Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Summer Fun Abounds @ Weekend in Norfolk July 30, 31 and August 1

Summer brings family road trips, ice cream sundaes, and playing water tag.  One of the best warm-weather activities for families that want to bond and have fun at the same time is to attend a festival like Weekend in Norfolk (WIN).  This town-wide celebration was created to offer something for everyone, with activities that won't break the bank, because all are free! From an exciting water soccer event, and chalk painting sidewalks with professional artists, to visiting real-life New England farms, and live music galore, there is something to please every member of your family. This year WIN is being held throughout the timeless town of Norfolk on Friday, July 30, Saturday, July 31, and Sunday, August 1. 

If you plan on getting out with your kids this weekend, here is a list of some of the activities WIN is offering to help you plan your visit.

On Friday, July 30, give your kids the lay of the land, by taking a short walk around Norfolk Green, one of the most beautiful in the state. The fountain at the south end of the green is picture-perfect. The marble fountain was designed by famous architect Stanford White in 1889 and has two basins including one for small animals! At 4:30 p.m. it is time to team up and head to the bocce court to test your throwing skills. At 5 p.m. there will be a live performance at nearby Station Place where you can grab a snack and listen to the music of the Grantville Dawgs. The Animal Embassy arrives at 6:30 p.m. and is sure to be a crowd-pleaser because it offers a hands-on experience with a variety of live animals that have been rescued. During this interactive program, your kids will learn about the diversity of life in a fun and entertaining way. And, at the same time and place, there'll be all kinds of lawn games to enjoy.

The fun begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 31 with the Farmers Market that offers fresh fruit and vegetables as well as an interesting array of arts and crafts. Just for WIN there will be an equestrian parade, starting at the market at 11 a.m.  If your children love water, don't miss the popular fire hose water soccer game that begins at 1 p.m. at the Town Playing Field on Mountain Road. For the budding artist in your family, head to the sidewalk painting area at Robertson Plaza in Station Place at 3 p.m. and let your imagination soar. Artist Susan Anderson well known for her pet portraits and scenic paintings will be on hand to offer stylistic tips and advice. The afternoon is rounded out by live music by Michael Cobb at Station Place beginning at 5 p.m. 

Sunday is Farm Funday with a special visit to each of Norfolk's four farms. Start the day at Husky Meadow Farms where kids will see fields, barns, an ancient orchard, and greenhouses. Kids can watch how bees pollinate the crops and learn how vegetables and fruits are grown organically. At Autumn Harvest Orchard, a highlight is to learn about beekeeping when visiting the hives at the orchard's apiary. Lost Ruby Farm is perfect for the animal lovers in your family. Here kids will get a sneak peek at the farm resident Saanen goats, a breed from Switzerland, plus chickens, pigs, and heritage breed turkeys. If you love tomatoes, stop in at Broad Field Farm to learn how they grow their heirloom tomatoes and to meet their two adorable farm dogs.

If you want to take a break from the self-guided farm tour, there is a nature walk of the North Swamp Trail at 10 a.m. and a photography session that will start out on Norfolk Green. For art lovers, there is a painting demonstration by watercolor artist Pamela Harnois at 1 p.m. in front of a wonderful arts and crafts shop, the Guilded Artisan, at 3 Station Place. To try out your artistic skills under the guidance of professional artist Turi Rostad head to Robertson Plaza, Station Place at 2 p.m. to try your hand at the sidewalk chalk painting event. WIN's final concert beginning at 4 p.m. features the acoustic music of singer, songwriter Jamal Ford-Bey.

For up to the minute details about Weekend in Norfolk, visit the website. to plan your perfect family road trip to Norfolk, Connecticut, and don't forget to bring your camera!

Monday, July 12, 2021

In Person Fun For All @ Weekend in Norfolk, July 30, 31 and August 1, 2021

Are you ready to experience the beauty of nature, art, music, and the great outdoors? Do you want to learn about art by watching visual transparent watercolor artist, Pamela Harnois, hard at work? Or, would you rather go on an evocative Postcard Stroll of the historic Village Green then, explore the Freedom Trail? If your kids love the water... make sure to bring them to our famous water soccer event sponsored by the Norfolk Fire Department, or let their artistic spirit soar as they create colorful images on our Station Place sidewalks sponsored by internationally known artist Karen Rossi. There is so much to do and see, in-person at the 2021Weekend in Norfolk (WIN), on Friday, July 30, Saturday, July 31 and, Sunday, August 1. To register for certain events and for up-to-the-minute information, check our website. Here are a few of our events that welcome everyone to come and have a good time in Norfolk, Connecticut.

Roam Norfolk's Great Outdoors

Explore the Historic District  - Experiencing the historic heart of Norfolk is like stepping back in time to the turn of the 20th century when Norfolk was a summer resort. This self-guided walk lets you take in the beauty of Norfolk at your own pace. Highlights include the 1898 Railroad Station, the Norfolk Library with its fish-scale shingles and fluted terra cotta tiled roof, the granite 1868 Soldiers Monument, the colorful turnpike sign, the imposing White House, home of the Yale Summer School of Music, the classic Church of Christ with its graceful tiered steeple, the Battell Chapel built in the Romanesque Revival style, and the Norfolk Academy that now houses the Norfolk Historical Society. A favorite spot for photos is the Battell Fountain, constructed in 1898 with its trough for animals on one side and a fountain for people on the other. This is an easy walk that takes about an hour. Maps are available @ the Hub at Station Place.

Battell Foundain

Experience the Freedom Trail - On this self-guided walk, you will find the grave of James Mars (1790-1880) in the Center Cemetery on Old Colony Road. Mars was a Connecticut slave that refused to follow his master to Virginia where he would have been denied emancipation guaranteed to him at age 25 under Connecticut law. With the help of the citizens of Norfolk, he remained in Connecticut. Mars helped to organize meetings to promote freedom for slaves and to improve conditions for African-Americans. James Mars is buried next to his father, Jupiter Mars, who served in the American Revolution.

Take the Challenge - One of the most popular events of WIN is the Hike the Peaks Challenge that dares lovers of the great outdoors to hike six of Norfolk Land Trust's peaks: Pine Mountain, East Summit Ridge, Beech Hill, Dennis Hill Gazebo Pavilion, and Haystack Mountain. For trail maps click here

The historic Norfolk Green

If you prefer a guided tour of the village green, reserve a spot for Friday, July 30 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. or Sunday, August 1, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. On Saturday, July 31, there will also be a Historic Postcard walk from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. All tours begin at the Norfolk Historical Society Museum.  

For nature lovers, sign up for the 1.5 mile guided walk of North Swamp Trail on Sunday, August 1,  from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Keep your eyes peeled for beavers that are known to be active at the southern end of the swamp! To brush up on your photography skills, don't miss your chance to shoot with the pros on Sunday, August 1 from 10 am to 12 noon. This session is limited to ten people who will meet at the Battell Fountain at the south end of the Village Green.

Calling all Art Aficionados

On all three days, the Immaculate Conception Church will be open for viewing stained glass windows. The Battell Chapel will be open on all three days at various times so people can see beautiful stained glass windows created by Tiffany that were installed in 1929. A guided tour of the Battell Chapel is being offered on Saturday, July 31 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., and on Sunday, August 1, from 12 noon to 12:30 p.m. To see more stained glass windows including a window created as a tribute to Mark Twain's wife, Olivia head to the Church of the Transfiguration that will be open on Saturday from 10 a.m. - noon and Sunday from noon to 1 p.m. Pick up a map to guide you on your tour.

Guilded Artisan

Pamela Harnois, a watercolor artist, designer, and instructor will be giving a watercolor demonstration at the Guilded Artisan @ Station Place on Sunday, August 1, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. that is sure to inspire the inner artist in you! An added bonus is to browse through this colorful shop that offers a wide array of arts and crafts, made by local artisans in every imaginable genre.

Artistic kids will love having a once-in-a-lifetime chance to paint Norfolk’s sidewalks. Sidewalk chalk will be available for two-hour sessions on Saturday and Sunday, at Station Place, complete with one or more of Norfolk’s many resident artists to offer encouragement.

Station Place

For Music Lovers

On Friday, July 30 from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., the Grantville Dawgs spark up the night at Station Place with their special blend of music, and from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the Miro Quartet will be live-streamed at the Norfolk Hub performing the works of Puts and Dvorak.  

The Hub, Station Place

On Saturday, there will be an emerging artist showcase by the Norfolk Fellows live-streamed to the Norfolk Hub's big screen from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m., presenting fresh interpretations of famous composers. On Saturday from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Michael Cobb and his group will perform on Station Place. The last Saturday evening concert @ is the Hub, located at Station Place, and will feature the works of Kernis, Yi, and Dvorak from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Concerts @ the Hub are limited to 30 people.  The final concert of WIN is on Sunday, August 1 on Station Place from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Norfolk Farmers Market

Norfolk's  Farms - Naturally

Norfolk's famous Farmers Market on 19 Maple Avenue, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. is the ideal way to start your morning. It offers the bounty of the season as well as, arts and crafts created by local artisans. 

Sunday, August 1st  is "Farm Day" with all four of Norfolk's farms welcoming the public to take an insider's peek at life on a New England farm. 

The first stop of the day is  Husky Meadows, a certified organic farm offering tours from 9 a.m. to 12 noon giving visitors the rare opportunity to see the tricks of the trade. 

Your next stop is Autumn Harvest Orchard an organic farm, growing apples and blueberries using beehives to aid in pollination. They will be welcoming visitors to their farm from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.  

Next, Lost Ruby Farm is open to the public from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. This small farmstead is a micro goat dairy creamery specializing in crafting small-scale handmade cheeses. The cheese-making process is fascinating and the goats are adorable making this a must-see stop for animal lovers! 

And, finally, Broad Field Farm promises to allow visitors a tour of their professional greenhouses where organic heirloom tomatoes and other produce are grown.