The 30th Annual Celebrate Wallingford Festival is scheduled for kick off the weekend of October 1st and 2nd, and the time is rapidly approaching! Prepare yourself for two fantastic days of activities, displays, food tasting, crafting, contests, and entertainment, all set in the beautiful uptown area of Wallingford Center. 
This year the main venue for the event will once again 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 1st at 11 AM and continue until 6 PM, and continue on October 2nd at 12 noon and conclude at 5 PM. Here is a list of some of the planned activities for both days:
Saturday, October 1st:
Prior to the 11 AM opening, the YMCA and Health Department will host a 1.2 mile or 1.8 mile walk as part of the Healthy Wallingford 2020 initiative. Each participant will receive a free T-shirt and a coupon good for a discount off any one food item from vendors at Celebrate Wallingford. If you'd like to participate, just meet in front of the Town Hall at 10AM!
- Taste of Wallingford food court
- Crafters exhibiting their creations along North & South Main Streets
- Jeep Show by Hack Shack on Hall Avenue between 12PM and 5PM
- Extended activities area for children 8 and under in the parking lot of 50 South Main Street, including Harris in Wonderland Creatures, Matt the Balloon Guy, Magic Mike Productions (puppets and magic) and face painter Ruth Gordon, plus crafts, games and activities, sponsored by Wallingford Community Women and WCI
- Activities for kids over 8, including robotics demonstrations, Frisbee golf, crafts and other activities
- Costumed characters will be available for pictures with the kids
- Live Entertainment (on the Parade Grounds): Don Gioella, 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM; Academy of Dance and Music, 12:00 - 12:30 PM; Yankee Chorus, 12:30 - 1:00 PM; Fairy Tale Friends, 1:15 - 1:45 PM
; Kaiholunuie Polynesian Dance Company, 1:45 - 2:15PM; Shaded Soul Band, 2:30 - 4:00PM; Juice Box, 4:30 - 6:00PM - Home Depot Kids Workshop, 10:00 AM to 2 PM at the Railroad Station
- 21st Annual Art Walk along Center & So Orchard Street Cemetery Wall , 10 AM – 5:00 PM sponsored by Easel Works.
Sunday, October 2nd:
- Taste of Wallingford food court
- Crafters exhibiting their creations along North & South Main Streets
- Extended activities area for children 8 and under in the parking lot of 50 South Main Street, including Harris in Wonderland Creatures, Matt the Balloon Guy, Magic Mike Productions (puppets and magic) and face painter Ruth Gordon, plus crafts, games and activities, sponsored by Wallingford Community Women and WCI
- Activities for kids over 8, including robotics demonstrations, Frisbee golf, crafts and other activities
- Costumed characters will be available for pictures with the kids
- Live Entertainment (on the Parade Grounds): Don Gioiella and Friends Band, 12:00PM - 1:15 PM; Fusion Fitness and Dance, 1:15 - 1:30PM; Fairy Tale Friends, 1:30 - 2:00 PM; Mariachi Academy of Connecticut, 2:15 - 2:45 PM; Choate Jazz Ensemble, 2:45 - 3:15 PM; Southern Voice Band, 3:30 - 5:00 PM
- Home Depot Kids Workshop, 10AM to 2PM at the Railroad Station
- Classic Car Show by the Doo Wop Car Club on Hall Avenue from 10AM - 4PM, featuring food and a DJ
Our office at 116 Center Street will have an art open house for our current artist, Kelly Lorraine Caldwell, going on from 12 noon to 2 PM on Saturday, October 1st. Kelly is a mixed media artist who utilizes quilting and embroidery techniques in her work. The results are unique and beautiful, so be sure to stop by to see her!
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 (pepperoni/cheese/mashed potato), Fried Dough
Ciao Bello
Hometown Pizza
Gaetano's Tavern on Main
Pulled Pork Sandwich, Chili, Hot Dog w/Kraut or Chili, Stuffed Baked Potato, Pot Roast sandwich w/gravy
Kender's Indian Palace
Assorted pokara, chicken tikki marsala, chana marsala, rice combo
HFT Grill
Chicken teriyaki bowl, spicy pork bowl, steak bowl
Los Mariachis
Tamales, Tacos, Burritos, Nachos Supreme
Pralines
Ice cream cups & cones, Sundaes, Waffle cones
Sweet 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
Beef tip grinders w/ peppers, onions & cheese
Wallingford Rotary Club
Soda, Water
Tata's
Spanish rice, Roast pork, Beef & cheese Empanedas, potato balls, sweet plantains
Dad's Restaurant
Corned beef w/ Dad's homemade cole slaw, cheddar cheese on a hard roll, Lobster Bisque, hot lobster sliders
Mr. D's
Apple crisp, Caramel apples, Apple cider, pumpkin bars, hot/cold pumpkin spice chai tea
The Eatery
East Wallingford Volunteer Fire Department
Sausage and pepper grinder, spicy curly fries, meatball grinder
LHHS Food Truck
Southwestern turkey chili w/cheddar, sour cream & jalapeno cornbread Apple pecan chicken salad on sunflower seed bread w/ red grapes & homemade chips Smoked turkey with bacon, havarti & cheddar on Dijon spread crisp panini Salted caramel apple cheesecake Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies Passionfruit lemonade
This promises to be a fantastic weekend at Celebrate Wallingford, so come down and see why Wallingford, CT is a great place to live! 
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