9th Annual Weekend in Norfolk - Old Fashioned Fun, Art, Music and More! August 2, 3, and 4, 2024

At the 9th annual Weekend in Norfolk (WIN) old-fashioned fun is not out of style! This town-wide celebration makes the most out of the long summer days of August by hosting a wide variety of activities that are sure to banish boredom; without breaking the bank, because most events are free! This year WIN is taking place on Friday, August 2nd, Saturday, August 3rd, and Sunday, August 4th. Events are located conveniently throughout town making them easy to find and enjoy at your own pace. 

All are welcome for old-fashioned fun

While other festivals may focus on thrill rides or big entertainment, Summer WIN focuses on traditional events, both old and new, reflecting simpler times. For example, there are events repeated by popular demand like getting married or renewing your wedding vows on the Green, tours of Tiffany stained glass windows, the rugged Hike the Peaks Challenge, Art Show openings, Music on Robertson Plaza, and self-guided walking tours around Connecticut’s most beautiful Historic District. New events that are sure to intrigue and amuse are added every year to complement popular mainstay events. To find out about everything, or to get the latest updates and directions, visit WIN's website weekendinnorfolk.org. 

You are invited to tour private gardens

 New This Year… 

If you have rhythm, feel free to join the drum circle on Friday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the Village Green. On Saturday, August 3, from 10 a.m. to noon, kids will have the opportunity to meet Smokey the Bear, play in a bounce house, ride a big wooden train, and participate in a coloring contest. Another event for kids, on Saturday, August 3, at 1 p.m. brings the Amazing Diverman, dressed in scuba gear to advocate for our oceans and marine animals. 

Kids Meet Smokey the Bear!

History buffs, should head to the Little Red School House on Saturday, August 4th from 10 am to 2 p.m. and, afterward visit the Norfolk Historical Society’s evocative new exhibit on the fascinating life of noted inventor Michael Pupin on Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Little Red School House courtesy Norfolk Historical Society

On all three days, there will be pop-up shopping along Station Place plus an Open Mic Session from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday night. Garden and landscape lovers don’t miss the chance to stroll through two magnificent private gardens linked by an artful network of pathways and shade plantings on Sunday, August 4, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. 

Watch a Dragon Dance at the Connecticut-Asia Cultural Center

On Saturday, August 3, festivities at the Connecticut-Asia Culture Center include complimentary Asian food from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., a performance by the Dragon Dance Team at 1 p.m., Dragon Boat cart races from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., and museum tours that include the new Christian Cultural Exhibit, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Old-Fashioned Fun 

Don’t miss the chance to try Blueberry Betty and ice cream along with live music on Saturday, August 3 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on the lawn of the Meadowbrook Apartments at 9 Shepard Road. This historic dessert dates to colonial times and is part of New England’s heritage celebrated at WIN. 

Blueberries are good for you and scrumptious

Another traditional event, Ice Cream Socials, dates back to the 18th century with the first one recorded in Maryland in 1744. Ice cream socials are rarely found these days, but at WIN we are fortunate to have one at the Yale Summer School of Music’s Music Shed from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. There is also an open house that includes tours of Whitehouse from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and a special concert for kids from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. 

Ice cream social at the Music Shed

Dating back to the 11th century, knitting, an old-fashioned skill, is trending today. If you enjoy this centuries-old craft, don’t miss the yarn sale on August 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hub where you can go on a treasure hunt for fabulous one-of-a-kind yarns, kits, notions, patterns, and more offered by the Norfolk Knitters. 

Go on a treasure hunt for yarn and more

Nature Lovers

If you have always wanted to learn how to fly fish or want to sharpen your skills, join one of expert fisherman Doug McDevitt’s seminars on Saturday, August 3rd, and Sunday, August 4th from 9 to 11 a.m., from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Wood Creek Pond, a sportsman’s paradise. He will demonstrate the art of casting and share many tips and tricks for successful fly fishing. Participants are limited to five people per session; equipment will be loaned courtesy of Orvis's store in Avon. This is the ideal event for fish enthusiasts of all ages and levels. Doug will also hold special Spey casting clinics on both days from 11 a.m. to noon.

Gone Fishin!

If your interest in nature extends to the stars, then head to the top of Dennis Hill State Park on the evening of August 3 from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. to learn about astronomy led by Aton Forest's  Matthew Johnson, writer of the Celestial Sphere column in Norfolk Now. He will also hold sun-gazing sessions that afternoon from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Inspired By Art 

Norfolk boasts so many talented artists and craftsmen, and two will be sharing their skills with WIN guests. 

Leslie Watkins

Leslie Watkins of Dandelion Cottage Design, Arts and Crafts is offering free art lessons and demonstrations in watercolors and paper crafting on all three days from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Hilary VanWright

On Saturday and Sunday, from noon to 3 p.m. visit the studio of artist Hilary VanWright and share her visually compelling work. Attend an opening reception on Friday of the 17th Anniversary Norfolk Artists and Friends show in the Art Barn, which will be open all three days at the Battell Stoeckel Estate. On Saturday, head to the show at the Norfolk Library celebrating 50 years of art exhibition by displaying the work of 27 artists. 

Dodi Wexler

There is even an art show of all three days of intricate mixed media collages at the Norfolk Hub, which is information central, by Dodi Wexler. 

Music Shed

Music Galore 

Music has always been a feature of Weekend in Norfolk, and this year there is even more. At the famed Music Shed on the Battell-Stoeckel Estate, there are ticketed concerts starting at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and, as a special treat, there is a free Emerging Artists Showcase concert on Saturday, August 3, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Infinity Hall is holding two ticketed concerts on Friday and Saturday, featuring the Yacht Lobsters and Ruthie Foster. At 4 p.m. on Sunday afternoon, the Litchfield County Choral Union will present its annual concert (also ticketed). To top it all off, throughout the three-day weekend, there will be free live music at Robertson Plaza, including the open mic session on Saturday evening, all sponsored by the National Iron Bank. 

ABOUT THE WIN (WEEKEND IN NORFOLK) COMMITTEE 

Now in its ninth year, the all-volunteer WIN Committee organizes two town-wide events annually: the Summer WIN and the Winter WIN. Norfolk’s town officials, the Economic Development Commission, and many local organizations, institutions, and individuals support these two town-wide festivals to welcome people from near and far to this lovely town in the Litchfield Hills. "The WIN weekend is important to the town and the bank because it allows us all to showcase what Norfolk has to offer," said Steven Cornell, President of National Iron Bank.

Blueberry Betty - A Classic Dessert @ Summer WIN

There are pies and cobblers, crisps and crumbles, but at the Summer Weekend in Norfolk, you will have the chance to try a real classic dessert that dates to Colonial times, the scrumptious Blueberry Betty. Best of all, folks get to try this sweet, simple, but ever so gratifying dessert for free along with ice cream on Saturday, August 3 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. on the lawn of the Meadowbrook Apartments at 9 Shepard Road. 

Back in the day, in colonial New England, the most common way to cook something was in the fireplace where most food was either steamed or boiled. Considering the shortage of supplies that had to be shipped from England, colonial cooks were frugal, finding a use for everything shipped in and growing in the environment around them.  The first documented fruit desserts in New England were most often made with apples, huckleberries, blueberries, and anything that was in season. Typically, the fruit was put into a deep pot, topped with a dough mixture, sweetened with honey or maple syrup, a dash of spice was added if available, and then the pot was covered and suspended over the fire in the fireplace, and steamed until the fruit was tender and juicy.

The Apple Brown Betty and its sister dessert, the Blueberry Betty was a no-fuss dessert that used ingredients that colonial women had on hand. Unlike other stewed desserts of the time, the Betty wasn't covered in dough, rather sweetened bread crumbs were placed in layers between the brown sugared and spiced fruit making it the perfect way for these thrifty women to use stale bread. The layering of the bread gives this dessert more of a pudding-like texture than a pie, crisp, or crumble. Just like in today's family kitchens, the recipe was passed down from mother to child. Like all homespun food, there were countless variations from kitchen to kitchen and season to season.  It wasn't until 1856 that a recipe named Apple Brown Betty made its debut in Every Lady's Cookbook by Mrs. T.J. Crowen.  It was also mentioned in 1864 in the Yale Literary Magazine listing it as something to give up if you are in physical training! 

Early August is the height of Connecticut's blueberry season making this dessert extra special because the berries are so fresh. Today, blueberries are considered to be a superfood because they are bursting with nutrients, many of which are classified as antioxidants and phytochemicals. The Blueberry Betty is part of our New England heritage that is celebrated at Summer WIN, so come join the fun and try this homemade dessert. For the recipe of this one-dish wonder used at WIN click here.

The Beauty of Winter Photography @ Winter WIN

Norfolk, Connecticut, a classic New England town is photogenic any time of year. It is a haven for professional and amateur photographers alike. Known as the "icebox of Connecticut," Norfolk is especially enchanting in winter's ethereal light when its unspoiled landscape is often carpeted with snow giving the countryside, mountains, beautiful homes, and woodlands a magical - almost lost-in-time look.

View of Norfolk from Station Place - Katherine Griswold

Winter photography's palette plays with light, composition, and Mother Nature's artwork, snow and ice. Knowing what to consider when shooting in the winter will help you turn an ordinary scene into one that is picturesque. During Winter Weekend in Norfolk, visitors can participate in a winter photography walk with a pro that will help them compose stunning winter images.

If you can't make Winter Weekend In Norfolk's photography walk, no worries, here are a few things to keep in mind that will help make your winter photos go from frigid to fascinating!

Dress for the Weather

Although this seems obvious, make sure that you bundle up! There is nothing more distracting than trying to shoot and being cold! By keeping warm and dry, you will be able to focus better on that great winter shot!

Lines and More Lines

Winter landscapes beckon with natural leading lines... from stonewalls to long shadows cast by trees along a forest path. Look for lines and shadows when shooting a winter landscape. These help with defining all that textured white snow.

Framing Nature

There is nothing more evocative than a bare branch etched against a deep blue winter sky that frames a colonial home or cozy cabin. A framed shot gives an image depth and projects a feeling of the beauty of nature. Look for contrasts, patterns, colors, and lines that stand out in the snow - these are the things sure to draw the eye of the viewer.

Winter Light

White snow acts as a natural reflector, bouncing light onto subjects creating a soft light. Unlike the harsh light of a mid-summer day, winter light is soft and more diffused making people and objects appear in a less luminous more flattering glow. Winter light is ideal for shooting portraits because of the natural diffused light especially in the hours just before sunset or just after sunrise when winter light is at its most magical.

Exposure

Snow can be tricky so getting the right exposure is critical. Due to its reflective nature, snow can sometimes trick your camera into overexposing the subject. In this case, the snow appears to be white with no recognizable details. You can overcome this by either underexposing your subject or using a polarizing filter that will allow you to capture more detail. Another option is to fix the exposure and white balance in Photoshop or Lightroom. 

Extra Batteries

Although you can use a cell phone, a good quality DSLR camera is best for winter photography because you can manipulate your settings. Always carry an extra set of fully charged batteries. The cold can suck the life out of your camera's batteries in the blink of an eye. And, a pro tip is to try to keep those extra batteries warm.

Temperature Changes

To avoid problems let your camera acclimate to the temperature. Don't take your camera from a hot environment right into a cold environment, this can cause condensation and damage. Keep your camera and batteries in a well-insulated bag when not using them to protect them from the cold.

Just Have Fun!

Weekend in Norfolk, whether it is the summer or winter is all about community, coming together, and enjoying all that the welcoming town of Norfolk has to offer. The crisp air, the beauty of Norfolk, and the frozen landscape all come together at Winter Weekend in Norfolk which will transform your photos from mundane to stunning. For more information about Winter WIN 2024 visit https://www.facebook.com/weekendinnorfolk for up-to-date information!

Wood Creek Pond...One of Norfolk's Recreational Treasures

Wood Creek Pond is a recreational treasure located a few minutes from the center of town at 428 Ashpohtag Road just off Rte. 272. Many consider it to be one of Connecticut's hidden gems that the organizers of WIN enjoy sharing. This summer, WIN guests are invited to join expert fisherman Doug McDevitt on Saturday, August 5, from 9 to 11 a.m., and from noon to 2 p.m., and on Sunday, August 6, from 9 to 11 a.m., at Wood Creek Pond, if they want to sharpen their fly-fishing skills. He will demonstrate the art of casting and share many tips and tricks for successful fly fishing. Five lucky participants per session will "suit up" with loaned equipment courtesy of Orvis's store in Avon for an in-depth experience. This event is sure to please fish enthusiasts of all ages and levels.  For a WIN calendar of events click here.

Cast Away @ Wood Creek Pond

When visiting Wood Creek Pond, many visitors are struck by its unspoiled natural beauty. The shoreline is lined with a mixture of hardwood and evergreen trees that are punctuated with Mountain Laurel, the showy powder-pink blossom that is the State Flower which blooms in May and June. Standing on the shoreline of the pond it is so quiet. Most of the time, the only sounds you hear come from your surroundings. A turtle basks in the sun on a rock, a chipmunk darts among the thickets near the shoreline, a majestic Great Blue Heron stalks fish in the shallows, and a chorus of birds serenade you, this is nature at its best. 

Beautiful any time of year

Wood Creek Pond is also considered to be a birding hot spot where more than 103 species have been observed including Bald Eagles, Broad-winged Hawks, and Red -Tail Hawks. There are common sightings of Red-winged Blackbirds, American Redstart, Yellow Warblers, Canada Geese, Mallards, Barn Swallows, Black-throated Green Warblers, Cedar Waxwing, Ruby-crowned Kinglets, and Common Merganser, among many others. How amazing is that! The most rewarding thing about birding at Wood Creek Pond is that you never know what might fly by --- so, it is always best to get your camera ready!

Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife

In addition to fishing, another favorite pastime is canoeing and kayaking because Wood Creek is small enough to explore in a couple of hours and diverse enough to be interesting. The water is clean and cold, and so clear that most of the time you can see right down to the bottom and watch as fish frolic - think of it as an all-natural aquarium! Paddling is a good way to get up close to see things that you wouldn't see otherwise on the distant shoreline. You may catch a glimpse of a muskrat or beavers "literally" busy constructing their dams. There are vast patches of water lilies and old tree stumps that rise out of the shallow water that add dimension and interest to this beautiful natural setting.

A golden carpet of waterlilies 

For fishermen, Wood Creek Pond is paradise. Its cold spring water is teaming with Large Mouth Bass, Brown Bullheads, Yellow Perch, Chain Pickerel, and Blue Gills. There is some shoreline fly-fishing, but canoeing is the best way to explore this pond. Much of it is quite shallow although there is a deep channel between the island once you clear the boat launch area. For information on fishing licenses including one-day fishing licenses click here 

Nurtured by Nature in Norfolk

Wood Creek Pond offers something special every season. During the spring watch nature renew with ephemeral flowers and the first green leaves of the season. Summer is bountiful and ideal for bird watching, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Autumn is simply spectacular with the fall colors reflected in the pond's clear waters. Winter snow frosts the landscape and the ice on the pond make it perfect for ice fishing and skating. Whatever season you choose, you will feel nurtured by nature in Norfolk.

Celebrate Summer @ WIN (Weekend in Norfolk) August 4, 5, and 6

 

Town-wide festivals are more important than ever these days they keep old traditions from disappearing and create new ones that become treasured memories. Best of all, festivals, like Weekend In Norfolk (WIN), taking place on Friday, August 4, Saturday, August 5, and Sunday, August 6, bring people together from near and far to celebrate everything Norfolk has to offer, and more. This exciting town-wide event is easy on the pocketbook because most events are free, conveniently located, and a delight to explore at your own pace. 

Unwind on the historic Norfolk Green

Now in its 8th year, WIN is brimming with events brought back by popular demand, like getting married or renewing your wedding vows on the Green, tours of Tiffany stained glass windows, the rugged Hike the Peaks Challenge, Art Show openings, afternoon Music @ Robertson Plaza and self-guided walking tours around Connecticut’s most beautiful Green, to name a few. New events that are sure to intrigue and amuse are added every year to complement popular mainstay events. To find out about everything, or to get the latest updates and directions, visit WIN's website, weekendinnorfolk.org. 

Fly fishing with Doug McDevitt @ Wood Creek Pond

Gone Fishing 

If you have always wanted to learn how to fly fish or want to sharpen your skills, join expert fisherman Doug McDevitt on Saturday, August 5, from 9 to 11 a.m., and from noon to 2 p.m., and on Sunday, August 6, from 9 to 11 a.m., at Wood Creek Pond, a paradise for fishing. He will demonstrate the art of casting and share many tips and tricks for successful fly-fishing. Participants are limited to five people per session; equipment will be loaned courtesy of Orvis's store in Avon. This is the ideal event for fish enthusiasts of all ages and levels. 

Music Abounds 

Music has always been a feature of Weekend in Norfolk, but this year there is even more. Friday night, August 4, from 6 to 8 p.m., singer/guitarist Katherine Winston will be playing on the Village Green as part of Norfolk's regular free Friday evening celebrations. At the famed Music Shed on the Battell-Stoeckel Estate, there are ticketed concerts starting at 8 p.m both Friday and Saturday and, as a special treat, there is a free Emerging Artists Showcase concert on Saturday, August 5, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Guests will be treated to an astounding concert in the acoustically perfect Music Shed by Fellows of the Yale School of Music. To top it all off, throughout the three-day weekend, there will be free live music every afternoon at Robertson Plaza. 

Breadmaking is fun!

Making Bread! 

Breadmaking is an ancient art that originated in Egypt. This year, Norfolk's “Ministry of Bread,” is welcoming WIN guests on Friday, August 4, from 2 to 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, August 5, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. to watch sourdough bread-making demonstrations at their commercially rated kitchen in the Romanesque Revival styled granite Battell Chapel, located on the west side of the Village Green. Guests will be given an instruction sheet and a sourdough starter kit so they can try their newly acquired bread-baking skills at home. The starter kit is free of charge, although donations for the Food Pantry are welcome. 

Get tips from professional artists

Inspired By Art 

Norfolk boasts so many talented artists and craftsmen, and two will be sharing their skills with WIN guests. Watercolor lovers will appreciate the art demonstration by Pamela Harnois at the Guilded Artisan @ 3 Station Place from 2 to 4 p.m., on Saturday, August 5. Harnois is collected for her sublime work in transparent watercolors. On Sunday, August 6, from 3 to 4 p.m., world-famous artist/illustrator Katie Atkinson will offer an impressionistic garden painting workshop in her backyard from noon to 3 p.m. There is a $10 fee for materials. 

Three floors of galleries @ CT-Asia Cultural Center

New Inca Exhibit @ Connecticut-Asia Cultural Center 

On Saturday, August 5, and Sunday, August 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., WIN attendees are invited to a new Inca Exhibit at the Connecticut-Asia Cultural Center located at 207A Westside Road. This fascinating exhibition explores the spiritual roots of the Inca and pre-Columbian cultures of Peru. Visitors will learn that similar to the Taoist culture, the Incans looked to nature as a guide for how to live in harmony and peace in this world. In addition to this exhibition, visitors are invited to tour the Center's three floors dedicated to Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. Another highlight of a visit here is participating in a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony and enjoying Peruvian and Asian cuisine around lunchtime. 

Calling all Sleuths 

Come find a street full of treasures on Sunday, August 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.! Ashpohtag Road resident artists are putting out the welcome mats and showing a variety of artwork and crafts, joined by neighbors offering books, furnishings, plants, and lots more. You may even get lucky and catch an artist's demo, so come at 11 and plan to linger! 

Stroll through certified organic vegetable and ornamental gardens at Husky Meadows

Happy Hour on the Farm 

Norfolk’s rich agricultural history is alive and thriving. Husky Meadows a working organic farm located a few minutes from the center of town, is inviting WIN guests to take a Happy Hour Farm Walk with Farmer Brett Ellis and get the inside scoop on all that happens at the farm! Refreshments will be served. This is a ticketed event with limited space. 

A Look Back with the Norfolk Historical Society 

To delve deep into Norfolk’s cultural heritage and the families that were benefactors of the town, head to the Norfolk Historical Society to view their new exhibit, “Shedding Light: 200 Years of Art & Music in Norfolk.” This insightful exhibit explores Norfolk’s dedication to the arts that are entwined in the town’s cultural fabric today. The Society is also premiering a video on Saturday, from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m. 

So much free stuff for kids @ WIN

Just for For Kids 

WIN organizers love children and always make sure that this event is family-friendly. With that in mind, they have put together a series of free events that are fun and educational at the same time. 

The fun starts on Friday, August 4 with a friendly game of Bocce, the traditional Italian sport that has become so popular. The bocce court behind the old railroad station (10 Station Place) will be open all day for play. Equipment is supplied, and the court will be open throughout WIN weekend. 

Meet the amazing Snowflake Man @ Win

On Saturday, August 5, kids will be intrigued and delighted as they watch an award-winning puppet show, “The Snowflake Man,” performed by PuppetKabob at the Norfolk Library at 11 a.m. Creative storytelling, intricately designed Czech-style marionettes, and a striking pop-up book of watercolor scenery take children on a journey to the 1920s. For kids that like science, head to the Norfolk Hub, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday to try out “Magical Microscopes.” For a change of pace, your next stop is “Kid's Day” at the Farmers Market taking place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Events include a scavenger hunt, corn hole toss, face painting, a cooking demo and sampling, giant bubbles, an ice cream truck, candy jar guess, a zucchini classic car show, and of course prizes, prizes, prizes! 

Learn how to play the ancient game of bocce

On Saturday afternoon, at the Norfolk Volunteer Fire Departments' open house from 1 to 3 p.m., kids can enjoy a ceremonial wet-down of Norfolk’s new fire tanker!, then cross the street to Meadowbrook for “Blueberry Betty,” and music from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Finally, at dusk, everyone's invited to go star-gazing at Great Mountain Forest to learn about the constellations and other lore. Norfolk has one of the state's darkest night skies, so a look through a telescope is a real thrill. 

On Sunday, August 6, if your children love music, don’t miss the free concert, put together especially for the budding musician in your household at the Music Shed from 1:30 to 2 p.m. After the concert, kids are invited to an ice cream social from 2 to 3 p.m. and, later in the afternoon, they will be entertained by world-renowned trainer/behaviorist Bill Berloni, and some of his trained dogs @ the Music Shed. 

ABOUT THE WIN (WEEKEND IN NORFOLK) COMMITTEE 

Now in its eighth year, the all-volunteer WIN Committee organizes two town-wide events annually: the Summer WIN and the Winter WIN. Norfolk’s town officials, the Economic Development Commission, and many local organizations, institutions, and individuals support these two town-wide festivals in order to welcome people from near and far to this lovely town in the Litchfield Hills. 

Bocce Ball - Play an Ancient Game @ WIN

Bocce's origins can be traced back to 5200 B.C. with ancient Egyptian artwork that depicts boys playing a game that resembles bocce. As bocce's popularity grew, it spread through Asia Minor and was adopted by the Greeks and passed on to the Roman Empire.  Bocce can be played by anyone, young and old alike, and because of its ease and versatility, it spread throughout the world. Bocce has even made it to Norfolk, Connecticut! At this summer's Weekend in Norfolk, visitors can try their hand at this ancient game at Norfolk's Bocce Court located at 10 Station Place. The court will be open all three days of WIN, August 4, 5, and 6, and equipment will be supplied at no cost. The ball is in your court, so to speak, so don't miss this fun-filled opportunity to play this time-treasured game!

Family Fun @ WIN's Bocce Court!

Fun Facts About Bocce
Bocce (pronounced baa-chee) is the third most popular sport in the world, after soccer and golf.  Notable bocce players include astronomer Galileo, DaVinci, Queen Victoria, and George Washington, who built a bocce court at Mount Vernon.

The name bocce is thought to derive from the Italian word for bowl. In the beginning, bocce was played using rounded rocks, the oldest rocks were found in Turkey dating to 9000 B.C. Today, bocce is played with composite or metal balls that resemble croquet balls but are larger and heavier.

Bocce is extremely popular in Italy, and was played so often that in 1319, Bocce Ball was actually forbidden to people of lower nobility because it took too much time away from training for war! Even the Catholic Church, in Italy, officially prohibited any clergy from playing bocce declaring it a gambling vice.  Yet, the popularity of the game grew and flourished, and by 1519, it became a public game enjoyed by everyone.

Ruggero Focardi, 1882, Gioco delle Bocce

Giuseppe Garibaldi, Italy's George Washington, was an Italian general, politician, and nationalist who was also an excellent bocce player! He helped to unify Italy in the 1860s and is responsible for the way bocce is played today. 

In 1896, the first Bocce Olympiad was held in Athens, Greece and the game has been part of the international sports scene ever since with leagues and clubs forming throughout Europe. Bocce is now part of the World Corporate Games and, in 1991 it became part of the Special Olympics. With millions of people around the world playing bocce as a competitive sport, bocce was included in the Olympic Games in 1996.

Bocce, one of the oldest lawn games in the world, was brought to America by Italian immigrants at the turn of the last century. Soon U.S. leagues were formed throughout the country. Bocce wasn't enjoyed just by men, the oldest women's bocce league was formed in 1944 in Minnesota! It has also evolved into a popular tournament sport offering large cash awards for its winners.  As of 2023, the United States Bocce Federation estimates that there are more than 1,300,000 players in the United States.

Norfolk's Classic Bocce Court - Fun for All

How to Play Bocce

There maybe be two to four to eight players on each bocce team. Traditionally, before a game starts, both teams have a coin toss to determine the first choice of ball color, which team gets to go first, and who will throw the target ball, which must cross the middle of the court. Bocce is played on a flat surface and requires one target ball called the pallina, and eight larger balls made of hard resin weighing about two pounds. A regulation court is 91 feet long, with two teams facing each other at each end. The object of the game is to toss the ball and get it closest to the small target ball until all eight balls are thrown. At that point, a player scores a point for every ball thrown closer to the pallino.  Balls that hit the back wall are "morte," or dead, and balls of equal distance cancel each other out. The team or player that reaches the agreed-upon number of points wins the game.

Many fans of bocce, young and old alike, enjoy the social mood of the game. There are even health benefits to playing this low-impact game! Playing bocce ball improves coordination and provides a light cardio workout while having loads of fun. 

For a complete calendar of events taking place @ WIN visit http://weekendinnorfolk.org.

Learn the Art of Fly Tying @ Weekend in Norfolk

Fly fishing is a popular activity enjoyed by millions of Americans each year. It is considered to be an almost meditative activity. Spending time in nature has a calming effect on the mind and fly-fishing provides people with a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, giving them the chance to reflect and unwind.

Norfolk is a fly-fishing paradise that boasts streams and ponds that offer fly-fishermen a rich and diverse angling experience. Although Norfolk offers year-round fly fishing action in most lakes and ponds, the fly fishing season for rivers and streams runs from the third Saturday in April through the end of February. 

To fly-fishing at Campbell Falls State Park, take a woodland path to the base of the falls. Here anglers will find a deep pool perfect for fly-fishing. If you prefer to fly fish at a pond, head to Wood Creek Pond where you can fish for largemouth bass, chain pickerel, spotted bass, pumpkinseed, and black crappie. Another spot in Norfolk is the Blackberry River which is stocked by the State of Connecticut with 9,200 trout annually. For access points to the river click here.

Fly-fishing is angling with the use of a fly reel, fly line, fly rod, and leader. A fly is an artificial lure made with hair, feathers, tinsel, or thread and is used to imitate mayflies, stoneflies, or caddisflies in order to attract fish. Many consider fly-tying an art form because a fly tyer does his or her best to imitate the look, flutter, wiggle, color, and silhouette of a bug in order to present unwary fish with a delectable treat. 

At this year's Winter Weekend in Norfolk, join master fisherman and fly- tyer, Doug McDeavitt to learn the skills or sharpen your skills of making flys. This free fly-tying workshop is on Saturday, February 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sunday, February 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fly fishing enthusiasts will learn about different flies and watch tying demonstrations. McDeavitt will offer tips on where to go for the best fly-fishing experience and trade fish tales with participants. This is the ideal event for fish enthusiasts of all ages and levels. It is sure to get you ready for the spring fishing season that begins in April.

For more information on other events happening at Winter WIN click here.