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NEWS&VIEWS by Jacqueline Bennett

Posts from the “festivals” Category

Visiting “The Big E” – Eastern States Exposition – Sept 18-Oct 4, 2015

Posted on September 15, 2015

  Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Big E day is always exciting! Now in its 99th year, Eastern States Exposition – “the Big E” – brings anticipation of revisiting the tried & true, as well as, curiosity about what will be new and different.     For us, the day starts early with a drive from Connecticut up to West Springfield, Massachusetts knowing the traffic will be heavy either on I-91 North or the “back way” – my preferred route – through a series of small towns surrounded by hints of autumn’s turning trees. Despite the massive parking lots, finding a parking space can be a challenge followed by the walk to the fairgrounds and the lengthy line to get in.  …

Firefighters’ 66th Annual Peach Festival – Aug. 28, 2015 – Manchester, Connecticut

Posted on August 27, 2015

        Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Manchester, Connecticut firefighters will host their 66th Annual Peach Festival Friday, August 28 at the Fire Headquarters on 138 Main Street. The 8th District Utilities volunteer firefighters will hold the event rain or shine. Not to fear however – the weather is predicted to be wonderful!     The Peach Festival is slated to get underway promptly at 6 p.m. and run to 8 p.m. or later depending on the turnout, which is usually large. Tickets (available at the door or beforehand at the fire headquarters) are $5 for a bowl of peach shortcake topped with freshly cut peaches and whipped cream. Live music and door prizes are typically part of this…

Apple Fritters Big Attraction at 46th Annual Apple Harvest Festival in Southington, CT

Posted on October 6, 2014

 Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Apple Fritters were obviously a big attraction at the Apple Harvest Festival in Southington, Connecticut. On Sunday, October 5, it looked as if the entire population of the town of Southington and then some had turned out for the event, with a good many of them waiting in a line about two blocks long to scoop up those apple fritters. Now in its 46th year, the fritters have been made by the local Zion Lutheran Church since the fair’s inaugural year. They are so much a part of the fabric of this festival that “The Story of the Apple Fritter” can be found posted on the fritter booth with bountiful credit given to the original cook, Dot…

Rain Does Not Deter Peach Shortcake Lovers from Attending 2014 Festival in Manchester, CT

Posted on August 24, 2014

Article & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com   Oh no, don’t let the rain come down!  Sporadic rain showers did not deter peach shortcake lovers from attending the 65th Annual Peach Festival held Friday night, August 22 in Manchester, Connecticut. Umbrellas in hand, festival-goers turned out anyway. The Peach Festival is hosted by the 8th Utilities District firefighters and ladies auxiliary as a fundraiser for the volunteer department. Tickets were $5.     Organizers moved most of the long tables for family style seating inside the Fire Headquarters, where the event was held for the second year after being relocated from its previous home down the hill at the old firehouse. For many the festival is an end-of-summer tradition but was also enjoyed by…

Dragon Boat Races & Asian Festival Coming to Hartford, Connecticut

Posted on July 31, 2014

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb.com Riverfront Dragon Boat and Asian Festival, a two-day event, returns to Hartford, Connecticut from August 16-17. The festival will be held on Mortensen Riverfront Plaza, where boat races can also be viewed. Colorfully decorated boats powered by competitive rowers race along the Connecticut River making for an eye-catching sight. Each athlete has a story of his or her own to tell – three years ago when I covered this event I interviewed a group of women from Pennsylvania, all breast cancer survivors, who got involved in the competition to help empower themselves physically and spiritually.   Participation in the boat races is fee-based and is now closed, with 92 teams signed on. First held in 2000, the…

Gingerbread House Festival Continues Through December 15 at Wood Memorial Library

Posted on December 5, 2013

Write-up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb A jewel of an event is underway, the 3rd Annual Gingerbread House Festival at the Wood Memorial Library and Museum in South Windsor, Connecticut. Seemingly tucked away in what is known as old South Windsor, inside the library is setup like a winter wonderland with gingerbread houses of all shapes and sorts displayed on multiple floors. From the whimsical “Candyland” to the “B Strong” gingerbread replica of Fenway Park field that will please fans of the 2013 World Series Champs Boston Red Sox, to a tobacco shed entry – a reminder of the rich tobacco farming history of the area, there is something for everyone to enjoy. History buffs will not want to miss an impressive replica…

Scarecrow Festival on Display Through October 26 in Manchester, CT’s Historic Downtown

Posted on October 15, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb The Fifth Annual Scarecrow Festival & Contest runs through October 26 in Manchester, Connecticut. There is no cost to visit the historic downtown where individuals, schools, businesses and organizations have put their imaginations to work and created an entertaining variety of scarecrows that line the long Main Street in the “City of Village Charm”. From the local produce farmer scarecrows that greet visitors at  the northern gateway to the the pirate ship scarecrows collaboration by students at Bennet Academy at the southern end of the street, the festival makes for a fun stroll. As one might expect, a book wizard scarecrow graces the entrance to Mary Cheney Library. Nearby is a ballerina dressed in pink. And, not…

153rd Woodstock Fair is Coming Labor Day Weekend 2013 – August 30, 31, September 1 & 2

Posted on August 27, 2013

Don’t miss out on one of Connecticut’s oldest and most popular fairs – always Labor Day Weekend – the 153rd Woodstock Fair will be held August 30, 31, September 1 & 2 on the Woodstock Fairgrounds, 281 Route 169 in South Woodstock. At the gate general admission is $12.00, senior citizens age 65+ $8.00 and children age 10 and under are free. Advance tickets are available through August 29 at the Woodstock Fair Office – individual admission $10.00, senior $8.00, 4-Pack $36.00 and midway ride tickets 11 for $22.00. According to the fair brochure (see below), look for Main Stage entertainment daily including performances throughout the afternoons by various groups. The local Southern Rock band Cold Train will perform Friday at 4:30 & 6:30…

Boat Parade Caps Lake Hayward Days in Connecticut

Posted on August 26, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb More than a dozen fancifully decorated vessels took part in the Boat Parade Sunday, August 25, that capped Lake Hayward Days in the Colchester/East Haddam area of Connecticut. In addition to accenting the beauty of the lake, the Boat Parade was clearly an opportunity for participants to express their personal creativity. Decorations ranged from patriotic themes to Hawaiian wanderlust, to commentary on the construction that has been underway at the Dog Beach pavilion rebuilt after it was damaged by fire several months ago, and,  well – um – what might be called bathroom humor – with old fashioned “outhouses” on board.   Promptly at 1:00 p.m. the Boat Parade began with small clusters of spectators having turned…

Popularity of Firefighters’ Peach Festival Continues in New Location

Posted on August 24, 2013

Write-Up & Photos by Jacqueline Bennett newsandviewsjb In its 64th year, the popularity of the Manchester, Connecticut 8th Utilities District Fire Department Peach Festival continued Friday night, August 23, as festival-goers turned out to enjoy their annual peach shortcake treat in a new location. Traditionally held across from the old firehouse on the corner of Main and Hilliard streets, this year the event was moved up the hill to the new firehouse which serves as the district’s headquarters.  It can be risky business to tamper with tradition and a successful tradition at that, but the move was said to be prompted by a desire to encourage the community to view the headquarters as the volunteer firefighter district prepares to celebrate its 125th anniversary in…