Summer is here, which means it’s time to bask in the sunshine and participate in exciting events with your family and friends. In Brewster, New York, you can attend exciting festivities that enable you to feast on fine cuisine from local food vendors, groove to live music from bands and artists you love and appreciate the culture of your community. Prepare to fill up your agenda for the hottest months of the year and create priceless memories. Here are four must-see occasions to get out of the house this August and September.
Putnam County Wine & Food Fest
Show your support for local businesses by spending the weekend at the 11th Annual Putnam County Wine & Food Fest. As its name suggests, the festival enables you to eat, drink, and have a good time. Use your taste buds to experiment with different flavors of wine, ciders, and spirits from breweries and vineyards across the state. If there’s a particular sample you enjoy, consider purchasing a bottle to bring home with you. Before you grab some food, spread out a blanket on top of the grass in front of the stage where you can watch bands perform live music.
The festival is also an occasion that your entire family can enjoy. Children can participate in arts and crafts or check out the on-site exhibits. You can purchase tickets in advance by visiting the festival’s website. Remember to adhere to the following information when you’re coordinating the Putnam County Wine & Food Fest in your schedule:
- Location: 61 Fair St. in Cold Springs, NY
- Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 6, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 7
SoNo Arts Festival
The 35th Annual SoNo Arts Festival also takes place during the first weekend in August. Head to downtown Norwalk to admire original pieces from local artists and establishments in the community. The galleries display works from over 100 artists, so prepare to spend the day examining fine arts and crafts. You can share your interpretations of the paintings with other art lovers and appreciate how the artists channeled their creativity to bring their art to life.
You can also join in on the fun by walking through the SoNo Puppet Parade, which occurs on the second day of the festivities at 2 p.m. The parade features puppet creations that resemble jellyfish and other sea creatures. Visit the children’s art area to make your own puppet, while your younger companions can get their faces painted or participate in arts and crafts. Live music from local musicians will serenade you throughout the festival, so review the performance schedule in advance so you can watch a set from your favorite band. Here are other details to keep in mind:
- Location: 50 Washington St. in Norwalk, CT
- Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 6, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 7
Bridgewater Country Fair
Another family-friendly event to look forward to this summer is the 71st Annual Bridgewater Country Fair. Its proceeds contribute to the operations of the Bridgewater Volunteer Fire Department (BVFD). Watch the start of the festivities by attending the opening ceremonies, which take place at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, August 19, the first day of the fair. Arrive ahead of time to beat the crowds so you can have a front-row viewing of the parade, which begins at 6:45 p.m. You can wave to first responders from other fire departments in Connecticut and New York, and check out their shiny trucks.
Make sure you bring your appetite with you as you explore the fairgrounds. There are multiple opportunities to eat good food. If you’re a barbeque lover, then you might enjoy the pulled pork and brisket. Another tent offers grilled chicken, baked potatoes, and corn, or you can opt for roast beef with horseradish. Pile on your favorite toppings on tacos with your choice of tortillas, and grab a slice of pizza or a hamburger and fries if you’re still hungry. If you’ve saved room for dessert, then the soft-serve ice cream, fried Oreos, or churros may appeal to you.
Admission to the fair is $10, a discounted $8 if you’re a senior or a veteran. The younger members of your family under 12 years old can attend the fair for free. If you plan to spend the entire weekend at the fair, consider spending $20 to cover admission for all three days. Here are additional details to remember as the event approaches:
- Location: 100 Main St. S. in Bridgewater, CT
- Hours: 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, August 19, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, August 20, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, August 21
Yorktown Grange Fair
Celebrate the last month of the summer by visiting the 98th Annual Yorktown Grange Fair. The theme for 2022 is “We’ve Got a Good Thing Growing,” which refers to the exhibits in the fair that feature livestock, such as chickens and goats. You can also witness the results of exciting contests. For example, in the previous year, the fair hosted competitions for produce, including tomatoes, peppers, and squashes. Participants also won prizes for the best types of flowers, such as the sunflower, dahlia, and miniature rose.
This year hosts contests in areas such as poultry, baking, and woodworking. You can also purchase food on the fairgrounds and enjoy live entertainment. Here’s information to remember when you and your family plan to explore the festivities:
- Location: 99 Moseman Road in Yorktown
- Dates: Friday, September 9 to Sunday, September 11
Remember to grab a lawn chair and a pair of sunglasses for exciting outdoor events this summer. Courtesy of Brewster Ford, you now have ideas to add to your agenda when you’re looking for activities for the weekend. If there’s another event that you’re looking forward to that we haven’t mentioned, send us a message on our website to let us know, and we’ll be glad to check it out. Make sure you visit our blog to learn about other tips we have about the area.



