chowder; jerk chicken and oxtails; Polish food including pierogi\, kielbasa and stuffed cabbage; gyros; barbecue brisket; poutine; tacos; empanadas; Indian street food; Thai dishes; Colombian-American food; Mediterranean dishes; bubble tea and specialty coffee. \nYou can find bacon on a stick. \nYou can find chocolate-covered bacon. \nYou can find a deep-fried PB&J. \nThere is even a vendor dedicated entirely to gluten-free fair food\, with gluten-free funnel cakes\, fried Oreos\, chicken tenders\, corn dogs and donuts. \nLocal churches\, Scouts\, Lions\, veterans groups and other nonprofits also operate food stands\, continuing a piece of the Fair that feels considerably closer to its community roots. \nParking Is Not Included\nThis is important for first-time visitors. \nThe Woodstock Fair does not operate an on-site parking lot. \nInstead\, neighboring farms\, businesses and organizations provide parking around the Fairgrounds and set their own prices. \nFor 2026\, the Fair lists several nearby options at $10. \nFairvue Farm is on Route 171 near the South Gate. \nValleyside Farm is near Routes 171 and 169 and provides access convenient to the Main and Service gates. \nSouth Woodstock Baptist Church offers parking near Roseland Park and North Gate roads. \nScranton’s Shops is across the street and diagonally north of the Service Gate. \nBring the extra $10 into your day’s budget rather than arriving expecting admission to include parking. \nPlan on Walking\nThe Woodstock Fair is big. \nBetween the livestock areas\, exhibition halls\, stages\, food stands\, midway\, agricultural attractions and parking outside the grounds\, a visit can involve a considerable amount of walking. \nComfortable shoes aren’t a bad idea. \nIt’s also worth looking at the Fair map before arriving\, particularly if you’re trying to catch a specific livestock show and a Main Stage performance on the same day. \nThe agricultural Fair and entertainment Fair coexist\, but they’re not all concentrated into one compact midway. \nWhich Day Should You Go?\nIf music is the deciding factor\, the choice is straightforward. \nGo Friday for Tonic. \nGo Saturday for Kool & the Gang. \nGo Sunday for Trace Adkins. \nGo Monday for Al Jardine and the Pet Sounds Band. \nFor the broadest all-day Fair experience\, Saturday and Sunday provide early 9 a.m. openings and entertainment running into the evening. \nMonday is a good choice for visitors who prefer an earlier day\, with the Fair opening at 9 a.m. and winding down after Al Jardine’s 5:30 p.m. concert. \nThursday is the abbreviated opening night\, beginning at 4 p.m. \nAnd if the animals are your priority\, check the livestock schedule before choosing a date. Different species and competitions take place on different days. \nEvent Details\nEvent: 165th Woodstock Fair\nDates: Thursday\, September 3–Monday\, September 7\, 2026\nLocation: Woodstock Fairgrounds\nAddress: 281 Route 169\, South Woodstock\, CT 06267\nThursday Opening: 4 p.m.\nFriday Opening: Noon\nSaturday Opening: 9 a.m.\nSunday Opening: 9 a.m.\nMonday Opening: 9 a.m.\nAdult Online Admission: $16.95 including processing fee\nSenior 65+ Online Admission: $11.80 with ID\nActive-Duty Military Online Admission: $11.80 with ID\nChildren: Ages 10 and younger free\nMain Stage Headliners: Tonic\, Kool & the Gang\, Trace Adkins\, Al Jardine of the Beach Boys and the Pet Sounds Band\nOther Major Entertainment: Flying Wallendas and Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks\nNew for 2026: Rustic Tap & Vine\nMidway: Fiesta Shows\nParking: Nearby independently operated lots; listed 2026 options are $10\nMain Stage Shows: Included with paid Fair admission; general admission seating \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \nTo purchase tickets\, click the Event Ticketing link below. \n\n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/165th-woodstock-fair-guide/2026-09-04/
LOCATION:Woodstock Fairgrounds\, 281 Route 169\, South Woodstock\, 06267\, United States
CATEGORIES:Woodstock Fairgrounds
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/165th-Woodstock-Fair-Guide.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260903T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260903T230000
DTSTAMP:20260903T151855Z
CREATED:20260903T151855Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T151855Z
UID:10007457-1788451200-1788476400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:165th Woodstock Fair Guide
DESCRIPTION:165th Woodstock Fair returns to South Woodstock for five days over Labor Day weekend\, September 3–7\, bringing one of Connecticut’s oldest agricultural traditions together with major concerts\, livestock shows\, carnival rides\, fair food and several new attractions. \nThe 2026 Main Stage lineup is unusually strong. Tonic headlines Friday night\, Kool & the Gang takes over Saturday\, Trace Adkins performs Sunday\, and Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine and the Pet Sounds Band close the Fair on Labor Day Monday. The Flying Wallendas and magician Leon Etienne also perform throughout the weekend. \nAll Main Stage entertainment is included with Fair admission. \nBut the Woodstock Fair is still\, fundamentally\, an agricultural fair. Livestock barns\, dairy cattle\, sheep\, goats\, rabbits\, agricultural competitions and the historic Brunn Barn sit alongside the flashing lights of the Fiesta Shows midway. \nFor its 165th edition\, the Fair is adding something new to that mix: Rustic Tap & Vine\, a dedicated beer and wine area featuring Connecticut producers. \nHere’s what to know before heading to South Woodstock. \nWhen Is the 2026 Woodstock Fair?\nThe Woodstock Fair runs Thursday\, September 3 through Monday\, September 7\, 2026 at the Woodstock Fairgrounds\, 281 Route 169 in South Woodstock. \nOpening times vary by day. \nThursday: 4 p.m.\nFriday: Noon\nSaturday: 9 a.m.\nSunday: 9 a.m.\nLabor Day Monday: 9 a.m. \nThursday through Sunday\, the Main Gate remains open until 9:30 p.m.\, with other gates closing at 9 p.m. Carnival rides and games continue until 11 p.m. \nMonday operates on an earlier schedule. All gates close at 7 p.m.\, with carnival rides and games continuing until 8 p.m. \nThe barns and exhibition halls also have their own closing times\, so visitors primarily interested in the agricultural side shouldn’t wait until late evening to explore them. \nHow Much Are Woodstock Fair Tickets?\nOnline general admission for 2026 is $16.95 for adults\, including the processing fee. \nAdmission for active-duty military members with identification is $11.80\, while seniors 65 and older with identification also pay $11.80 online. \nChildren 10 and younger are admitted free. \nOne of the biggest values in the ticket is the entertainment. \nThe major concerts\, Flying Wallendas performances\, Leon Etienne’s magic shows and other stage entertainment are included with paid Fair admission. There is no separate concert ticket required for Kool & the Gang\, Trace Adkins\, Tonic or Al Jardine. \nMain Stage performances are general admission with no reserved seating. \nGuests may bring folding chairs for the grass-covered area in front of the stage. \nFriday Night: Tonic Headlines the Main Stage\nFriday\, September 4\, starts the first full day of the Fair at noon. \nThe Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m.\, followed by Soul Afire at 5 p.m. and Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30. \nThen the Main Stage shifts into ’90s alternative rock. \nTonic performs at 8 p.m. \nFormed in Los Angeles in the 1990s\, Tonic broke nationally with its 1996 debut album Lemon Parade. The record produced the band’s signature hit\, “If You Could Only See\,” along with “Open Up Your Eyes.” \nThe band’s success carried into subsequent albums\, and Tonic earned two Grammy nominations for its 2002 album Head on Straight. \nFriday also brings the Old Fiddlers Club of Rhode Island to Center Stage at noon\, Soul Afire at 2:30 p.m.\, Leon Etienne at 3:45 and the Fair’s Country Karaoke Contest at 6. \nSaturday Night: Kool & the Gang\nSaturday brings the biggest dance party of the weekend. \nKool & the Gang headlines the Main Stage at 8 p.m. September 5. \nFew bands arrive with a catalog more immediately recognizable at a fairground. \nThe group’s decades of funk\, soul\, R&B and pop produced “Celebration\,” “Jungle Boogie\,” “Ladies’ Night\,” “Get Down on It\,” “Too Hot\,” “Cherish” and a long list of other hits. \nThe band’s history reaches back to Jersey City in 1964\, making Kool & the Gang’s longevity particularly appropriate for the 165th edition of a fair that has built its own identity around tradition. \nSaturday’s Main Stage begins much earlier. \nThe Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m. The Stevie Nicks Experience performs at 5\, followed by Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30 and Kool & the Gang at 8. \nCenter Stage has its own schedule beginning with Quest Martial Arts at 10:30 a.m.\, followed by the East Woodstock Cornet Band at 11:30. Quest returns at 2 p.m.\, the Stevie Nicks Experience performs at 2:30\, Leon Etienne appears at 3:45\, and the Pop Karaoke Contest begins at 5. \nSunday Night Belongs to Trace Adkins\nSunday\, September 6\, turns the Main Stage toward country music. \nTrace Adkins performs at 8 p.m. \nThe Louisiana-born singer has spent three decades in country music\, with a catalog that includes “You’re Gonna Miss This\,” “Every Light in the House\,” “Ladies Love Country Boys\,” “Songs About Me” and “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” \nAdkins has also been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2003. \nBefore the headliner\, the Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m. Nick Bosse and the Northern Roots take the stage at 5\, followed by Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30. \nCenter Stage begins Sunday at 10 a.m. with Whitney Doucet\, followed by Danielson Martial Arts at 11:15\, another Whitney Doucet performance at noon\, Danielson Martial Arts at 1:30\, Nick Bosse at 2:30 and Leon Etienne at 4. \nAl Jardine Closes the Fair on Labor Day\nThe final day gets an appropriate end-of-summer soundtrack. \nAl Jardine of the Beach Boys and the Pet Sounds Band perform at 5:30 p.m. Monday\, September 7. \nJardine was a founding member of the Beach Boys\, singing and playing guitar as the group created one of the defining catalogs in American popular music. \nHis lead vocals include “Help Me\, Rhonda\,” while his decades with the Beach Boys connected him to records ranging from the early surf hits through Pet Sounds and beyond. \nMonday’s Main Stage begins with the Flying Wallendas at 11:30 a.m. Leon Etienne performs at 12:30\, the Wallendas return at 2\, Red Light Band performs at 2:30\, and Etienne returns at 4 before Jardine closes the 165th Fair. \nThe Flying Wallendas Perform Throughout the Weekend\nThe Flying Wallendas are more than another stage act on the schedule. \nThe Wallenda name has been synonymous with high-wire performance for generations\, dating back to the European circus tradition that eventually brought the family to the United States. \nTheir appearances are spread throughout the Fair\, making them one of the easiest major attractions to catch even if you’re attending primarily for something else. \nThey perform Thursday at 6 p.m.; Friday\, Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m.; and Monday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. \nThat gives visitors nine opportunities over the five-day Fair. \nLeon Etienne Brings Magic to Multiple Stages\nAnother performer will be difficult to miss. \nLeon Etienne’s Magic Rocks appears repeatedly on both the Main and Center stages. \nEtienne has built his act around large-scale illusions\, sleight of hand\, comedy and rock-show energy rather than the quieter presentation of a traditional stage magician. \nHis national television appearances have included America’s Got Talent\, where he became one of the show’s recognizable magic acts. \nAt Woodstock\, he’s performing multiple times throughout Labor Day weekend\, making his show one of the easier entertainment options to work into a full day. \nDon’t Skip the Agriculture\nIt would be easy to look at a lineup containing Kool & the Gang and Trace Adkins and think of Woodstock primarily as a music festival with carnival rides. \nThat misses the heart of the Fair. \nThe Woodstock Fair describes itself as Connecticut’s largest agricultural fair\, and its agricultural competitions remain a major part of the five-day event. \nFriday begins with the Rabbit Exhibition and Sheep Show at noon\, followed by the Goat Show at 1 p.m. and Youth Dairy Cattle Show at 3. \nSaturday starts early with the Dairy Cattle Show and Rabbit Exhibition at 9 a.m.\, Youth Sheep Show at 9:30 and Sheep Lead Line at 6 p.m. \nSunday includes rabbits\, sheep and goats in the morning and Beef Showmanship at 3 p.m. \nMonday begins with the Beef Show and Rabbit Exhibition at 9 a.m.\, followed by the Sheep Show at 9:30. \nThe Youth Dairy Cattle Show on Friday is followed by showmanship and a costume class\, while Sunday’s Beef Showmanship is followed by steer and costume classes. \nVisit the Brunn Barn Museum\nOne of the best places to understand why the agricultural part of Woodstock matters is the Brunn Barn Museum. \nThe barn itself dates to 1822. \nIt was dismantled in 2004 and reconstructed at the Woodstock Fairgrounds in time for the 2005 Fair. \nInside\, the focus is on New England’s agricultural past. \nAntique farm equipment and tools help show how work was accomplished before tractors\, combines and other modern machinery transformed farming. \nThe barn also hosts demonstrations and educational displays. \nIn a Fair increasingly filled with modern entertainment\, the Brunn Barn provides a direct connection to the agricultural history that created events like Woodstock in the first place. \nNew for 2026: Rustic Tap & Vine\nOne of the biggest additions to the 165th Fair is decidedly more modern. \nRustic Tap & Vine debuts in 2026 as a new beer and wine destination inside the Fair. \nThe project was created in partnership with bankHometown\, a division of TruNorth Bank\, along with Taylor Brooke Brewery and Winery\, Bear Hands Brewing Company and Black Pond Brewery. \nThe new attraction opens with the Fair at 4 p.m. Thursday. \nRustic Tap & Vine operates Thursday from 4–7 p.m.; Friday\, Saturday and Sunday from noon–7 p.m.; and Labor Day Monday from noon–6 p.m. \nFor adults who remember when a fair beer meant little more than grabbing whatever was being poured at a concession stand\, the dedicated space gives the 2026 Fair another distinct destination. \nThe Midway Is Back With Fiesta Shows\nFiesta Shows operates the Woodstock Fair midway\, with rides ranging from family attractions to the sort of spinning machinery that looks much more entertaining from the ground depending on your tolerance for centrifugal force. \nThe expected 2026 lineup includes the Super Cyclone Coaster\, Spider Wheel\, Warrior\, Top Gun\, Thunder Bolt\, Zero Gravity\, Hyper Spin\, Pharaoh’s Fury\, Fire Ball\, Spinning Coaster\, Zipper\, Starship Exodus and Hurricane. \nThere are also gentler options including the carousel\, train\, Crazy Bus\, Rock’n Tug and slide. \nRide height requirements vary. \nIndividual ride credits will be available at the Fair\, while advance unlimited-ride options are also available. \nRide Wristbands Can Save Money\nIf the midway is going to be a major part of your day\, buying in advance can save a few dollars. \nThursday’s unlimited wristband is $30 online or $35 on site and is valid from 4–10 p.m. \nFriday is split into two sessions\, noon–5 p.m. or 5 p.m.–close\, with wristbands costing $30 online or $35 on site. \nSaturday\, Sunday and Monday use all-day Megapass wristbands at $40 online or $45 on site. \nThese do not include Fair admission. \nWristbands and Megapasses also aren’t valid for the bumper cars\, mechanical bull\, rock wall or bungee jump. \nFamily Fun Goes Beyond the Midway\nFamilies who don’t want to spend the entire day buying ride credits have another option. \nThe Fabulous Family Fun Area is open all five days with the Records and Burpee Petting Zoo\, inflatable games and Sandtasia Sand Sculpture. \nThe Pork Chop Revue also performs throughout the weekend. \nDespite the name\, it’s not a barbecue demonstration. \nThe show features trained pigs performing tricks and comedic routines and has become the kind of oddball agricultural entertainment that fits naturally at a country fair. \nSaturday also brings Vinny’s Pizza Eating Contest at 2:15 p.m. \nOn Sunday\, the competitive eating turns to dessert with a Blueberry Pie Eating Contest at 2:15. \nYou Can Enter the Karaoke Contest\nThe audience can become the entertainment on Friday and Saturday. \nFriday’s Country Karaoke Contest begins at 6 p.m. on Center Stage. \nSaturday’s Pop Karaoke Contest starts at 5 p.m. \nEach contest is limited to 10 contestants\, and advance registration is available through the Fair. \nParticipants are asked to arrive at Center Stage 30 minutes before the contest\, with registration beginning 15 minutes before showtime. \nSomeone can even enter both competitions\, although a separate registration is required for each. \nLabor Day Starts With a Cornhole Tournament\nMonday morning brings a different kind of competition. \nThe Woodstock Fair Cornhole Tournament begins at 10 a.m. September 7 on Center Stage. \nTwo-person teams compete in either Social or Competitive divisions. \nRegistration is $50 per team\, or $25 per player\, and the entire registration pool goes into the prize purse. \nThe Woodstock Fair adds another $2\,500. \nTournament registration does not include Fair admission or parking\, and players need to bring their own regulation cornhole bags. The Fair supplies the boards. \nCome Hungry\nWoodstock’s food list is enormous. \nThis is still the place for fried dough\, funnel cakes\, sausage and peppers\, giant eclairs\, fried Oreos\, caramel apples\, ice cream\, kettle corn and the sort of food decisions that seem completely reasonable inside a fairground. \nBut the selection goes considerably further. \nThere are lobster rolls and lobster quesadillas from Cousins Maine Lobster; clam cakes and chowder; jerk chicken and oxtails; Polish food including pierogi\, kielbasa and stuffed cabbage; gyros; barbecue brisket; poutine; tacos; empanadas; Indian street food; Thai dishes; Colombian-American food; Mediterranean dishes; bubble tea and specialty coffee. \nYou can find bacon on a stick. \nYou can find chocolate-covered bacon. \nYou can find a deep-fried PB&J. \nThere is even a vendor dedicated entirely to gluten-free fair food\, with gluten-free funnel cakes\, fried Oreos\, chicken tenders\, corn dogs and donuts. \nLocal churches\, Scouts\, Lions\, veterans groups and other nonprofits also operate food stands\, continuing a piece of the Fair that feels considerably closer to its community roots. \nParking Is Not Included\nThis is important for first-time visitors. \nThe Woodstock Fair does not operate an on-site parking lot. \nInstead\, neighboring farms\, businesses and organizations provide parking around the Fairgrounds and set their own prices. \nFor 2026\, the Fair lists several nearby options at $10. \nFairvue Farm is on Route 171 near the South Gate. \nValleyside Farm is near Routes 171 and 169 and provides access convenient to the Main and Service gates. \nSouth Woodstock Baptist Church offers parking near Roseland Park and North Gate roads. \nScranton’s Shops is across the street and diagonally north of the Service Gate. \nBring the extra $10 into your day’s budget rather than arriving expecting admission to include parking. \nPlan on Walking\nThe Woodstock Fair is big. \nBetween the livestock areas\, exhibition halls\, stages\, food stands\, midway\, agricultural attractions and parking outside the grounds\, a visit can involve a considerable amount of walking. \nComfortable shoes aren’t a bad idea. \nIt’s also worth looking at the Fair map before arriving\, particularly if you’re trying to catch a specific livestock show and a Main Stage performance on the same day. \nThe agricultural Fair and entertainment Fair coexist\, but they’re not all concentrated into one compact midway. \nWhich Day Should You Go?\nIf music is the deciding factor\, the choice is straightforward. \nGo Friday for Tonic. \nGo Saturday for Kool & the Gang. \nGo Sunday for Trace Adkins. \nGo Monday for Al Jardine and the Pet Sounds Band. \nFor the broadest all-day Fair experience\, Saturday and Sunday provide early 9 a.m. openings and entertainment running into the evening. \nMonday is a good choice for visitors who prefer an earlier day\, with the Fair opening at 9 a.m. and winding down after Al Jardine’s 5:30 p.m. concert. \nThursday is the abbreviated opening night\, beginning at 4 p.m. \nAnd if the animals are your priority\, check the livestock schedule before choosing a date. Different species and competitions take place on different days. \nEvent Details\nEvent: 165th Woodstock Fair\nDates: Thursday\, September 3–Monday\, September 7\, 2026\nLocation: Woodstock Fairgrounds\nAddress: 281 Route 169\, South Woodstock\, CT 06267\nThursday Opening: 4 p.m.\nFriday Opening: Noon\nSaturday Opening: 9 a.m.\nSunday Opening: 9 a.m.\nMonday Opening: 9 a.m.\nAdult Online Admission: $16.95 including processing fee\nSenior 65+ Online Admission: $11.80 with ID\nActive-Duty Military Online Admission: $11.80 with ID\nChildren: Ages 10 and younger free\nMain Stage Headliners: Tonic\, Kool & the Gang\, Trace Adkins\, Al Jardine of the Beach Boys and the Pet Sounds Band\nOther Major Entertainment: Flying Wallendas and Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks\nNew for 2026: Rustic Tap & Vine\nMidway: Fiesta Shows\nParking: Nearby independently operated lots; listed 2026 options are $10\nMain Stage Shows: Included with paid Fair admission; general admission seating \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \nTo purchase tickets\, click the Event Ticketing link below. \n\n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/165th-woodstock-fair-guide/2026-09-03/
LOCATION:Woodstock Fairgrounds\, 281 Route 169\, South Woodstock\, 06267\, United States
CATEGORIES:Woodstock Fairgrounds
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/165th-Woodstock-Fair-Guide.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260829T060000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260829T220000
DTSTAMP:20260816T234634Z
CREATED:20260816T234634Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260816T234634Z
UID:10007204-1787983200-1788040800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival 2026: Balloon Glow\, Fireworks & Family Fun
DESCRIPTION:Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival 2026 fills the sky over Norton Park with hot air balloons on Friday and Saturday\, August 28–29\, during a free two-day festival featuring a Friday night balloon glow and fireworks\, Saturday balloon launches\, nearly 100 vendors\, amusement rides\, food trucks\, live entertainment and a classic and specialty car show. \nThis one is outside The CT Beacon’s usual southeastern Connecticut and southwestern Rhode Island coverage area\, but we’re making an exception. The 39th annual festival offers something different enough to justify a little road trip\, particularly for families looking for one more big summer outing before Labor Day. \nFrom Mystic\, plan on a little over an hour in the car. The most natural route takes you west along I-95 to Old Saybrook and then north on Route 9 into central Connecticut. Route 9 follows the Connecticut River corridor for much of the trip\, passing the lower river valley before continuing through Middletown toward the Plainville area. It’s a relatively easy drive\, and considerably more pleasant than spending an hour crawling through a string of commercial highways. \nAt the other end: dozens of enormous balloons glowing against the night sky. \nThat seems worth the mileage. \nFriday Night: Balloon Glow and Fireworks\nIf you’re making the trip from southeastern Connecticut and only choosing one portion of the festival\, Friday night is the obvious choice. \nFriday’s signature event is the Hot Air Balloon Glow\, when tethered balloons remain on the ground while their burners illuminate the envelopes from inside. \nOnce darkness falls\, those enormous balloons essentially become glowing lanterns scattered across Norton Park. \nThen look higher. \nThe festival’s fireworks display is scheduled for approximately 9:15 p.m. Friday\, creating a night that combines two things you don’t ordinarily get at the same summer festival: glowing hot air balloons and fireworks. \nThe exact fireworks start time is flexible. Organizers specifically warn visitors not to plan on arriving at precisely 9:15\, since conditions could cause the display to begin somewhat earlier or later. \nIf weather prevents Friday’s fireworks\, they’re scheduled to move to Saturday night. \nSaturday Starts at 6 A.M.\nSaturday belongs to the balloons. \nThe first launch is scheduled for 6 a.m.\, taking advantage of the calmer atmospheric conditions balloon pilots typically seek early in the morning. \nFor this one event\, visitors can actually park at Norton Park. There is no shuttle service that early\, and all vehicles must be removed from the park by 9 a.m. before the main Saturday festival gets underway. \nIf 6 a.m. sounds a little ambitious for a drive from Mystic\, there’s another chance. \nA second mass balloon launch is scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday. \nBoth launches are weather-dependent\, and the pilots themselves make the final decision about whether conditions are safe enough to fly. \nThat’s worth emphasizing if balloons are your primary reason for making the drive: a scheduled balloon launch isn’t a guaranteed balloon launch. \nWind\, visibility and other conditions matter enormously to these aircraft. \nNo\, You Can’t Ride in the Balloons\nThis is probably the festival’s most frequently misunderstood attraction. \nThe Plainville Fire Company doesn’t sell or arrange balloon rides. \nMany of the balloons participating in the festival are classified as experimental aircraft and aren’t permitted to offer commercial passenger rides. The balloons are there for the launches and glow rather than paid sightseeing flights. \nSo come to watch them. \nJust don’t arrive expecting to climb into a basket. \nThere’s Plenty Happening Between Balloon Launches\nThe balloons get the photographs\, but they’re only part of the weekend. \nNorton Park fills with nearly 100 arts\, crafts and other vendors\, offering handmade goods\, local products and other items throughout the festival. Organizers are also promising a particularly large collection of food trucks representing a variety of cuisines. \nAmusement attractions include rides\, bounce houses\, games and an expanded ride area featuring a giant slide. Those attractions aren’t included simply because festival admission is free; bring money for ride tickets\, food and shopping. \nLive music and other entertainment continue throughout the festival as well. \nSaturday also adds a classic and specialty car show\, giving visitors something substantial to explore during the middle of the day when the balloons aren’t flying. \nThat’s actually useful information when planning your visit. If you arrive at noon Saturday expecting a sky filled with balloons\, you’re going to be disappointed. The scheduled balloon activity happens at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. \nAt noon\, go look at the cars. The balloons need a nap. \nAdmission Is Free\nThere’s no admission charge for the Plainville Hot Air Balloon Festival. \nNorton Park is a public park\, and the Plainville Fire Company keeps admission to the festival free. Visitors pay individually for food\, rides\, games and anything purchased from vendors. \nThe event is also a fundraiser for the Plainville Fire Company\, which has served the community since 1885. Festival proceeds help support community organizations and the company’s student scholarship programs. \nFor a family making the drive from the Mystic area\, free admission makes the road trip considerably easier to justify. \nParking: Read This Before You Leave\nThis is probably the most important logistical part of the guide. \nDo not drive directly to Norton Park expecting general festival parking. \nThere is no general public parking at Norton Park during the main festival hours on Friday or Saturday. \nInstead\, festival visitors park at designated off-site lots and take shuttle buses to Norton Park. \nThe primary parking areas are: \nRobertson Airport\n62 Johnson Avenue\nPlainville\, CT 06062 \nThis is the festival’s largest parking area\, with thousands of spaces\, and organizers specifically recommend it for families and visitors traveling with children. \nA second parking area is available at the former GE/ABB lot on Woodford Avenue. \nParking costs $5 per vehicle\, cash only\, with the money helping offset the cost of the shuttle system. \nBuses run continuously between the parking areas and Norton Park\, and strollers are permitted aboard the shuttles. \nAfter the Friday fireworks\, expect crowds. Festival organizers say they operate approximately 30 buses continuously to return visitors to the parking areas\, but thousands of people may be leaving Norton Park at approximately the same time. \nIn other words\, don’t expect to watch the final firework and be cruising home five minutes later. \nAccessible Parking\nLimited accessible parking is available closer to the festival inside Norton Park for vehicles displaying the appropriate disability placard or license plate. \nOrganizers ask drivers to have the placard clearly displayed before reaching the Broad Street/South Washington Street intersection so traffic personnel can direct the vehicle appropriately. \nMotorcycle parking is also available at Norton Park. \nWhat About Rain?\nThere is no festival rain date. \nLight rain doesn’t necessarily cancel the festival\, and many activities may continue. \nBalloons are another matter. \nLaunches and the balloon glow are highly dependent on weather conditions\, and pilots have final authority over whether their balloons participate. Wind conditions that wouldn’t interfere with walking around a festival can be enough to keep balloons grounded. \nThe fireworks are scheduled for Friday night\, with Saturday serving as the backup night if weather forces their postponement. \nFor anyone driving from southeastern Connecticut\, this is one event where checking conditions before getting into the car really matters. \nLeave the Drone at Home\nIt would certainly produce spectacular video. \nDon’t do it. \nDrones are prohibited because of the danger they present to hot air balloons. \nFestival organizers also strongly discourage bringing pets. Between the crowds\, balloon burners\, music\, rides and fireworks\, Norton Park can become an unusually loud and stimulating environment for animals. Service animals are permitted\, including aboard the shuttle buses. \nIs It Worth the Drive From Mystic?\nFor most events an hour or more outside our normal coverage area\, probably not. \nThis one’s different. \nIf you’ve never seen a hot air balloon glow\, Friday provides the best argument for making the trip. You get the festival during the afternoon and evening\, food and rides for the kids\, the balloon glow after dark and fireworks to finish the night. \nSaturday makes more sense for people who really want to see the balloons fly. The 6 p.m. launch lets visitors skip the brutal wake-up required to reach Plainville for the 6 a.m. launch while still experiencing the rest of the festival. \nAnd because admission is free\, you’re really committing to the drive rather than an expensive admission ticket. \nSometimes that’s enough reason to stretch the borders of a weekend. \nEvent Details\nEvent: 39th Annual Plainville Fire Company Hot Air Balloon Festival \nDates: Friday\, August 28 and Saturday\, August 29\, 2026 \nLocation: Norton Park \nAddress: 1–15 Norton Park Road\, Plainville\, CT 06062 \nAdmission: Free \nFriday: Hot air balloon glow and fireworks \nFireworks: Approximately 9:15 p.m. Friday; Saturday backup if weather requires \nSaturday Balloon Launches: 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.\, weather permitting \nSaturday: Classic and specialty car show\, balloon launches and festival activities \nActivities: Amusement rides\, games\, bounce houses\, arts and crafts\, food trucks\, vendors and live entertainment \nBalloon Rides: Not available \nGeneral Parking: Off-site only during the main festival \nPrimary Parking: Robertson Airport\, 62 Johnson Avenue\, Plainville \nAdditional Parking: Former GE/ABB lot on Woodford Avenue \nParking/Shuttle Fee: $5 per vehicle\, cash only \nPets: Strongly discouraged \nDrones: Prohibited \nWeather: Balloon activities are weather-dependent. No general festival rain date. \nMore Information\nComplete schedules\, weather updates\, parking information and festival announcements are available through the Plainville Fire Company Hot Air Balloon Festival website. \n\n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/plainville-hot-air-balloon-festival-2026-balloon-glow-fireworks-family-fun/2026-08-29/
LOCATION:Norton Park\, 1-15 Norton Park Rd\, Plainvillw\, CT\, 06062\, United States
CATEGORIES:Norton Park
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260823T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260823T170000
DTSTAMP:20260822T001827Z
CREATED:20260428T045224Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260822T001827Z
UID:10000089-1787482800-1787504400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Connecticut Pickle Festival at the Mohegan Sun
DESCRIPTION:If you’ve got even a mild appreciation for pickles… this is where it goes full tilt. The Connecticut Pickle Festival leans all the way in\, turning a simple snack into a full-day experience that’s brinier\, crunchier\, and somehow bigger than you expect. Wander through the Pickle Patch and sample your way across flavors from all over the country… yes\, unlimited. If it’s pickled\, brined\, or packed with that bold dill kick\, it’s here. And somewhere in the middle of it all\, Pickle Pablo is making the rounds… dancing\, posing for photos\, and keeping the whole thing just a little unhinged in the best way while people sip pickle martinis and take the occasional pickle shot. \nThen there’s the food… and this is where things get a little ridiculous. Fried pickles? Of course. But also pickle pizza\, pickle fries\, pickle-topped ice cream\, pickle quesadillas\, and even pickle shaved ice. It’s that kind of lineup where you stop questioning it and just go with it. Mix in some classic carnival food and sweet treats\, and you’ve got options for whatever direction your appetite decides to go. All day\, live music keeps things moving with a mix of country\, pop\, and rock\, and when you’re not eating\, you’ll probably find yourself watching… or accidentally signing up for… the Pickle Eating Contest or the always chaotic Pickle Juice Challenge. \nAnd this year adds something new to the mix… the Pickle Hoedown. Think boots\, country beats\, line dancing\, and a crowd that’s fully committed to the bit\, with Pickle Pablo right in the middle of it. It’s loud\, it’s a little absurd\, and it works. For the 21+ crowd\, there’s a full lineup of pickle-inspired cocktails alongside your usual favorites\, so you can lean in as much or as little as you want. Show up hungry\, show up curious\, and just go with it… because this is one of those events that doesn’t really make sense until you’re there.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/connecticut-pickle-festival-3/
LOCATION:Mohegan Sun\, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd\, Uncasville\, 06382\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mohegan Sun
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Pickle-Festival-at-Mohegan-Sun.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260822T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260822T170000
DTSTAMP:20260828T173740Z
CREATED:20260822T022041Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260828T173740Z
UID:10000088-1787396400-1787418000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Connecticut Pickle Festival at The Mohegan Sun
DESCRIPTION:If you’ve got even a mild appreciation for pickles… this is where it goes full tilt. The Connecticut Pickle Festival leans all the way in\, turning a simple snack into a full-day experience that’s brinier\, crunchier\, and somehow bigger than you expect. Wander through the Pickle Patch and sample your way across flavors from all over the country… yes\, unlimited. If it’s pickled\, brined\, or packed with that bold dill kick\, it’s here. And somewhere in the middle of it all\, Pickle Pablo is making the rounds… dancing\, posing for photos\, and keeping the whole thing just a little unhinged in the best way while people sip pickle martinis and take the occasional pickle shot. \nThen there’s the food… and this is where things get a little ridiculous. Fried pickles? Of course. But also pickle pizza\, pickle fries\, pickle-topped ice cream\, pickle quesadillas\, and even pickle shaved ice. It’s that kind of lineup where you stop questioning it and just go with it. Mix in some classic carnival food and sweet treats\, and you’ve got options for whatever direction your appetite decides to go. All day\, live music keeps things moving with a mix of country\, pop\, and rock\, and when you’re not eating\, you’ll probably find yourself watching… or accidentally signing up for… the Pickle Eating Contest or the always chaotic Pickle Juice Challenge. \nAnd this year adds something new to the mix… the Pickle Hoedown. Think boots\, country beats\, line dancing\, and a crowd that’s fully committed to the bit\, with Pickle Pablo right in the middle of it. It’s loud\, it’s a little absurd\, and it works. For the 21+ crowd\, there’s a full lineup of pickle-inspired cocktails alongside your usual favorites\, so you can lean in as much or as little as you want. Show up hungry\, show up curious\, and just go with it… because this is one of those events that doesn’t really make sense until you’re there.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/connecticut-pickle-festival-2/
LOCATION:Mohegan Sun\, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd\, Uncasville\, 06382\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mohegan Sun
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Pickle-Festival-at-Mohegan-Sun.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260821T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260821T170000
DTSTAMP:20260822T000116Z
CREATED:20260428T045016Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260822T000116Z
UID:10000087-1787313600-1787331600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Connecticut Pickle Festival
DESCRIPTION:If you’ve got even a mild appreciation for pickles… this is where it goes full tilt. The Connecticut Pickle Festival leans all the way in\, turning a simple snack into a full-day experience that’s brinier\, crunchier\, and somehow bigger than you expect. Wander through the Pickle Patch and sample your way across flavors from all over the country… yes\, unlimited. If it’s pickled\, brined\, or packed with that bold dill kick\, it’s here. And somewhere in the middle of it all\, Pickle Pablo is making the rounds… dancing\, posing for photos\, and keeping the whole thing just a little unhinged in the best way while people sip pickle martinis and take the occasional pickle shot. \nThen there’s the food… and this is where things get a little ridiculous. Fried pickles? Of course. But also pickle pizza\, pickle fries\, pickle-topped ice cream\, pickle quesadillas\, and even pickle shaved ice. It’s that kind of lineup where you stop questioning it and just go with it. Mix in some classic carnival food and sweet treats\, and you’ve got options for whatever direction your appetite decides to go. All day\, live music keeps things moving with a mix of country\, pop\, and rock\, and when you’re not eating\, you’ll probably find yourself watching… or accidentally signing up for… the Pickle Eating Contest or the always chaotic Pickle Juice Challenge. \nAnd this year adds something new to the mix… the Pickle Hoedown. Think boots\, country beats\, line dancing\, and a crowd that’s fully committed to the bit\, with Pickle Pablo right in the middle of it. It’s loud\, it’s a little absurd\, and it works. For the 21+ crowd\, there’s a full lineup of pickle-inspired cocktails alongside your usual favorites\, so you can lean in as much or as little as you want. Show up hungry\, show up curious\, and just go with it… because this is one of those events that doesn’t really make sense until you’re there.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/connecticut-pickle-festival/
LOCATION:Mohegan Sun\, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd\, Uncasville\, 06382\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mohegan Sun
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Pickle-Festival-at-Mohegan-Sun.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260816T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260816T170000
DTSTAMP:20260811T032157Z
CREATED:20260811T032157Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T032157Z
UID:10007147-1786874400-1786899600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Vintage Bazaar New England at Mystic Seaport Museum
DESCRIPTION:Vintage Bazaar New England at Mystic Seaport Museum brings more than 100 vintage dealers\, artists\, makers\, collectors\, and creative small businesses to Mystic for a two-day summer market on Saturday and Sunday\, August 15–16. Spread across the grounds of the historic maritime museum\, the event combines vintage shopping and handmade goods with live music\, food\, lawn games\, and a festival-style atmosphere along the Mystic River. \nVintage Bazaar New England has spent more than a decade developing markets that go well beyond rows of vendor tables. Shoppers can dig through architectural salvage and antiques\, browse handmade jewelry and artwork\, discover vintage clothing and textiles\, then take a break to hear live music or explore the museum. The Mystic event brings that formula to one of the most distinctive settings on the Connecticut shoreline. \nBest of all\, the Bazaar isn’t a separately ticketed festival. Admission is included with regular Mystic Seaport Museum admission\, and Museum members attend free. Members also get a head start Saturday morning with special early access beginning at 9 a.m. \nMore Than 100 Vintage Dealers\, Artists and Makers\nVintage Bazaar New England is known for curating its vendor mix rather than simply filling spaces. \nMore than 100 participating dealers\, makers\, artists\, collectors\, designers\, and independent businesses are expected for the Mystic weekend\, bringing merchandise from throughout the Northeast. \nShoppers can expect to find: \n\nVintage home décor and furnishings\nArchitectural salvage\nAntiques and collectibles\nHandmade jewelry\nOriginal art\nApothecary goods\nTextiles\nCandles\nVintage and handmade clothing\nSpecialty goods\nCoastal-inspired décor\nOne-of-a-kind finds\n\nInventory varies from vendor to vendor\, which makes wandering part of the experience. Someone hunting specifically for an antique piece can spend time digging\, while casual shoppers can browse smaller handmade goods\, jewelry\, artwork\, and clothing. \nA Market Inside Mystic Seaport Museum\nThe setting makes this edition of Vintage Bazaar considerably different from a typical outdoor antiques or crafts market. \nMystic Seaport Museum’s waterfront campus recreates elements of a 19th-century New England seaport along the Mystic River\, with historic buildings\, working trades\, exhibits\, gardens\, and vessels spread across the grounds. \nVisitors aren’t confined to the market during the weekend. Vintage Bazaar admission is part of regular Museum admission\, so guests can move between vendors and the Museum’s regular attractions throughout their visit. \nThat makes the event particularly easy to turn into a full day in Mystic. Shop for an hour\, explore the waterfront\, visit an exhibit\, stop for food\, then circle back through the market to see what you missed the first time. \nLive Music and Festival Atmosphere\nShopping is only part of the weekend. \nLive music will be featured throughout the event\, along with lawn games and gathering areas where visitors can take a break between vendors. \nVintage Bazaar designs its events as a cross between an outdoor market and a festival\, encouraging visitors to linger rather than race through a shopping list. At Mystic Seaport Museum\, the riverfront grounds and historic buildings provide a natural backdrop for that approach. \nWhat Vintage Shoppers Should Know\nIf you’re coming specifically for vintage merchandise or a one-of-a-kind piece\, Saturday morning offers an advantage. \nInventory can change considerably over a two-day market\, particularly when individual vendors are bringing antiques\, vintage clothing\, collectibles\, and unique handmade pieces that can’t simply be restocked. \nMystic Seaport Museum members get the earliest opportunity to shop\, with special member access beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday. \nFor everyone else\, taking your time is worthwhile. With more than 100 vendors spread throughout the event\, this isn’t the kind of market you’ll fully see in 20 minutes. \nA Good Weekend for Families\nVintage Bazaar can work as more than a shopping trip for families because the market is taking place within Mystic Seaport Museum. \nAdults can browse vintage and handmade goods while the Museum’s regular exhibits and historic waterfront give children plenty to explore. Lawn games and live music add breaks from shopping\, and families can move between the Bazaar and Museum attractions throughout the day. \nThere are no special age restrictions for the event. \nAdmission\nVintage Bazaar is included with general admission to Mystic Seaport Museum. \nThere is no additional Vintage Bazaar ticket required after entering the Museum. \nMystic Seaport Museum members attend free. \nMembers also receive special early access beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday\, August 15. \nParking and Free Shuttle\nFree parking is available at Mystic Seaport Museum\, but on-site spaces are limited and may fill during the event. \nOrganizers have arranged additional free off-site parking and shuttle service on both Saturday and Sunday. \nOverflow Parking:\nMystic River Hotel & Suites\n9 Whitehall Avenue\nMystic\, CT \nThe overflow lot is approximately one mile from the Museum and conveniently located near Interstate 95. \nA free shuttle bus will run continuously between the hotel parking area and Mystic Seaport Museum’s North Parking Lot. \nFirst shuttle from overflow parking: 10:00 a.m. \nLast shuttle departing the Museum: 5:45 p.m. \nVisitors arriving during the busiest part of the day may want to head directly to the overflow parking area rather than spending time looking for a space near the Museum. \nTips for Visiting\nPlan on spending several hours if you want to combine the Bazaar with the Museum. There is considerably more here than a single loop through vendor booths. \nWear comfortable shoes. Between more than 100 vendors and the Museum’s sprawling waterfront campus\, you’ll likely cover quite a bit of ground. \nVintage shoppers should consider arriving early\, particularly Saturday\, when the selection of one-of-a-kind merchandise will be at its largest. Museum members have an additional advantage with their 9 a.m. early-access period. \nAnd if you’re making a significant purchase\, ask the individual vendor about pickup arrangements before hauling an architectural treasure halfway across a historic seaport. \nEvent Details\nDates\nSaturday\, August 15\, 2026\nSunday\, August 16\, 2026 \nLocation\nMystic Seaport Museum \nAddress\n75 Greenmanville Ave.\nMystic\, CT 06355 \nAdmission\nIncluded with general Mystic Seaport Museum admission. \nMuseum Members\nFree admission\, with special early access beginning at 9:00 a.m. Saturday. \nVendors\nMore than 100 vintage dealers\, artists\, makers\, collectors\, designers\, and small businesses. \nActivities\nVintage and artisan shopping\, live music\, lawn games\, gathering spaces\, and access to Mystic Seaport Museum. \nParking\nFree on-site parking is available but limited. \nFree Overflow Parking\nMystic River Hotel & Suites\n9 Whitehall Avenue\nMystic\, CT \nShuttle Service\nFree continuous shuttle service operates Saturday and Sunday between the overflow lot and Mystic Seaport Museum. The first shuttle leaves the off-site lot at 10 a.m.; the final shuttle departs the Museum at 5:45 p.m. \nAge Restrictions\nNone. \nImportant Notes\nThe event takes place across the Museum grounds. Individual vendor inventory is limited and may change throughout the weekend. \nMore Information\nFor more information\, visit the event website using the Event Website link below. \nFor ticket purchases\, click on the Ticketing link below. \n\n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/vintage-bazaar-new-england-at-mystic-seaport-museum/2026-08-16/
LOCATION:Mystic Seaport\, 75 Greenmanville Ave\, Mystic\, CT\, \,06355-1946\,\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mystic Seaport
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Vintage-Bazaar-New-Engoand-at-Mystic-Seaport-Museum-Saturday-and-Sunday-August-15-and-16-10am-5pm.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260815T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260815T170000
DTSTAMP:20260811T032157Z
CREATED:20260811T032157Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T032157Z
UID:10007146-1786788000-1786813200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Vintage Bazaar New England at Mystic Seaport Museum
DESCRIPTION:Vintage Bazaar New England at Mystic Seaport Museum brings more than 100 vintage dealers\, artists\, makers\, collectors\, and creative small businesses to Mystic for a two-day summer market on Saturday and Sunday\, August 15–16. Spread across the grounds of the historic maritime museum\, the event combines vintage shopping and handmade goods with live music\, food\, lawn games\, and a festival-style atmosphere along the Mystic River. \nVintage Bazaar New England has spent more than a decade developing markets that go well beyond rows of vendor tables. Shoppers can dig through architectural salvage and antiques\, browse handmade jewelry and artwork\, discover vintage clothing and textiles\, then take a break to hear live music or explore the museum. The Mystic event brings that formula to one of the most distinctive settings on the Connecticut shoreline. \nBest of all\, the Bazaar isn’t a separately ticketed festival. Admission is included with regular Mystic Seaport Museum admission\, and Museum members attend free. Members also get a head start Saturday morning with special early access beginning at 9 a.m. \nMore Than 100 Vintage Dealers\, Artists and Makers\nVintage Bazaar New England is known for curating its vendor mix rather than simply filling spaces. \nMore than 100 participating dealers\, makers\, artists\, collectors\, designers\, and independent businesses are expected for the Mystic weekend\, bringing merchandise from throughout the Northeast. \nShoppers can expect to find: \n\nVintage home décor and furnishings\nArchitectural salvage\nAntiques and collectibles\nHandmade jewelry\nOriginal art\nApothecary goods\nTextiles\nCandles\nVintage and handmade clothing\nSpecialty goods\nCoastal-inspired décor\nOne-of-a-kind finds\n\nInventory varies from vendor to vendor\, which makes wandering part of the experience. Someone hunting specifically for an antique piece can spend time digging\, while casual shoppers can browse smaller handmade goods\, jewelry\, artwork\, and clothing. \nA Market Inside Mystic Seaport Museum\nThe setting makes this edition of Vintage Bazaar considerably different from a typical outdoor antiques or crafts market. \nMystic Seaport Museum’s waterfront campus recreates elements of a 19th-century New England seaport along the Mystic River\, with historic buildings\, working trades\, exhibits\, gardens\, and vessels spread across the grounds. \nVisitors aren’t confined to the market during the weekend. Vintage Bazaar admission is part of regular Museum admission\, so guests can move between vendors and the Museum’s regular attractions throughout their visit. \nThat makes the event particularly easy to turn into a full day in Mystic. Shop for an hour\, explore the waterfront\, visit an exhibit\, stop for food\, then circle back through the market to see what you missed the first time. \nLive Music and Festival Atmosphere\nShopping is only part of the weekend. \nLive music will be featured throughout the event\, along with lawn games and gathering areas where visitors can take a break between vendors. \nVintage Bazaar designs its events as a cross between an outdoor market and a festival\, encouraging visitors to linger rather than race through a shopping list. At Mystic Seaport Museum\, the riverfront grounds and historic buildings provide a natural backdrop for that approach. \nWhat Vintage Shoppers Should Know\nIf you’re coming specifically for vintage merchandise or a one-of-a-kind piece\, Saturday morning offers an advantage. \nInventory can change considerably over a two-day market\, particularly when individual vendors are bringing antiques\, vintage clothing\, collectibles\, and unique handmade pieces that can’t simply be restocked. \nMystic Seaport Museum members get the earliest opportunity to shop\, with special member access beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday. \nFor everyone else\, taking your time is worthwhile. With more than 100 vendors spread throughout the event\, this isn’t the kind of market you’ll fully see in 20 minutes. \nA Good Weekend for Families\nVintage Bazaar can work as more than a shopping trip for families because the market is taking place within Mystic Seaport Museum. \nAdults can browse vintage and handmade goods while the Museum’s regular exhibits and historic waterfront give children plenty to explore. Lawn games and live music add breaks from shopping\, and families can move between the Bazaar and Museum attractions throughout the day. \nThere are no special age restrictions for the event. \nAdmission\nVintage Bazaar is included with general admission to Mystic Seaport Museum. \nThere is no additional Vintage Bazaar ticket required after entering the Museum. \nMystic Seaport Museum members attend free. \nMembers also receive special early access beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday\, August 15. \nParking and Free Shuttle\nFree parking is available at Mystic Seaport Museum\, but on-site spaces are limited and may fill during the event. \nOrganizers have arranged additional free off-site parking and shuttle service on both Saturday and Sunday. \nOverflow Parking:\nMystic River Hotel & Suites\n9 Whitehall Avenue\nMystic\, CT \nThe overflow lot is approximately one mile from the Museum and conveniently located near Interstate 95. \nA free shuttle bus will run continuously between the hotel parking area and Mystic Seaport Museum’s North Parking Lot. \nFirst shuttle from overflow parking: 10:00 a.m. \nLast shuttle departing the Museum: 5:45 p.m. \nVisitors arriving during the busiest part of the day may want to head directly to the overflow parking area rather than spending time looking for a space near the Museum. \nTips for Visiting\nPlan on spending several hours if you want to combine the Bazaar with the Museum. There is considerably more here than a single loop through vendor booths. \nWear comfortable shoes. Between more than 100 vendors and the Museum’s sprawling waterfront campus\, you’ll likely cover quite a bit of ground. \nVintage shoppers should consider arriving early\, particularly Saturday\, when the selection of one-of-a-kind merchandise will be at its largest. Museum members have an additional advantage with their 9 a.m. early-access period. \nAnd if you’re making a significant purchase\, ask the individual vendor about pickup arrangements before hauling an architectural treasure halfway across a historic seaport. \nEvent Details\nDates\nSaturday\, August 15\, 2026\nSunday\, August 16\, 2026 \nLocation\nMystic Seaport Museum \nAddress\n75 Greenmanville Ave.\nMystic\, CT 06355 \nAdmission\nIncluded with general Mystic Seaport Museum admission. \nMuseum Members\nFree admission\, with special early access beginning at 9:00 a.m. Saturday. \nVendors\nMore than 100 vintage dealers\, artists\, makers\, collectors\, designers\, and small businesses. \nActivities\nVintage and artisan shopping\, live music\, lawn games\, gathering spaces\, and access to Mystic Seaport Museum. \nParking\nFree on-site parking is available but limited. \nFree Overflow Parking\nMystic River Hotel & Suites\n9 Whitehall Avenue\nMystic\, CT \nShuttle Service\nFree continuous shuttle service operates Saturday and Sunday between the overflow lot and Mystic Seaport Museum. The first shuttle leaves the off-site lot at 10 a.m.; the final shuttle departs the Museum at 5:45 p.m. \nAge Restrictions\nNone. \nImportant Notes\nThe event takes place across the Museum grounds. Individual vendor inventory is limited and may change throughout the weekend. \nMore Information\nFor more information\, visit the event website using the Event Website link below. \nFor ticket purchases\, click on the Ticketing link below. \n\n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/vintage-bazaar-new-england-at-mystic-seaport-museum/2026-08-15/
LOCATION:Mystic Seaport\, 75 Greenmanville Ave\, Mystic\, CT\, \,06355-1946\,\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mystic Seaport
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Vintage-Bazaar-New-Engoand-at-Mystic-Seaport-Museum-Saturday-and-Sunday-August-15-and-16-10am-5pm.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260808T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260808T120000
DTSTAMP:20260806T152457Z
CREATED:20260806T152457Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260806T152457Z
UID:10007129-1786176000-1786190400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Waterford Day Parade & Family Festival 2026
DESCRIPTION:Waterford Day Parade & Family Festival 2026 returns on Saturday\, August 8\, with free family-friendly activities celebrating the community’s 225th anniversary and America’s 250th birthday. The festivities begin with morning activities on the Jordan Park Green before the annual parade steps off at 11 a.m.\, followed by family entertainment\, crafts\, food vendors\, and community celebrations throughout town. (Waterford CT) \nMore than just a parade\, Waterford Day has become one of the town’s signature summer traditions. Families gather along Rope Ferry Road to cheer on marching groups\, community organizations\, first responders\, local businesses\, and civic leaders before spending the afternoon enjoying activities designed for visitors of all ages. \nWith free admission\, children’s entertainment\, food vendors\, and dozens of community organizations participating\, Waterford Day offers one of southeastern Connecticut’s largest hometown celebrations of the summer. Rain or shine\, the event welcomes residents and visitors alike to experience the town’s community spirit. \nParade Highlights\nThe annual parade steps off promptly at 11:00 a.m. from Waterford High School and travels along Rope Ferry Road\, concluding near the First Baptist Church. \nThe Color Guard leads the procession\, followed by a variety of community groups\, local organizations\, public safety agencies\, and participants celebrating Waterford’s history and civic pride. \nPopular viewing areas are available throughout the route\, including a viewing stand near the Waterford Public Library. \nPre-Parade Family Fun\nBefore the parade begins\, Jordan Park Green hosts free activities from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.\, including: \n\nDunk Tank\nBalloon Twister\nTemporary Face Tattoos\nInflatable Firehouse\nGAME ON interactive sports activities\nMr. Magic’s family comedy and magic show\nCoke Hug Machine\nFood vendors\n\nAll pre-parade activities are free\, with food and beverages available for purchase. \nMore Things to Do\nThe celebration continues beyond the parade with additional family activities around town\, including: \nWaterford Town Park\n\nKids crafts presented by the Waterford Public Library\nLive broadcasts from On Air Talent 106.5\n\nCommunity Celebration\nAs part of this year’s anniversary celebration\, 500 miniature American flags will be distributed\, courtesy of the Waterford Regional Lions Club\, helping commemorate both Waterford’s 225th anniversary and the nation’s Semiquincentennial. \nFood & Vendors\nVisitors will find food vendors serving a variety of festival favorites before\, during\, and after the parade. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack while waiting for the procession or lunch afterward\, vendors will be available throughout the event. \nParking & Road Closures\nSeveral public parking locations are available\, including: \n\nWaterford Public Library\nCommunity Center\nTown Hall\nPolice Department\nGazebo area\n\nPlease note: Parking at Waterford High School is reserved for parade participants only. \nRoad closures along the parade route are expected from approximately 10:30 a.m. until noon. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to find parking and secure a viewing location. \nTips for Visitors\n\nBring lawn chairs if you plan to watch the parade.\nArrive early for the best viewing locations.\nStop by Jordan Park Green before the parade for children’s activities.\nWear comfortable shoes if you plan to explore multiple activity locations.\nStay after the parade to enjoy crafts\, entertainment\, and food vendors around town.\n\nEvent Details\nDate\nSaturday\, August 8\, 2026 \nPre-Parade Activities\n8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. \nParade Step-Off\n11:00 a.m. \nPrimary Locations\nJordan Park Green\nRope Ferry Road\nWaterford Town Park \nParade Route\nWaterford High School to First Baptist Church via Rope Ferry Road \nAdmission\nFree \nParking\nPublic parking is available at the Library\, Community Center\, Town Hall\, Police Department\, and Gazebo. Waterford High School parking is reserved for parade participants only. \nAge Restrictions\nNone. \nImportant Notes\nRain or shine event. Road closures are expected from approximately 10:30 a.m. to noon. All activities are family friendly. Food vendors will be available for purchases throughout the day. \n\n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/waterford-day-parade-family-festival-2026/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Waterford-Day-2026-Parade-and-Family-Festival-Saturday-August-8.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260801T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260801T200000
DTSTAMP:20260730T153854Z
CREATED:20260730T153854Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260730T153854Z
UID:10007062-1785585600-1785614400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Toxstock 2026 at Tox Brewing Co.
DESCRIPTION:Toxstock 2026 returns to Tox Brewing Co. in New London on Saturday\, August 1\, bringing a full day of live music\, craft beer\, creative activities\, and laid-back summer vibes to one of southeastern Connecticut’s favorite independent breweries. Inspired by the free-spirited festivals of the late 1960s\, the annual celebration embraces this year’s theme of “Peace\, Love\, & Frogs” with local music\, exclusive brews\, tie-dye\, and plenty of opportunities to relax with friends. \nFounded in New London\, Tox Brewing Co. has earned a loyal following for its inventive small-batch beers and welcoming taproom atmosphere. Known for experimenting with bold flavors while supporting local artists\, musicians\, and community events\, the brewery has become a gathering place where creativity and craft brewing come together. Toxstock has grown into one of the brewery’s signature annual celebrations\, combining live entertainment with the fun\, eclectic personality that has made Tox Brewing a destination for beer lovers throughout the region. \nLive music fills the taproom and beer garden from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. with performances by Luke Gabordi\, Rickie and the Riff Raff\, and Jam Shed\, creating the soundtrack for an afternoon of great beer and good company. Guests who purchase an advance wristband receive their first pour\, a commemorative color-changing Tox Brewing cup\, a limited-edition Toxstock 2026 tie-dye T-shirt while supplies last\, access to a guided DIY tie-dye station from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.\, and the opportunity to sample exclusive Toxstock beers brewed specially for the event. After the festival wraps up\, the celebration continues nearby at The Apothecary with an official after-party featuring DJs Chumzilla and Frank Lo. \nWhether you’re coming for the live music\, the exclusive beer releases\, the colorful tie-dye experience\, or simply to soak in the festival atmosphere\, Toxstock offers an entertaining way to spend a summer Saturday while supporting one of New London’s most distinctive craft breweries. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Toxstock 2026 \nDate: Saturday\, August 1\, 2026 \nTime: Live music from 12:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. \nLocation: Tox Brewing Co.\nNew London\, CT \nTickets\nAdvance wristbands include: \n\nFirst pour\nColor-changing Tox Brewing cup\nCommemorative Toxstock 2026 tie-dye T-shirt (while supplies last)\nAdmission to the DIY tie-dye station (2:00–5:00 p.m.)\nAccess to exclusive Toxstock brews\n\nTicket prices increase at the door. Tickets can be purchased by clicking the Event Ticketing link at the bottom of this page. \nMore Information\nAdditional event information is available by clicking the Event Website link at the bottom of this page. \n\n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/toxstock-2026-at-tox-brewing-co/
LOCATION:Tox Brewing Company\, 123 Bank Street\, New London\, CT\, 06320\, United States
CATEGORIES:Tox Brewing Company
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Toxstock-2026-at-Tox-Brewing-Co-Saturday-August-1-Live-music-12p-8pm.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260726T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260726T160000
DTSTAMP:20260705T030020Z
CREATED:20260701T174112Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260705T030020Z
UID:10006384-1785061800-1785081600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Blessing of the Fleet
DESCRIPTION:Blessing of the Fleet is one of Stonington Borough’s longest-standing waterfront traditions\, bringing together commercial fishermen\, local families\, and visitors to honor the community’s rich commercial fishing heritage. Held on Sunday\, July 26\, the annual celebration combines religious tradition with a waterfront procession and an afternoon of food\, music\, and community gathering along the Town Dock. \nThe day begins with the Fisherman’s Mass at St. Mary Church before participants gather for the traditional Blessing of the Fleet procession. For generations\, this ceremony has recognized the men and women who make their living on the water while asking for safety and protection during the fishing season. \nFollowing the procession\, the celebration moves to the Town Dock where visitors can enjoy live music\, food\, and drinks while experiencing one of southeastern Connecticut’s signature maritime traditions. The event serves as the culmination of the three-day Blessing of the Fleet weekend that celebrates Stonington’s fishing community and working waterfront. \nEvent Details\n\nDate: Sunday\, July 26\nRain or Shine\n\nSchedule\n10:30 a.m.\n\nFisherman’s Mass\nLocation: St. Mary Church\n\nNoon\n\nBlessing of the Fleet Borough Procession\n\nNoon-4:00 p.m.\nTown Dock celebration featuring: \n\nFood\nDrinks\nLive music\n\nEvent Highlights\n\nFisherman’s Mass\nBlessing of the Fleet procession\nWaterfront celebration\nLive music\nFood vendors\nCommunity gathering\nMaritime heritage celebration\n\nAbout the Tradition\nThe Blessing of the Fleet honors Stonington’s commercial fishing community and recognizes the generations of fishermen and fishing families whose work has shaped the borough’s identity. The annual tradition brings residents and visitors together to celebrate the community’s working waterfront while remembering those who have dedicated their lives to the sea. \nPart of Blessing of the Fleet Weekend\nThe annual celebration includes: \n\nThursday: Blessing of the Fleet 5K Road Race & 2-Mile Walk\nSaturday: Meet the Fleet\nSunday: Blessing of the Fleet
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/blessing-of-the-fleet/
LOCATION:Stonington Town Docks & Memorial\, 1 High Street\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Stonington Borough,Stonington Town Docks & Memorial
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Blessing-of-the-Fleet-Sunday-July-26-1030-am-to-4pm-at-St-Marys-Church-and-the-Stonington-Town-Docks.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260725T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260725T200000
DTSTAMP:20260705T025815Z
CREATED:20260701T172231Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260705T025815Z
UID:10006383-1784980800-1785009600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Meet the Fleet
DESCRIPTION:Meet the Fleet celebrates Stonington’s working waterfront by giving visitors the chance to meet the fishermen and vessels that have helped define the borough’s maritime heritage for generations. Held on Saturday\, July 25\, at the Stonington Borough Town Dock\, the event is part of the community’s annual Blessing of the Fleet weekend and offers an afternoon dedicated to the people\, traditions\, and industries that continue to shape one of Connecticut’s busiest commercial fishing ports. \nThroughout the afternoon\, guests can stroll the waterfront\, explore commercial fishing vessels\, and learn more about the equipment and techniques used by the local fleet. Interactive exhibits\, family-friendly activities\, and demonstrations provide opportunities to learn about the fishing industry while celebrating the community that supports it. \nLive music and a raw bar begin at 2 p.m.\, adding to the festive waterfront atmosphere. As the afternoon concludes\, the celebration continues just a short walk away at the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society with food and live music\, extending the festivities into the evening. \nEvent Details\n\nDate: Saturday\, July 25\nTime: Noon-4:00 p.m.\nLocation: Stonington Borough Town Dock\nAdmission: Not specified\nRain or Shine\n\nMeet the Fleet Highlights\nVisitors can en \nFood & Entertainment\nNoon-4:00 p.m.\n\nMeet the Fleet activities\n\n2:00-4:00 p.m.\n\nRaw bar featuring Behan Family Farm oysters\nLive music by Soul Shot\n\nContinue the Celebration\nFollowing Meet the Fleet\, visitors can continue the festivities at: \nPortuguese Holy Ghost Society\n\nTime: 4:00-8:00 p.m.\nAddress: 26 Main Street\, Stonington\nFood\nLive music\n\nPart of Blessing of the Fleet Weekend\nMeet the Fleet is one of three events that make up Stonington’s annual Blessing of the Fleet celebration. \nWeekend events include: \n\nThursday: Blessing of the Fleet 5K Road Race & 2-Mile Walk\nSaturday: Meet the Fleet\nSunday: Blessing of the Fleet
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/meet-the-fleet/
LOCATION:Stonington Town Docks & Memorial\, 1 High Street\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Stonington Town Docks & Memorial
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Meet-The-Fleet-Blessing-of-the-Fleet-WEEKEND-Saturday-July-25-Noon-to-8pm-at-the-Stonington-Town-Docks.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260725T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260725T163000
DTSTAMP:20260723T201857Z
CREATED:20260723T201857Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T201857Z
UID:10006998-1784970000-1784997000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Whaling Coast Highland Games
DESCRIPTION:Whaling Coast Highland Games makes its debut on Saturday\, July 25\, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the North Stonington Fairgrounds\, bringing a full day of Scottish athletics\, Celtic traditions\, and family-friendly entertainment to southeastern Connecticut. The inaugural event features all nine traditional Scottish heavy athletic competitions\, including the crowd-favorite caber toss\, hammer throw\, and Braemar stone throw\, with athletes traveling from across New England to compete. \nBeyond the athletic competitions\, visitors can experience a hands-on stonelifting clinic presented by New England Stonelifting\, watch local teams battle in a spirited Tug of War Tournament\, and enjoy food from a variety of local food trucks throughout the day. Opening ceremonies begin at 9:00 a.m.\, setting the stage for a celebration of Scottish heritage\, friendly competition\, and community pride. The event blends centuries-old Highland traditions with the maritime character of Connecticut’s Whaling Coast\, creating a unique festival for all ages. \nProceeds from the Whaling Coast Highland Games benefit Goat’s Charity Athletic Club Inc.\, helping provide mental health benefits and support services for the nation’s veterans. Whether you’re a fan of Scottish culture\, strength sports\, or simply looking for a unique summer outing\, the inaugural Whaling Coast Highland Games promises an unforgettable day where Celtic strength meets the seafaring spirit of southeastern Connecticut. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Whaling Coast Highland Games \nDate: Saturday\, July 25\, 2026 \nTime: 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. \nLocation: North Stonington Fairgrounds\nWyassup Road\nNorth Stonington\, CT \nAdmission: $15 per person (at the gate) \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/whaling-coast-highland-games/
LOCATION:North Stonington Fairgrounds\, 21 Wyassup Road\, North Stonington\, 06359\, United States
CATEGORIES:North Stonington Fairgrounds
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Whaling-Coast-Highland-Games-at-the-North-Stonington-Fairgrounds-Saturday-July-25-from-9am-to-430pm.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260718T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260718T220000
DTSTAMP:20260716T150219Z
CREATED:20260714T225050Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260716T150219Z
UID:10006799-1784379600-1784412000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Celebrate East Lyme
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate East Lyme returns to Niantic on Saturday\, July 18\, transforming nearly a mile of Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue into one of southeastern Connecticut’s largest summer festivals. Running from 1 to 10 p.m.\, this free\, family-friendly celebration features more than 160 vendors\, carnival rides\, live music\, food\, community organizations\, children’s activities\, and a spectacular fireworks display over Niantic Bay to close out the evening. \nDrawing an estimated 50\,000 visitors each year\, Celebrate East Lyme showcases the businesses\, artisans\, nonprofits\, and performers that make the shoreline community unique. Festivalgoers can browse vendor booths\, sample local food\, enjoy live entertainment across multiple stages\, visit the children’s activity area\, and experience favorite traditions including the sandcastle competition and St. John’s Summer Carnival. The evening concludes with one of the region’s premier fireworks displays\, sponsored by Dominion Energy – Millstone Power Station. \nWhether you’re spending the day shopping\, enjoying live music\, cheering on young entrepreneurs\, or watching fireworks along the shoreline\, Celebrate East Lyme offers something for every age and has become one of the signature events of the Connecticut summer. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: Celebrate East Lyme\nDate: Saturday\, July 18\, 2026\nTime: 1:00-10:00 p.m.\nLocation: Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue\, Niantic\, CT\nAdmission: Free\nRain or Shine\n\nLive Music\nLighthouse School Lot Stage\n\n1:30-2:30 p.m. – Four Mile River\n3:00-6:00 p.m. – Felix Brown Band\n6:30-8:00 p.m. – The Second Chance\n\nMcCook’s Bandshell\n\n7:00-9:00 p.m. – Wooden Horse\n\nFestival Highlights\n\nMore than 160 vendors\nCarnival rides\nLocal artisans and businesses\nFood vendors and festival favorites\nCommunity organizations\nFamily-friendly activities\nChildren’s Area with inflatables\, face painting\, caricatures\, and hands-on activities\nKids Market featuring young entrepreneurs at Scheer Park (3:00-6:00 p.m.)\nSandcastle Competition at Hole in the Wall Beach\nSt. John’s Summer Carnival\nMultiple entertainment stages throughout downtown\n\nFireworks\nThe celebration concludes with a spectacular fireworks display over Niantic Bay beginning shortly after 9:00 p.m. The show is sponsored by Dominion Energy – Millstone Power Station and designed by East Lyme’s own Tom Quinn. \nWhy Attend\n\nOne of southeastern Connecticut’s largest summer festivals\nMore than 160 vendors\nLive music throughout the day\nFamily activities for all ages\nFood\, shopping\, and entertainment\nSpectacular fireworks over Niantic Bay\n\nMore Information\nAdditional event information is available by clicking the Event Website link at the bottom of this page. \n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/celebrate-east-lyme/
LOCATION:Niantic Main Street\, Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue\, Niantic\, 06357\, United States
CATEGORIES:Niantic Main Street
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Celebrate-East-Lyme-Saturday-July-18-1pm-10pm.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260711T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260711T220000
DTSTAMP:20260709T213023Z
CREATED:20260519T155816Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260709T213023Z
UID:10002487-1783760400-1783807200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Celebrate New London
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate New London returns Saturday\, July 11\, transforming downtown New London into a full-day waterfront festival filled with live music\, food\, art\, dancing\, shopping\, and the largest fireworks display in Connecticut. With free admission and events spread throughout downtown and along the Thames River waterfront\, the festival has quickly become one of the signature summer celebrations in SE Connecticut. Residents and visitors alike gather throughout the city for a day that blends community pride\, nightlife energy\, local creativity\, and shoreline festival atmosphere into one massive downtown event. \nCelebrate New London takes a broader approach than a traditional summer festival\, highlighting not only entertainment and food but also the local artists\, entrepreneurs\, restaurants\, musicians\, and businesses that continue shaping New London’s identity as a cultural hub along the Connecticut shoreline. Mayor Michael Passero described the city as “the region’s center for culture\,” pointing to its authentic restaurants\, diverse arts scene\, live music\, and historic attractions as core pieces of the celebration. Throughout downtown\, visitors can explore local shops\, galleries\, food vendors\, outdoor stages\, interactive exhibits\, and the Creative Village featuring locally made products and live art experiences. \nLive music will take place across multiple outdoor stages and venues\, including performances at Parade Plaza and Custom House Pier at Waterfront Park\, featuring local and emerging artists throughout the day and evening. The festival also includes Salsa Night at Parade Plaza\, waterfront vendor markets\, food trucks\, restaurants\, and gathering spaces spread throughout downtown New London\, giving the entire city the atmosphere of a large-scale summer street festival along the waterfront. \nThe night culminates with the Mashantucket Pequot Fireworks Extravaganza at 9:15 p.m. along the Thames River. Widely promoted as the largest fireworks show in Connecticut\, the display recently added synchronized music broadcast through Big 100.9 FM\, creating an immersive finale that has become one of the defining summer events in the region. Crowds typically gather throughout downtown and along the waterfront well before sunset as the city transitions from daytime festival atmosphere into one of the biggest fireworks celebrations of the summer season. \nCelebrate New London continues to grow as both a community celebration and a regional destination event\, drawing visitors from across SE Connecticut\, Rhode Island\, and beyond for a full day centered around music\, food\, creativity\, nightlife\, and the energy of downtown New London in midsummer. From waterfront views and local restaurants to fireworks over the Thames River\, the festival captures the atmosphere of a shoreline city fully leaning into summer. \nEvent Details\nDate: Saturday\, July 11\, 2026 \nTime: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. \nLocation: Downtown New London & Waterfront \nAdmission: Free \nFestival Highlights\n\nLargest fireworks display in Connecticut\nFireworks begin at 9:15 p.m.\nLive music throughout downtown\nMultiple outdoor stages\nCreative Village featuring local artists and makers\nFood trucks and local restaurants\nWaterfront vendor market\nSalsa Night at Parade Plaza\nFamily-friendly activities\nShopping at downtown businesses\nWaterfront festival atmosphere\n\nFireworks\nMashantucket Pequot Fireworks Extravaganza \nTime: 9:15 p.m. \nLocation: Thames River Waterfront \nBonus: Fireworks synchronized to music on Big 100.9 FM \nLive Entertainment\n\nLive music throughout the day\nPerformances at Parade Plaza\nPerformances at Custom House Pier\nLocal and regional musicians\nSalsa Night at Parade Plaza\n\nExplore Downtown\nVisitors can enjoy: \n\nLocal restaurants\nArt galleries\nBoutique shopping\nCreative Village\nWaterfront walks\nLocal food vendors\nCommunity organizations\n\nWhy Attend\n\nSee Connecticut’s largest fireworks display\nCelebrate along the Thames River waterfront\nEnjoy a full day of live entertainment\nDiscover local artists and businesses\nExperience one of southeastern Connecticut’s signature summer festivals\n\n\nGetting Around During Celebrate New London\nThames River Heritage Park Water Taxi\nSkip the traffic and explore both sides of the Thames River with the Thames River Heritage Park Water Taxi. During Celebrate New London\, the service will operate on a special 30-minute loop between City Pier in New London and Thames River Landing in Groton from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. \nYour ticket serves as an unlimited pass for the day\, allowing you to hop on and off to visit restaurants\, shops\, museums\, parks\, and festival activities on both sides of the river. \nSpecial Celebrate New London Pricing: \n\nAdults (18+): $5 off regular admission\nChildren (4-17): $5 with the purchase of an adult ticket\nChildren 3 and under: Free\n\nTickets may be purchased online or when boarding. Cash and credit cards are accepted. \nAdjusted Water Taxi Schedule: \n\nDeparts City Pier (New London): Every hour and :30 past the hour\nDeparts Thames River Landing (Groton): :15 and :45 past the hour\n\nTickets: https://www.thamesriverheritagepark.org/water-taxi/ \nHistoric Boat Tours\nThe Thames River Heritage Park also offers narrated 75-minute boat tours throughout the day. Children ages 4-17 ride for $5 with a paid adult\, while children 3 and under ride free. \nSaturday\, July 11 \n\n11:30 a.m. – In Our Nation’s Defense: Military Stories on the Thames River (Departs Submarine Force Museum\, Groton)\n3:00 p.m. – In Our Nation’s Defense: Military Stories on the Thames River (Departs Submarine Force Museum\, Groton)\n8:20 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. – Celebrate New London Fireworks Cruise (Departs Fort Trumbull State Park)\n\nAdvance ticket purchases are recommended. \nRide & Save\nSave your ticket receipt! Visitors who ride the Water Taxi or Historic Boat Tours can receive discounts at more than 15 participating restaurants\, shops\, and businesses in New London and Groton by showing their same-day ticket receipt. \nTraffic Advisory\nSeveral downtown streets will be closed during Celebrate New London. \n\nState Street (between Eugene O’Neill Drive and Bank Street) closes at 10 a.m.\nThe one-way section of Bank Street will remain closed until 11 p.m.\n\nVisitors heading to the ferry terminal or train station should use Eugene O’Neill Drive and turn left onto Atlantic Street\, where officers will direct traffic. \nVisitor Information\nPublic Restrooms \n\nParade Plaza\nCustom House Pier\n\nMedical Station \n\nCustom House Pier\n\nAccessible Parking\nAccessible parking is available in the uncovered lot next to the Water Street Parking Garage. After 1:45 p.m.\, Atlantic Street will be the only access route to the lot. Visitors using SEAT Bus service should contact the transit agency for alternate downtown pickup and drop-off locations during the festival. \n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/celebrate-new-london/
LOCATION:New London Waterfront\, 5 Water Street\, New London\, 06320\, United States
CATEGORIES:New London Waterfront
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Celebrate-New-London-July-11.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260628T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260628T213000
DTSTAMP:20260624T040032Z
CREATED:20260624T040032Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260624T040032Z
UID:10006256-1782662400-1782682200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Celebrate Saybrook
DESCRIPTION:Celebrate Saybrook transforms downtown Old Saybrook into a community-wide street party on Sunday\, June 28\, featuring live music\, food vendors\, shopping\, family activities\, entertainment\, local businesses\, and an America 250 Drone Show over the Connecticut River. Main Street comes alive with artisan vendors\, local restaurants\, breweries\, community organizations\, children’s activities\, and live performances spread throughout the downtown district. \nVisitors can spend the afternoon browsing local makers and merchants\, enjoying food and drinks from some of the shoreline’s favorite businesses\, and taking part in family-friendly activities throughout the event. The celebration includes a Family Fun Zone\, Mist Zone\, magic performances\, juggling acts\, stilt walkers\, live music on two stages\, and dozens of local vendors and organizations. \nEntertainment Schedule\n4:00 PM – 5:45 PM\nThe Potentials\nNorth Stage\, 75 Main Street \n4:00 PM – 5:45 PM\nBranded\nMain Stage\, 201 Main Street \n4:30 PM – 8:30 PM\nThe Amazing Andy\nMagic\, juggling\, and balloon animals \n5:00 PM – 8:00 PM\nStilt Walker Performances \n5:30 PM – 6:00 PM\nJason Tardy\nJuggling Performance\n132 Main Street \n6:15 PM – 8:15 PM\nJeremy Haddad\nNorth Stage\, 75 Main Street \n6:15 PM – 8:15 PM\nJamie’s Junk Show\nMain Stage\, 201 Main Street \n7:00 PM – 7:30 PM\nJason Tardy\nJuggling Performance\n132 Main Street \n9:00 PM – 9:15 PM\nAmerica 250 Drone Show \nFamily Fun Zone Activities\n\nActon Library\nNew England Rendokan\nJoAnn Tattoo & Face Painting\nPark & Recreation\nThe Game Vault\nNational Guard\nAction Sports\nDJ Crazy Chris\nMist Zone\nWater Wagon\n\nFood & Drink Highlights\nVisitors will find food and beverages throughout the festival including: \n\nCousins Lobster\nFox Farm Brewery\nRule of 3 Brewing\nCoastline Brewing Co.\nYankee Cider Co.\nJohnny Ad’s\nK&D Grill\nLittle Pub\nNori\nHot Chix Chicken\nLucky Dog Hot Dog\nColossal Kielbasa\nKeith’s Ice Cream\nRita’s Italian Ice\nVecchitto’s Italian Ice\nPoppa Lou’s Lemonade Co.\nRolling Smokehouse\nFire in the Kitchen\nGaga Granola\nNutmeg Concessions\nBongo Ron’s Cigars & Lounge\nFifth Street Distillery\n\nShopping & Vendors\nThe event features dozens of local artisans\, makers\, nonprofits\, businesses\, and community organizations offering handmade goods\, jewelry\, artwork\, home décor\, specialty foods\, gifts\, wellness products\, and more throughout downtown Old Saybrook. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/celebrate-saybrook/
LOCATION:Downtown Old Saybrook\, Main Street\, Old Saybrook\, 06475\, United States
CATEGORIES:Downtown Old Saybrook
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260627T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260627T223000
DTSTAMP:20260624T204036Z
CREATED:20260624T204036Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260624T204036Z
UID:10006271-1782581400-1782599400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:2026 Boriken Festival of Eastern Connecticut
DESCRIPTION:The 2026 Boriken Festival of Eastern Connecticut returns to New London on Saturday\, June 27\, bringing a night of Puerto Rican culture\, music\, food\, and community celebration to Ocean Beach Park. As the first Puerto Rican festival of the summer season in Connecticut\, the event kicks off a series of cultural celebrations across the state while highlighting the traditions\, heritage\, and contributions of Puerto Rican communities throughout the region. \nHeld at one of southeastern Connecticut’s most recognizable waterfront destinations\, the festival combines live entertainment\, food vendors\, local businesses\, family activities\, and beachside fun in a setting that reflects the spirit and energy of Puerto Rican culture. Visitors can enjoy authentic cuisine\, browse vendor booths\, connect with community organizations\, and experience performances throughout the day while taking advantage of everything Ocean Beach Park has to offer. \nWhether you’re attending to celebrate your heritage\, enjoy live music and food\, or simply spend a summer day by the water\, the Boriken Festival offers an opportunity to experience one of the area’s most vibrant cultural events. With entertainment\, activities\, and attractions for all ages\, it serves as both a community gathering and a celebration of Puerto Rican pride on Connecticut’s shoreline. \nFestival Highlights\n\nLive Music\nFood Trucks\nCultural Vendors\nBeach Access\nAmusement Rides\nMini Golf\nFamily Activities\nCommunity Organizations\n\nEvent Details\nDate: Saturday\, June 27\, 2026\nTime: 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.\nLocation: Ocean Beach Park\nAddress: 98 Neptune Avenue\, New London\, CT 06320 \n• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • \nFestival Boriken del Este de Connecticut 2026\nEl Festival Boriken del Este de Connecticut 2026 regresa a New London el sábado 27 de junio con una celebración llena de cultura\, música\, gastronomía y orgullo puertorriqueño en Ocean Beach Park. Como el primer festival puertorriqueño de la temporada de verano en Connecticut\, este evento da inicio a una serie de celebraciones culturales en todo el estado mientras destaca las tradiciones\, la historia y las contribuciones de la comunidad puertorriqueña en la región. \nCelebrado en uno de los destinos costeros más emblemáticos del sureste de Connecticut\, el festival reúne entretenimiento en vivo\, vendedores locales\, deliciosa comida\, organizaciones comunitarias y actividades para toda la familia en un ambiente lleno de energía y tradición. Los asistentes podrán disfrutar de auténtica gastronomía puertorriqueña\, recorrer exhibiciones de comerciantes y artesanos\, conectar con organizaciones locales y vivir una experiencia cultural única junto al mar. \nYa sea que asistas para celebrar tus raíces\, disfrutar de la música y la comida o simplemente pasar un día de verano frente a la playa\, el Festival Boriken ofrece una oportunidad especial para reunirse con la comunidad y celebrar la riqueza de la cultura puertorriqueña. Con actividades y entretenimiento para todas las edades\, el evento promete ser una de las celebraciones culturales más vibrantes del verano en Connecticut. \nLo Más Destacado del Festival\n\nMúsica en Vivo\nCamiones de Comida\nVendedores y Artesanos\nAcceso a la Playa\nAtracciones y Juegos Mecánicos\nMini Golf\nActividades Familiares\nOrganizaciones Comunitarias\n\nDetalles del Evento\nFecha: Sábado\, 27 de junio de 2026 5:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.\nLugar: Ocean Beach Park\nDirección: 98 Neptune Avenue\, New London\, CT 06320 \n  \n\n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/2026-boriken-festival-of-eastern-connecticut/
LOCATION:Ocean Beach Park\, 98 Neptune Avenue\, New London\, CT\, 06320\, United States
CATEGORIES:Ocean Beach Park
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/2026-Boriken-Festival-of-Eastern-Connecticut-Saturday-June-27-530-pm-to-1030-pm-Ocean-Beach-Park-New-London.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260627T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260627T230000
DTSTAMP:20260626T005810Z
CREATED:20260511T230725Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T005810Z
UID:10006299-1782547200-1782601200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Rose Arts Festival of Norwich
DESCRIPTION:[Various locations across Norwich. Go to the event site for locations. Click Event Website link at the bottom of the page] \nRose Arts Festival of Norwich returns June 25 through 27\, bringing three days of live music\, art\, food trucks\, local vendors\, and downtown energy to Norwich. What began as a community arts celebration has grown into one of the region’s signature summer festivals\, filling city streets\, bars\, breweries\, and outdoor spaces with performances and crowds all weekend long. From daytime concerts on Chelsea Parade to late-night sets echoing through downtown venues\, the festival creates the kind of atmosphere that turns Norwich into a full-on summer destination. \nRose Arts Festival of Norwich mixes big-stage performances with a strong local and regional creative spirit. Visitors can browse Vendor Village for handcrafted art\, jewelry\, textiles\, and one-of-a-kind goods while food trucks and local vendors keep the festival grounds packed with everything from comfort food favorites to international flavors. The event also continues its Budding Artist Exhibit & Competition\, created in honor of beloved Norwich teacher Sara St. George Davis. Open to artists of all ages\, the exhibit has become one of the festival’s most meaningful traditions\, celebrating young creativity while connecting the arts directly back to the local community. \nMusic drives the heartbeat of the weekend\, especially once the sun starts going down and downtown Norwich fills with festival crowds moving from stage to stage. Saturday’s main stage lineup on Chelsea Parade features nationally touring jam\, indie\, and alternative acts including Mihali\, Neighbor\, Melt\, Oh He Dead\, The Wolff Sisters\, and Lazy Trail. After dark\, the city keeps going with performances spread across downtown venues including Strange Brew\, Harp & Dragon\, Billy Wilson’s\, These Guys Brewing\, and Reliance Health Gallery. The result is part music festival\, part citywide block party\, with live sound pouring out of venues well into the night. \nFriday\, June 26 – Downtown Norwich\nBilly Wilson’s Stage @ Billy Wilson’s\n6:00 PM – Susan Jensen\n6:30 PM – Natalie Paige\n7:05 PM – Roy Dunn McLean\n7:45 PM – Sue Menhart\n8:30 PM – Frank Critelli \nThese Guys Stage @ These Guys Brewing\n6:00 PM – Ashley Hamel\n7:00 PM – Big Lux \nReliance Health Stage @ Reliance Health Gallery\n6:00 PM – Mighty Seamus\n6:30 PM – Sunnie Redwing\n7:00 PM – Static & Rust \nHarp & Dragon Stage @ Harp & Dragon\n6:30 PM – Jesse Desorcy & Co.\n7:45 PM – Fimone\n9:00 PM – Ward Hayden & The Outliers \nStrange Brew Stage @ Strange Brew\n7:00 PM – The Gleeful Conspiracy\n8:00 PM – Drop Party\n9:30 PM – Bermuda Search Party \n\nSaturday\, June 27 – Main Stage at Chelsea Parade\n11:00 AM – Lazy Trail\n12:00 PM – The Wolff Sisters\n1:30 PM – Oh He Dead\n3:00 PM – Melt\n4:50 PM – Neighbor\n6:45 PM – Mihali \n\nSaturday Night\, June 27 – Downtown Norwich\nThese Guys Stage @ These Guys Brewing (Marina)\n8:00 PM – Jeremy Haddad \nHarp & Dragon Stage @ Harp & Dragon\n8:00 PM – The Pretty Graves\n9:00 PM – Slyne & The Family Stoned\n10:00 PM – Nova One \nBilly Wilson’s Stage @ Billy Wilson’s\n8:00 PM – Charlotte Roth\n8:40 PM – Ponybird\n9:30 PM – Tyler Fauxbel \nStrange Brew Stage @ Strange Brew\n8:00 PM – Matt Kampe & The Hub\n9:30 PM – Coyote Island\n11:00 PM – Night Zero (featuring members of Mihali & Neighbor) \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/rose-arts-festival-of-norwich/2026-06-27/
CATEGORIES:Downtown Norwich
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Rose-Arts-Festival-of-Norwich.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260626T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260626T230000
DTSTAMP:20260626T005810Z
CREATED:20260511T230725Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T005810Z
UID:10006298-1782496800-1782514800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Rose Arts Festival of Norwich
DESCRIPTION:[Various locations across Norwich. Go to the event site for locations. Click Event Website link at the bottom of the page] \nRose Arts Festival of Norwich returns June 25 through 27\, bringing three days of live music\, art\, food trucks\, local vendors\, and downtown energy to Norwich. What began as a community arts celebration has grown into one of the region’s signature summer festivals\, filling city streets\, bars\, breweries\, and outdoor spaces with performances and crowds all weekend long. From daytime concerts on Chelsea Parade to late-night sets echoing through downtown venues\, the festival creates the kind of atmosphere that turns Norwich into a full-on summer destination. \nRose Arts Festival of Norwich mixes big-stage performances with a strong local and regional creative spirit. Visitors can browse Vendor Village for handcrafted art\, jewelry\, textiles\, and one-of-a-kind goods while food trucks and local vendors keep the festival grounds packed with everything from comfort food favorites to international flavors. The event also continues its Budding Artist Exhibit & Competition\, created in honor of beloved Norwich teacher Sara St. George Davis. Open to artists of all ages\, the exhibit has become one of the festival’s most meaningful traditions\, celebrating young creativity while connecting the arts directly back to the local community. \nMusic drives the heartbeat of the weekend\, especially once the sun starts going down and downtown Norwich fills with festival crowds moving from stage to stage. Saturday’s main stage lineup on Chelsea Parade features nationally touring jam\, indie\, and alternative acts including Mihali\, Neighbor\, Melt\, Oh He Dead\, The Wolff Sisters\, and Lazy Trail. After dark\, the city keeps going with performances spread across downtown venues including Strange Brew\, Harp & Dragon\, Billy Wilson’s\, These Guys Brewing\, and Reliance Health Gallery. The result is part music festival\, part citywide block party\, with live sound pouring out of venues well into the night. \nFriday\, June 26 – Downtown Norwich\nBilly Wilson’s Stage @ Billy Wilson’s\n6:00 PM – Susan Jensen\n6:30 PM – Natalie Paige\n7:05 PM – Roy Dunn McLean\n7:45 PM – Sue Menhart\n8:30 PM – Frank Critelli \nThese Guys Stage @ These Guys Brewing\n6:00 PM – Ashley Hamel\n7:00 PM – Big Lux \nReliance Health Stage @ Reliance Health Gallery\n6:00 PM – Mighty Seamus\n6:30 PM – Sunnie Redwing\n7:00 PM – Static & Rust \nHarp & Dragon Stage @ Harp & Dragon\n6:30 PM – Jesse Desorcy & Co.\n7:45 PM – Fimone\n9:00 PM – Ward Hayden & The Outliers \nStrange Brew Stage @ Strange Brew\n7:00 PM – The Gleeful Conspiracy\n8:00 PM – Drop Party\n9:30 PM – Bermuda Search Party \n\nSaturday\, June 27 – Main Stage at Chelsea Parade\n11:00 AM – Lazy Trail\n12:00 PM – The Wolff Sisters\n1:30 PM – Oh He Dead\n3:00 PM – Melt\n4:50 PM – Neighbor\n6:45 PM – Mihali \n\nSaturday Night\, June 27 – Downtown Norwich\nThese Guys Stage @ These Guys Brewing (Marina)\n8:00 PM – Jeremy Haddad \nHarp & Dragon Stage @ Harp & Dragon\n8:00 PM – The Pretty Graves\n9:00 PM – Slyne & The Family Stoned\n10:00 PM – Nova One \nBilly Wilson’s Stage @ Billy Wilson’s\n8:00 PM – Charlotte Roth\n8:40 PM – Ponybird\n9:30 PM – Tyler Fauxbel \nStrange Brew Stage @ Strange Brew\n8:00 PM – Matt Kampe & The Hub\n9:30 PM – Coyote Island\n11:00 PM – Night Zero (featuring members of Mihali & Neighbor) \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/rose-arts-festival-of-norwich/2026-06-26/
CATEGORIES:Downtown Norwich
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Rose-Arts-Festival-of-Norwich.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260625T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260625T210000
DTSTAMP:20260626T005810Z
CREATED:20260511T230725Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T005810Z
UID:10006297-1782410400-1782421200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Rose Arts Festival of Norwich
DESCRIPTION:[Various locations across Norwich. Go to the event site for locations. Click Event Website link at the bottom of the page] \nRose Arts Festival of Norwich returns June 25 through 27\, bringing three days of live music\, art\, food trucks\, local vendors\, and downtown energy to Norwich. What began as a community arts celebration has grown into one of the region’s signature summer festivals\, filling city streets\, bars\, breweries\, and outdoor spaces with performances and crowds all weekend long. From daytime concerts on Chelsea Parade to late-night sets echoing through downtown venues\, the festival creates the kind of atmosphere that turns Norwich into a full-on summer destination. \nRose Arts Festival of Norwich mixes big-stage performances with a strong local and regional creative spirit. Visitors can browse Vendor Village for handcrafted art\, jewelry\, textiles\, and one-of-a-kind goods while food trucks and local vendors keep the festival grounds packed with everything from comfort food favorites to international flavors. The event also continues its Budding Artist Exhibit & Competition\, created in honor of beloved Norwich teacher Sara St. George Davis. Open to artists of all ages\, the exhibit has become one of the festival’s most meaningful traditions\, celebrating young creativity while connecting the arts directly back to the local community. \nMusic drives the heartbeat of the weekend\, especially once the sun starts going down and downtown Norwich fills with festival crowds moving from stage to stage. Saturday’s main stage lineup on Chelsea Parade features nationally touring jam\, indie\, and alternative acts including Mihali\, Neighbor\, Melt\, Oh He Dead\, The Wolff Sisters\, and Lazy Trail. After dark\, the city keeps going with performances spread across downtown venues including Strange Brew\, Harp & Dragon\, Billy Wilson’s\, These Guys Brewing\, and Reliance Health Gallery. The result is part music festival\, part citywide block party\, with live sound pouring out of venues well into the night. \nFriday\, June 26 – Downtown Norwich\nBilly Wilson’s Stage @ Billy Wilson’s\n6:00 PM – Susan Jensen\n6:30 PM – Natalie Paige\n7:05 PM – Roy Dunn McLean\n7:45 PM – Sue Menhart\n8:30 PM – Frank Critelli \nThese Guys Stage @ These Guys Brewing\n6:00 PM – Ashley Hamel\n7:00 PM – Big Lux \nReliance Health Stage @ Reliance Health Gallery\n6:00 PM – Mighty Seamus\n6:30 PM – Sunnie Redwing\n7:00 PM – Static & Rust \nHarp & Dragon Stage @ Harp & Dragon\n6:30 PM – Jesse Desorcy & Co.\n7:45 PM – Fimone\n9:00 PM – Ward Hayden & The Outliers \nStrange Brew Stage @ Strange Brew\n7:00 PM – The Gleeful Conspiracy\n8:00 PM – Drop Party\n9:30 PM – Bermuda Search Party \n\nSaturday\, June 27 – Main Stage at Chelsea Parade\n11:00 AM – Lazy Trail\n12:00 PM – The Wolff Sisters\n1:30 PM – Oh He Dead\n3:00 PM – Melt\n4:50 PM – Neighbor\n6:45 PM – Mihali \n\nSaturday Night\, June 27 – Downtown Norwich\nThese Guys Stage @ These Guys Brewing (Marina)\n8:00 PM – Jeremy Haddad \nHarp & Dragon Stage @ Harp & Dragon\n8:00 PM – The Pretty Graves\n9:00 PM – Slyne & The Family Stoned\n10:00 PM – Nova One \nBilly Wilson’s Stage @ Billy Wilson’s\n8:00 PM – Charlotte Roth\n8:40 PM – Ponybird\n9:30 PM – Tyler Fauxbel \nStrange Brew Stage @ Strange Brew\n8:00 PM – Matt Kampe & The Hub\n9:30 PM – Coyote Island\n11:00 PM – Night Zero (featuring members of Mihali & Neighbor) \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/rose-arts-festival-of-norwich/2026-06-25/
CATEGORIES:Downtown Norwich
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Rose-Arts-Festival-of-Norwich.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260621T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260621T180000
DTSTAMP:20260514T011801Z
CREATED:20260514T011713Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260514T011801Z
UID:10001562-1782043200-1782064800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Sunday Funday in Downtown Westerly
DESCRIPTION:Sunday Funday in Downtown Westerly transforms High Street into a walkable outdoor festival filled with shopping\, dining\, cocktails\, lawn games\, and family activities as the heart of Westerly shifts into full summer mode. Hosted across several Sundays in June\, the event closes downtown streets to vehicle traffic and opens them instead to outdoor tables\, artist booths\, vendors\, mini golf\, and the kind of relaxed street-life atmosphere that coastal New England towns seem built for once warm weather arrives. Restaurants and local businesses spill out onto the sidewalks and street itself\, creating an experience that feels part block party\, part shopping district\, and part outdoor dining scene. \nThe appeal of Sunday Funday is less about any single attraction and more about the atmosphere created when downtown Westerly slows down and becomes fully pedestrian-focused for the afternoon. Visitors can wander between boutiques\, restaurants\, cocktail spots\, vendor booths\, and games without constantly navigating traffic\, making the area feel unusually open and social. Families can stop by the kids’ Creation Station running from 1 to 5 p.m.\, while others may spend the afternoon moving casually between lunch\, drinks\, shopping\, and outdoor entertainment as live performances take shape throughout the day. \nSunday Funday in Downtown Westerly takes place June 7\, 14\, and 21 from noon to 6 p.m. along High Street in downtown Westerly and is free to attend. Organizers encourage visitors to support local businesses as restaurants\, shops\, and vendors bring their offerings directly into the street for the event. With outdoor dining\, mini golf\, lawn games\, and a full afternoon of pedestrian-friendly energy\, the series has become one of the shoreline’s more relaxed and community-focused summer traditions. \nRules and Suggestions:\n• Admission is free\n• High Street will be closed to automobile traffic during the event\n• The event includes outdoor dining\, shopping\, cocktails\, vendors\, and artist booths\n• A 9-hole mini golf course and lawn games will be available\n• The kids’ Creation Station runs from 1–5 p.m.\n• Sunday Funday takes place June 7\, 14\, and 21 \nSEO Description:
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/sunday-funday-in-downtown-westerly/2026-06-21/
LOCATION:Downtown Westerly RI\, 5 Hight Street\, Westerly\, RI\, 02891\, United States
CATEGORIES:Downtown Westerly
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Sunday-Fun-Day-in-Downtown-Westerly.jpeg
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END:VCALENDAR