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SUMMARY:Labor Day Weekend at Stonington Vineyards
DESCRIPTION:Labor Day Weekend at Stonington Vineyards stretches across three days\, September 5–7\, with live music\, food vendors and wine on the vineyard grounds in Stonington. \nThe holiday weekend is part of the vineyard’s Summer Pop-Ups series\, a collection of casual events designed to add live acoustic music and visiting food vendors to a regular afternoon at the winery. Unlike Stonington Vineyards’ ticketed summer Friday concerts\, no tickets are required for the Labor Day weekend pop-ups. Guests can simply visit the vineyard. \nEach day gets a different musical act and food vendor. Saturday brings Violet Theory and South County BBQ. James Harris performs Sunday with Jayy’s Food Truck on site. The weekend concludes Monday with Dillon & Nicole and food from the Mystic Lions. \nThat makes this less a conventional three-day festival than three consecutive afternoons at the vineyard\, each with its own music and food. \nSaturday: Violet Theory and South County BBQ\nSaturday\, September 5\, starts the weekend with Violet Theory performing from 3 to 6 p.m. \nViolet Theory is a familiar name on the southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island live-music circuit\, with a calendar that takes the group through wineries\, restaurants\, breweries\, waterfront venues and other gathering spots across the region. \nThe group performs in several configurations\, including duo and trio arrangements. \nFor the Stonington Vineyards appearance\, the winery is pairing the music with South County BBQ. \nSaturday also offers the longest regular vineyard hours of the holiday weekend. Stonington Vineyards’ current summer schedule has the winery open from noon until 7 p.m. Saturdays\, leaving plenty of time before and after Violet Theory’s three-hour set. \nGuests don’t have to arrive precisely when the music starts. The pop-up is intended to complement an afternoon at the winery rather than operate like a concert with a fixed gate time. \nSunday: James Harris and Jayy’s Food Truck\nThe pace shifts earlier Sunday\, September 6. \nJames Harris performs from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.\, providing three hours of live music during the middle of the winery’s Sunday hours. \nFood comes from Jayy’s Food Truck. \nStonington Vineyards is open from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday\, giving visitors time on either side of the performance for tastings and wine on the grounds. \nIt’s also worth knowing that Sunday is one of the days Stonington Vineyards normally offers a complimentary winery tour. Those tours are subject to the winery’s current schedule and conditions\, so visitors interested in combining a tour with the Labor Day weekend activities should confirm availability with the vineyard. \nMonday: Dillon & Nicole and the Mystic Lions\nStonington Vineyards keeps the weekend going through Labor Day itself. \nOn Monday\, September 7\, Dillon & Nicole perform from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. \nThe Mystic Lions will handle the food\, serving hot dogs\, meatball grinders and corn on the cob. \nThat gives Monday a particularly local character. \nThe Mystic Lions Club is part of Lions Clubs International’s network of community service organizations\, with local Lions projects traditionally supporting charitable and community causes. \nThe vineyard remains open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday. \nWith the music ending at 4:30\, visitors still have another hour and a half before the winery’s scheduled closing time. \nThree Days\, Three Different Visits\nOne useful thing about the Labor Day weekend schedule is that it doesn’t require committing to an entire festival. \nThere is no three-day pass. \nThere isn’t a single stage running continuously all weekend. \nInstead\, Stonington Vineyards has essentially expanded its Summer Pop-Ups concept across the holiday. \nSaturday is Violet Theory and South County BBQ. \nSunday is James Harris and Jayy’s. \nMonday is Dillon & Nicole and the Mystic Lions. \nSomeone could choose whichever combination sounds best\, or return for more than one afternoon. \nAnd because these are pop-ups rather than ticketed concerts\, the vineyard says no tickets are required. \nOne of Connecticut’s Early Wine-Trail Vineyards\nThe setting has been part of Connecticut’s modern wine industry for decades. \nStonington Vineyards is a founding member of the Connecticut Wine Trail and sits at 523 Taugwonk Road\, away from the busier coastal roads connecting Mystic\, Stonington and Westerly. \nThe vineyard’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound isn’t merely useful for attracting visitors. \nIt also affects the grapes. \nStonington Vineyards describes its location as having a maritime microclimate shaped by nearby ocean waters\, moderating temperatures in a way the winery compares to the conditions found in Bordeaux. \nApproximately 6.5 acres are planted with Chardonnay and another 3.5 acres with Cabernet Franc. \nThe vineyard also emphasizes relatively low yields\, cluster thinning and hand harvesting as part of its approach to winemaking. \nChardonnay Has a Particular Place Here\nStonington Vineyards has built much of its reputation around white wine\, particularly Chardonnay. \nThe property’s combination of soils and coastal climate helped shape the varieties planted there\, with Chardonnay becoming an important part of the vineyard. \nCabernet Franc provides the primary red grape planting. \nThe winery’s broader lineup has also included Riesling\, rosé and its popular Seaport White blend. \nFor visitors who want to sample rather than commit immediately to a bottle\, regular tastings are part of the experience. \nStonington Vineyards currently prices its standard tasting at $16 per person including tax\, with six wine samples and a souvenir glass. \nThe winery stops tastings approximately 30 minutes before closing. \nBring a Picnic If the Food Truck Isn’t Enough\nThe visiting food vendors aren’t the only food option. \nStonington Vineyards explicitly allows visitors to bring their own picnic food and snacks. \nThat’s useful for a holiday weekend when groups may want to settle onto the grounds for several hours rather than simply stop for a tasting. \nThe winery itself doesn’t operate a full restaurant. It carries smaller food items such as crackers\, cheeses\, nuts\, jams and pretzels\, along with flight boxes designed to accompany wine. \nOutside food is welcome. \nOutside alcohol is not. \nStonington Vineyards’ farm winery and craft café license prohibits guests from bringing other alcoholic beverages onto the property. Anyone bringing a cooler for a picnic should keep it to food and nonalcoholic drinks. \nWine and other beverages licensed for sale by the vineyard are available on site. \nLawn Chairs and a Slower Afternoon\nStonington Vineyards’ outdoor events tend to make use of one of the property’s biggest assets: space. \nRather than treating live music as something that requires everyone to stand in front of a stage\, the vineyard’s summer programming encourages the kind of afternoon where people settle in with wine and food. \nThe property includes lawn space\, patios and decks overlooking the vineyard. \nFor the vineyard’s larger summer concerts\, lawn chairs and blankets are explicitly encouraged\, and that same relaxed outdoor approach is a natural fit for the smaller Summer Pop-Ups. \nThe Labor Day weekend schedule also spreads the music through the afternoon rather than pushing it into nighttime. \nSaturday’s performance runs 3–6 p.m. \nSunday and Monday run 1:30–4:30 p.m. \nIt’s daytime wine-country rather than late-night nightlife. \nA Labor Day Weekend Alternative to the Coast\nThe location also provides a contrast with what will be happening a few miles away. \nLabor Day weekend is traditionally busy along the southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island shoreline. Mystic\, downtown Westerly and the beaches can all attract holiday crowds. \nStonington Vineyards sits inland on Taugwonk Road\, surrounded by the landscape that produces its wines. \nThe entertainment remains decidedly local: regional musicians\, area food vendors and a community organization closing out the weekend on Monday. \nThere isn’t an elaborate festival itinerary to follow. \nChoose an afternoon. \nBring some people. \nFind something to eat. \nListen to the band. \nAnd figure out what’s going in the wine glass. \nSaturday\, September 5\nMusic: Violet Theory\nMusic Time: 3–6 p.m.\nFood: South County BBQ\nVineyard Hours: Noon–7 p.m.\nAdmission: No ticket required \nSunday\, September 6\nMusic: James Harris\nMusic Time: 1:30–4:30 p.m.\nFood: Jayy’s Food Truck\nVineyard Hours: Noon–6 p.m.\nAdmission: No ticket required \nMonday\, September 7\nMusic: Dillon & Nicole\nMusic Time: 1:30–4:30 p.m.\nFood: Mystic Lions\nFood Menu: Hot dogs\, meatball grinders and corn on the cob\nVineyard Hours: Noon–6 p.m.\nAdmission: No ticket required \nEvent Details\nEvent: Labor Day Weekend at Stonington Vineyards\nDates: Saturday\, September 5 through Monday\, September 7\, 2026\nVenue: Stonington Vineyards\nAddress: 523 Taugwonk Road\, Stonington\, CT 06378\nSaturday Hours: Noon–7 p.m.\nSunday Hours: Noon–6 p.m.\nMonday Hours: Noon–6 p.m.\nAdmission: No tickets required for the Summer Pop-Ups\nActivities: Wine\, live music and visiting food vendors\nOutside Food: Picnics and snacks are welcome\nOutside Alcohol: Not permitted \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/labor-day-weekend-at-stonington-vineyards/2026-09-07/
LOCATION:Stonington Vineyards\, 523 Taugwonk Rd\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Stonnington Vineyards
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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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SUMMARY:Ben Freiert Live at Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyard
DESCRIPTION:Ben Freiert performs at Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyard in North Stonington on Sunday\, September 6\, bringing an afternoon of acoustic rock\, indie\, folk and alternative music to one of southeastern Connecticut’s newer vineyard destinations. \nThe music runs from 3 to 5 p.m.\, with Freiert performing as part of Kingdom of the Hawk’s weekend live music series. Fire in the Kitchen Pizza will also be on site Sunday\, pairing the performance with wood-fired pizza and wine\, with Connecticut craft beer and cider available from the vineyard. \nOne important detail for this date: Kingdom of the Hawk says its 5 p.m. closing will be prompt on September 6 because of a private event afterward. \nBen Freiert Has Been Making Music for More Than Two Decades\nFreiert is a Stonington-area musician whose history goes considerably further back than the local acoustic shows where many listeners may know him today. \nHe began playing music more than two decades ago\, starting with trumpet in middle school. While in college\, he formed the original rock band Twenty Grand with his roommate\, performing near their school and in New York City. \nHis current performances move among indie\, folk and alternative music\, with Freiert playing both guitar and piano. \nLocal music resource Wailing City describes him more broadly as a rock\, covers and acoustic performer\, which helps explain the variety of venues where he appears around southeastern Connecticut. \nThis summer alone\, Freiert has been part of several regional outdoor music series. In August\, he performed at Deans Mill Farm and headlined one of Stonington Vineyards’ Friday Summer Concert Series dates. \nFrom Covers to Original Music\nFreiert isn’t limited to interpreting other artists’ material. \nIn 2024\, he released the original single “Let Yourself Go\,” adding recorded original music to a live career that has often mixed familiar songs with indie and alternative influences. \nThat balance makes him particularly well suited to the vineyard circuit\, where the music has to work both for listeners who settle in specifically to hear the performer and guests who are spending an afternoon talking over wine with friends. \nThe September 6 appearance gives him two hours at Kingdom of the Hawk rather than functioning as a short opening set. \nFire in the Kitchen Pizza Joins the Afternoon\nSunday’s music is paired with Fire in the Kitchen Pizza\, which Kingdom of the Hawk has scheduled as its food vendor for the afternoon. \nThe vineyard asks guests to support its visiting food trucks and vendors when they’re on site and specifically requests that visitors not bring outside food or picnics on those days. \nThat’s worth knowing before packing for the afternoon. \nKingdom of the Hawk normally allows guests to bring their own food when there isn’t a food vendor present\, but September 6 is one of the exceptions. \nOutside alcohol is never permitted. \nWine by the Glass or Bottle\, But No Tastings\nKingdom of the Hawk operates a little differently from some Connecticut wineries. \nThe vineyard currently does not offer traditional wine tastings or flights. \nInstead\, its wines are available by the glass or bottle to share. The tasting room also carries a rotating selection of Connecticut craft beer and cider. \nCheese\, charcuterie\, crackers and other smaller bites are normally available for purchase in addition to the visiting food vendors scheduled on select weekends. \nVisitors who haven’t been to Kingdom of the Hawk before shouldn’t arrive expecting a structured wine flight followed by the concert. This is much more of a settle-in-with-a-glass-or-bottle afternoon. \nOne of Southeastern Connecticut’s Newest Vineyard Destinations\nKingdom of the Hawk is relatively new\, but the people behind it have much deeper roots in Connecticut wine. \nOwners Michael and Merrily Connery purchased the North Stonington property in 2018 and planted vines almost immediately. \nThe couple also owns Saltwater Farm Vineyard in Stonington\, where they famously transformed a former World War II-era airplane hangar and surrounding farmland into a vineyard and winery. \nKingdom of the Hawk became their second vineyard project. \nThe North Stonington property encompasses approximately 50 acres of farmland\, with the vineyard surrounded by woods and wildlife. \nIts name isn’t simply decorative. Hawks are regularly seen over the property. \nThe Barn Is Part of the Attraction\nThe building in Freiert’s concert announcement isn’t an old New England barn that happened to survive on the property. \nIt’s contemporary architecture deliberately designed to evoke one. \nMichael Connery has described wanting a “barn sensibility” while keeping the building contemporary. \nThe result combines a traditional agricultural form with modern materials and large expanses of glass\, positioned on the edge of a hill overlooking the vineyard\, fields and surrounding landscape. \nThat gives Kingdom of the Hawk a noticeably different character from a tasting room inserted into an existing farm building. \nThe architecture was designed as part of the vineyard experience from the beginning. \nOn a Sunday afternoon\, that means Freiert’s performance isn’t simply taking place inside a winery. The music is part of a larger setting of vineyard rows\, open lawn\, woods and the modern barn overlooking the property. \nIndoor Reservations Are Available\, Outdoor Space Is First Come\nReservations aren’t required for a casual visit\, although Kingdom of the Hawk recommends them for larger groups wanting indoor seating. \nReservations apply only to indoor tables. \nThe vineyard does not reserve outdoor seating or its fireside lounge areas. \nThat distinction matters on live-music afternoons\, when outdoor spaces can become popular. \nVisitors interested in a particular outdoor spot should plan accordingly rather than assuming a reservation guarantees one. \nA Sunday Afternoon Before an Early Close\nMost Sundays\, Kingdom of the Hawk is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. \nSeptember 6 follows those hours\, but the vineyard has emphasized that the 5 p.m. close is firm because a private event follows the public tasting-room hours. \nFreiert’s performance has therefore been scheduled to fit exactly into the final two hours of the public day. \nMusic begins at 3 p.m. \nFire in the Kitchen Pizza will be there. \nWine\, Connecticut beer and cider will be available. \nAnd at 5 p.m.\, the afternoon comes to an end. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Ben Freiert Live at Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyard\nDate: Sunday\, September 6\, 2026\nMusic: 3–5 p.m.\nVineyard Hours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.\nVenue: Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyard\nAddress: 113 Pendleton Hill Road\, North Stonington\, CT 06359\nPerformer: Ben Freiert\nMusic: Acoustic\, rock\, indie\, folk and alternative\nFood: Fire in the Kitchen Pizza\nDrinks: Kingdom of the Hawk wine by the glass or bottle\, plus Connecticut craft beer and cider\nTastings/Flights: Not currently offered\nOutside Food: The vineyard asks guests not to bring outside food when a food truck or vendor is on site\nOutside Alcohol: Not permitted\nImportant: The vineyard will close promptly at 5 p.m. for a private event \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/ben-freiert-live-at-kingdom-of-the-hawk-vineyard/
LOCATION:Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyard\, 113 Pendelton Hill Road\, North Stonington\, 06359\, United States
CATEGORIES:Kingdom of the Hawk Winery
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DTSTAMP:20260716T173134Z
CREATED:20260716T173134Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260716T173134Z
UID:10006851-1788705000-1788715800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Sunday Jam Sessions at Deans Mill Farm
DESCRIPTION:Sunday Jam Sessions at Deans Mill Farm return every Sunday through the season\, bringing live local music\, food trucks\, and refreshing drinks to one of Stonington’s favorite outdoor gathering spots. Held from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.\, the free weekly series offers a relaxed afternoon where families\, friends\, and music lovers can unwind while enjoying performances from talented local musicians in the scenic setting of Deans Mill Farm. \nEach Sunday features a different performer\, giving visitors something new to experience throughout the season. Along with live entertainment\, food trucks serve a variety of favorites while the farm offers signature drinks and other cold beverages. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs\, settle in for the afternoon\, and enjoy a casual community atmosphere. The event is family-friendly\, although outside alcohol and pets are not permitted. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: Sunday Jam Sessions\nSchedule: Every Sunday\nTime: 2:30-5:30 p.m.\nSeason: Through October (Weather Permitting)\nVenue: Deans Mill Farm\nAddress: 1189 Pequot Trail\, Stonington\, CT\nAdmission: Free\n\nWhat to Expect\n\nLive music from local performers\nRotating food trucks\nSignature drinks and cold beverages\nFamily-friendly outdoor atmosphere\n\n2026 Concert Schedule\nJuly 19 \n\nBig Lux\n\nJuly 26 \n\nT. Ray Taylor\n\nAugust 2 \n\nBen Freiert\n\nAugust 9 \n\nFrankenphil\n\nAugust 16 \n\nBen Freiert\n\nAugust 23 \n\nRobbed By Locals\n\nAugust 30 \n\nJames Harris\n\nSeptember 6 \n\nTo Be Announced\n\nSeptember 13 \n\nFrankenphil\n\nSeptember 20 \n\nTo Be Announced\n\nSeptember 27 \n\nJonny Debit\n\nOctober 4 \n\nKGB\n\nOctober 11 \n\nFrankenphil\n\nOctober 18 \n\nDan Watson\n\nOctober 25 \n\nJames Harris\n\nKnow Before You Go\n\nFamily-friendly event\nNo outside alcohol\nNo pets\nWeather permitting\nTimes are subject to change\n\nWhy Attend\n\nFree weekly live music\nRotating lineup of local musicians\nFood trucks and beverages\nRelaxed outdoor setting\nGreat Sunday afternoon tradition\n\n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/sunday-jam-sessions-at-deans-mill-farm/2026-09-06/
LOCATION:Deans Mill Farm\, 1189 Pequot Trail\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Deans Mill Farm
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260906T133000
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DTSTAMP:20260903T000248Z
CREATED:20260903T000248Z
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UID:10007435-1788701400-1788712200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Labor Day Weekend at Stonington Vineyards
DESCRIPTION:Labor Day Weekend at Stonington Vineyards stretches across three days\, September 5–7\, with live music\, food vendors and wine on the vineyard grounds in Stonington. \nThe holiday weekend is part of the vineyard’s Summer Pop-Ups series\, a collection of casual events designed to add live acoustic music and visiting food vendors to a regular afternoon at the winery. Unlike Stonington Vineyards’ ticketed summer Friday concerts\, no tickets are required for the Labor Day weekend pop-ups. Guests can simply visit the vineyard. \nEach day gets a different musical act and food vendor. Saturday brings Violet Theory and South County BBQ. James Harris performs Sunday with Jayy’s Food Truck on site. The weekend concludes Monday with Dillon & Nicole and food from the Mystic Lions. \nThat makes this less a conventional three-day festival than three consecutive afternoons at the vineyard\, each with its own music and food. \nSaturday: Violet Theory and South County BBQ\nSaturday\, September 5\, starts the weekend with Violet Theory performing from 3 to 6 p.m. \nViolet Theory is a familiar name on the southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island live-music circuit\, with a calendar that takes the group through wineries\, restaurants\, breweries\, waterfront venues and other gathering spots across the region. \nThe group performs in several configurations\, including duo and trio arrangements. \nFor the Stonington Vineyards appearance\, the winery is pairing the music with South County BBQ. \nSaturday also offers the longest regular vineyard hours of the holiday weekend. Stonington Vineyards’ current summer schedule has the winery open from noon until 7 p.m. Saturdays\, leaving plenty of time before and after Violet Theory’s three-hour set. \nGuests don’t have to arrive precisely when the music starts. The pop-up is intended to complement an afternoon at the winery rather than operate like a concert with a fixed gate time. \nSunday: James Harris and Jayy’s Food Truck\nThe pace shifts earlier Sunday\, September 6. \nJames Harris performs from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.\, providing three hours of live music during the middle of the winery’s Sunday hours. \nFood comes from Jayy’s Food Truck. \nStonington Vineyards is open from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday\, giving visitors time on either side of the performance for tastings and wine on the grounds. \nIt’s also worth knowing that Sunday is one of the days Stonington Vineyards normally offers a complimentary winery tour. Those tours are subject to the winery’s current schedule and conditions\, so visitors interested in combining a tour with the Labor Day weekend activities should confirm availability with the vineyard. \nMonday: Dillon & Nicole and the Mystic Lions\nStonington Vineyards keeps the weekend going through Labor Day itself. \nOn Monday\, September 7\, Dillon & Nicole perform from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. \nThe Mystic Lions will handle the food\, serving hot dogs\, meatball grinders and corn on the cob. \nThat gives Monday a particularly local character. \nThe Mystic Lions Club is part of Lions Clubs International’s network of community service organizations\, with local Lions projects traditionally supporting charitable and community causes. \nThe vineyard remains open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday. \nWith the music ending at 4:30\, visitors still have another hour and a half before the winery’s scheduled closing time. \nThree Days\, Three Different Visits\nOne useful thing about the Labor Day weekend schedule is that it doesn’t require committing to an entire festival. \nThere is no three-day pass. \nThere isn’t a single stage running continuously all weekend. \nInstead\, Stonington Vineyards has essentially expanded its Summer Pop-Ups concept across the holiday. \nSaturday is Violet Theory and South County BBQ. \nSunday is James Harris and Jayy’s. \nMonday is Dillon & Nicole and the Mystic Lions. \nSomeone could choose whichever combination sounds best\, or return for more than one afternoon. \nAnd because these are pop-ups rather than ticketed concerts\, the vineyard says no tickets are required. \nOne of Connecticut’s Early Wine-Trail Vineyards\nThe setting has been part of Connecticut’s modern wine industry for decades. \nStonington Vineyards is a founding member of the Connecticut Wine Trail and sits at 523 Taugwonk Road\, away from the busier coastal roads connecting Mystic\, Stonington and Westerly. \nThe vineyard’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound isn’t merely useful for attracting visitors. \nIt also affects the grapes. \nStonington Vineyards describes its location as having a maritime microclimate shaped by nearby ocean waters\, moderating temperatures in a way the winery compares to the conditions found in Bordeaux. \nApproximately 6.5 acres are planted with Chardonnay and another 3.5 acres with Cabernet Franc. \nThe vineyard also emphasizes relatively low yields\, cluster thinning and hand harvesting as part of its approach to winemaking. \nChardonnay Has a Particular Place Here\nStonington Vineyards has built much of its reputation around white wine\, particularly Chardonnay. \nThe property’s combination of soils and coastal climate helped shape the varieties planted there\, with Chardonnay becoming an important part of the vineyard. \nCabernet Franc provides the primary red grape planting. \nThe winery’s broader lineup has also included Riesling\, rosé and its popular Seaport White blend. \nFor visitors who want to sample rather than commit immediately to a bottle\, regular tastings are part of the experience. \nStonington Vineyards currently prices its standard tasting at $16 per person including tax\, with six wine samples and a souvenir glass. \nThe winery stops tastings approximately 30 minutes before closing. \nBring a Picnic If the Food Truck Isn’t Enough\nThe visiting food vendors aren’t the only food option. \nStonington Vineyards explicitly allows visitors to bring their own picnic food and snacks. \nThat’s useful for a holiday weekend when groups may want to settle onto the grounds for several hours rather than simply stop for a tasting. \nThe winery itself doesn’t operate a full restaurant. It carries smaller food items such as crackers\, cheeses\, nuts\, jams and pretzels\, along with flight boxes designed to accompany wine. \nOutside food is welcome. \nOutside alcohol is not. \nStonington Vineyards’ farm winery and craft café license prohibits guests from bringing other alcoholic beverages onto the property. Anyone bringing a cooler for a picnic should keep it to food and nonalcoholic drinks. \nWine and other beverages licensed for sale by the vineyard are available on site. \nLawn Chairs and a Slower Afternoon\nStonington Vineyards’ outdoor events tend to make use of one of the property’s biggest assets: space. \nRather than treating live music as something that requires everyone to stand in front of a stage\, the vineyard’s summer programming encourages the kind of afternoon where people settle in with wine and food. \nThe property includes lawn space\, patios and decks overlooking the vineyard. \nFor the vineyard’s larger summer concerts\, lawn chairs and blankets are explicitly encouraged\, and that same relaxed outdoor approach is a natural fit for the smaller Summer Pop-Ups. \nThe Labor Day weekend schedule also spreads the music through the afternoon rather than pushing it into nighttime. \nSaturday’s performance runs 3–6 p.m. \nSunday and Monday run 1:30–4:30 p.m. \nIt’s daytime wine-country rather than late-night nightlife. \nA Labor Day Weekend Alternative to the Coast\nThe location also provides a contrast with what will be happening a few miles away. \nLabor Day weekend is traditionally busy along the southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island shoreline. Mystic\, downtown Westerly and the beaches can all attract holiday crowds. \nStonington Vineyards sits inland on Taugwonk Road\, surrounded by the landscape that produces its wines. \nThe entertainment remains decidedly local: regional musicians\, area food vendors and a community organization closing out the weekend on Monday. \nThere isn’t an elaborate festival itinerary to follow. \nChoose an afternoon. \nBring some people. \nFind something to eat. \nListen to the band. \nAnd figure out what’s going in the wine glass. \nSaturday\, September 5\nMusic: Violet Theory\nMusic Time: 3–6 p.m.\nFood: South County BBQ\nVineyard Hours: Noon–7 p.m.\nAdmission: No ticket required \nSunday\, September 6\nMusic: James Harris\nMusic Time: 1:30–4:30 p.m.\nFood: Jayy’s Food Truck\nVineyard Hours: Noon–6 p.m.\nAdmission: No ticket required \nMonday\, September 7\nMusic: Dillon & Nicole\nMusic Time: 1:30–4:30 p.m.\nFood: Mystic Lions\nFood Menu: Hot dogs\, meatball grinders and corn on the cob\nVineyard Hours: Noon–6 p.m.\nAdmission: No ticket required \nEvent Details\nEvent: Labor Day Weekend at Stonington Vineyards\nDates: Saturday\, September 5 through Monday\, September 7\, 2026\nVenue: Stonington Vineyards\nAddress: 523 Taugwonk Road\, Stonington\, CT 06378\nSaturday Hours: Noon–7 p.m.\nSunday Hours: Noon–6 p.m.\nMonday Hours: Noon–6 p.m.\nAdmission: No tickets required for the Summer Pop-Ups\nActivities: Wine\, live music and visiting food vendors\nOutside Food: Picnics and snacks are welcome\nOutside Alcohol: Not permitted \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/labor-day-weekend-at-stonington-vineyards/2026-09-06/
LOCATION:Stonington Vineyards\, 523 Taugwonk Rd\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Stonnington Vineyards
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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
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:20260905T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T223000
DTSTAMP:20260830T235637Z
CREATED:20260830T235637Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260830T235637Z
UID:10007283-1788629400-1788647400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Los Lobos with GA-20 at Jonathan Edwards Winery
DESCRIPTION:Los Lobos with GA-20 at Jonathan Edwards Winery brings more than half a century of American roots music to North Stonington on Saturday\, September 5. The outdoor vineyard concert pairs one of the most enduring bands to emerge from East Los Angeles with a younger group carrying the raw sound of electric blues into a new generation. \nGates open at 5:30 p.m.\, with music beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $80 plus fees\, and the concert is for guests 21 and older. \nFor anyone who knows Los Lobos primarily from “La Bamba\,” Saturday night is an opportunity to discover just how much music exists on either side of that enormous hit. \nMore Than 50 Years of Los Lobos\nThere aren’t many bands that can look back more than 50 years and still find most of the musicians who started the journey standing beside them onstage. \nLos Lobos can. \nDavid Hidalgo\, Louie Pérez\, Cesar Rosas and Conrad Lozano came together in East Los Angeles in 1973. Saxophonist and keyboardist Steve Berlin joined the group in the early 1980s\, creating a lineup that has remained remarkably stable across the decades. \nThat longevity is even more impressive considering how unwilling Los Lobos has been to stay in one musical lane. \nRock and roll is there. So are blues\, R&B\, soul\, country and traditional Mexican music. Accordion can sit beside electric guitar. A song rooted in Mexican folk tradition can give way to a hard-driving rocker. \nThe common thread is Los Angeles. \nLos Lobos took the sounds surrounding them in East L.A.\, including Mexican and Mexican-American traditions and the American rock\, blues and soul coming through the radio\, and treated all of it as part of the same musical vocabulary. \nHow Will the Wolf Survive?\nBy the early 1980s\, Los Lobos had spent years playing clubs\, weddings and neighborhood gatherings before reaching a much larger audience. \nTheir 1984 album How Will the Wolf Survive? became the breakthrough. \nThe record helped establish Los Lobos nationally without sanding away the band’s cultural identity or the mixture of musical traditions that made it distinctive. Songs such as “Will the Wolf Survive?” and “Don’t Worry Baby” introduced listeners far beyond Southern California to a band that could move naturally between roots music and contemporary rock. \nThen Hollywood called. \nThe Song That Changed Everything\nIn 1987\, Los Lobos recorded “La Bamba” for the film about pioneering Chicano rock-and-roll star Ritchie Valens. \nIt exploded. \nTheir version reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100\, turning a band that had spent well over a decade building its audience into an international success. \nFor many musicians\, a hit that large becomes the rest of the career. \nLos Lobos went somewhere else. \nInstead of trying to manufacture another “La Bamba\,” the band followed it with La Pistola y El Corazón\, an album steeped in traditional Mexican music. \nIt was a striking move after sudden pop stardom and an important statement about what kind of band Los Lobos intended to remain. \nThe album won a Grammy. \nGrammys\, Movie Soundtracks and Musical Detours\n“La Bamba” may remain their most recognizable recording\, but the band’s Grammy history stretches considerably further. \nLos Lobos earned their first Grammy for “Anselma” in the 1980s and another for La Pistola y El Corazón. “Mariachi Suite\,” recorded for Robert Rodriguez’s Desperado\, brought them another. \nDecades later\, they were still collecting them. \nNative Sons\, the band’s 2021 collection interpreting songs associated with Los Angeles artists\, won the Grammy for Best Americana Album in 2022. \nThe album was almost a musical map of the city that made them. Los Lobos tackled material associated with artists ranging from The Beach Boys and Buffalo Springfield to War and Jackson Browne while adding a title track of their own. \nBy then\, Los Lobos had long since reached the point where their influences and the musicians they influenced had begun folding into one another. \nIn 2021\, the National Endowment for the Arts named Los Lobos National Heritage Fellows\, its highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. \nAnd They’re Still Making Music\nThis isn’t a nostalgia act assembled to recreate a few hits from the 1980s. \nLos Lobos remain a working band. \nMore than five decades after their formation\, Hidalgo\, Pérez\, Rosas\, Lozano and Berlin continue performing together\, drawing from a catalog that can shift from Mexican folk music to blues\, Tex-Mex\, rock\, soul and Americana over the course of a set. \nThat makes predicting a Los Lobos concert considerably harder than predicting the ending. \n“La Bamba” may be the song nearly everyone recognizes. \nIt’s everything surrounding it that explains why Los Lobos are still here. \nGA-20 Starts With the Blues\nThe choice of GA-20 as the opening act makes this a particularly well-matched bill. \nThe Boston-based band has built its identity around the stripped-down power of traditional electric blues. \nRather than smoothing the genre into contemporary blues-rock\, GA-20 reaches backward toward the sounds of the 1950s and 1960s\, when small combos\, tube amplifiers and overdriven guitars could produce records that sounded both rough and immediate. \nTheir music draws from blues\, early rock and roll and country\, with an intentionally lean approach. \nThat makes GA-20 and Los Lobos different generations of a similar idea. \nBoth start with older American musical traditions without treating them as museum pieces. \nGA-20 digs into electric blues. \nLos Lobos pulls together blues\, rock\, Mexican folk music\, R&B and the sounds of East Los Angeles. \nOn Saturday night\, those paths meet in a Connecticut vineyard. \nA Concert Among the Vines\nJonathan Edwards Winery changes the atmosphere of the show considerably. \nThis isn’t an arena or traditional concert hall. \nThe winery sits on a hilltop property in North Stonington surrounded by approximately 20 acres of vineyards. Its outdoor grounds have become a regular setting for summer concerts\, allowing audiences to spread out with blankets and chairs rather than file into rows of fixed seats. \nJonathan Edwards opened to the public in 2001\, but its winemaking story stretches from Connecticut to California. \nThe Edwards family’s early interest in the developing Northeast wine industry eventually led west to Napa Valley. Today\, the winery describes itself as bi-coastal\, producing wines from both Connecticut estate-grown fruit and grapes sourced from California vineyards. \nFor a Los Lobos concert\, the vineyard becomes the venue. \nGuests can bring lawn chairs\, blankets and pop-up canopies and settle onto the grounds for the evening. \nOutside food is allowed\, making a picnic part of the experience\, and food will also be available from a food truck. \nOutside alcohol and other liquids aren’t permitted. Wine and other permitted beverages are available through the winery. \nThe concert takes place rain or shine\, so watching the forecast and dressing for an outdoor September evening is part of the plan. \nFrom East L.A. to North Stonington\nLos Lobos began by playing music rooted in a particular place. \nEast Los Angeles shaped the band\, but it never confined it. \nOver the next five decades\, those musicians carried that sound through clubs and neighborhood parties\, onto major-label albums\, movie soundtracks\, Grammy stages and concert venues around the world. \nSaturday brings the journey somewhere considerably different. \nThere will be vineyard rows instead of city streets and picnic blankets instead of theater seats. \nBut once the guitars\, accordion\, saxophone and voices start\, more than 50 years of Los Lobos history come with them. \nAnd yes\, there’s a pretty good chance everyone will recognize at least one song. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Los Lobos with GA-20 at Jonathan Edwards Winery\nDate: Saturday\, September 5\, 2026\nGates Open: 5:30 p.m.\nMusic Begins: 7 p.m.\nScheduled End: 10:30 p.m.\nHeadliner: Los Lobos\nOpening Act: GA-20\nLocation: Jonathan Edwards Winery\nAddress: 74 Chester Main Road\, North Stonington\, CT 06359\nAdmission: $80 plus fees\nAge Requirement: 21+\nSetting: Outdoor vineyard concert\nWeather: Rain or shine\nSeating: Bring lawn chairs or blankets\nCanopies: Pop-up canopies permitted\nFood: Outside food permitted; food truck also available\nBeverages: Outside alcohol and other liquids prohibited\nDogs: Not permitted for the concert \nLos Lobos with GA-20 at Jonathan Edwards Winery brings together two generations of American roots music for an outdoor concert among the vines in North Stonington. \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \nTo purchase tickets\, click the Event Ticketing 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  \nJonathan Edwards Winery\nhttps://jedwardswinery.com/ \nLos Lobos\nhttps://www.loslobos.org/
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/los-lobos-with-ga-20-at-jonathan-edwards-winery/
LOCATION:Jonathan Edwards Winery\, 74 Chester Maine Rd\, North Stonington\, 06359\, United States
CATEGORIES:Jonathan Edwards Winery
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Los-Lobos-with-GA-20-at-Jonathan-Edwards-Winery.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T180000
DTSTAMP:20260903T000248Z
CREATED:20260903T000248Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T000248Z
UID:10007434-1788620400-1788631200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Labor Day Weekend at Stonington Vineyards
DESCRIPTION:Labor Day Weekend at Stonington Vineyards stretches across three days\, September 5–7\, with live music\, food vendors and wine on the vineyard grounds in Stonington. \nThe holiday weekend is part of the vineyard’s Summer Pop-Ups series\, a collection of casual events designed to add live acoustic music and visiting food vendors to a regular afternoon at the winery. Unlike Stonington Vineyards’ ticketed summer Friday concerts\, no tickets are required for the Labor Day weekend pop-ups. Guests can simply visit the vineyard. \nEach day gets a different musical act and food vendor. Saturday brings Violet Theory and South County BBQ. James Harris performs Sunday with Jayy’s Food Truck on site. The weekend concludes Monday with Dillon & Nicole and food from the Mystic Lions. \nThat makes this less a conventional three-day festival than three consecutive afternoons at the vineyard\, each with its own music and food. \nSaturday: Violet Theory and South County BBQ\nSaturday\, September 5\, starts the weekend with Violet Theory performing from 3 to 6 p.m. \nViolet Theory is a familiar name on the southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island live-music circuit\, with a calendar that takes the group through wineries\, restaurants\, breweries\, waterfront venues and other gathering spots across the region. \nThe group performs in several configurations\, including duo and trio arrangements. \nFor the Stonington Vineyards appearance\, the winery is pairing the music with South County BBQ. \nSaturday also offers the longest regular vineyard hours of the holiday weekend. Stonington Vineyards’ current summer schedule has the winery open from noon until 7 p.m. Saturdays\, leaving plenty of time before and after Violet Theory’s three-hour set. \nGuests don’t have to arrive precisely when the music starts. The pop-up is intended to complement an afternoon at the winery rather than operate like a concert with a fixed gate time. \nSunday: James Harris and Jayy’s Food Truck\nThe pace shifts earlier Sunday\, September 6. \nJames Harris performs from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.\, providing three hours of live music during the middle of the winery’s Sunday hours. \nFood comes from Jayy’s Food Truck. \nStonington Vineyards is open from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday\, giving visitors time on either side of the performance for tastings and wine on the grounds. \nIt’s also worth knowing that Sunday is one of the days Stonington Vineyards normally offers a complimentary winery tour. Those tours are subject to the winery’s current schedule and conditions\, so visitors interested in combining a tour with the Labor Day weekend activities should confirm availability with the vineyard. \nMonday: Dillon & Nicole and the Mystic Lions\nStonington Vineyards keeps the weekend going through Labor Day itself. \nOn Monday\, September 7\, Dillon & Nicole perform from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. \nThe Mystic Lions will handle the food\, serving hot dogs\, meatball grinders and corn on the cob. \nThat gives Monday a particularly local character. \nThe Mystic Lions Club is part of Lions Clubs International’s network of community service organizations\, with local Lions projects traditionally supporting charitable and community causes. \nThe vineyard remains open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday. \nWith the music ending at 4:30\, visitors still have another hour and a half before the winery’s scheduled closing time. \nThree Days\, Three Different Visits\nOne useful thing about the Labor Day weekend schedule is that it doesn’t require committing to an entire festival. \nThere is no three-day pass. \nThere isn’t a single stage running continuously all weekend. \nInstead\, Stonington Vineyards has essentially expanded its Summer Pop-Ups concept across the holiday. \nSaturday is Violet Theory and South County BBQ. \nSunday is James Harris and Jayy’s. \nMonday is Dillon & Nicole and the Mystic Lions. \nSomeone could choose whichever combination sounds best\, or return for more than one afternoon. \nAnd because these are pop-ups rather than ticketed concerts\, the vineyard says no tickets are required. \nOne of Connecticut’s Early Wine-Trail Vineyards\nThe setting has been part of Connecticut’s modern wine industry for decades. \nStonington Vineyards is a founding member of the Connecticut Wine Trail and sits at 523 Taugwonk Road\, away from the busier coastal roads connecting Mystic\, Stonington and Westerly. \nThe vineyard’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound isn’t merely useful for attracting visitors. \nIt also affects the grapes. \nStonington Vineyards describes its location as having a maritime microclimate shaped by nearby ocean waters\, moderating temperatures in a way the winery compares to the conditions found in Bordeaux. \nApproximately 6.5 acres are planted with Chardonnay and another 3.5 acres with Cabernet Franc. \nThe vineyard also emphasizes relatively low yields\, cluster thinning and hand harvesting as part of its approach to winemaking. \nChardonnay Has a Particular Place Here\nStonington Vineyards has built much of its reputation around white wine\, particularly Chardonnay. \nThe property’s combination of soils and coastal climate helped shape the varieties planted there\, with Chardonnay becoming an important part of the vineyard. \nCabernet Franc provides the primary red grape planting. \nThe winery’s broader lineup has also included Riesling\, rosé and its popular Seaport White blend. \nFor visitors who want to sample rather than commit immediately to a bottle\, regular tastings are part of the experience. \nStonington Vineyards currently prices its standard tasting at $16 per person including tax\, with six wine samples and a souvenir glass. \nThe winery stops tastings approximately 30 minutes before closing. \nBring a Picnic If the Food Truck Isn’t Enough\nThe visiting food vendors aren’t the only food option. \nStonington Vineyards explicitly allows visitors to bring their own picnic food and snacks. \nThat’s useful for a holiday weekend when groups may want to settle onto the grounds for several hours rather than simply stop for a tasting. \nThe winery itself doesn’t operate a full restaurant. It carries smaller food items such as crackers\, cheeses\, nuts\, jams and pretzels\, along with flight boxes designed to accompany wine. \nOutside food is welcome. \nOutside alcohol is not. \nStonington Vineyards’ farm winery and craft café license prohibits guests from bringing other alcoholic beverages onto the property. Anyone bringing a cooler for a picnic should keep it to food and nonalcoholic drinks. \nWine and other beverages licensed for sale by the vineyard are available on site. \nLawn Chairs and a Slower Afternoon\nStonington Vineyards’ outdoor events tend to make use of one of the property’s biggest assets: space. \nRather than treating live music as something that requires everyone to stand in front of a stage\, the vineyard’s summer programming encourages the kind of afternoon where people settle in with wine and food. \nThe property includes lawn space\, patios and decks overlooking the vineyard. \nFor the vineyard’s larger summer concerts\, lawn chairs and blankets are explicitly encouraged\, and that same relaxed outdoor approach is a natural fit for the smaller Summer Pop-Ups. \nThe Labor Day weekend schedule also spreads the music through the afternoon rather than pushing it into nighttime. \nSaturday’s performance runs 3–6 p.m. \nSunday and Monday run 1:30–4:30 p.m. \nIt’s daytime wine-country rather than late-night nightlife. \nA Labor Day Weekend Alternative to the Coast\nThe location also provides a contrast with what will be happening a few miles away. \nLabor Day weekend is traditionally busy along the southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island shoreline. Mystic\, downtown Westerly and the beaches can all attract holiday crowds. \nStonington Vineyards sits inland on Taugwonk Road\, surrounded by the landscape that produces its wines. \nThe entertainment remains decidedly local: regional musicians\, area food vendors and a community organization closing out the weekend on Monday. \nThere isn’t an elaborate festival itinerary to follow. \nChoose an afternoon. \nBring some people. \nFind something to eat. \nListen to the band. \nAnd figure out what’s going in the wine glass. \nSaturday\, September 5\nMusic: Violet Theory\nMusic Time: 3–6 p.m.\nFood: South County BBQ\nVineyard Hours: Noon–7 p.m.\nAdmission: No ticket required \nSunday\, September 6\nMusic: James Harris\nMusic Time: 1:30–4:30 p.m.\nFood: Jayy’s Food Truck\nVineyard Hours: Noon–6 p.m.\nAdmission: No ticket required \nMonday\, September 7\nMusic: Dillon & Nicole\nMusic Time: 1:30–4:30 p.m.\nFood: Mystic Lions\nFood Menu: Hot dogs\, meatball grinders and corn on the cob\nVineyard Hours: Noon–6 p.m.\nAdmission: No ticket required \nEvent Details\nEvent: Labor Day Weekend at Stonington Vineyards\nDates: Saturday\, September 5 through Monday\, September 7\, 2026\nVenue: Stonington Vineyards\nAddress: 523 Taugwonk Road\, Stonington\, CT 06378\nSaturday Hours: Noon–7 p.m.\nSunday Hours: Noon–6 p.m.\nMonday Hours: Noon–6 p.m.\nAdmission: No tickets required for the Summer Pop-Ups\nActivities: Wine\, live music and visiting food vendors\nOutside Food: Picnics and snacks are welcome\nOutside Alcohol: Not permitted \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/labor-day-weekend-at-stonington-vineyards/2026-09-05/
LOCATION:Stonington Vineyards\, 523 Taugwonk Rd\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Stonnington Vineyards
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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
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DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260903T203000
DTSTAMP:20260609T180833Z
CREATED:20260609T180833Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260609T180833Z
UID:10005638-1788456600-1788467400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Thirsty Thursdays at Deans Mill Farm
DESCRIPTION:Thirsty Thursdays at Deans Mill Farm bring together live music\, food trucks\, and refreshing drinks for a weekly gathering in Stonington. Held throughout the season\, the event offers a relaxed outdoor setting where visitors can unwind after work\, enjoy local entertainment\, and spend an evening with family and friends on the farm. \nEach week features performances by local musicians alongside a rotating selection of food trucks serving a variety of menu options. Guests can also enjoy signature drinks and cold beverages while taking in the farm atmosphere. The combination of live entertainment\, food\, and open-air surroundings makes the event a popular way to enjoy a summer evening on the shoreline. \nThe series is well suited for families\, groups of friends\, and anyone looking for a casual community gathering. Whether you’re stopping by for the music\, grabbing dinner from a food truck\, or simply enjoying a drink outdoors\, Thirsty Thursdays offers a welcoming\, family-friendly environment throughout the season. \nAdditional Details\n\nSchedule: Every Thursday\nSeason: May 7 through October 29\nTime: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.\nLocation: Deans Mill Farm\, 1189 Pequot Trail\, Stonington\, CT\nLive music from local artists\nFood trucks serving a variety of food options\nSignature drinks and cold beverages available\nFamily-friendly event\nFree admission\nNo animals permitted\nNo outside alcohol permitted\nWeather permitting\nTimes and activities subject to change
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/thirsty-thursdays-at-deans-mill-farm/2026-09-03/
LOCATION:Deans Mill Farm\, 1189 Pequot Trail\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Deans Mill Farm
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Thirsty-Thursdays-at-Deans-Mill-Farm-Thursdays-530-pm-to-830-pm.jpg
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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
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DTSTAMP:20260717T031402Z
CREATED:20260717T031402Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T031402Z
UID:10006866-1788102000-1788116400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Saltwater Farm Vineyard Sunday Music Series
DESCRIPTION:Saltwater Farm Vineyard Sunday Music Series offers relaxing Sunday afternoons filled with live local music\, award-winning wines\, and rotating food trucks at one of Connecticut’s most distinctive vineyards. Held throughout the summer\, the free series invites guests to unwind among the vines while enjoying talented regional musicians in the peaceful setting of a beautifully restored historic property. \nSaltwater Farm Vineyard occupies the site of a former World War II-era private airfield. The property’s original airplane hangar has been transformed into a striking winery while preserving its soaring timber trusses and aviation heritage. Surrounded by vineyards and coastal farmland\, it’s an ideal destination for spending a leisurely Sunday with friends and family. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: Saltwater Farm Vineyard Sunday Music Series\nVenue: Saltwater Farm Vineyard\nAddress: 349 Elm St.\, Stonington\, CT\nAdmission: Free\n\n2026 Sunday Schedule\nSunday\, July 19 – 3:00 p.m. \n\nDavid Swanson\nFood Truck: Twin Beaks Fried Chicken\n\nSunday\, July 26 – 3:00 p.m. \n\nBen Freiert\nFood Truck: Fire in the Kitchen Pizza Truck\n\nSunday\, August 2 – 3:00 p.m. \n\nJason Ingriselli\nFood Truck: The Rolling Tomato Pizza Truck\n\nSunday\, August 9 – 3:00 p.m. \n\nBen Kane\nFood Truck: The Rolling Tomato Pizza Truck\n\nSunday\, August 16 – 2:30 p.m. \n\nDan Watson\nFood Truck: The Rolling Tomato Pizza Truck\n\nSunday\, August 23 – 3:00 p.m. \n\nSteve Cleary\nFood Truck: Twin Beaks Fried Chicken\n\nSunday\, August 30 – 3:00 p.m. \n\nPhil Smith\nFood Truck: Fire in the Kitchen Pizza Truck\n\nAbout Saltwater Farm Vineyard\nLocated on the site of a former private airfield\, Saltwater Farm Vineyard blends history\, architecture\, and winemaking. The restored World War II-era hangar now serves as the winery\, preserving an important part of Stonington’s past while creating one of Connecticut’s most unique vineyard destinations. \nWhy Attend\n\nFree live music\nAward-winning wines\nRotating food trucks\nScenic vineyard setting\nRelaxing Sunday afternoons
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/saltwater-farm-vineyard-sunday-music-series/2026-08-30/
LOCATION:Saltwater Farm Vineyard\, 349 Elm Street\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Saltwater Farm Vineyard
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DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260830T173000
DTSTAMP:20260716T173134Z
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LAST-MODIFIED:20260716T173134Z
UID:10006850-1788100200-1788111000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Sunday Jam Sessions at Deans Mill Farm
DESCRIPTION:Sunday Jam Sessions at Deans Mill Farm return every Sunday through the season\, bringing live local music\, food trucks\, and refreshing drinks to one of Stonington’s favorite outdoor gathering spots. Held from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.\, the free weekly series offers a relaxed afternoon where families\, friends\, and music lovers can unwind while enjoying performances from talented local musicians in the scenic setting of Deans Mill Farm. \nEach Sunday features a different performer\, giving visitors something new to experience throughout the season. Along with live entertainment\, food trucks serve a variety of favorites while the farm offers signature drinks and other cold beverages. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs\, settle in for the afternoon\, and enjoy a casual community atmosphere. The event is family-friendly\, although outside alcohol and pets are not permitted. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: Sunday Jam Sessions\nSchedule: Every Sunday\nTime: 2:30-5:30 p.m.\nSeason: Through October (Weather Permitting)\nVenue: Deans Mill Farm\nAddress: 1189 Pequot Trail\, Stonington\, CT\nAdmission: Free\n\nWhat to Expect\n\nLive music from local performers\nRotating food trucks\nSignature drinks and cold beverages\nFamily-friendly outdoor atmosphere\n\n2026 Concert Schedule\nJuly 19 \n\nBig Lux\n\nJuly 26 \n\nT. Ray Taylor\n\nAugust 2 \n\nBen Freiert\n\nAugust 9 \n\nFrankenphil\n\nAugust 16 \n\nBen Freiert\n\nAugust 23 \n\nRobbed By Locals\n\nAugust 30 \n\nJames Harris\n\nSeptember 6 \n\nTo Be Announced\n\nSeptember 13 \n\nFrankenphil\n\nSeptember 20 \n\nTo Be Announced\n\nSeptember 27 \n\nJonny Debit\n\nOctober 4 \n\nKGB\n\nOctober 11 \n\nFrankenphil\n\nOctober 18 \n\nDan Watson\n\nOctober 25 \n\nJames Harris\n\nKnow Before You Go\n\nFamily-friendly event\nNo outside alcohol\nNo pets\nWeather permitting\nTimes are subject to change\n\nWhy Attend\n\nFree weekly live music\nRotating lineup of local musicians\nFood trucks and beverages\nRelaxed outdoor setting\nGreat Sunday afternoon tradition\n\n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/sunday-jam-sessions-at-deans-mill-farm/2026-08-30/
LOCATION:Deans Mill Farm\, 1189 Pequot Trail\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Deans Mill Farm
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Sunday-Jam-Sessions-at-Deans-Mill-Farm-Sundays-230-pm-530-pm.jpg
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DTSTAMP:20260901T002641Z
CREATED:20260303T214812Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T002641Z
UID:10007212-1788091200-1788105600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:TVCCA's 2nd Annual Sound Waves Music Festival
DESCRIPTION:TVCCA’s 2nd Annual Sound Waves Music Festival at Stonington Vineyards brings live music\, food trucks\, wine and an afternoon on the lawn to Stonington Vineyards on Sunday\, August 30. \nThe end-of-summer festival runs from noon to 4 p.m.\, with performances by Pirates for Peace and Fake Experience. Gates open at noon and live music begins at 1 p.m. \nThis year’s Sound Waves also comes with a new setting. The inaugural festival was held at McCook Point Park in Niantic in 2025\, while the second edition moves into the heart of southeastern Connecticut wine country at Stonington Vineyards. \nGuests can spread out on the vineyard lawn with blankets and chairs\, grab something to eat\, enjoy Stonington Vineyards wine and spend the afternoon listening to two familiar names from the local music scene. \nLive Music: Pirates for Peace and Fake Experience\nThe music begins at 1 p.m. with two bands that already have a connection to Stonington Vineyards. \nBoth Pirates for Peace and Fake Experience appeared during the vineyard’s 2026 Summer Concert Series\, making Sound Waves something of an encore for people who caught them earlier in the season. Fake Experience performed at the vineyard in June\, while Pirates for Peace followed in July. \nThe festival is designed as a casual outdoor show rather than a seated concert\, so bring a blanket or lawn chairs and claim a patch of grass. \nAnd dancing isn’t merely tolerated. It’s encouraged. \nFood\, Ice Cream and Wine\nTVCCA is bringing along its own Cruising Café food truck\, while Moovin Scoops will handle the ice cream. \nGuests are also permitted to pack their own picnic baskets and bring non-alcoholic beverages. \nThere is one important restriction: outside alcohol isn’t permitted. \nWine will be available from Stonington Vineyards during the festival. \nThe rule is consistent with the vineyard’s other outdoor music events\, where outside alcohol is prohibited and guests are encouraged to bring blankets\, lawn chairs and picnic dinners. \nAn Afternoon at Stonington Vineyards\nThe setting is a large part of the attraction. \nStonington Vineyards at 523 Taugwonk Road is one of the area’s established destinations for outdoor summer music. The vineyard hosts a weekly Friday concert series throughout July and August\, inviting visitors onto its lawn for live local music\, picnics and wine. \nSound Waves essentially extends that atmosphere through one more Sunday afternoon just as the regular summer concert season winds down. \nThe vineyard is open year-round and normally operates daily from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. \nSound Waves Supports TVCCA\nThere’s another reason behind the afternoon. \nSound Waves is a fundraiser for the Thames Valley Council for Community Action\, better known throughout eastern Connecticut as TVCCA. \nThe nonprofit Community Action Agency has served the region since 1965 and works with economically disadvantaged individuals and families throughout eastern Connecticut. TVCCA says proceeds from Sound Waves help support the essential services it provides in the community. \nThat makes the afternoon more than another stop on the summer concert calendar. Buying a ticket also helps fund an organization that has been working in eastern Connecticut for more than six decades. \nTickets\nAdvance tickets are $20 when purchased online through Saturday\, August 29. \nTickets purchased at the gate on Sunday are $25. \nChildren younger than 12 are admitted free. \nWith the $5 difference between advance and gate admission\, buying ahead makes sense if you already know you’re going. \nWhat to Bring\nSound Waves is an outdoor lawn event\, so plan accordingly. \nBring a blanket or lawn chairs for seating. Picnic baskets and non-alcoholic drinks are welcome\, and food will also be available at the festival. \nDo not bring outside alcoholic beverages. \nThe vineyard has also advised guests attending its summer music events that parking is limited and encourages carpooling\, something worth considering for a larger festival afternoon. \nEvent Details\nEvent: TVCCA’s 2nd Annual Sound Waves Music Festival\nDate: Sunday\, August 30\, 2026\nTime: Noon–4 p.m.\nGates Open: Noon\nLive Music Begins: 1 p.m.\nLocation: Stonington Vineyards\nAddress: 523 Taugwonk Road\, Stonington\, CT 06378\nPerformers: Pirates for Peace and Fake Experience\nFood: TVCCA Cruising Café and Moovin Scoops\nAdvance Admission: $20 online through August 29\nDay-of Admission: $25\nChildren Under 12: Free\nOutside Food: Permitted\nOutside Alcohol: Not permitted \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \nTo purchase tickets\, click the Event Ticketing link below. \n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/tvccas-2nd-annual-sound-waves-music-festival-at-stonington-vineyards/
LOCATION:Stonington Vineyards\, 523 Taugwonk Rd\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Stonnington Vineyards
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DTSTAMP:20260824T030219Z
CREATED:20260824T030109Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260824T030219Z
UID:10007262-1788033600-1788040800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Because He Got High... Afroman Is Coming to Mohegan Sun
DESCRIPTION:Afroman brings one of the most recognizable comedy-rap songs of the early 2000s\, a Grammy-nominated career and more than 25 years of hip-hop to the Sun Patio at Mohegan Sun on Saturday\, August 29. \nThe outdoor concert begins at 8 p.m. and is part of Mohegan Sun’s ticketed Sun Patio Concert Series\, which brings nationally known performers to the outdoor venue throughout the summer. \nAnd yes\, there’s almost no chance Afroman gets through the night without explaining exactly why he didn’t clean his room. \nBefore “Because I Got High”\nAfroman was born Joseph Foreman\, and his DIY approach to making music started remarkably early. \nWhile in eighth grade\, Foreman recorded a homemade song about a teacher who had gotten him kicked out of school for sagging his pants. He began selling copies to classmates\, and according to Afroman’s account\, roughly 400 copies eventually circulated among students and teachers. \nThe experience taught him something. \nEven when he wasn’t physically at school\, his music could be. \nLong before social media allowed an artist to bypass the traditional music business and reach listeners directly\, Afroman had already stumbled onto the basic idea. \nMusic was also part of his life outside hip-hop. As a youngster\, he played drums and guitar in church\, and guitar would remain part of his musical identity after he became known primarily as a rapper. \nA Hit Born on Napster\nAfroman independently released his first album\, My Fro-losophy\, in 1998. \nAfter relocating to Hattiesburg\, Mississippi\, he connected with producer Tim Ramenofsky\, better known as Headfridge\, along with musicians Jody Stallone and Darrell Havard. \nThe resulting album\, Because I Got High\, arrived in 2000. \nThen something happened that could almost only have happened at that particular moment in music history. \nThe title track began spreading through Napster. \nAt the turn of the millennium\, the file-sharing service was disrupting the record industry by allowing millions of people to trade digital music directly. For an independent artist without the promotional machinery of a major label\, it also created an unexpected way for a song to travel. \n“Because I Got High” traveled. \nFast. \nIt Started With a Dirty Room\nThe inspiration wasn’t exactly profound. \nAfroman didn’t want to clean his room. \nThat became the foundation for an escalating series of everyday responsibilities abandoned for the same reason: he got high. \nThe joke was simple enough to understand immediately\, the chorus nearly impossible to forget\, and the song eventually made its way to The Howard Stern Show. \nBy 2001\, Afroman had an international hit. \n“Because I Got High” also appeared in Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back and became permanently attached to the particular strain of stoner comedy that flourished around the beginning of the century. \nThen the Recording Academy came calling. \nFrom Napster to the Grammys\n“Because I Got High” earned Afroman a nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 2002 Grammy Awards. \nHe didn’t win. \nBut consider the route that got him there. \nAn independent musician recorded an absurd song inspired by not cleaning his room\, distributed the album at concerts and through an illegal file-sharing network\, watched the song spread across the Internet and eventually found himself nominated for one of the music industry’s biggest awards. \nA major-label deal followed. \nAfroman joined Cypress Hill’s Smoke Out festival alongside acts including Method Man and Deftones\, and Universal Records signed him to a multi-album deal. \nThe label released The Good Times in 2001\, combining previously recorded material with additional songs and putting Afroman in front of a much larger audience. \nThen There’s “Crazy Rap”\nFor a lot of people\, Afroman has two songs permanently lodged somewhere in their early-2000s memory. \nThe second is officially called “Crazy Rap.” \nPlenty of people know it by another name. \n“Colt 45 and Two Zig-Zags.” \nThe long\, comedic story-song became another enduring Afroman favorite and helped establish that the humor of “Because I Got High” wasn’t a one-time accident. \nComedy became part of his musical identity. \nRather than spend the next 25 years trying to distance himself from the novelty and marijuana humor that made him famous\, Afroman embraced it. \nHis shows combine hip-hop\, storytelling\, comedy\, audience interaction and the guitar-playing that reaches back to his musical beginnings. \nHe Went Independent Again\nThe massive success of “Because I Got High” briefly put Afroman inside the traditional major-label system. \nIt didn’t keep him there. \nHe eventually returned to releasing music independently\, using the Internet to maintain a direct relationship with listeners. \nIn a strange way\, it brought his career back to where it started. \nFirst he sold homemade recordings to classmates. \nThen his music spread through Napster. \nEventually\, digital distribution and social media gave independent musicians the ability to release music directly to audiences without waiting for a traditional record company to decide whether they belonged. \nAfroman had already been doing some version of that since eighth grade. \nStill on the Road 25 Years Later\nThe strangest part of the Afroman story may be its longevity. \n“Because I Got High” became a phenomenon in 2001\, the sort of enormous novelty-infused hit that can easily turn an artist into a pop-culture time capsule. \nAfroman kept going. \nHe’s continued recording and touring independently\, while “Because I Got High” and “Crazy Rap” remain staples of his live performances. \nHis 2026 schedule continues beyond Connecticut with performances around the country. \nSo Saturday’s Sun Patio show isn’t simply an early-2000s nostalgia appearance. \nIt’s another stop in a career that somehow survived the transition from homemade tapes to Napster\, major labels\, streaming and social media. \nA Different Kind of Sun Patio Concert\nIt’s worth distinguishing Saturday’s show from the free Friday-night Party on the Sun Patio concerts at Mohegan Sun. \nAfroman appears as part of the separate Sun Patio Concert Series. \nThese are ticketed concerts featuring nationally known performers\, with the 2026 schedule also including artists such as Rick Ross\, Ying Yang Twins\, Dion and Lakeview. \nThe Afroman concert is open to all ages and takes place rain or shine. \nGeneral admission is standing room only. Guests aren’t permitted to bring chairs\, coolers or outside food and beverages. \nThe Sun Patio Bar is restricted to guests 21 and older with valid identification. \nFood\, Drinks and an Outdoor Stage\nThe Sun Patio is located outside the Casino of the Earth between the Indian Summer and Riverview parking garages. \nMohegan Sun expanded the outdoor venue with a larger stage and upgraded sound system\, creating a space that can shift between its free weekly entertainment and larger ticketed concerts such as Afroman. \nFor Saturday night\, Mohegan Sun currently lists Reel Catch\, Rollin’ Ghost and Yummy Wagon among the food trucks. \nPizza from The Crafty Slice and fresh-popped popcorn are also expected to be available\, while the Sun Patio Bar serves cocktails\, mocktails and other beverages. \nFire pits aren’t available for purchase during Sun Patio Concert Series performances. \nThe Indian Summer Garage and Riverview Parking Garage are the recommended parking locations. \nHe Was Going to Clean His Room…\nThere aren’t many artists whose entire career can be traced back through so many vanished pieces of technology and culture. \nHomemade tapes. \nNapster. \nThe Howard Stern Show. \nEarly-2000s stoner comedies. \nMajor-label record deals. \nThen downloads\, streaming and social media. \nAfroman managed to travel through all of them. \nAnd somehow the song at the center of the whole thing remains a three-word explanation for why absolutely nothing got accomplished. \nTwenty-five years later\, people still know the punchline. \nOn August 29\, they’ll probably sing it for him. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Afroman at the Sun Patio\nDate: Saturday\, August 29\, 2026\nTime: 8 p.m.\nLocation: Sun Patio at Mohegan Sun\nAddress: 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard\, Uncasville\, CT 06382\nSeries: Sun Patio Concert Series\nAdmission: Ticket required\nAge: All ages\nFormat: General admission\, standing room only\nWeather: Rain or shine\nChairs: Not permitted\nCoolers and Outside Food or Drinks: Not permitted\nSun Patio Bar: 21+ with valid ID\nFeatured Food Trucks: Reel Catch\, Rollin’ Ghost and Yummy Wagon\nRecommended Parking: Indian Summer Garage or Riverview Parking Garage \nAfroman brings “Because I Got High\,” “Crazy Rap” and more than 25 years of hip-hop\, humor and storytelling to Mohegan Sun’s outdoor Sun Patio. \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \nTo purchase tickets\, click the Event Ticketing link below. \nRa \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/because-he-got-high-afroman-is-coming-to-mohegan-sun/
LOCATION:Sun Patio at the Mohegan Sun\, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd\, Uncasville\, 06382\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mohegan Sun
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Because-He-Got-High-Afroman-Is-Coming-to-Mohegan-Sun.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
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
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Plainville-Hot-Air-Balloon-Festival-2026-Balloon-Glow-Fireworks-and-Family-Fun.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260828T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260828T230000
DTSTAMP:20260823T210039Z
CREATED:20260823T210039Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260823T210039Z
UID:10007254-1787941800-1787958000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Soul Sound Revue brings the sound of Motown to Mohegan Sun
DESCRIPTION:            Soul Sound Revue brings the sound of Motown to Mohegan Sun on Friday\, August 28\, turning the Sun Patio into an outdoor dance floor for the next installment of the resort’s Party on the Sun Patio summer concert series. \nDoors open at 6:30 p.m.\, with Soul Sound Revue taking the stage at 8 p.m. Admission is free\, and the evening combines live music with food trucks\, drinks and an open-air setting that has become one of Mohegan Sun’s Friday-night summer traditions. \nBut calling Soul Sound Revue simply a Motown tribute doesn’t quite capture what the band does. \nThe Connecticut-based group reaches from the classic vocal groups of the 1960s through the funk and R&B of the 1970s and ’80s\, then keeps moving forward into contemporary dance music. \nMore Than 40 Years of Soul\nSoul Sound Revue has been performing for more than four decades\, building its shows around the sound\, choreography and showmanship that helped make Motown a cultural phenomenon. \nThe group isn’t built around impersonating one particular artist. \nInstead\, it recreates an entire era of American popular music. \nIts repertoire draws from artists including The Four Tops\, The Temptations\, Stevie Wonder and Earth\, Wind & Fire\, moving between Motown\, soul\, funk and R&B. More recent material from performers such as Bruno Mars pushes the show beyond nostalgia and gives the band a songbook capable of reaching several generations in the same audience. \nThat makes the August 28 concert different from many of the tribute acts appearing during Party on the Sun Patio. Rather than spending the night with one artist’s catalog\, Soul Sound Revue can move across decades of dance music. \nBuilt Like the Bands That Made the Music\nThere’s another reason Soul Sound Revue can tackle that material. \nThis isn’t a small group playing Motown songs over backing tracks. \nSoul Sound Revue performs with three lead vocalists backed by a rhythm section and horn section\, giving the group the personnel to recreate the vocal harmonies\, brass arrangements and rhythmic punch that defined much of the original music. \nThe singers are also performers. \nThe group’s stage show emphasizes coordinated movement\, audience interaction and the polished presentation associated with classic Motown acts\, when choreography and appearance were nearly as recognizable as the records themselves. \nThat’s especially important with songs associated with groups such as The Temptations and Four Tops. Those records weren’t created around a lone singer standing behind a microphone. Harmony\, movement and presentation were part of the package. \nSoul Sound Revue tries to bring that complete experience back to the stage. \nA Band with Some History Behind It\nSoul Sound Revue has spent decades performing throughout Connecticut and the Northeast at theaters\, fairs\, festivals\, casinos and community concert series. \nOver the years\, the group has shared bills or stages with artists including The Temptations\, The Chi-Lites\, The Marvelettes and Wilson Pickett. \nMohegan Sun isn’t unfamiliar territory\, either. Soul Sound Revue has a long history of appearances at the resort and returned to the Sun Patio as recently as the 2025 Party on the Sun Patio season. \nThe band’s 2026 calendar has kept it moving around Connecticut throughout the summer\, with appearances in Southington\, Bloomfield\, Avon\, Waterford\, New Britain\, Hamden\, Wallingford\, East Hartford and other communities before the August 28 Mohegan Sun date. \nFrom Motown to Funk\nFor anyone wondering what “Motown tribute” means musically\, expect the boundaries to be fairly loose. \nThe foundation comes from the Detroit sound that produced some of the most recognizable records of the 1960s and early ’70s: strong melodies\, layered vocal harmonies\, driving bass lines and songs designed to make people move. \nSoul Sound Revue then follows that music into the funkier sounds that came afterward. \nEarth\, Wind & Fire fits naturally into that progression\, as does the later work of Stevie Wonder. From there\, the band can jump decades forward into modern songs that share the same basic purpose. \nGet people dancing. \nFor an outdoor summer show\, that’s probably more useful than worrying too much about where Motown ends and funk begins. \nPart of 14 Friday Nights on the Sun Patio\nThe concert is part of Mohegan Sun’s 2026 Party on the Sun Patio\, a 14-week run of free Friday-night concerts stretching from June 19 through September 18. \nThis year’s lineup has essentially turned the patio into a tour through several generations of popular music. \nThe summer has included tributes to Elton John\, Bruce Springsteen\, Queen\, Kenny Chesney and Fleetwood Mac\, along with nights devoted to ’70s rock\, yacht rock\, ’80s music and a ’90s house party. \nFollowing Soul Sound Revue\, the series heads toward its final three weekends with The Journey Tribute Show\, Zac N’ Fried performing the music of Zac Brown Band and Beatlemania Again closing the season with The Beatles. \nSoul Sound Revue gets the August 28 slot with Motown\, soul\, funk and R&B. \nAn Outdoor Concert Built for Dancing\nThe Sun Patio sits outside Mohegan Sun and operates as an open-air summer entertainment space with a stage\, bar\, seating areas\, fire pits and room in front of the stage for dancing. \nFriday’s doors open at 6:30 p.m.\, giving guests about 90 minutes before Soul Sound Revue begins at 8. \nThe entire Party on the Sun Patio event runs until 11 p.m. \nAdmission is free\, but guests must be 21 or older and show valid identification. \nSeating is available on a first-come\, first-served basis\, and guests are permitted to bring their own chairs. Plastic Adirondack chairs can also be rented at the Tiki Hut for $10. \nThose rental chairs can’t be taken onto the dance floor or into the fire-pit areas. \nConsidering Soul Sound Revue’s particular mission\, the dance-floor restriction may not be much of a hardship. Sitting down probably isn’t the point of this one. \nDinner Comes to the Patio\nFood trucks rotate throughout the Party on the Sun Patio season. \nMohegan Sun’s current schedule lists three trucks for the Soul Sound Revue concert: \nHungry Lion \nReel Catch \nYummy Wagon \nThat lineup differs from some earlier promotional listings for the August 28 event\, so guests should keep in mind that food trucks are subject to change. \nDrink specials and beverages are available from the Sun Patio Bar. \nOutside food\, beverages and coolers aren’t permitted. \nFire Pits and a Different Way to Watch\nGuests looking for something beyond general admission can also reserve one of the Sun Patio’s fire pits. \nThe reserved areas provide seating and cocktail service\, with VIP fire pits positioned for better views of the stage. \nThey’re separate from the free general-admission experience\, so nobody needs a reservation simply to attend the concert. \nFor everyone else\, it’s first come\, first served: find a chair\, claim some space or head toward the dance floor. \nForty Years of Music Made to Move\nSoul Sound Revue is an unusually good fit for what Mohegan Sun has built on the patio. \nThe setting doesn’t demand a quiet audience staring toward a stage. There’s food moving around\, drinks being poured\, people talking\, fire pits burning and a dance floor sitting directly in front of the band. \nThen you put a horn section behind three singers and start pulling songs from Motown\, Stevie Wonder and Earth\, Wind & Fire. \nAt that point\, the patio can take care of itself. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Soul Sound Revue – Motown Tribute at Sun Patio\nSeries: Party on the Sun Patio\nDate: Friday\, August 28\, 2026\nDoors: 6:30 p.m.\nBand Starts: 8 p.m.\nEvent Ends: 11 p.m.\nLocation: Sun Patio at Mohegan Sun\nAddress: 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard\, Uncasville\, CT 06382\nAdmission: Free\nAge Requirement: 21+ with valid ID\nSeating: First-come\, first-served\nPersonal Chairs: Permitted\nChair Rentals: $10\nOutside Food and Beverages: Not permitted\nFeatured Food Trucks: Hungry Lion\, Reel Catch and Yummy Wagon\nPerformer: Soul Sound Revue\nMusic: Motown\, soul\, funk\, R&B and dance music \nSoul Sound Revue performs as part of the 14-week Party on the Sun Patio series\, which continues every Friday through September 18. \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/soul-sound-revue-brings-the-sound-of-motown-to-mohegan-sun/
LOCATION:Sun Patio at the Mohegan Sun\, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd\, Uncasville\, 06382\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mohegan Sun
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Soul-Sound-Revue-brings-the-sound-of-Motown-to-Mohegan-Sun.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260827T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260827T203000
DTSTAMP:20260609T180833Z
CREATED:20260609T180833Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260609T180833Z
UID:10005637-1787851800-1787862600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Thirsty Thursdays at Deans Mill Farm
DESCRIPTION:Thirsty Thursdays at Deans Mill Farm bring together live music\, food trucks\, and refreshing drinks for a weekly gathering in Stonington. Held throughout the season\, the event offers a relaxed outdoor setting where visitors can unwind after work\, enjoy local entertainment\, and spend an evening with family and friends on the farm. \nEach week features performances by local musicians alongside a rotating selection of food trucks serving a variety of menu options. Guests can also enjoy signature drinks and cold beverages while taking in the farm atmosphere. The combination of live entertainment\, food\, and open-air surroundings makes the event a popular way to enjoy a summer evening on the shoreline. \nThe series is well suited for families\, groups of friends\, and anyone looking for a casual community gathering. Whether you’re stopping by for the music\, grabbing dinner from a food truck\, or simply enjoying a drink outdoors\, Thirsty Thursdays offers a welcoming\, family-friendly environment throughout the season. \nAdditional Details\n\nSchedule: Every Thursday\nSeason: May 7 through October 29\nTime: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.\nLocation: Deans Mill Farm\, 1189 Pequot Trail\, Stonington\, CT\nLive music from local artists\nFood trucks serving a variety of food options\nSignature drinks and cold beverages available\nFamily-friendly event\nFree admission\nNo animals permitted\nNo outside alcohol permitted\nWeather permitting\nTimes and activities subject to change
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/thirsty-thursdays-at-deans-mill-farm/2026-08-27/
LOCATION:Deans Mill Farm\, 1189 Pequot Trail\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Deans Mill Farm
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Thirsty-Thursdays-at-Deans-Mill-Farm-Thursdays-530-pm-to-830-pm.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260827T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260827T200000
DTSTAMP:20260717T032431Z
CREATED:20260717T032431Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T032431Z
UID:10006872-1787850000-1787860800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Saltwater Farm Vineyard Thursday Music Series
DESCRIPTION:Saltwater Farm Vineyard Thursday Music Series brings live music\, local food trucks\, and handcrafted wines to the vineyard every Thursday evening throughout the summer. Beginning at 5 p.m.\, the free series offers the perfect way to unwind after work while enjoying performances from local musicians in one of southeastern Connecticut’s most picturesque winery settings. \nGuests can pair Saltwater Farm Vineyard’s wines with offerings from a rotating lineup of food trucks while listening to live music surrounded by rolling vineyards. Housed in a beautifully restored World War II-era airplane hangar\, the winery combines rich local history with modern winemaking to create a one-of-a-kind destination on the Connecticut shoreline. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: Saltwater Farm Vineyard Thursday Music Series\nSchedule: Select Thursdays\nTime: 5:00 p.m.\nVenue: Saltwater Farm Vineyard\nAddress: 349 Elm St.\, Stonington\, CT\nAdmission: Free\n\n2026 Thursday Schedule\nThursday\, July 23 – 5:00 p.m. \n\nEric Nichols\nFood Truck: Fire in the Kitchen Pizza Truck\n\nThursday\, July 30 – 5:00 p.m. \n\nEthan Cash\nFood Truck: The Grazing Cart\n\nThursday\, August 6 – 5:00 p.m. \n\nNick Bosse\nFood Trucks:\n\nSouth County BBQ\nJ&R Seafood Raw Bar\n\n\n\nThursday\, August 13 – 5:00 p.m. \n\nBen Freiert\nFood Truck: J&R Seafood Raw Bar\n\nThursday\, August 20 – 5:00 p.m. \n\nDave Alves\nFood Truck: J&R Seafood Raw Bar\n\nThursday\, August 27 – 5:00 p.m. \n\nLuke & Mike\nFood Truck: South County BBQ\n\nAbout Saltwater Farm Vineyard\nFounded on the grounds of a former private airfield\, Saltwater Farm Vineyard preserves the property’s historic World War II-era hangar while producing award-winning wines in a spectacular coastal setting. The restored winery has become one of Connecticut’s premier destinations for wine\, live music\, and scenic outdoor gatherings. \nWhy Attend\n\nFree Thursday evening concerts\nAward-winning wines\nRotating food trucks\nHistoric vineyard setting\nRelaxed summer atmosphere
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/saltwater-farm-vineyard-thursday-music-series/2026-08-27/
LOCATION:Saltwater Farm Vineyard\, 349 Elm Street\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Saltwater Farm Vineyard
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Saltwater-Farm-Vineyard-Thursday-Music-Series-Thursdays-at-5-pm-Food-Trucks-on-site-see-schedule-below.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260823T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260823T190000
DTSTAMP:20260717T031402Z
CREATED:20260717T031402Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T031402Z
UID:10006865-1787497200-1787511600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Saltwater Farm Vineyard Sunday Music Series
DESCRIPTION:Saltwater Farm Vineyard Sunday Music Series offers relaxing Sunday afternoons filled with live local music\, award-winning wines\, and rotating food trucks at one of Connecticut’s most distinctive vineyards. Held throughout the summer\, the free series invites guests to unwind among the vines while enjoying talented regional musicians in the peaceful setting of a beautifully restored historic property. \nSaltwater Farm Vineyard occupies the site of a former World War II-era private airfield. The property’s original airplane hangar has been transformed into a striking winery while preserving its soaring timber trusses and aviation heritage. Surrounded by vineyards and coastal farmland\, it’s an ideal destination for spending a leisurely Sunday with friends and family. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: Saltwater Farm Vineyard Sunday Music Series\nVenue: Saltwater Farm Vineyard\nAddress: 349 Elm St.\, Stonington\, CT\nAdmission: Free\n\n2026 Sunday Schedule\nSunday\, July 19 – 3:00 p.m. \n\nDavid Swanson\nFood Truck: Twin Beaks Fried Chicken\n\nSunday\, July 26 – 3:00 p.m. \n\nBen Freiert\nFood Truck: Fire in the Kitchen Pizza Truck\n\nSunday\, August 2 – 3:00 p.m. \n\nJason Ingriselli\nFood Truck: The Rolling Tomato Pizza Truck\n\nSunday\, August 9 – 3:00 p.m. \n\nBen Kane\nFood Truck: The Rolling Tomato Pizza Truck\n\nSunday\, August 16 – 2:30 p.m. \n\nDan Watson\nFood Truck: The Rolling Tomato Pizza Truck\n\nSunday\, August 23 – 3:00 p.m. \n\nSteve Cleary\nFood Truck: Twin Beaks Fried Chicken\n\nSunday\, August 30 – 3:00 p.m. \n\nPhil Smith\nFood Truck: Fire in the Kitchen Pizza Truck\n\nAbout Saltwater Farm Vineyard\nLocated on the site of a former private airfield\, Saltwater Farm Vineyard blends history\, architecture\, and winemaking. The restored World War II-era hangar now serves as the winery\, preserving an important part of Stonington’s past while creating one of Connecticut’s most unique vineyard destinations. \nWhy Attend\n\nFree live music\nAward-winning wines\nRotating food trucks\nScenic vineyard setting\nRelaxing Sunday afternoons
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/saltwater-farm-vineyard-sunday-music-series/2026-08-23/
LOCATION:Saltwater Farm Vineyard\, 349 Elm Street\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Saltwater Farm Vineyard
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Saltwater-Farm-Vineyard-Sunday-Music-Series-Sundays-at-3-pm-Food-Trucks-on-site-see-schedule-below.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260823T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260823T173000
DTSTAMP:20260716T173134Z
CREATED:20260716T173134Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260716T173134Z
UID:10006849-1787495400-1787506200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Sunday Jam Sessions at Deans Mill Farm
DESCRIPTION:Sunday Jam Sessions at Deans Mill Farm return every Sunday through the season\, bringing live local music\, food trucks\, and refreshing drinks to one of Stonington’s favorite outdoor gathering spots. Held from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m.\, the free weekly series offers a relaxed afternoon where families\, friends\, and music lovers can unwind while enjoying performances from talented local musicians in the scenic setting of Deans Mill Farm. \nEach Sunday features a different performer\, giving visitors something new to experience throughout the season. Along with live entertainment\, food trucks serve a variety of favorites while the farm offers signature drinks and other cold beverages. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs\, settle in for the afternoon\, and enjoy a casual community atmosphere. The event is family-friendly\, although outside alcohol and pets are not permitted. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: Sunday Jam Sessions\nSchedule: Every Sunday\nTime: 2:30-5:30 p.m.\nSeason: Through October (Weather Permitting)\nVenue: Deans Mill Farm\nAddress: 1189 Pequot Trail\, Stonington\, CT\nAdmission: Free\n\nWhat to Expect\n\nLive music from local performers\nRotating food trucks\nSignature drinks and cold beverages\nFamily-friendly outdoor atmosphere\n\n2026 Concert Schedule\nJuly 19 \n\nBig Lux\n\nJuly 26 \n\nT. Ray Taylor\n\nAugust 2 \n\nBen Freiert\n\nAugust 9 \n\nFrankenphil\n\nAugust 16 \n\nBen Freiert\n\nAugust 23 \n\nRobbed By Locals\n\nAugust 30 \n\nJames Harris\n\nSeptember 6 \n\nTo Be Announced\n\nSeptember 13 \n\nFrankenphil\n\nSeptember 20 \n\nTo Be Announced\n\nSeptember 27 \n\nJonny Debit\n\nOctober 4 \n\nKGB\n\nOctober 11 \n\nFrankenphil\n\nOctober 18 \n\nDan Watson\n\nOctober 25 \n\nJames Harris\n\nKnow Before You Go\n\nFamily-friendly event\nNo outside alcohol\nNo pets\nWeather permitting\nTimes are subject to change\n\nWhy Attend\n\nFree weekly live music\nRotating lineup of local musicians\nFood trucks and beverages\nRelaxed outdoor setting\nGreat Sunday afternoon tradition\n\n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/sunday-jam-sessions-at-deans-mill-farm/2026-08-23/
LOCATION:Deans Mill Farm\, 1189 Pequot Trail\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Deans Mill Farm
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Sunday-Jam-Sessions-at-Deans-Mill-Farm-Sundays-230-pm-530-pm.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260823T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260823T180000
DTSTAMP:20260820T204125Z
CREATED:20260820T203751Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T204125Z
UID:10007248-1787479200-1787508000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Family Day Summer Finale at TreeTrails Adventures Mystic
DESCRIPTION:Family Day Summer Finale at TreeTrails Adventures Mystic gives families one more chance to pack some adventure into summer before the school-year routine takes over. \nRunning Friday through Sunday\, August 21–23\, the special weekend centers around a Family 4-Pack for $200\, reducing the price to $50 per person. Better yet\, families don’t have to squeeze their actual climbing adventure into this weekend. The discounted four-packs must be purchased during the promotion\, but can be used for a later visit. \nFor families who do want to climb this weekend\, TreeTrails will be open until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday\, creating an opportunity to experience the aerial park after dark. \nWhat Exactly Is TreeTrails?\nHidden in the woods about five minutes from downtown Mystic\, TreeTrails is considerably bigger than a few zip lines strung between trees. \nThe Main Park spreads across approximately nine wooded acres\, with five aerial trails containing about 70 different challenges and 18 zip lines. \nClimbers encounter suspended bridges\, ladders\, cables\, ropes\, moving obstacles and zip lines while traveling between platforms high in the trees. \nThe courses aren’t all created equal\, either. \nThey’re color-coded by difficulty\, allowing first-time climbers to begin relatively close to the ground before more experienced participants work their way toward considerably tougher challenges. \nFive Courses from Beginner to Expert\nTwo yellow courses provide the starting point. \nNautilus is designed as an introduction to aerial climbing\, with relatively stable obstacles that help newcomers become comfortable moving between platforms. It still includes four zip lines and an obstacle inspired by the shape of a lobster trap. \nSchooner remains beginner-friendly but adds more movement\, including swinging and wobbling bridges that require additional balance. \nThe green Columbia course moves into intermediate territory. Its longer obstacles require more confidence and problem-solving\, but there’s a payoff: Columbia includes the park’s longest and fastest zip lines. \nThings get considerably more serious on the blue Whaler course. Obstacles move and sway\, upper-body strength becomes more important\, and one challenge sends climbers across a 100-foot tightrope. \nFinally\, the black Cutter course is TreeTrails’ expert-level challenge\, incorporating demanding climbing elements\, unusual zip lines and obstacles designed to test strength\, balance and agility. \nThe Main Park reaches heights of approximately 55 feet above the forest floor at its most difficult points. \nYounger Kids Get Their Own Adventure\nFamilies with younger children don’t have to leave them watching from below. \nKidTrails is designed specifically for ages 4–7\, essentially shrinking the aerial-adventure concept to fit younger climbers. \nIts two courses\, Dingy and Tugboat\, contain a combined 24 challenges\, including bridges\, cable obstacles and zip lines. Instead of sending children high into the trees\, KidTrails stays just a few feet above the ground. \nThat allows a parent or guardian to walk alongside while children navigate the course in their own climbing equipment. \nKidTrails participants must be at least 4 years old and weigh at least 25 pounds. Adult supervision is required. \nWhat Happens When You Arrive?\nTreeTrails recommends arriving approximately 15 minutes before a scheduled reservation. \nBefore anyone heads into the trees\, staff members fit each climber with a full-body harness and the necessary climbing equipment. Participants then receive a safety briefing followed by coaching on practice lines. \nFirst-time Main Park visitors begin on a yellow or green course before progressing to more difficult trails. \nOnce the preparation is complete\, climbers receive approximately two hours of climbing and zip-line time. \nThere’s no requirement to race through every course. \nIndividual trails generally take approximately 15 to 30 minutes to complete\, and participants can choose courses based on their ability and comfort level. Someone having a great time on an easier trail can repeat it rather than moving immediately to something more difficult. \nTreeTrails recommends allowing roughly three hours for the complete visit\, including check-in\, equipment preparation\, instruction and climbing. \nClimbing After Dark\nFriday and Saturday’s 10 p.m. closing times open another possibility. \nTreeTrails regularly offers nighttime climbing\, transforming the wooded aerial park with colorful lighting while music plays through the property. \nThe experience changes once daylight disappears. Bridges\, platforms and zip lines that looked one way during the afternoon take on a completely different character beneath the lights. \nTreeTrails offers nighttime climbing opportunities throughout its season\, and its Glow experiences have become one of the park’s distinctive attractions. \nFamilies interested in climbing later in the evening should reserve ahead\, particularly because access to the most difficult courses begins closing before the park’s nightly closing time so climbers have enough time to finish safely. \nPrefer Both Feet on the Ground?\nTreeTrails also operates Mystic Axes\, an outdoor axe-throwing attraction for ages 12 and older. \nThe attraction has two lanes\, with as many as six people permitted per lane. Sessions run approximately an hour and begin with safety instruction and practice. \nNo previous axe-throwing experience is necessary. \nIt’s an alternative for older family members who like the outdoor setting but aren’t particularly interested in dangling 50 feet above it. \nWhat to Wear and Know Before Climbing\nThis is an active outdoor experience\, so clothing matters. \nClimbers should wear comfortable athletic clothing that won’t become tangled in ropes or cables. Long hair should be tied back. \nClosed-toe\, closed-heel shoes are required. Sneakers or hiking shoes are good choices. Sandals\, flip-flops and Crocs aren’t permitted for climbing. \nMain Park participants must weigh more than 45 pounds and less than 265 pounds and must be able to reach 65 inches to operate safety equipment throughout the courses. \nBecause climbing is outdoors\, weather can affect operations. High winds\, lightning or other severe conditions can temporarily close the courses. TreeTrails offers rescheduling or rain checks when conditions prevent safe operation. \nThe Family 4-Pack Deal\nThe Summer Finale promotion makes the weekend particularly interesting for families who already know they want to visit TreeTrails but aren’t sure they can fit it into the final days before school. \nFamily 4-Pack: $200 \nThat works out to $50 per person. \nThe four-pack is available for purchase August 21–23 only\, but the climbing visit itself can take place at a later date. \nThat’s a meaningful discount compared with regular Main Park admission\, which is normally around the upper-$60 range per climber when purchased in advance. \nReservations are strongly recommended because climbing times can fill\, particularly during busy weekends. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Family Day Summer Finale\nDates: Friday–Sunday\, August 21–23\, 2026 \nFriday\, August 21: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.\nSaturday\, August 22: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.\nSunday\, August 23: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. \nFamily 4-Pack: $200\nPrice Per Person: $50\nPromotion: Four-pack must be purchased during the Summer Finale weekend but may be used at a later date. \nMain Park: Ages 7 through adult\nKidTrails: Ages 4–7\nMain Park Experience: Approximately two hours of climbing\nMain Park: Five courses\, approximately 70 challenges and 18 zip lines\nMaximum Course Height: Approximately 55 feet\nMystic Axes: Available for ages 12 and older \nTreeTrails is located just off I-95’s Allyn Street exit and approximately five minutes from downtown Mystic. \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \nTo reserve a climbing time or purchase the Family 4-Pack\, click the Event Ticketing link below. \n3 \n6.6. \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/family-day-summer-finale-at-treetrails-adventures-mystic/2026-08-23/
LOCATION:TreeTrails Adventures\, 715 Noank Ledyard Road\, Mystic\, CT\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:TreeTrails Adventures
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Family-Day-Summer-Finale-at-TreeTrails-Adventures-Mystic.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260822T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260822T190000
DTSTAMP:20260718T025834Z
CREATED:20260718T025834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T025834Z
UID:10006884-1787410800-1787425200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Kingdom of the Hawk Saturday Music Series
DESCRIPTION:Kingdom of the Hawk Saturday Music Series continues throughout the summer with free afternoon concerts featuring local musicians\, food vendors\, and handcrafted wines in the scenic surroundings of North Stonington. Guests are invited to spend Saturday afternoons enjoying live performances while overlooking the vineyards and relaxing at one of Connecticut’s most picturesque wineries. \nSet among 50 acres of rolling farmland\, Kingdom of the Hawk blends contemporary architecture with the area’s agricultural heritage\, creating an inviting destination where great wine\, live music\, and beautiful scenery come together throughout the summer season. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: Kingdom of the Hawk Saturday Music Series\nSchedule: Select Saturdays\nVenue: Kingdom of the Hawk Winery\nLocation: North Stonington\, CT\nAdmission: Free\n\n2026 Saturday Schedule\nSaturday\, July 25 – 3:00 p.m. \n\nShane Patrick and Casey Rivers\n\nSaturday\, August 1 – 3:00 p.m. \n\nBen Freiert\nFood Truck: South County BBQ\n\nSaturday\, August 8 – 3:00 p.m. \n\nJason Ingriselli\nFood Truck: The Grazing Cart\n\nSaturday\, August 15 – 3:00 p.m. \n\nBrad Bensko\nFood Truck: The Grazing Cart\n\nSaturday\, August 22 – 2:30 p.m. \n\nDan Watson\nFood Vendor: Jayy’s\n\nAbout Kingdom of the Hawk\nKingdom of the Hawk was established on a former farm in North Stonington\, where its striking contemporary winery overlooks vineyards and preserved countryside. Together with Saltwater Farm Vineyard\, it represents a unique blend of modern design\, local history\, and exceptional winemaking. \nWhy Attend\n\nFree Saturday concerts\nLocal musicians\nFood vendors\nVineyard atmosphere\nAward-winning wines
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/kingdom-of-the-hawk-saturday-music-series/2026-08-22/
LOCATION:Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyard\, 113 Pendelton Hill Road\, North Stonington\, 06359\, United States
CATEGORIES:Kingdom of the Hawk Winery
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Kingdom-of-the-Hawk-Saturday-Music-Series-Saturdays-this-summer-at-3-pm.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260821T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260821T220000
DTSTAMP:20260820T031914Z
CREATED:20260820T031734Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T031914Z
UID:10007229-1787337000-1787349600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Fleetwood Macked: The Ultimate Tribute to Fleetwood Mac
DESCRIPTION:Fleetwood Macked: The Ultimate Tribute to Fleetwood Mac brings the songs of one of rock’s most enduring bands to Mohegan Sun’s Sun Patio on Friday\, August 21\, as the free Party on the Sun Patio series continues. \nDoors open at 6:30 p.m.\, with Fleetwood Macked taking the stage at 8 p.m. for an outdoor show built around the Fleetwood Mac catalog\, including favorites such as “Go Your Own Way\,” “Dreams\,” “Don’t Stop\,” “Rhiannon” and “Landslide.” \nThe concert is part of Mohegan Sun’s 14-week summer series of free Friday night performances\, combining live music with food trucks\, drinks and an open-air setting. \nMore Than 18 Years of Fleetwood Mac\nFleetwood Macked isn’t a recently assembled tribute act. \nThe New York-based group has spent more than 18 years recreating Fleetwood Mac onstage\, with its members portraying the celebrated Rumours-era lineup of Stevie Nicks\, Lindsey Buckingham\, Christine McVie\, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood. \nAt the center are husband-and-wife musicians Hillary and Michael Epstein\, performing the Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham roles. They’re joined by Tracy Wells as Christine McVie\, Jay Novas as John McVie\, Phil Weiss as Mick Fleetwood and Andrew Nadien on keyboards\, guitar and vocals. \nThe musicians had performed together in various combinations before forming Fleetwood Macked around their shared interest in Fleetwood Mac. All came to the project with backgrounds as professional touring rock musicians. \nThat experience shapes the group’s approach. Rather than substantially rearranging the material\, Fleetwood Macked says it tries to reproduce the songs as Fleetwood Mac performed them\, paying particular attention to the vocal harmonies and instrumental parts that defined the band’s sound. \nThe production goes beyond the music with costume changes\, dialogue and video backdrops designed to evoke different periods in Fleetwood Mac’s history. The group has performed both greatest-hits shows and Rumours in its entirety. \nFrom Rumours to the Later Hits\nFleetwood Macked concentrates heavily on the best-known Fleetwood Mac lineup\, giving the band an enormous catalog to draw from. \nFleetwood Mac’s self-titled 1975 album established the Buckingham-Nicks version of the group\, while 1977’s Rumours became one of the defining albums of its era. \nThat period produced songs including “Dreams\,” “Go Your Own Way\,” “The Chain” and “Don’t Stop\,” while later albums added favorites such as “Tusk\,” “Hold Me\,” “Gypsy” and “Little Lies.” \nFleetwood Macked has built its touring show around reproducing that era both musically and visually. The group has appeared at theaters\, casinos and concert venues around the country\, including The Paramount in New York\, Penn’s Peak in Pennsylvania\, Ridgefield Playhouse in Connecticut and Mohegan Sun Pocono. \nParty on the Sun Patio\nFriday’s concert is part of Party on the Sun Patio\, Mohegan Sun’s free outdoor summer concert series. \nThe 2026 season runs for 14 weeks and focuses heavily on tribute acts celebrating artists and musical eras ranging from Bruce Springsteen and Queen to Journey\, Motown and the Zac Brown Band. Fleetwood Macked occupies the August 21 spot in the series. \nThe Sun Patio combines the concert stage with an outdoor bar\, food trucks\, fire pits and room for guests to stand or dance. \nGuests may bring their own chairs\, or Adirondack chairs can be rented for $10 at the Tiki Hut. Rental chairs aren’t permitted around the fire pits or on the dance floor. Coolers and outside food and beverages aren’t allowed. \nFor guests looking for reserved space\, VIP fire pits are available for $45 per person and include one alcoholic beverage per person\, cocktail service and a prime view of the stage. \nFood Trucks and Drinks\nFood and drinks are part of the Friday-night setup\, with the Sun Patio Bar serving throughout the event. \nMohegan Sun currently lists three food trucks for Fleetwood Macked: \nTwin Beaks Fried Chicken\nRubino’s Full Scoop\nReel Catch \nLimited-edition Party on the Sun Patio merchandise is also available at the Tiki Hut while supplies last. \nWhat Happens if It Rains?\nThere are no rain dates for Party on the Sun Patio concerts. \nIf weather prevents the outdoor show from taking place\, Mohegan Sun says cancellations will be announced by 2 p.m. on the day of the event\, with bands performing instead in the Wolf Den. \nBecause schedules and food trucks can change\, guests should check Mohegan Sun’s event page before leaving for the concert. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Fleetwood Macked: The Ultimate Tribute to Fleetwood Mac\nDate: Friday\, August 21\, 2026\nDoors: 6:30 p.m.\nBand: 8 p.m.\nAdmission: Free\nLocation: Sun Patio at Mohegan Sun\nAddress: 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard\, Uncasville\, CT 06382 \nMore information about the concert is available on the Event link below. \nMore information about the performers is available from Fleetwood Macked. \n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/fleetwood-macked-the-ultimate-tribute-to-fleetwood-mac/
LOCATION:Sun Patio at the Mohegan Sun\, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd\, Uncasville\, 06382\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mohegan Sun
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Fleetwood-Macked-The-Ultimate-Tribute-to-Fleetwood-Mac.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260821T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260821T200000
DTSTAMP:20260718T023549Z
CREATED:20260718T023549Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260718T023549Z
UID:10006878-1787331600-1787342400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Kingdom of the Hawk Winery Friday Music Series
DESCRIPTION:Kingdom of the Hawk Winery Friday Music Series returns throughout the summer with live music\, local food\, and award-winning wines overlooking the vineyards of North Stonington. Every Friday evening\, guests can relax on the winery’s expansive grounds while enjoying performances by talented regional musicians\, delicious food trucks\, and panoramic countryside views at one of Connecticut’s newest winery destinations. \nOpened after the property was purchased in 2018\, Kingdom of the Hawk sits on 50 acres of farmland where rolling vineyards meet contemporary architecture inspired by the town’s agricultural heritage. The modern winery shares the same commitment to exceptional wine and striking design as its sister property\, Saltwater Farm Vineyard\, creating a memorable setting for summer evenings with family and friends. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: Kingdom of the Hawk Friday Music Series\nSchedule: Select Fridays\nTime: 5:00 p.m.\nVenue: Kingdom of the Hawk Winery\nLocation: North Stonington\, CT\nAdmission: Free\n\n2026 Friday Schedule\nFriday\, July 17 \n\nJake Hunsinger\nFood Truck: South County BBQ\n\nFriday\, July 24 \n\nTy Marshall\nFood Truck: South County BBQ\n\nFriday\, July 31 \n\nPeter Mainelli\nFood Truck: The Grazing Cart\n\nFriday\, August 7 \n\nPhil Smith\nFood Truck: South County BBQ\n\nFriday\, August 14 \n\nNatalie Paige\nFood Truck: South County BBQ\n\nFriday\, August 21 \n\nTravis Hyll\n\nAbout Kingdom of the Hawk\nLocated on 50 scenic acres in North Stonington\, Kingdom of the Hawk blends contemporary architecture with the area’s farming heritage. The winery offers sweeping vineyard views and handcrafted wines in a unique modern setting. \nWhy Attend\n\nFree live music\nAward-winning winery\nVineyard views\nRotating food trucks\nRelaxing Friday evenings
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/kingdom-of-the-hawk-winery-friday-music-series/2026-08-21/
LOCATION:Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyard\, 113 Pendelton Hill Road\, North Stonington\, 06359\, United States
CATEGORIES:Kingdom of the Hawk Winery
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Kingdom-of-the-Hawk-Winery-Friday-Music-Series-Fridays-this-summer-at-5pm.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260821T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260821T220000
DTSTAMP:20260820T204125Z
CREATED:20260820T203751Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260820T204125Z
UID:10007246-1787306400-1787349600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Family Day Summer Finale at TreeTrails Adventures Mystic
DESCRIPTION:Family Day Summer Finale at TreeTrails Adventures Mystic gives families one more chance to pack some adventure into summer before the school-year routine takes over. \nRunning Friday through Sunday\, August 21–23\, the special weekend centers around a Family 4-Pack for $200\, reducing the price to $50 per person. Better yet\, families don’t have to squeeze their actual climbing adventure into this weekend. The discounted four-packs must be purchased during the promotion\, but can be used for a later visit. \nFor families who do want to climb this weekend\, TreeTrails will be open until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday\, creating an opportunity to experience the aerial park after dark. \nWhat Exactly Is TreeTrails?\nHidden in the woods about five minutes from downtown Mystic\, TreeTrails is considerably bigger than a few zip lines strung between trees. \nThe Main Park spreads across approximately nine wooded acres\, with five aerial trails containing about 70 different challenges and 18 zip lines. \nClimbers encounter suspended bridges\, ladders\, cables\, ropes\, moving obstacles and zip lines while traveling between platforms high in the trees. \nThe courses aren’t all created equal\, either. \nThey’re color-coded by difficulty\, allowing first-time climbers to begin relatively close to the ground before more experienced participants work their way toward considerably tougher challenges. \nFive Courses from Beginner to Expert\nTwo yellow courses provide the starting point. \nNautilus is designed as an introduction to aerial climbing\, with relatively stable obstacles that help newcomers become comfortable moving between platforms. It still includes four zip lines and an obstacle inspired by the shape of a lobster trap. \nSchooner remains beginner-friendly but adds more movement\, including swinging and wobbling bridges that require additional balance. \nThe green Columbia course moves into intermediate territory. Its longer obstacles require more confidence and problem-solving\, but there’s a payoff: Columbia includes the park’s longest and fastest zip lines. \nThings get considerably more serious on the blue Whaler course. Obstacles move and sway\, upper-body strength becomes more important\, and one challenge sends climbers across a 100-foot tightrope. \nFinally\, the black Cutter course is TreeTrails’ expert-level challenge\, incorporating demanding climbing elements\, unusual zip lines and obstacles designed to test strength\, balance and agility. \nThe Main Park reaches heights of approximately 55 feet above the forest floor at its most difficult points. \nYounger Kids Get Their Own Adventure\nFamilies with younger children don’t have to leave them watching from below. \nKidTrails is designed specifically for ages 4–7\, essentially shrinking the aerial-adventure concept to fit younger climbers. \nIts two courses\, Dingy and Tugboat\, contain a combined 24 challenges\, including bridges\, cable obstacles and zip lines. Instead of sending children high into the trees\, KidTrails stays just a few feet above the ground. \nThat allows a parent or guardian to walk alongside while children navigate the course in their own climbing equipment. \nKidTrails participants must be at least 4 years old and weigh at least 25 pounds. Adult supervision is required. \nWhat Happens When You Arrive?\nTreeTrails recommends arriving approximately 15 minutes before a scheduled reservation. \nBefore anyone heads into the trees\, staff members fit each climber with a full-body harness and the necessary climbing equipment. Participants then receive a safety briefing followed by coaching on practice lines. \nFirst-time Main Park visitors begin on a yellow or green course before progressing to more difficult trails. \nOnce the preparation is complete\, climbers receive approximately two hours of climbing and zip-line time. \nThere’s no requirement to race through every course. \nIndividual trails generally take approximately 15 to 30 minutes to complete\, and participants can choose courses based on their ability and comfort level. Someone having a great time on an easier trail can repeat it rather than moving immediately to something more difficult. \nTreeTrails recommends allowing roughly three hours for the complete visit\, including check-in\, equipment preparation\, instruction and climbing. \nClimbing After Dark\nFriday and Saturday’s 10 p.m. closing times open another possibility. \nTreeTrails regularly offers nighttime climbing\, transforming the wooded aerial park with colorful lighting while music plays through the property. \nThe experience changes once daylight disappears. Bridges\, platforms and zip lines that looked one way during the afternoon take on a completely different character beneath the lights. \nTreeTrails offers nighttime climbing opportunities throughout its season\, and its Glow experiences have become one of the park’s distinctive attractions. \nFamilies interested in climbing later in the evening should reserve ahead\, particularly because access to the most difficult courses begins closing before the park’s nightly closing time so climbers have enough time to finish safely. \nPrefer Both Feet on the Ground?\nTreeTrails also operates Mystic Axes\, an outdoor axe-throwing attraction for ages 12 and older. \nThe attraction has two lanes\, with as many as six people permitted per lane. Sessions run approximately an hour and begin with safety instruction and practice. \nNo previous axe-throwing experience is necessary. \nIt’s an alternative for older family members who like the outdoor setting but aren’t particularly interested in dangling 50 feet above it. \nWhat to Wear and Know Before Climbing\nThis is an active outdoor experience\, so clothing matters. \nClimbers should wear comfortable athletic clothing that won’t become tangled in ropes or cables. Long hair should be tied back. \nClosed-toe\, closed-heel shoes are required. Sneakers or hiking shoes are good choices. Sandals\, flip-flops and Crocs aren’t permitted for climbing. \nMain Park participants must weigh more than 45 pounds and less than 265 pounds and must be able to reach 65 inches to operate safety equipment throughout the courses. \nBecause climbing is outdoors\, weather can affect operations. High winds\, lightning or other severe conditions can temporarily close the courses. TreeTrails offers rescheduling or rain checks when conditions prevent safe operation. \nThe Family 4-Pack Deal\nThe Summer Finale promotion makes the weekend particularly interesting for families who already know they want to visit TreeTrails but aren’t sure they can fit it into the final days before school. \nFamily 4-Pack: $200 \nThat works out to $50 per person. \nThe four-pack is available for purchase August 21–23 only\, but the climbing visit itself can take place at a later date. \nThat’s a meaningful discount compared with regular Main Park admission\, which is normally around the upper-$60 range per climber when purchased in advance. \nReservations are strongly recommended because climbing times can fill\, particularly during busy weekends. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Family Day Summer Finale\nDates: Friday–Sunday\, August 21–23\, 2026 \nFriday\, August 21: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.\nSaturday\, August 22: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.\nSunday\, August 23: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. \nFamily 4-Pack: $200\nPrice Per Person: $50\nPromotion: Four-pack must be purchased during the Summer Finale weekend but may be used at a later date. \nMain Park: Ages 7 through adult\nKidTrails: Ages 4–7\nMain Park Experience: Approximately two hours of climbing\nMain Park: Five courses\, approximately 70 challenges and 18 zip lines\nMaximum Course Height: Approximately 55 feet\nMystic Axes: Available for ages 12 and older \nTreeTrails is located just off I-95’s Allyn Street exit and approximately five minutes from downtown Mystic. \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \nTo reserve a climbing time or purchase the Family 4-Pack\, click the Event Ticketing link below. \n3 \n6.6. \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/family-day-summer-finale-at-treetrails-adventures-mystic/2026-08-21/
LOCATION:TreeTrails Adventures\, 715 Noank Ledyard Road\, Mystic\, CT\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:TreeTrails Adventures
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DTSTAMP:20260609T180833Z
CREATED:20260609T180833Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260609T180833Z
UID:10005636-1787247000-1787257800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Thirsty Thursdays at Deans Mill Farm
DESCRIPTION:Thirsty Thursdays at Deans Mill Farm bring together live music\, food trucks\, and refreshing drinks for a weekly gathering in Stonington. Held throughout the season\, the event offers a relaxed outdoor setting where visitors can unwind after work\, enjoy local entertainment\, and spend an evening with family and friends on the farm. \nEach week features performances by local musicians alongside a rotating selection of food trucks serving a variety of menu options. Guests can also enjoy signature drinks and cold beverages while taking in the farm atmosphere. The combination of live entertainment\, food\, and open-air surroundings makes the event a popular way to enjoy a summer evening on the shoreline. \nThe series is well suited for families\, groups of friends\, and anyone looking for a casual community gathering. Whether you’re stopping by for the music\, grabbing dinner from a food truck\, or simply enjoying a drink outdoors\, Thirsty Thursdays offers a welcoming\, family-friendly environment throughout the season. \nAdditional Details\n\nSchedule: Every Thursday\nSeason: May 7 through October 29\nTime: 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.\nLocation: Deans Mill Farm\, 1189 Pequot Trail\, Stonington\, CT\nLive music from local artists\nFood trucks serving a variety of food options\nSignature drinks and cold beverages available\nFamily-friendly event\nFree admission\nNo animals permitted\nNo outside alcohol permitted\nWeather permitting\nTimes and activities subject to change
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/thirsty-thursdays-at-deans-mill-farm/2026-08-20/
LOCATION:Deans Mill Farm\, 1189 Pequot Trail\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Deans Mill Farm
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260820T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260820T200000
DTSTAMP:20260717T032431Z
CREATED:20260717T032431Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260717T032431Z
UID:10006871-1787245200-1787256000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Saltwater Farm Vineyard Thursday Music Series
DESCRIPTION:Saltwater Farm Vineyard Thursday Music Series brings live music\, local food trucks\, and handcrafted wines to the vineyard every Thursday evening throughout the summer. Beginning at 5 p.m.\, the free series offers the perfect way to unwind after work while enjoying performances from local musicians in one of southeastern Connecticut’s most picturesque winery settings. \nGuests can pair Saltwater Farm Vineyard’s wines with offerings from a rotating lineup of food trucks while listening to live music surrounded by rolling vineyards. Housed in a beautifully restored World War II-era airplane hangar\, the winery combines rich local history with modern winemaking to create a one-of-a-kind destination on the Connecticut shoreline. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: Saltwater Farm Vineyard Thursday Music Series\nSchedule: Select Thursdays\nTime: 5:00 p.m.\nVenue: Saltwater Farm Vineyard\nAddress: 349 Elm St.\, Stonington\, CT\nAdmission: Free\n\n2026 Thursday Schedule\nThursday\, July 23 – 5:00 p.m. \n\nEric Nichols\nFood Truck: Fire in the Kitchen Pizza Truck\n\nThursday\, July 30 – 5:00 p.m. \n\nEthan Cash\nFood Truck: The Grazing Cart\n\nThursday\, August 6 – 5:00 p.m. \n\nNick Bosse\nFood Trucks:\n\nSouth County BBQ\nJ&R Seafood Raw Bar\n\n\n\nThursday\, August 13 – 5:00 p.m. \n\nBen Freiert\nFood Truck: J&R Seafood Raw Bar\n\nThursday\, August 20 – 5:00 p.m. \n\nDave Alves\nFood Truck: J&R Seafood Raw Bar\n\nThursday\, August 27 – 5:00 p.m. \n\nLuke & Mike\nFood Truck: South County BBQ\n\nAbout Saltwater Farm Vineyard\nFounded on the grounds of a former private airfield\, Saltwater Farm Vineyard preserves the property’s historic World War II-era hangar while producing award-winning wines in a spectacular coastal setting. The restored winery has become one of Connecticut’s premier destinations for wine\, live music\, and scenic outdoor gatherings. \nWhy Attend\n\nFree Thursday evening concerts\nAward-winning wines\nRotating food trucks\nHistoric vineyard setting\nRelaxed summer atmosphere
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/saltwater-farm-vineyard-thursday-music-series/2026-08-20/
LOCATION:Saltwater Farm Vineyard\, 349 Elm Street\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Saltwater Farm Vineyard
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