24th Annual Celebrate Wallingford Festival!

24th Annual Celebrate Wallingford!

The 24th Annual Celebrate Wallingford Festival is ready to kick off this weekend, October 2nd and 3rd. Prepare yourself for two fantastic days of activities, displays, food tasting, crafting, contests, and entertainment, all set in the beautiful downtown area of Wallingford.

The main venue for the event will be at the Railroad Station green at 11 Hall Avenue, with other activities taking place at Simpson Court and along South Main Street. The festivities begin on October 2nd at 11 AM and continue until 7 PM, and continue on October 3rd at 12 noon and conclude at 6 PM. Here is a list of some of the planned activities for both days:

Saturday, October 2nd:

Prior to the 11 AM opening, the 1st Annual ACTIVATE Wallingford Family Fun Walk will be held, starting at 10 AM. It's a flat course, 1 mile walk anad the first 100 registrants will get a free T-shirt. ACTIVATE Wallingford is an initiative to combat childhood obesity by partnering with the community to influence policy and environmental change that will provide access to clean, safe parks and recreational facilities so more children have an opportunity to participate in physical activity. The walk will start at the gazebo on the green; look for the Registration sign to sign up and get your free T-shirt, if you're one of the first 100 to sign up!

• Taste of Wallingford food court
• Crafters exhibiting their creations along Hall Avenue
• Extended activities area for children and teens, including DB Magic, Mad Science, a karate demonstration by Baran's Kempo Karate, balloon animals and a photo booth
• Live Entertainment (in front of train station): Cafe B, 12 - 2 PM; The Survivors, 2:15 - 3 PM; CT Yankee Chorus, 3:15 - 4 PM; Cover Story, 5 - 7 PM
• Voting for Little Miss & Mister Wallingford Contest (open to the first 25 boys and 25 girls who apply)
• Autumn Harvest Festival at Yankee Cloth, 411 Center St. View quilts on display in the Autumn Harvest Quilt Challenge, and visit some of the artisans in the Artisan Show.
• 1st Annual Scarecrow contest: check out the scarecrows positioned on light poles and trees along the sidewalks. Look for the scarecrow poster in the window of a participating store, then go in and vote for your favorite!
• Connecticut Street Rod Association Car Show, 2 -6 PM at Simpson Court and South Main Street. Music provided by Aaron Stone.
• Police, fire and public utility demonstrations, including "Touch A Truck"

Sunday, October 3rd:

• Taste of Wallingford food court
• Crafters exhibiting their creations along Hall Avenue
• Extended activities area for children and teens, including Judy Parks Academy of Dance Arts, Princesses & Peter Pan by My Music Room, Dance Party, Mr. Gym, roaming costumed characters, and a photo booth
• Live Entertainment (in front of the train station):  Bluzberry Pi, 12 - 2:30 PM; The River Street Band, 3 - 5:30 PM
• Voting for Little Miss & Mister Wallingford Contest, with crowning to take place at 3 PM on the Main Stage
• Apple Pie contest (Open to first 25 people to submit a pie between 12 and 2 PM; $5 entry fee; judging takes place between 2 - 3 PM, with winner announced at 3 PM)
• Police, fire and public utility demonstrations, including "Touch A Truck"

The Taste of Wallingford has long been a favorite of festival attendees, giving them an opportunity to sample the cuisine of some of their favorite local eateries. Here are the establishments participating and their menus for the event:

Amore Pizza                                 Gaetano's Tavern on Main
Pizza slices                                  Pulled Pork sandwich
Fried dough                                  Chili
                                                  Hot dog w/kraut or chili
                                                  Stuffed baked potato

Michael's Trattoria                      Los Mariachis
Sausage & pepper sandwich           Tamales
Pasta Fagioli                                Tacos
                                                  Burritos
                                                  Nachos Supreme

Pralines                                        Sweet Cioccolatta
Ice cream cups & cones                 Chocolate candies & confections
Sundaes
Waffle cones

Wallingford Elks Club                 Wallingford Wishing Well
Breakfast sandwich                       Steak grinders
Coffee                                         Blooming Onion
New England Clam Chowder
Burgers
Chicken tenders w/fries

Wallingford Rotary Club             601 Deli
Soda                                           Kielbasa w/kraut on a sub roll
Gatorade                                     Apple crisp w/ice cream
Water

Oriental Express                         Seasons at the Tradition
Chicken Broccoli                           Sweet Potato Bisque
Chicken Lo Mein                           Eggplant fries
Chicken Fingers                            Cider Glazed Wings

Wallingford JWC                         Tata's
Popcorn                                      Spanish rice
Cotton candy                               Pork kabobs
Juice box                                    Beef & cheese Empanedas
                                                 Sweet plantains

Dad's Restaurant                       Chris' Restaurant
Corned beed w/ Dad's                   Rhode Island Clam Chowder
homemade cole slaw &                 Meatball grinders
cheddar cheese on a                     Eggplant Parmesan
hard roll                                     Ziti w/ Stuffed eggplant or meatballs
Chicken Pasta soup
Libby's Italian ice cream

This promises to be a fantastic weekend at Celebrate Wallingford, come down and see why Wallingford, CT is a great place to live!