26th Annual Celebrate Wallingford Festival

26th Annual Celebrate Wallingford Festival 

The 26th Annual Celebrate Wallingford Festival is ready to kick off this weekend, October 6th and 7th. Prepare yourself for two fantastic days of activities, displays, food tasting, crafting, contests, and entertainment, all set in the beautiful downtown area of Wallingford.

After being at the Hall Avenue location last year, this year the main venue for the event will be along North and South Main Streets and Simpson Court, with other activities taking place at the Railroad Station green at 11 Hall Avenue. The festivities begin on October 6th at 11 AM and continue until 7 PM, and continue on October 7th at 12 noon and conclude at 6 PM. Here is a list of some of the planned activities for both days:

Saturday, October 6th:

Prior to the 11 AM opening, the 3rd Annual ACTIVATE Wallingford Family Fun Walk will be held, with registration starting at 10 AM. It's a flat course, 1 mile walk. 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!

• Taste of Wallingford food court
• Crafters exhibiting their creations along North & south Main Streets
• Extended activities area for children and teens, including Curious Creatures, Billy & Friends and face painter Ruth Gordon
• Live Entertainment (in front of train station): Don Gioiella, 11:15 AM - 12:15 PM; The Dan Stevens Band, 12:30 - 1:30 PM; Cover Story, 2 - 4 PM; Eran Troy Danner Band, 4:30 - 6:30 PM
• 3rd 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 - 5 PM at Simpson Court and South Main Street.
• Fitness Fun Zone in the Holy Trinity School parking lot, sponsored by the Wallingford YMCA
• New Car Show in Simpson Court parking lot
• 17th Annual Art Walk through Center Street Cemetery, 9 AM - 5 PM
• "Adopt" a fundraiser, set up all along Center Street. Youth Organizations will be set up all along Center Street with their fundraisers. Please stop by and support them!

Sunday, October 7th:

• Taste of Wallingford food court
• Crafters exhibiting their creations along North & South Main Streets
• Extended activities area for children and teens, including the Mariachi Academy, Harris in Wonderland Pets, roaming costumed characters, and a photo booth
• Live Entertainment (in front of the train station): the Elm City Banjo Band, 12 - 1 PM; Bluzberry Pi, 1:30 - 3:30 PM; Blue Agaves, 4 - 6 PM
• Apple Pie contest ($5 entry fee; judging takes place between 2 - 3 PM, with winner announced at 3 PM)
• Fitness Fun Zone in the Holy Trinity School parking lot, sponsored by the Wallingford YMCA
• New Car Show in Simpson Court parking lot
• "Adopt" a fundraiser, set up all along Center Street. Youth Organizations will be set up all along Center Street with their fundraisers. Please stop by and support them!

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
Pizza slices, Fried Dough , Funnel Cakes

Gaetano's Tavern on Main

Pulled Pork Sandwich, Chili, Hot Dog w/Kraut or Chili, Stuffed Baked Potato

Michael's Trattoria
Sausage & pepper sandwich, Pasta Fagioli

Los Mariachis

Tamales, Tacos, Burritos, Nachos Supreme

Pralines Sweet
Ice cream cups & cones, Sundaes, Waffle cones

Cioccolatta

Chocolate candies & confections

Wallingford Elks Club
Breakfast sandwich, Coffee, New England Clam Chowder w/Bread Bowl, Burgers, Chicken tenders w/fries

Wallingford Wishing Well

Steak grinders

Wallingford Rotary Club
Soda, Gatorade, Water

Oriental Express
Chicken Broccoli, General Tsao's Chicken, Chicken Fingers

Wallingford JWC
Popcorn
Juice box

Tata's

Spanish rice, Pork kabobs, Beef & cheese Empanadas

Dad's Restaurant
Corned beef w/ Dad's homemade cole slaw, cheddar cheese on a hard roll, Lobster Bisque

Mr. D's

Apple crisp, Caramel apples, Apple cider

Hometown Pizza & Restaurant

Fried calamari, Penne ala Vodka, Chicken parmesan grinder

Dry Dock

BBQ chicken dinner, Corn bread, Cole slaw

Big Country BBQ

Smoked Mac & Cheese, Smoked brisket, Spare ribs

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