Family Fun in Litchfield for the Last 2 Weekends of August
Summer flew by and the back-to-school vibe is in the air, but there’s still plenty of family fun to be enjoyed in Litchfield to make the most of the last two weekends in August. Enjoy!
Family Carnival and Sunset Dance Party, Friday, Aug. 18, 4 – 9 p.m.
It doesn’t look like there’s rain in the forecast Friday evening, which means the previously postponed Family Carnival and Sunset Dance Party at Litchfield Community Center should be on!
The FREE festivities run from 4 to 9 p.m. and feature a bounce house, slide, carnival games, face painting, balloon animals, a rock wall, pizza, and a DJ Dance Party. (Parents/guardians are required to stay and supervise their child.)
Guests are asked to register online (or re-register if you registered for a date when the event was postponed).
White Memorial Star Party, Friday, Aug. 18 at 8 p.m.
The Litchfield Hills Amateur Astronomy Club and the Mattatuck Astronomical Society will present an astronomy program in the A. B. Ceder Room at the White Memorial Conservation Center at 8 p.m. Friday.
Weather permitting, there will be star gazing after the program. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. You are invited to bring your own telescope or binoculars. The Star Party is FREE; donations will be accepted to help defray the Conservation Center’s programming expenses.
Museum Children Free Week at White Memorial, through Aug. 23
The Nature Museum at the White Memorial Conservation Center may qualify for best-kept-secret status. Here’s your chance to make the discovery or a return visit. From Aug. 17 to Aug. 23, free admission is offered to children ages 12 and younger when accompanied by an adult (courtesy of Tara and Arthur Diedrick in honor of Ann and Arthur Diedrick). Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call the museum at (860) 567-0857 with questions or to learn more about the museum.
Free Anime Film at Bantam Cinema, Saturday, Aug. 19 at 11 a.m.
Bantam Cinema & Arts Center has been presenting free screenings of Studio Ghibli films this summer that are fun for the whole family. The last in the series is “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” being presented this Saturday at 11 a.m. The 1989 Japanese animated fantasy film chronicles the adventures of a 13-year-old witch in training, Kiki , who leaves home with black cat Jiji (who talks) and uses her broomstick to create a delivery service before problems arise that must be overcome. Learn more and reserve your spot on the Bantam Cinema website.
Litchfield Historical Society Walking Tour, Saturday, Aug. 19 + 26
The Litchfield Historical Society’s walking tours begins at 1 p.m. each Saturday at the Litchfield History Museum and last about an hour. It’s a perfect way to explore the town’s celebrated Historic District and discover Litchfield’s vibrant history, including the stories behind famous landmarks, anecdotes about past residents, and an appreciation of prominent buildings.
The tour is free for historical society members and $10 for non-members . Those planning to attend are asked to register online.
Magic Show & Brownie Contest, Friday, Aug. 25 at Community Field
Litchfield Park & Rec is presenting the perfect family event to wrap summer before school is back in session, beginning at noon on Friday, Aug. 25, at Community Field on North Lake Street. The fun begins with a Back to School Brownie Bakeoff and opportunity to meet Dani the Service Dog and her handler Kevin from Hartford Health Care – followed by a Magic Show featuring Justin Mazz. Ice cream and Popsicles will be served afterward.
Topsmead Cottage Tours, Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 26 + 27
Free tours of the English Tudor-style cottage at the 510-acre Topsmead State Forest are offered seasonally on the second and fourth weekends of each month from June through Columbus Day, which means tours Aug. 26 & 27.
The charming cottage is decorated with Miss Edith Morton Chase’s collection of art and antiques, and the 45-minute docent-led tours are provided by @friendsoftopsmead beginning at noon and running on the hour and half hour.
The last tour is offered at 4:30 p.m. Guests should meet a docent at the front door of the house. Each group is limited to eight people, first-come first-served.
The remaining tour dates for 2023 are Aug. 26 and 27, Sept. 9, 10, 23, and 24, and Oct. 14 and 15.