Have you heard what’s happening this summer in and around our Connecticut towns? We’ve compiled a schedule of exciting events you won’t want to miss, along with a reminder of recurring activities that are definitely worth your time.
July 4th 8:00pm – 11:30pm
Special Blast at the Beach Party
and
Quassy Amusement Park 3D Fireworks Spectacular
Lake Quassapaug Rt. 64, 2132 Middlebury Rd., Middlebury
Enjoy a party on the beach with DJ, free fireworks viewing glasses and food and beverages available for purchase.
Fireworks begin at 10:15 over Lake Quassapaug
Admission: $10. Kids under 45” are free & must be accompanied by an adult. Visit the website for a coupon code and to purchase tickets in advance.
Website: http://www.quassy.com/plan-your-amusement-park-visit/upcoming-events/
July 4th 6:00pm – 11:00pm
Ridgefield’s July 4th Fireworks
Ridgefield High School, 700 North Salem Rd., Ridgefield
Celebrate Independence day with fireworks, music and food. Bring chairs or a picnic blanket!
$20 Parking passes are required and can be purchased at the Ridgefield Town Hall, Fairfield County Bank or the Ridgefield Chamber of Commerce.
Website: https://business.destinationridgefield.com/events/details/ridgefield-s-july-4th-fireworks-9309
July 7th – July 11th
Newtown’s 43rd Annual Library Book Sale
Reed Intermediate School, 3 Trades Lane
One of the largest book sales in New England, this highly anticipated yearly event is always popular, drawing book enthusiasts from far and wide to peruse the 120,000 items on offer. Discover treasures in the rare book room or stock up on everything from comic books and bestsellers to antique sheet music and vinyl albums. This year’s sale includes a collection of movie posters dating from the 1970’s to the present.
9:00am – 5:00pm Saturday and Sunday (Admission $5 Saturday only)
9:00am – 7:00pm Monday (1/2 price)
9:00am – 7:00pm Tuesday ($5/our bag)
9:00am – noon Wednesday (Free Day)
Numbered Admission Tickets go on sale July 7 at 7:00am
Website: http://www.boothbooksale.org/index.html
July 14th
Danbury Railway Museum: Owney Day
Ride the train as you learn about Owney, “the rail-riding mascot of the U.S. Postal Service.” Owney was a stray dog who wandered into an Albany, NY post office in 1888 and became the mascot of the elite Railway Mail Service, traveling around the country on railway cars. See the adorable pup on the museum’s website: http://www.danburyrailwaymuseum.org/
On Owney Day, visitors will enjoy a train ride, free hot dog, an Owney-cacheted free envelope with official USPS stamp, and as the website states: “A centerpiece of the day will be the museum’s fully-restored Pennsylvania Railroad circa-1910 Railway Post Office (RPO) car.”
10:00am – 5:00pm
Admission: $12, ages 3 and over. Under 3, free.
Admission includes train ride and all activities.
Trains depart hourly from 10:30am to 3:30pm.
July 14th – 15th
Connecticut Summer Food Truck Festival
Naugatuck Event Center, 6 Rubber Ave., Naugatuck
A summer weekend can only get better when you add 20 of Connecticut’s best food trucks, live music, craft beer, kids’ activities and merchandise vendors. See the menu below to find out what kind of gastronomic delights await.
11:00am – 6:00pm
Free admission
Foodtruck menu: https://www.facebook.com/notes/ct-summer-food-truck-fest/connecticut-summer-food-truck-fest-menu/2255955741097125/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/544995809200990/
July 28th
7th Annual Westside Reggae Festival
Ives Concert Park, 43 Lake Avenue Extension, Danbury
Music, food and vendors combine to make this concert a popular summer event. Artists include Culture, Mykal Rose, Wayne Wonder and many more.
1:00pm – 10:30pm
Admission: $14 to $35 for advance tickets
$25 to $45 at the door
Bring blankets and lawn chairs
Website: https://www.ivesconcertpark.com/westside-reggae-festival-sat-july-28/
August 17th – 19th
Bridgewater County Fair
100 Main St. South, Bridgewater (Rt. 133)
This long established agricultural fair offers a true Connecticut country experience. Attractions include a tractor pull, midway, animal and home arts competitions. A zip line and NASCAR simulator are recent additions. Food and a music bandstand complete the picture of fun family entertainment.
Friday 4:00pm – 11:00pm
Saturday 8:00am – 11:00pm
Sunday 8:00am – 6:00pm
Admission:
General $8, Seniors $6
Kids under 12 Free
3-day passes $16
Website: http://www.bridgewaterfair.com/
September 3rd
Newtown Labor Day Parade
The largest Labor Day parade in Connecticut is a festive mix of local clubs and business owners, hometown heroes and state leaders – which usually includes the Governor and CT’s members of Congress. This year, Ms. Eunice Laverty will be honored as the grand marshall, a nod to her many years of service to the community as the ever kind and generous owner of Bagel Delight.
Parade begins by 10:00am. Local roads will close at 9:30am.
Website: https://newtownctlabordayparade.org/theme-program/
Farmers Markets
Get the most out of summer’s bounty by visiting area farmers markets all summer long. Below are the details on all our town farmers markets.
Bethel: Saturdays 9:00am to 1:00pm, June 2nd to December 22nd. 67 Stony Hill Rd., Bethel. https://www.bethelfarmersmarket.org/
Brookfield: Saturdays 7:30am to 12:00pm, May through October. 2000 North Calhoun Rd., Brookfield. http://www.brookfieldfarmersmarket.com/
Monroe: Fridays 3:00pm to 6:00pm. June 22nd through October 26th, 2018. Located on the Monroe Town Green, where Fan Hill Rd. meets Rt. 111. http://www.monroefarmersmarket.org/
Newtown: Tuesdays June 19th to October 16th. Fairfield Hills campus, Wasserman Way, Newtown. http://www.ctvisit.com/events/newtown-farmers-market
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/farmersmarketatfairfieldhills/
Redding (Georgetown): Sundays 10:00am to 2:00pm. 4 Old Mill Rd., Redding.
Southbury: Thursdays 3:00pm to 6:00pm June 21st through October 11th. Southbury Town Hall Green, 501 Main St. South, Southbury. http://www.southbury-ct.org/farmersmarket
Oxford: Saturdays 10:00am to 2:00pm July 1st through October 27th. 486 Oxford Rd., Oxford. https://www.localharvest.org/oxford-farmers-market-M71497
When you’re in search of additional ideas for family fun in Connecticut, check out this curated list from website Mommy Poppins:
https://mommypoppins.com/ctkids/120-things-to-do-with-kids-in-connecticut-before-they-grow-up
Finally, you can find information about all our towns have to offer on the Newtown Realty website’s neighborhoods tab: https://www.newtownr.com/neighborhoods/
We all hope you have a fun and exciting summer!
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