Behind the Scenes -WIN - Weekend in Norfolk - National Iron Bank.

Norfolk is a very special community in the heart of Connecticut's Litchfield Hills, and one of the most unique in the state because they have developed a summer and a winter town-wide festival that welcomes residents and visitors alike. "One of our biggest sponsors for the Summer Weekend in Norfolk happening August 3,4, and 5 is National Iron Bank. It helps make this community event come together," says organizer Sue Frisch. 

The National Iron Bank is also helping with a new initiative called WINbucks. "The bank is helping the local merchants by helping WIN,” Frisch adds. “They’ve made it possible for us to issue WINbucks, coupons good—during Weekend in Norfolk only—for new purchases of $5 or more at participating downtown merchants.” WINbucks, the brainchild of Frisch’s co-chair, Dawn Whalen, are given out during WIN to random attendees and were highly popular last year. Through its grant to WIN, the bank covers the cost of redeeming the coupons.

According to Brock Wehry, the Relationship Manager at the National Iron Bank, the most important reason they are participating in WIN is their belief in the importance of reinvesting in communities like Norfolk.  "A partnership with Weekend in Norfolk was a natural fit for the bank because many of its goals are aligned with those of the bank; such as fostering a sense of community, attracting new families into town, and supporting and stimulating the local economy. It’s a great event that provides a multitude of activities for people of all ages and interests, and also helps bring attention to the wonderful businesses and resources in town that visitors from other areas may not otherwise be aware are available," says Wehry.

The history of National Iron Bank and the spirit of WIN go hand in hand.  The National Iron Bank was founded in 1847 to address the increasing financial needs of the citizens of the Housatonic Valley and Litchfield County; needs driven by the iron mining and manufacturing boom of the Mid-1800’s when residents needed their own bank closer to where they lived and worked. "In a similar fashion, I believe WIN was also created with the intention of addressing the needs of the area, whether it’s stimulating the local economy or attracting new families into town. National Iron Bank has a long history of volunteerism and community involvement, and we’re proud to continue that tradition and partner with WIN on this event. Hopefully, in time it can become its own tradition and continue evolving to meet the ever-changing needs of the Norfolk community," says Wehry.  

The National Iron Bank has always taken a role of getting involved in the community by sponsoring and volunteering at numerous events.  "At an event like WIN, we’re happy to help wherever we’re needed most; whether it’s assisting at the various activities, handing out flyers, or conducting a survey of attendees like we are this year. WIN is a great opportunity for us to have a direct and positive impact on the Norfolk community and work hand-in-hand with its residents. Most of the credit should really go to all the local people who are kind enough to volunteer their time and resources. They work very hard to make this event a success and highlight many of the characteristics that make this town such a wonderful place. My family is originally from Norfolk, and I’ve also had the fortune of having lived here and currently work here, so the success of this town is very important to me on a  more personal level as well," says Wehry.

Weekend in Norfolk - WIN T-Shirts Now Available!

New This Year!  Weekend in Norfolk T-shirts

The T-shirts come in a Carolina blue color with white printing on the front and back.  These short sleeve t-shirts are made from 100% cotton, are pre-shrunk and  $15 each.

The Sizes 

Adult: small, medium, large, x-large

Youth: small, medium, large

How to Order

To get your T-shirt click here for a download of the order form.   Use this form to order one or more shirts, then pick them up during Weekend in Norfolk–August 3, 4 and 5–at the Norfolk Hub @ 2 Station Place. 

Shirts will be available during the event, but not all sizes may be available.

June Update Weekend in Norfolk - WIN - August 4

Saturday, August 4, 2018 is a "big" day at the annual WIN - Weekend in Norfolk, a town-wide festival taking place this year on August 3, 4 and 5. We are listing the most current events taking place each day, so visitors and residents can plan their day -- or better yet, days of "winning" summer fun before leaving home!  

If you love the outdoors, take the Norfolk Landtrust's two-day Hike-the Peaks challenge and win an "Icebox of Connecticut" t-shirt for taking a selfie atop all six trails.  Information and trail directions are available at the Land Trust's tent On the Green.  Another event for lovers of the outdoors is a trail run from 12 noon to  2 p.m. Participants will join the Norfolk Land Trust at the Lovers Lane trailhead in Barbour Woods at 75 Lovers Lane for a run and sneak peek of the 5K and 10K annual trail race on September 23. 

If you love to fish, there will be a seminar on small-mouth fishing from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. with Doug McDevitt On the Green followed by a fly fishing demonstration from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and fly tying workshops.  The workshops and demonstrations will take place 15 minutes on the hour and materials and equipment will be provided by Orvis. Sports lovers might also want to visit the open house at the Norfolk Curling Club on 70 Golf Drive from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This is the chance to tour their state of the art two-sheet facility, with refreshments!

Foodies won't be disappointed today with the variety of events to satisfy everyone's palette.  The Farmers Market at 19 Maple Street takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is the perfect spot to pick up all manner of freshly grown produce and products. If you like pies, don't miss the homemade pies being sold by the members of the Church of Christ Congregational available at the Farmers Market.  A nostalgic highlight of the day is the ice cream social at Meadow Brook Apartments on 9 Shepard Road from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. 

Art lovers will enjoy a variety of demonstrations hosted by the Artisans Guild of Norfolk from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Station Place.  Don't miss the art show featuring the work of Turi Rostad at the Norfolk Library from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the "Upstairs Downstairs" tour of the Library from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.  The 10th Anniversary Exhibition of Norfolk Artists and Friends is taking place from 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Battell Stoeckel Gallery, and features a variety of work in a multitude of media.  

A special highlight for art lovers is a guided tour of the Battell Chapel, at the Church of Christ Congregational featuring the stained glass windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany and Maitland Armstrong.  There will be six tours - 10:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12 noon, 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. 

For kids, there is the super popular kid's firehose water soccer game from 12 noon to 3 p.m. at Ball Field located at the corner of Mountain Road and Westside Road...kids can expect to get wet so you may want to bring a change of clothes along!  There will also be a special leaf printing workshop with all materials provided by Great Mountain Forest for kids and adults 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. On the Green.

For science lovers, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon, at the Norfolk Library there will be a program called, "Magnificent Microscopes."  With help from the Department of Pathology and Cell Biology at Columbia University and the Norfolk Historical Society, Rich Kessin will use microscopes from various periods to show slides of human tissues like those that medical students and pathologists study. He will also demonstrate the use of smartphone microscopes (available at the library circulation desk) that can magnify anything at least 50 times and be used to take photos.

Norfolk is one of the best places in Connecticut to stargaze...so make sure not to miss the special Astronomy Night that is taking place at 9 p.m. at Dennis Hill State Park on Litchfield Road.  The Moon will be in a third-quarter phase, which occurs roughly 3 weeks after the new moon when the earth is three-quarters of the way through its orbit around the earth. The Moon’s left side will be illuminated and the right side dark. The Moon will rise around midnight on the eastern horizon and set in the west around noon the next day. Don't forget to bring your own binoculars or a telescope if you have one.

Norfolk has a had a long romance with music and, WIN has several concerts planned and even a Prom Night, the "Do Over" from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at the Botelle School!  Concerts include the Sons of Astro at the  Norfolk Libary from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and two ticketed concerts, one at the Music Shed from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. that features Stravinsky's beguiling Soldiers Tale from 1918 and a concert at Infinity Hall featuring "Satisfaction," the world's number one Rolling Stones tribute band from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. 

For additional information on WIN - Weekend In Norfolk visit their website.

June update for WIN events August 3

Events happening during the annual WIN - Weekend in Norfolk, a town-wide festival taking place this year, August 3,4 and 5 are coming in fast and furious!  We are listing the most current list of events here so that visitors and residents alike can plan their day -- or better yet, days of "winning" summer fun before leaving home!  The fun begins with an early bird bonus at Infinity Hall on August 2, from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a free Open Mic Night for those that love to entertain and be entertained.

Events Get In Full Swing on August 3, 2018

The Country Club on 50 Golf Drive in Norfolk is hosting an Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors will learn about the club's nine-hole golf course designed by A.W. Tillinghast in the late 1920's. Copies of Anthony Pioppi's new book "The Finest Nines" will be available for purchase. Please note, due to a tournament in progress, visitors will not be able to test the course.

For art lovers, The Artisans Guild located at Station Place will host a variety of demonstrations by artisans from 12 noon to 5 p.m. There will also be three tours of the stained glass windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany and Maitland Armstrong in the Battell Chapel of the Church of Christ Congregational, on 12 Litchfield Road from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  In the evening, from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., The Norfolk Artists and Friends is hosting an opening gala reception to celebrate their 10th-anniversary exhibition at the Battell Stoeckel Gallery on 17 Stoeckel Road. This very special exhibition will showcase paintings, photography, prints, sculpture, jewelry and other media

For the romantic, marry or renew your vows on beautiful Norfolk Green from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. there are even bouquets supplied, ring bearers and witnesses standing by. Please make a reservation (contact info@weekendinnorfolk.org) and, if you’re getting married, bring your license.

For families, there is a Nature Walk from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at City Meadow Park with biologist John Anderson.  To round out the fun, there is a Puppet Show from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Norfolk Library featuring Monkey and Dino's Funky Puppet Show, a side-splitting delight for kids of all ages.

For music lovers, don't miss the concert at the Music Shed from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. This ticketed event will feature the Emerson String Quartet. The first half of this program features music that conveys what violinist Eugene Drucker said of the Bartók Quartet No. 3, “deeply marked by the weight of history.” The second half of the program is devoted to Beethoven’s great Opus 132 quartet, whose slow movement is a song of thanks, as Beethoven had recovered from a serious illness from which he thought he might not recover.

For more information and a full listing of events visit https://weekendinnorfolk.org.

WIN - Weekend in Norfolk - Behind the Scenes - The First Selectman

Norfolk is a very special community in the heart of Connecticut's Litchfield Hills, and one of the most unique in the state because they have developed a summer and a winter town-wide festival that welcomes residents and visitors alike. The Town of Norfolk has put tangible help behind its approval of WIN. It acts as the event’s fiscal agent so that donations made to WIN are tax deductible, its staff assists the committee as needed and it allows the use of town property for events that are part of WIN. “The town’s encouragement and support are so important,” Frisch says. “That support makes everything easier to do."

One of the most important elements of creating a town-wide festival is to get the support of local government officials and Matt Riiska, First Selectman, of the Town of Norfolk, has nothing but praise for WIN that is scheduled to take place this year on August 3, 4 and 5. "The Town recognizes that we lack the land and infrastructure for industrial parks, we focus on what we have, beautiful scenery, a wide variety of outdoor activities, and, of course, great cultural opportunities."

Riiska believes that WIN is a natural extension of Norfolk's rich cultural heritage. "Music, art, and literature are all embraced by our town. From the summer concerts at the Ellen Battell Stoeckel Estate, home of the Yale Summer School of Music, to the year round concerts at Infinity Hall and the concerts throughout the year at the library, there are many opportunities for music lovers to be satisfied.  The monthly art openings at the Norfolk Library and the summer art programs at Yale not only display art, but also encourage artists to participate in classes to hone their skills.  If you are more interested in literature you can always stop in at the Norfolk Library to pick up a good read or participate in a book discussion. All of these venues not only provide the stimulation of their respective art, but the buildings are also architecturally beautiful."

Riiska believes that WIN is an excellent way to showcase what a wonderful town Norfolk is and he hopes that it encourages more people to move to this charming and vibrant community. "Having worked with the WIN Committee since it started, it is a reflection of how engaged so many are in Norfolk. WIN is one example of how many hours people put in to make it a wonderful place to live. The one person who should receive a lot of praise for her countless hours and energy to make this happen is Sue Frisch. Sue encourages all of the countless volunteers who make this happen. This is why Norfolk is a terrific place to live, because of people like Sue, who give so much of their time, ideas, and passion to the community."

About WIN

A Weekend in Norfolk to be held August 3,4, and 5, is a fun and activity-filled three days that show off what town residents love about living here.  World class music, street concerts, farmers markets, walking tours and star gazing are just some of the activities. There are kids activities from water soccer, a tour of Lost Ruby Farm, and art classes, to the chance for adults to renew their wedding vows on the Village Green should the romantic spirit of Norfolk inspire them.  For an up to date listing of events visit the website.