Doug Clement

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Vote to Help Name White Memorial’s Baby Rat Snakes

Only a few days remain to make $1 donations to vote and help name the White Memorial Conservation Center’s baby rat snakes.

Sunny and Luna are the names with a solid lead, but Zig and Zag could make a comeback, while the moment may have passed for Hocus and Pocus.

You can vote as many times as you like, so theoretically it’s possible to tip the scales in favor of any of the options. But act quickly, as voting only continues through Election Day, Nov. 5.

Vote Here

Donations made in the naming game will go toward the Animal Care Fund, which benefits all of the live animals at White Memorial.

The White Memorial Foundation preserves span Litchfield and Morris with 4,000 acres of forests, fields and wetlands etched by 40 miles of trails for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. It was created in 1913 by Alain C. White and his sister, May W. White.

The main area off Route 202 in Litchfield is home to the Conservation Center and Nature Museum. See the website to learn more and connect with White Memorial’s ongoing series of guided hikes and may other events.

Also see the state’s website about snakes that are native to Connecticut.

Frights & Delights This Weekend in Litchfield (Oct. 25-27)

Halloween at Bunnell Farm, Litchfield CT — Bunnell Farm in a photo from the farm’s Facebook page.

The weekend before Halloween is packed with fun frights and delights. Here are a some of the don’t-miss activities and experiences – starting Friday with the last Bantam Community Farmers Market of the season, featuring a costume contest and Halloween candy for all visitors.

Last Weekend for Hayrides at Bunnell Farm

This is the last weekend to visit the landmark Bunnell Farm for a hayride, to purchase pumpkins, traverse the corn maze, and shop the farm stand for fall gifts.

The Flashlight Maze, open from 6 to 9 p.m., is hosted by Lakeview High School Class of 2026 on Friday evening (10/25) and by Warren Schools on Saturday.

Entry is $10 per person, so grab your flashlight and get ready for an exciting challenge in the dark.

You can also visit the corn maze during the day, take a hayride, and pick pumpkins from 10 a.m. to 5 pm. on Saturday and Sunday.

For the adult visitors, Norbrook Farm Brewery of Colebrook will be on hand Saturday and Sunday, serving its craft beer.

The farm is located at 498 Maple St. and the phone number is(860) 567-9576.

SALOween Ball at American Legion Post 27

Halloween Frights & Flights The Morgan Weir Sons of the American Legion are throwing a Halloween costume ball on Saturday, Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. at Post 27. It will feature DJ Traveling Vin, a raffle, snacks, a cash bar, and prize for best costumes. Tickets are $15.

For additional information, call (860) 567-9930. Post 27 is located at 418 Bantam Rd.

Litchfield Lions Club Fall Festival

The Litchfield Lions Club’s Fall Festival, Car Show, and Cornhole Tournament begins at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Alain White Community field on Route 209 in Bantam. Admission is free.

In addition to cars and cornhole, there will be pumpkin carving, food trucks, vendors, and more.

Trunk-or-Treat starts at 2:30 and continues until 5. There will be a prize for the best costume and a prize for the best decorated vehicle.

For more information, call 860-459-8197

Scarecrows in the Meadow

Halloween frights & delights The Litchfield Historical Society’s wonderful Scarecrows in the Meadow display in the Tapping Reeve Meadow behind the Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School at 82 South St. continues through Nov. 3.

Stop by any day from dawn to dusk to explore the assembly of scarecrows created by local businesses, non-profits, and families.

For details, see the historical society’s calendar page.

Note: The Litchfield Historical Society’s spooky Stories to Keep You Up at Night Lantern Tours on Oct. 27 and 30 are sold out.

Frights in an Audubon Society Preserve

Halloween frights & delights Litchfield CT The Litchfield Hills Audubon Society’s Experience the Spooky Side of Nature takes place Sunday, Oct. 27, at 2 p.m. at the Boyd Woods Audubon Sanctuary on Route 254 and it’s free.

If you dare, join Litchfield Hills Audubon for a guided walk on a trail and encounter spooky spots with spiders, crows, bats and more, the event listing says. Participate in an activity at each spot. Wear your costume, if you like. If you make it back to where you started, you can enjoy cider and donuts.

Halloween Season in Litchfield 2024: Events & Activities

Litchfield is a town that takes the harvest and Halloween season seriously – and does it right!

From now through Halloween weekend, families in town, visitors, and guests can take advantage of lots of event and activities, spooky and otherwise, leading up to trick-or-treating.

The Prime Places for Families to Trick-or-Treat

Litchfield center is the prime spot to trick-or-treat on Halloween, specifically a loop that starts in the center of town and goes down South Street, down Wolcott Street or through the Tapping Reeve Meadow, and then back to the center on Meadow Street.

The Litchfield Historical Society will light up the Tapping Reeve Meadow on Halloween and hand out candy to trick-or-treaters who pass through the meadow. (For those who don’t know, theTapping Reeve Meadow is a magical spot behind historical society museums, the Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School at 82 South St.)

Litchfield Park & Recreation is celebrating Halloween this year with a costume contest and trick-or-treat event at the Bantam Community Farmers Market, from 3 to 6, on Friday, Oct. 25. The market is located at Alain White Field, 273 Bantam Lake Rd. (Route 209) in Bantam.

Fun, Festive & Spooky Stuff Is Happening Now

It’s pumpkin picking, hayride, and corn maze season at Bunnell Farm, a fifth generation family-owned and operated farm in the Milton section of Litchfield.

Pumpkin picking and hayrides are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 26, and in addition to daytime corn maze adventures, there are special flashlight nights. (Check the website for days/times.) The address is 498 Maple St., the phone number is (860) 567-9576, and the website is bunnellfarm.org

Scarecrows in the Meadow, 5th Annual Edition

The Litchfield Historical Society’s Annual Scarecrows in the Meadow display opens Oct. 19 with a community celebration from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Tapping Reeve Meadow behind the Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School at 82 South St.

Everyone is invited to explore the assembly of scarecrows created by local businesses, non-profits, and families. The opening celebration will feature a scarecrow making challenge, storytelling, and fall crafts and activities all day.

Visitors may visit the scarecrows and stroll through the meadow seven days a week, from dawn to dusk, as the display of more than 50 handcrafted scarecrows remains on view into early November.

For details, see the Scarecrows in the Meadow page and the calendar page

In addition to its annual Scarecrows in the Meadow display in the Tapping Reeve Meadow on South Street, the historical society is presenting a bunch of other Halloween season events.

Don’t miss the Stories to Keep You Up at Night Lantern Tours, an evening of Litchfield’s most gruesome and spooky true stories, including fires, disease, witches, executions, and even an unsolved murder in true crime style. There are three dates to choose from. The tours start at the Tapping Reeve Meadow with historically inspired cocktails and last approximately an hour. $15 for historical society members, $20 for Non-Members. Limited space available so register online soon.

Halloween Season Events at Litchfield Community Center

Litchfield Community Center is the spot to take the kids for Halloween Fun Day on Oct. 19. In addition to Halloween stories told by award-winning storyteller Rona Levanthol, there will be games, snacks and more. Costumes are encouraged.

The day after Halloween, Nov. 1, the community center and Litchfield Historical Society are collaborating on a Glowin’ Ghouls & Goblins Halloween Bash amid the scarecrows in the Tapping Reeve Meadow.

A Halloween Ball at the American Legion Hall

The Morgan Weir Sons of the American Legion (SAL for short) is holding a SALoween Ball on Oct. 26. Details are in the graphic.

Litchfield Lions Club Fall Festival With Pumpkin Carving

The Litchfield Lions Club is holding a Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct 26, featuring a car show, food trucks, a cornhole tournament, vendors, and pumpkin carving. Details are in the graphic.

Halloween Extravaganza at Bohemian Pizza and Tacos

Northfield Fire Company Halloween Candy Convoy

Litchfield Dining News: Award Nominations & New Restaurants

Materia Ristorante in Bantam is nominated for Litchfield County Restaurant of the Year, and Christopher Hodson of Materia is nominated for CT Server of the Year, in the Connecticut Restaurant Association 2024 CRAZies Awards.

The Litchfield County Restaurant of the Year nomination also puts Materia in the running for overall Connecticut Restaurant of the year.

Materia Chef David DiStasi was named Connecticut Chef of the Year in the 2023 CRAZIES Awards and Materia Ristorante won Restaurant of the Year Award for Litchfield County. In 2022, Materia won the Restaurant Newcomer award. See the Materia menu.

The public can vote through the end of November to help their favorite Connecticut restaurants and restaurant professionals win awards. Vote here.

Winners will be announced Dec. 9, when hospitality owners, operators, chefs, servers, and vendors from across the state gather for the CRAzies gala at Foxwoods Resort Casino.

Olivia Olson of ATC South St. in Litchfield is nominated for Bartender of the Year in the 2024 CRAzies. See the drinks menu.

Lost Fox Tavern at the Lost Fox Inn

The Lost Fox Inn opened in July after a painstaking renovation of the former Tollgate Hill Inn property off Route 202 between Litchfield center and Torrington.

The Tavern features a bar, a main dining area, and The Garden Room with the original paneling, wide chestnut floorboards, and a fireplace for autumn, winter and spring warmth.

Chef CJ Barroso’s menu features starters like Prince Edward Island mussels, Spanish octopus, and Niman Ranch pork belly, and entrees like olive-poached halibut, loin of lamb, grass-fed steak and Cornish game hen. See the dinner menu

The Tavern is open for dinner and drinks Friday through Monday from 4 p.m. 571 Torrington Rd. | 860-222-0855 | lostfoxinn.com | hello@lostfoxinn.com

The Courtroom Restaurant & Verdict: Rooftop Bar at The Abner Hotel

The Abner Hotel in the former Litchfield County Courthouse made its debut Sept. 12, and the 20-room boutique hotel includes The Courtroom restaurant, a modern tavern, and the rooftop bar called Verdict:

The Courtroom is in the historic main courtroom and Chef Michael Alfeld’s menu features modern tavern-style dishes infused with continental flavors, made from locally sourced ingredients. See the dinner menu.
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Dining hours are 5 to 10 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday.

Verdict: is open from 3 to 10 p.m., weather permitting. Learn more and see the drinks menu.

15 West St. | 860-567-4137 | theabnerhotel.com | Send a message

La Catrina of Bantam

A new restaurant serving authentic Mexican cuisine opened in Bantam in early September.

La Catrina is in the former home of Mockingbird Kitchen & Bar and is serving lunch, dinner & Sunday brunch.

According to the Republican American, owners Enrique and Consuelo Estrava opened La Catrina of Westchester in Croton on Hudson, N.Y., in 2021 and a customer there, who has a house in Litchfield, recommended Bantam for another location.

Enrique Estrava, who’s also a chef, told the Rep-Am that the menu will feature traditional homemade Mexican food with French and Asian influences. See the menu.

810 Bantam Rd. | (860) 361-6401 | lacatrinabantam.com

All photos from restaurant websites/social media accounts.

Family Nature Day at White Memorial 2024

It’s Time for Litchfield’s Major Family Nature Events

The official arrival of the Autumn season brings Litchfield’s major annual family nature events – Duck Day at the Livingston Ripley Waterfowl Sanctuary and the 42^nd annual Family Nature Day at White Memorial.

Duck Day at Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy: Sept. 21

Don’t miss Duck Day this coming Saturday (Sept. 21) at the Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy.

Bring the family to experience a raptor demonstration featuring majestic birds of prey, a guided tour of the aviaries and waterfowl habitats, games, crafts, and activities for children.

Meet local artisans and vendors and enjoy free pizza from the Milestone Pizza Truck and Restaurant.

Tickets are $20 for members, $30 for non-members, and free for children younger than 12. Head to ripleyconservancy.org for more info and to purchase tickets.

The Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy was founded by S. Dillon Ripley, a former Secretary of the Smithsonian. It’s home to more 80 species of birds from around the world, a breeding facility for rare species, and education center for conservationists.

The Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy is located at 55 Duck Pond Rd., off Route 202. The phone number is (860) 567-2062.

Family Nature Day at White Memorial: Sept. 28

The 42^nd annual Family Nature Day takes place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 28 at The White Memorial Conservation Center.

Highlights include a llama walk along the lake trail with Country Quilt Llama Farm, a presentation on bats by Maureen Heidtmann of Wing Hand Bat Rehabilitation and Education, Birds of Prey with Horizon Wings Raptor Rehabilitation Center, and live reptiles brought by the Riverside Reptiles Education Center.

There will be live music, vendors, local artisans, demonstrations, food, crafts for kids and more.

See the Family Nature Day Program for the full schedule.

Family Nature Day runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The White Memorial Conservation Center. Admission is $6, with White Memorial members and children younger than 12 admitted free.

The Conservation Center is located at 80 Whitehall Rd., off Route 202 between Litchfield on center and Bantam. Call (860) 567-0857 with questions.

Also Don’t Miss the Topsmead Cottage Tours

Only two weekends left to enjoy the free guided tours of the landmark cottage at Topsmead State Forest.

The remaining tours this season will be offered Sept. 28 & 29, and Oct. 12 and 13.

The tours presented by Friends of Topsmead State Forest are given on the second and fourth weekend of each month from June through mid-October.

The tours, which feature Miss Edith’s collection of art and antiques, are first-come, first-served, start at noon, and run for 30 minutes, with the last tour taking place at 4:30 p.m. Meet at the front door of the cottage.

Donations are appreciated to support maintenance of cottage and the gardens.

When you visit, make a cottage tour the highlight of a larger discovery.

The 510 acres of forests and meadows at Topsmead are open year-round for passive recreation including walking, picnicking, bird watching, sledding, and cross-country skiing. Don’t miss the Edith Chase Ecology Trail, a mile-long walk with interpretive signs.

Topsmead, located on Buell Road off Route 118, is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to sunset. Dogs on a leash are welcome, but open fires & grills are not allowed.

See the Friends of Topsmead State Forest website for more information, directions, and other events.

Litchfield Arts Council Sponsoring Danielle Mailer Mural in Bantam

The Litchfield Arts Council is sponsoring a community mural that will be painted by artist and renowned muralist Danielle Mailer, the daughter of literary giant Norman Mailer, and installed on the side of the elevator tower at the Bantam Arts Factory.

The 9-by-30-foot mural will feature a central image of a woman making pottery surrounded by references to other defining elements of the area, including agriculture, the Bantam Cinema & Arts Center, local bakeries and food establishments – and the signature Bantam rooster.

The mural will be painted on 14 sections of Alumanate, a weatherproof aluminum composite material used for outdoor signs, and the finished sections will coated to protect the design, assembled, and mounted on the tower by local resident Matt Lauretano of the Lauretano Sign Group

Danielle will work on the mural at the Bantam Annex building and local teens (14+) and adults will be able to paint sections of the mural under Danielle’s supervision in paint-by-numbers fashion.

The Arts Council is currently engaged in a public fundraising campaign to support the mural. In addition to getting involved in a hands-on way, community members are invited to support the mural project with donations in any amount.

A fairly new Town of Litchfield organization, the Arts Council has spent months working alongside Danielle, who designed this piece in her unique style, and the hope is it will be a memorable landmark for Litchfield residents and those who visit town.

Questions about the mural project may be directed to Litchfield Arts Council chairperson Priscilla Jeffrey by email at litchfieldartscouncil@gmail.com.

Learn More About Danielle Mailer

The Courtroom

15 West St.

The Courtroom restaurant is located in The Abner Hotel, a boutique hotel in the transformed former Litchfield County Courthouse. It offers modern tavern food with continental influences using locally sourced ingredients. There’s also Verdict: a vibrant rooftop bar.

La Catrina of Bantam

810 Bantam Rd. | 860-361-6401

The second location of a popular restaurant in Westchester County, La Catrina of Bantam (in the former Mockingbird space) features traditional homemade Mexican food with French and Asian influences. It opened in September 2024.

Litchfield is feeling autumn in the air.

Fall Preview: Six Litchfield Experiences Not to Miss

The heat and humidity of summer eased suddenly, the air turned crisper, the light softened, and sunsets began to arrive noticeably earlier. The days are still warm, but there’s a hint of autumn in the air, making it a perfect time to mark the calendar for signature autumn experiences in Litchfield.

Here are six annual events and rituals we love. See our Visit Litchfield CT calendar for lots of other great events and activities.

White Memorial Family Nature Day

Family Nature Day is a wonderful tradition at the White Memorial Conservation Center. The flier for this year’s event says it all.

Litchfield Historical Society Walking Tours

The Litchfield Historical Society’s weekly walking tours, which begin at 1 p.m. each Saturday at the Litchfield History Museum and last about an hour, are 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 tours are free for historical society members and $10 for non-members. Head to the historical society’s calendar page for details on the Saturday tours and registration – and keep an eye out as October approaches for the special Lantern Tour of Litchfield Historic District that features the town’s most frightening and gruesome true stories.

Fall Foliage Hikes

Litchfield has a wealth of parks, forests, and preserved land with wonderful hiking trails, all of them lovely in fall foliage season. Here’s a sampling:

White Memorial Foundation has 4,000 acres of preserves in Litchfield and Morris with 40 miles of trails. The most popular is the Little Pond Boardwalk Trail, an elevated 1.2-mile boardwalk around Little Pond. Another gem is the trail leading up to Apple Hill in Morris, overlooking Bantam Lake. White Memorial offers a series of guided hikes and many other events. Head to the website for the calendar, info on the nature museum, and trail maps.

Topsmead State Forest (510 acres) has trails through open meadows and woodlands. Once the summer home of Edith Morton Chase, the property is anchored by her English Tudor style cottage, which is open for free tours on the 2nd and 4th weekends of each month through Columbus Day. (See the separate listing.) Also see the Friends of Topsmead State Forest website to connect.

Mt. Tom State Park, off Route 202 near the Washington line, has a great all-season hike up to a stone tower with panoramic western views. Trail maps are on the website.

The Litchfield Hills Audubon Society’s Boyd Woods Sanctuary on Route 254 east of Litchfield center has more than four miles of trails on the 106-acre sanctuary along Wigwam Brook. Details and a trails map are on the website.

Litchfield Land Trust preserves include the 340-acre Prospect Mountain Preserve with 4.3 miles of trails and summit views to the west/southwest, among others. Connect with the preserves on the Trust’s website.

The Litchfield Community Greenway is also a great walk in any season. See the trail map.

17th Annual Harvest Bounty Festival

The 17th Annual Harvest Bounty Festival at Litchfield Community Center takes place Oct. 5 from 2 to 6 p.m. and features beverage tastings of craft beers and spirits made in Connecticut, as well as live music, fire pits, and lawn games.

Craft beer & spirits tastings to be offered (as of August 21) include:

Litchfield Distillery The Mobile Pub 5th State Distillery Owl’s Brew

Back East New England Brewing Co. Two Roads Reverie

Watson Farmhouse Brewing Alvarium Half Full Little Red Barn

Woodbury Brewing Co. New England Cider Co.

Food will be available for purchase from Bill’s Mobile Pizza, La Guera Mexican Food Truck, and Brits Brand sweet & meat treats. Dim Lights, Thick Smoke, and Mikey, Matt & Co. will provide the live music.

The Harvest Bounty Festival will be held rain or shine; outside under a tent if it’s nice or indoors if there is inclement weather. The cost is $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Admission is $15 for designated drivers. Children (14 & under) & leashed dogs get free admission.

Topsmead Cottage Tours

The free tours of Miss Edith’s cottage at Topsmead State Forest, which began in June, continue each second and fourth weekend of the month through Oct. 13.

That means the remaining tours for this season will be offered Aug. 24 & 25, Sept. 14 & 15, 28 & 29, and Oct. 12 and 13.

Tours, which feature Miss Edith’s collection of art and antiques, are first-come, first-served, start at noon, and run for 30 minutes, with the last tour taking place at 4:30 p.m. Meet at the front door of the cottage.

Donations are appreciated to support maintenance of cottage and the gardens, courtesy of Friends of Topsmead State Forest.

When you visit, make a cottage tour the highlight of a larger discovery.

Topsmead, located on Buell Road off Route 118, is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to sunset. Dogs on a leash are welcome, but open fires & grills are not allowed.

Scarecrows in the Meadow

The Litchfield Historical Society’s annual Scarecrows in the Meadow display in the Tapping Reeve Meadow has to be one of the best harvest and Halloween season events in the state – if not the entire Northeast.

The 5th Annual Scarecrows in the Meadows will be open to the public every day from dawn to dusk from Oct. 19 through Nov. 3 and will feature more than 50 funny, creative, or spooky scarecrows created by local families, students, businesses, and nonprofits.

Registration for the 5th Annual Scarecrows in the Meadow for returning participants is already open and those who want to participate can download the 2024 Participation Packet: 2024 Scarecrows in the Meadow Participant Information

The historical society launches the festivities with an opening celebration (stay tuned for details), and visitors get to vote for their favorites in many categories, with awards handed out based on the results.

Watch the historical society’s Scarecrows in the Meadow page for updates.

The Tapping Reeve Meadow is located at 82 South St., behind the historical society’s Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School museum, open to the pubic with free admission.

Prime Time for Two of White Memorial’s Marquee Trails

White Memorial has 40 miles of trails spread out across 4,000 acres and all the walks are wonderful for different reasons. Some trails stand out more than others, though.

The Little Pond Boardwalk Trail in Litchfield is so popular it draws visitors from all over the state and beyond – and elicits reviews and comments online that include praise like “magical” and a “gem.”

The Apple Hill Trail in Morris doesn’t get the buzz of the Little Pond Boardwalk Trail but it’s equally rewarding with its panoramic views of Bantam Lake and the hills to the south/southwest.

Late summer, when temperatures cool off, the bugs begin to retreat, and the light becomes softer and more flattering, is the beginning of prime time for these two marquee trails – and both shine brightest in fall foliage season.

A 1.2-mile wooden walkway elevates hikers above the wetland environment around Little Pond, which crosses the Bantam River in two spots. Walking it in the fall is like being immersed in an explosion of autumn colors.

Making access easier than in the past, there’s a large parking area off Whites Woods Road, just north of the intersection with Bissell Road, though many visitors prefer to take a longer hike by starting at The White Memorial Conservation Center after consulting the trail maps.

Overlooking Bantam Lake from the summit of Apple Hill.

Apple Hill has two trailheads located along East Shore Road. The one closer to Litchfield (the northern entrance) leads hikers on a 1.5-mile ramble through Cat Swamp and then up to the summit of Apple Hill (1,200 feet in elevation).

It’s a great hike but also means a commitment of 3 miles total to return to the car, and many who enjoy this route will walk back on pretty East Shore Road.

Those who want to enjoy the panoramic views of Bantam Lake and the hills to the south/southwest from the viewing platform atop Apple Hill are in luck, though.

From the second trailhead, closer to the junction with Route 109 in Morris (the southern entrance) it’s just a half mile up to the summit, so one mile roundtrip. Take note that the access here is tucked among private properties and the parking is very limited, so guests using this entrance should be courteous and park appropriately.

If you want a rewarding shorter hike, take the Lake Trail from the Conservation Center/Museum area to the Bantam Lake viewing platform. It’s a short, flat walk and great for families and even young children. (Continue past the platform to see the ruins of a massive icehouse operation, including a narrow canal through which blocks of ice were floated from the lake to the icehouse and then onto rail cars bound for posh spots in New York City.)