10 best bets and October's calendar
This Month’s 10 Best Bets
1
Italian-American Celebration
October 10-12
Hartford’s South End
712-1300
Three days of festivities include entertainment, Italian food and family amusement rides. A Mass will be held in Columbus Park on Franklin Avenue Sunday at 9 a.m. A highlight of the parade, which steps off at 10:30 a.m. Sunday from the intersection of Maple and Franklin avenues and proceeds to Columbus Park, will be performers from Floridia, Hartford’s sister city in Sicily.
2
Berlin Fair
October 3-5
Berlin Fairgrounds
828-0063
ctberlinfair.com
Operated by the Berlin Lions Club since 1949, this fair marks the end of Connecticut’s agricultural fair season. Entertainment includes Friday night fireworks, country music star Joe Nichols, contests, judged exhibits, livestock, crafts, food and a rodeo. Tickets cost $8-$12. Children younger than 11 are free.
3
40th Annual Apple Harvest Festival
Through October 5 (weekends)
Downtown Southington
276-8461
appleharvestfestival.com
Taking place on the last weekend in September and the first weekend in October, this annual family oriented event brings out the entire community. Come for the live entertainment, bed race, apple fritters, road race and parade. In conjunction with the festival, the Elks hold an OktoberFest and the First Congregational Church holds its Country Crafts and Kitchen. No charge.
4
34th Annual Apple Harvest Festival
October 18-19
Welles Street Riverfront Park, Glastonbury
659-3587
glastonburychamber.net
Voted the Best Local Annual Event in Hartford Magazine’s 2008 Best of Hartford reader’s poll, this festival features live music, a craft fair, a pie-eating contest, a pie bake-off, amusement rides, games, family entertainment and more than 30 food vendors. Admission is $3.
5
ING Hartford Marathon
October 11
Bushnell Park, Hartford
652-8866
hartfordmarathon.com
The marathon continues on a new course introduced last year that weaves through neighborhoods along Hartford’s riverfront. Runners are treated to no-hassle transportation and a post-race party. Spectators can enjoy the race, 26 musical bands and the fall foliage.
6
Riverfront Regatta
October 5
Charter Oak Landing, Hartford
713-3131
riverfront.org
More than 200 rowers from local high school, collegiate and adult teams compete for medals in one of the largest rowing competitions in the Northeast. No charge.
7
OneThing Expo: Home of a Million OneThings
October 10-12
Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford
Onethingct.com
Conceived as a "World’s Fair of Energy Conservation," this three-day event features
more than 250 exhibitors representing a myriad of industries and topics. Highlights include a trade show, educational opportunities for students, an energy-themed maze and hourly speakers. Learn winterizing tips, commuting trends and eco-friendly food facts. There’s something for everyone. $8 adults, $4 seniors, children 12 and younger are free.
8
Granby Artists Association Annual Open Studio Tour
October 11-12
Granby
413-9041
granbyartists.org
Granby artists open their homes and studios to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Twenty-six artists – from potters to painters to photographers – will show their work at 16 locations. In addition to demonstrations, visitors will have the chance to try some techniques. Maps are available online. No charge.
9
Haunted Graveyard
October 3 – November 1 (weekends)
Lake Compounce, Bristol
583-3300
hauntedgraveyard.com
Southern New England’s largest Halloween attraction is open from dusk to midnight most nights. New features this year are the Zombie Forest, Saw Mill, Hell Holler
and Country Meat Market Slaughter House. Bring your friends and family and get spooked for a good cause – the American Diabetes Association. Timed tickets are $13.95-$19.95.
10
Klingberg Antique Auto Show
October 18
370 Linwood Street, New Britain
832-5526
klingbergautoshow.org
Families will enjoy an impressive selection of meticulously restored vintage vehicles, food, entertainment, exhibits and activities for all ages. Spectator parking is at New Britain Rock Cats Stadium. Free shuttles will be provided. Admission is $5; free for
children younger than 12. The rain date is October 19.
FESTIVALS AND FAIRS
October 3 through 5: Berlin Fair, Berlin Fairgrounds. $8 to $12. 828-0063 or ctberlinfair.com.
Through October 5 (weekends): 40th Annual Apple Harvest Festival, downtown Southington. No charge. 276-8461 or appleharvestfestival.com.
October 18 and 19: 34th Annual Apple Harvest Festival, Welles Street Riverfront Park, Glastonbury. $3. 659-3587 or glastonburychamber.net.
Through October 19 (weekends): The Connecticut Renaissance Fair, 347 Gilead Street, Hebron. $7 to $16. 478-5954 or ctfaire.com.
October 9 through 12: Italian-American Celebration, South End, Hartford. No charge. 712-1300.
HAUNTED HAPPENINGS
October 3 through November 1 (weekends): Haunted Graveyard,
Lake Compounce, Bristol. $13.95 to $19.95. 583-3300 or hauntedgraveyard.com.
Through October 15: Annual Corn Maze, Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry. $3. 742-6917 or ctlandmarks.org.
October 24 through 26: West Hartford Hauntings, North Cemetery, West Hartford. $9 to $15. 521-5362 ext. 21 or noahwebsterhouse.org.
Through November 2: Lyman Orchards Fall Corn Maze, Lyman Orchards, Middlefield. $5 to $9. 349-6015 or lymanorchards.com.
Ongoing Events
EXHIBITS
Through October 5: Through the Franciscan Lens, Clare Gallery, Hartford. No charge. 756-4034 or stpatrick-stanthony.org.
Through October 11: ArtWalk 2008, West Hartford Center, Blue Back Square, Park Road and Elmwood. No charge. 521-3732 ext. 3 or whal.org.
Through October 31: Saws, A Fleem and More: Historic Medical Instruments, Old New-Gate Prison, East Granby. $3 to $5. 653-3563 or cultureandtourism.org.
SHOWS
October 3 through 5: Hartford Home Show, XL Center, Hartford. $9. 525-4500 or acshomeshow.com.
Through October 31: Attack of the B Movies, Showcase Cinemas Buckland Hills, Manchester. $5. 646-9800 or nationalamusements.com.
STAGE
October 2 through 5: Girls Night: The Musical, The Bushnell, Hartford. $25-$40. 987-6000 or bushnell.org.
October 10 through November 2: The Story of My Life, The Norma Terris Theatre, Chester. $42. 873-8668 or goodspeed.org.
October 14 through 19: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, The Bushnell, Hartford. $16.50-$65. 987-6000 or bushnell.org.
October 31 through November 16: Camelot, Cheney Hall, Manchester. $21-$28. 647-9824 or cheneyhallorg.
October 16 through October 19: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Carousel, Lincoln Theater, University of Hartford. $20. 768-4228 or hartford.edu/hart.
Special Events
2 Thursday
- Freeman for Fremont, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Butler-McCook House & Garden, Hartford. No charge. 247-8996 or ctlandmarks.org.
- Enrique Iglesias/Aventura, 7:30 p.m., Mohegan Sun Arena. $58-$78. 448-7849 or ticketmaster.com.
3 Friday
- Berlin Fair, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Berlin Fairgrounds. $8-$12. 828-0063 or ctberlinfair.com. Also 10/4 and 10/5.
- Hartford Home Show, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., XL Center, Hartford. $9. 525-4500 or acshomeshow.com. Also 10/4 and 10/5.
- Hartt Symphony Orchestra, 7:30 p.m., Millard Auditorium, University of Hartford. $20. 768-4228 or hartford.edu/hart.
4 Saturday
- Berlin Fair, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. See 10/3.
- Hartford Home Show, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. See 10/3.
- 4th Annual Harvest House Tour, noon, The West Hill Historic District, West Hartford. No charge. 521-5362 ext. 10 or noahwebsterhouse.org.
- Scarecrow Workshop, 1 p.m., Glastonbury Audubon Society. $5. 633-8402 or ctaudubon.org.
5 Sunday
- Riverfront Regatta, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Charter Oak Landing, Hartford. No charge. 713-3131 or riverfront.org.
- Berlin Fair, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. See 10/2.
- Hartford Home Show, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. See 10/3.
- Through the Franciscan Lens reception and lecture, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., Clare Gallery, Hartford. No charge. 756-4034 or stpatrick-stanthony.org.
- First Sunday Guided Estate Walk, 2 p.m., Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington. 677-4787 or hillstead.org.
- Duo Del Sur, 4 p.m., Center Church, Hartford. $10 suggested donation. 249-5631 ext. 19 or centerchurchhartford.org.
10 Friday
- Italian-American Celebration, South End, Hartford. No charge. 712-1300. Also 10/11 and 10/12.
- Vance Gilbert, 8 p.m., Little Theatre of Manchester at Cheney Hall, Manchester. $20 to $25. 647-9824 or cheneyhall.org.
11 Saturday
- ING Hartford Marathon, 8 a.m., Bushnell Park, Hartford. 652-8866 or hartfordmarathon.com.
- Granby Artists Association Annual Open Studio Tour, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Granby. No charge. 413-9041 or granbyartists.org.
- Autumn Colors and Breezes Nature Walk, 11 a.m., Glastonbury Audubon Society. $4. 633-8402 or ctaudubon.org.
- "Forever Wild" Presentation, 7:30 p.m., Glastonbury Audubon Society. $13 non-members. 633-8402 or ctaudubon.org.
- Lite 100.5 WRCH presents Nite of Lite Laughter featuring Howie Mandel, 8 p.m., The Bushnell. $37.50-$102.50. 987-6000 or bushnell.org.
- Italian-American Celebration. See 10/10.
12 Sunday
- Hay Day, noon to 4 p.m., Hill-Stead Museum, Farmington. Nominal activities fees. 677-4787 ext. 140 or hillstead.org.
- Italian-American Celebration. See 10/10.
16 Thursday
- Connections Series’ Nights of Music and Conversation, 7:30 p.m., The Bushnell, Hartford. $27.50-$37.50. 244-2999 or hartfordsymphony.org. Also 10/17.
17 Friday
- Connections Series’ Nights of Music and Conversation. See 10/16.
18 Saturday
- 34th Annual Apple Harvest Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Welles Street Riverfront Park, Glastonbury. $3. 659-3587 or glastonburychamber.net. Also 10/19.
- Noah Webster’s 250th Birthday Festival, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., around West Hartford Town Hall, Blue Back Square and Noah Webster Public Library. No charge. 521-5362 ext. 21 or noahwebsterhouse.org.
- Klingberg Antique Auto Show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 370 Linwood Street, New Britain. $5, free for children younger than 12. Park at New Britain Rock Cats Stadium and take free shuttle. 832-5526 or klingbergautoshow.org. Rain date: 10/19.
19 Sunday
- Discover the Truth About Sherlock Holmes, 3 p.m., Webb-Dean-Stevens Museum, Wethersfield. $8 to $10. 529-0612 or webb-deane-stevens.org.
- Cooking Over the Coals at the Welles Shipman Ward House, 1 p.m., 972 Main Street, South Glastonbury. No charge. 633-6890.
- "American Voices" by CONCORA, 7:30 p.m., First Church of Christ, New Britain. 224-7500 or concora.org.
- 34th Annual Apple Harvest Festival. See 10/18.
- NEW/NOW opening reception, Michael Theise: Trompe L'Oeil, 2 to 4 p.m., New Britain Museum of American Art. Free with $9 admission. 229-0257 ext. 203 or nbmaa.org.
24 Friday
- West Hartford Hauntings, 6 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., North Cemetery, West Hartford. $9 to $15. 521-5362 ext. 21 or noahwebsterhouse.org.
