CT: Olde Mystic Village Garlic Festival

Posted on September 8, 2014 by sandra

Mystic, CT Exit 90: Over 50 farmers, vendors, bakers and restaurants will be present for this FREE family event. The 7th annual  Olde Mistick Village Garlic Festival offers the opportunity to visit with local garlic growers, sample some garlicky food and check out local crafters.

Local produce, preserves, baked goods, food and crafts will all be available at this event.  The Entertainment includes musicians, bands and loads of kids activities including a live birds of prey program, a martial Arts demonstration, and a reptile show.

Location: Olde Mistick Village, CT
Dates: Sept 20-21, 2014
Hours: Sat Sept 20: 11 – 7, Sun. Sept 21: 11 – 6
Tel: 860-912-7844
www.oldemistickvillage.com/event.aspx?id=188

 

Posted in Connecticut, Drink, Entertainment, Festival, Food, Fun, Kids, Nature, Special Event | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

VA: Stop for the Addictive Butter Toasted Pecans at the Good Earth Peanut Company

Posted on September 2, 2014 by sandra

VA Exit 4: Sitting right on a 1650’s Tuscarora Indian trail which is now a railroad junction, in an old time (circa 1854) general store, this family business roasts and sells peanuts.IMG_3538

Lindsey and Scott Vincent go beyond the ordinary nut to sell cashew brittle, wasabi flavored peas, nut berry thrill, diet trail mix, cracked pepper and sea salt peanuts, chocolate covered peanut brittle and maple covered nuts, as well as pecans like key lime ones (we’re addicted to the butter toasted pecans in our salads).

IMG_3534There are FREE tastes of the 36 or so salty and sweet treats. We’ll take the dark chocolate covered cherries. Some groceries still line the walls, like McCutcheon’s preserves and Virginia hams.

Location: 5334 Skippers Rd., Skippers,VA, 23879
Hours: M-F 8-5, Sat 9-4,
Tel: 800-643-1695
www.goodearthpeanuts.com

Posted in Food, Fun, Shopping, Virginia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NC: Airborne & Special Operations Museum

Posted on August 27, 2014 by sandra

Fayetteville, NC Exit 46: The legends of those who jump into battle are covered through this museum in artifacts and film. The impressive 5-story glass walled lobby sets the stage with 2 fully deployed parachutes: a WW II era T-5 round chute and a modern MC-4 square chute. Look for the story of Lieutenant Bill Ryder, leader of the Test Platoon, who on August 16th, 1940 became the first American soldier to jump.IMG_1553

You can walk through a section of a C-47, sit on crates in a WW II Army briefing hut, learn about gliders that landed jeeps and bulldozers, see a famous UH-1(Huey) helicopter from ‘Nam days and a Desert Storm hide-site.

Another exhibit traces the development of the Special Forces, or “Green Berets”, from the summer of 1952 to Operation Enduring Freedom.

Location: 100 Bragg Blvd., Fayetteville, NC  28301
Hours: Tues-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm
Tel: 910- 643-2766
www.asomf.org

 

Posted in History, Military, Museum, North Carolina | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

CT: Norwalk for Oysters and Pirates

Posted on August 25, 2014 by sandra

Norwalk, CT Exit 14: This festival takes place on the first weekend after Labor Day in Veterans Park, near the Long Island Sound. It features various forms of food, vendors, and entertainment, and celebrates the history of the oyster industry based in Norwalk.

Highlights include a Celebrity Slurpoff, an Oyster Pavillon – where you can get up close and personal with local sea creatures in a touch tank, vintage ships on display, arts and crafts, Pirates Coast Adventure, main stage entertainment, harbor cruises, tours of working vessels, treasure hunts, interactive displays and exhibits for all ages, and Kids’s Cove which includes games, rides and children’s activities.

Saturday is Pirates’ Day. The waterfront is transformed into an interactive Encampment with 50 pirates giving festival-goers a taste of what seafaring life was like. during the golden age of piracy from 1650-1750.

Children  (ages 5-12) dressed in pirate garb gets in free when accompanied by an adult with a paid admission ticket. They can join a pirates’ parade and  a best pirate costume contest.

Sunday has a Family Day special admission fee (children under 12 FREE with paid adult).

Location: Veteran’s Memorial Park, Seaview Ave, Norwalk, 06855
Dates: September 5-7, 2014
Hours: Fri, Sept 5:  6pm – 11pm, Sat, Sept 6: 11–11, Sun, Sept 7: 11 – 8
Tel: 203-838-9444
http://www.seaport.org/

Posted in Arts and Crafts, Connecticut, Entertainment, Festival, Food, Fun, History, Kids, Nature, Special Event | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

VA: Swim With your Dog in the Pool Fundraiser

Posted on August 21, 2014 by sandra

Hartwood, VA Exit 143A: When’s the last time you spent some quality time with your dog? This 6th annual dog paddle event is a one day only opportunity for you to enjoy a refreshing afternoon swim with your four-legged friend.

There will be paddle races, doggie swimsuit styling, bobbing for tennis balls, and pet vendor displays.

Only a limited number of dogs will be allowed in the pool, so register early. Dog guards will be on duty to supervise any dogs gone wild. Humans will be allowed to enter the pool with their dog(s).

In order to attend, owners must provide written proof from a veterinarian indicating their dog’s current rabies vaccination.

Admission for this event is $5 per dog plus 3.5 lb. bag of dog food. All donations will be distributed to area animal shelters and rescue leagues.

Location: 58 Jesse Curtis Lane Curtis Park Pool, Hartwood, VA 22406
Date: Sept 6, 2014
Time: 10 – 12 pm
Tel:  540-658-5116
www.staffordparks.com

 

Posted in Entertainment, Fun, Kids, Nature, Pets, Special Event, Sports, Virginia | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FL: A Little Bit of Caribbean in Brevard County

Posted on August 18, 2014 by sandra

Cocoa Village, FL Exit 201: The Brevard Caribbean Celebration will take place at Riverfront Park in Downtown Cocoa Village. This annual event prides itself on appealing to the whole family.

Adults will enjoy the sight and sounds with guest DJ’s and live performances by Reggae artists. Look out for Everton Blender and Eric “Monty ” Morris, two of Jamaica’s best known Ska and Reggae artists along with many other live bands.
You can also feast on authentic Caribbean food, and enjoy many other activities.

There is   a  Caribbean Kids section where kids will be amazed to see members of Radio Disney live,  hosting games, music, bounce houses, face painting, Cocoa Police animal show, water spouts, and refreshments. Admission is FREE.

Location:401 Riveredge Blvd, FL 32932
Date: Sunday, August 31, 2014
Hours: 11 -10
Tel# 321-452-3304
www.brevardcaribbeanfest.com/

Posted in Drink, Entertainment, Festival, Florida, Food, Fun, Kids, Nature, Special Event | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NC: Ralph’s Barbecue Yummy Stop for Lunch or Dinner

Posted on August 13, 2014 by sandra

Weldon, NC Exit 173: We’re up to the 4th generation of Ralph Woodruff’s family (great-grandson Gavin) running this busy restaurant, which uses 5,000 lbs a week of selected pork.

The lunch and supper buffets are a deal, but you can also order from the menu. Their NC style bbq is made daily, and is served pulled and minced (vinegar, crushed red peppers, sugar, salt), along with delicious Brunswick stew, fried chicken, fluffy hush puppies, coleslaw, potato salad, collard greens and banana pudding. Locals wash it down with a Mr. Pibb.

If you don’t have time to stop, at least do take-out; we can’t pass by without a Brunswick stew fix.

Location: 1400 Julian Allsbrook Hwy (Rte 158), Weldon, 27890
Hours: Daily 9:00 am -8:30pmTel: 252-536-2102

Posted in Food, North Carolina | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

ME: Paddleboarding in Portland

Posted on August 11, 2014 by sandra

South Portland, Me Exit 44: SOPOSUP, a paddleboard shop in South Portland, offers one hour lessons, rentals and tours throughout the summer.

They focus on providing many opportunities for all kinds of group paddling experiences, such as; paddleboard yoga classes, fitness paddle, adventure paddle and “paddlebirding” – which is bird watching from a paddleboard.

All lessons take place in Cape Elizabeth’s scenic Kettle Cove, where the backdrop is the rocky coastline and the scattering of fishing boats dotting the waters.

If you are staying locally, for a nominal fee,  this shop will even pick up and deliver paddle boards to you.

Location: 382 Cottage Rd., South Portland, ME 04106
Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 -5, Fri 9-5, Sat 9 -6, Sun 12 -4:30
Tel: 207-317-0425
www.soposup.com/rentals-lessons

Posted in Fun, Maine, Nature, Sports | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

NH : Five Days of Free Fun for Children of All Ages

Posted on August 7, 2014 by sandra

Hampton Beach, NH Exit 2: The Annual Hampton Beach Children’s Festival is five days filled with non-stop activities and entertainment and best of all, all activities are opened to the public and is Free.

Kids-only events  include magic shows, storytellers, talent shows, mini-golf, sandcastle contests, talent show, free ice cream, dancing, story tellers, balloons, and a kids’ bumper sticker contest.

Children are encouraged to be part of a huge festival costume parade, on Friday, August 15th, marching along almost the entire length of Hampton Beach’s Ocean Boulevard. Every kid in the parade gets a prize.

Location: Ocean Boulevard, Hampton Beach, NH
Dates: Mon., Aug 11 – Fri., Aug 15, 2014
Hours: Starting at 10 am
Tel:  603-926-8717
www.hamptonbeach.org/children-only.cfm

Posted in Arts and Crafts, Festival, Food, Fun, Kids, Nature, New Hampshire, Special Event | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

SC: Stop for Fresh Produce at the Pee Dee State Farmers Market

Posted on August 4, 2014 by sandra

Florence, SC Exit 164:  On land that had been a farm, the old red mule barn will be “Barn Again”. It is in the midst of renovation in order to house a restaurant (that is said to be by the same owners of Fatz Cafe found this exit) right in the middle oBarnf this farmers’ market.

The open covered market offers fresh veggies (locals rush in for the butter beans and peas), boiled peanuts, sugar cured hams, peanuts, jams and jellies, seasonal flowers and lawn ornaments.

In other buildings there’s Indigo Marsh Nursery, Wind in the Willows nursery for your green thumb and McCleod Farms for baked goods and ice cream.

Location: 2513 W. Lucas St. (Hwy 52)
Hours: Mon-Sat 8:30 – 6
Tel: 843-665-5154
www.pdfarmersmarket.sc.gov

Posted in Food, Fun, Kids, Nature, Shopping, South Carolina | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment