Fairs & festivals of music, food, comedy, arts, ethnic heritage, and more

The Bridgeport Arts Fest is a one-day celebration of local and original art, artists, crafters, community organizations and oerformers. The fest is followed immediately by the After-Party Concert (6-10 p.m.). The Arts Fest is a family- and community-friendly affair, Live entertainment, activities, demonstrations and area food and drinks.

Art, music, dance workshops plus 50 artisans from all over the Northeast and plenty of food and candy and ice cream. Entrance is $5 each day; children under age 12 admitted free.

The Bridgewater Country Fair is a long standing tradition, preserving the character of the country fairs of yesterday, when farmers and other country folk congregated to compete with their prized livestock, produce, and arts and crafts. The weekend opens with the Tractor Mac Show on Friday at 4 p.m. The fair includes displays of livestock, produce, arts and crafts, farm and lawn equipment, midway with rides, motocross, pig racing, and food tents. Cost: $8; children under age 12, free; 3-day pass, $16; seniors, $5 on Saturday and Sunday. Time: Fair opens 4 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Free parking. Information:

This is the largest one-day fireworks celebration in Connecticut. Parking at Science Center/Riverfront Garage, 250 Columbus Blvd., Hartford; CT Convention Center Garage, 100 Columbus Blvd., Hartford; Morgan Street Garage, 155 Morgan Street, Hartford; Constitution Plaza Garage, 109 Constitution Plaza, Hartford. Parking is available throughout the Town of East Hartford. A shuttle will circulate among the parking areas. Boaters are welcome to join the celebration. Riverside Park boat launch in Hartford will be open. Time: 4-10 p.m.; fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission is free. Rain date is July 13 with fireworks, only, at 9 p.m.

The upper and lower areas of Mortensen Riverfront Plaza are transformed into a Caribbean village. Bring the whole family to enjoy musical and dance performances while you sample authentic and world famous Caribbean dishes. Other highlights include a children’s village, domino tournament and salsa, merengue and calypso dance lessons. Parking at Science Center/Riverfront Garage, CT Convention Center Garage, Morgan Street Garage, and Constitution Plaza Garage. Time: 1-10 p.m. Rain date is August 3. Admission: Free.

Featuring delicious small plates of food prepared from blackberries grown on the farm. The blackberry festival will feature small plates of food prepared with the farm grown blackberries. Live music, free farm museum, winery and field tours will be held throughout the day. Music on Saturday, 1-4:30 p.m. by Al Rivoli; music on Sunday 1-4:30 p.m. by Martin Meyer and Kayla Schine. This is a family event. Time: Noon-5 p.m. Admission: Free admission; charge for wine and food.

Taste the best products of Connecticut’s wineries at this two-day event sponsored by the Connecticut Wine Trail. Along with the wine, guests can enjoy locally produced foods. live music, handicraft displays and sales, and more. Hours: Saturday, noon-7 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m. Admission: $30; guests for designated drivers, $10.

Animal exhibits and demonstrations, homemaking and crafts exhibits, tractor pulls, races and competitions, fireworks on opening night. Music by Collin Raye, Roomful of Blues, Eric Paslay, Danielle Bradbery. Hours: Thursday, 4-11 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Admission: Adults, $10; seniors, $6 on Friday; children under age 12, free. Parking is $5.

Come of the farm to celebrate the blueberry harvest and National Ice Cream Day. Live bluegrass music, tours of Quintessential Gardens, wagon rides through the farm fields. Kids can meet the farm calves. Free family fun for all ages. Time: 1-4 p.m.

Sailfest has a major fireworks display, amusement rides, free entertainment, Tall Ships, and 200 vendors lining the downtown streets. Sailfest produces multiple stages of free entertainment with musical genres ranging in rock, Celtic, hip hop, and blues. Children's show and entertainmetn at the City Pier stage. Sailfest showcases a huge fireworks display sponsored by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. Time: Friday, noon to 11 p.m. in Waterfront Park; Saturday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Old Lyme’s Midsummer Festival is a town-wide celebration of the arts. The celebration takes place at the Florence Griswold Museum, the Lyme Art Association, and the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts. A favorite event of the day is Market En Plein Air at the museum. This outdoor market features Connecticut-grown flowers, fruits, vegetables, breads, fine cheeses, herbs and specialty foods in a setting modeled after outdoor markets in French villages. Also enjoy the artisan fair, outdoor concert, author talks and sidewalk sales. Time: Friday, 5-9 p.m.; Saturday,9 a.m.-3 p.m.

A fun, family-oriented event, featuring many interactive activities for children and adults, live music by Nicole Frechette, and lots of free samples of delicious berry treats. Activities include Breakfast on the Deck; Pick Your Own blueberries, jostaberries, and raspberries; pie-eating contests; pony rides; horse-drawn wagon rides; and more. Time: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Entertainment, contests, food, vendors, crafters, carnival rides, games and fun booths for the children. Car show Saturday. Duck race and much more.

Craft Expo 2014 brings 176 national-caliber craft artists to this outdoor show, one of the most respected craft shows in New England and the country. This is a juried show. Other activities of the day are craft activities for children, a silent auction, and a food court.
Hours: Friday, noon-9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. -7 p.m.; Sunday, noon-5 p.m.
Information: www.guilfordartcenter.org/expo.html

Enjoy three days of food, fun, and entertainment for the whole family at this free community festival, featuring fireworks, a tractor pull, games, rides, and more. Time: Friday, 4-11 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Admission: Free.

Live bands each night. Food vendors, rides and amusements. Saturday and Sunday there's also a craft fair from noon to 8 p.m. Time: Friday, noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon to midnight; Sunday, noon to 8 p.m. Performances by Vinnie Carr and the Party Band, Fools on the Hill (Beatles tribute), The Nu Groove Band, Changes in Latitude (Jimmy Buffet tribute); Top Hat Dance Academy, Tears Fall Down, The Cobalt Rhythm Kings, Cindy Hotchkiss, Rubber City, Funk That, Magic of Motown (Motown Tribute), Simply Dance, Infinity, The Mike and Mike Band, The Peter Lucibelli Band, The Asberry Boys, The Navels (Stevie Nicks Tribute) Cost: Admission is free. There is some free parking.

Taste the harvest of 10 Connecticut wineries; enjoy food from local restaurants and crafts from local artisans. Food and wine seminars will be offered by local experts. Live bands from around New England will entertain.