CONNECTICUT, USA — It's St. Patrick's Day Weekend! It'll be a fairly decent weekend weather-wise, which is great news for all the outdoor events taking place across the state celebrating St. Patrick's Day or getting a jump start on Easter!
If you're looking for family-friendly things to do this weekend, here are some ideas:
If you want more movement to your St. Patrick's Day celebrations, head to The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat in Essex for their Leprechaun Tea event! The event's final day is this Saturday! Follow the rainbow, wear your Irish green, and hop aboard the Essex Steam Train with your kids for a festive tea! Families will have a memorable experience riding through the picturesque Connecticut River Valley aboard this celebratory excursion. Delight in an assortment of teas, finger sandwiches, scores, and more aboard a beautifully restored 1920s-era Pullman Dining car. The rides begin at noon and run until 1:30 p.m. Learn more about the event here.
The celebration of all things maple continues with Maple Weekend in Connecticut this Saturday and Sunday! Visit over 20 sugarhouses across the state that are participating in this event. They'll be open for tours and selling their delicious and sweet treats! This is a great family-friendly event to learn how maple sap is collected and turned into the treats we know and love! Hours for individual sugarhouses are posted in their listing. To see which sugarhouse is closest to you, head to the CT Maple website.
It's a Red Hot Chili... Pipers weekend! Think rock band, but with bagpipes! This electrifying music group includes a nine-piece ensemble that consists of pipers, guitarists, keyboards, and drummers who have performed all over the world. The group has become a global phenomenon and features clever covers of popular songs from all different genres. You can catch the Red Hot Chili Pipers at the Garde Arts Center in New London on Saturday, with the show beginning at 8 p.m. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
The O'Niantic 5K and Wee Mile will take place this Saturday! Get in your favorite green gear for a St. Patrick's Day-themed race that starts and finishes in front of Niantic Bay Bicycles. Run by the quiet, off-season cottages in the Pine Grove community of Niantic and get some cool Irish-themed swag! Those who are 21 years old and older can also enjoy an ice-cold craft beer from Five Churches Brewing and everyone can enjoy some fresh food to re-fuel, featuring fresh bagels and Irish-inspired donuts from Flanders Donuts & Baker Shop! The race kicks off at 9 a.m. Learn more here.
If you celebrate Easter, chances are you've partaken in an Easter egg hunt at some point. But now, EverWonder Children's Museum in Newtown is hosting an egg hunt by flashlight! This is a kids-only event for kids ages 7-12. The hunt will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at $25 a child. The event takes place on Friday. Learn more here!
Lyman Orchards in Middlefield is going all out for "Shamrock Season"! The orchard will be hosting events all weekend where you can listen to the Celtic sounds of Bryan Titus, snack on green apple cider donuts, decorate shamrock cookies, and so much more! From live music and demonstrations to delicious St. Patrick's Day-themed food – these family-friendly events will delight everyone over the weekend! Learn more and see the schedule of events here.
And finally, don't miss the St. Patrick's Day parade in Greenwich! The parade takes place on Sunday and will feature Irish wolfhounds, pipe bands, marching bands, floats, horses, and so much more! The parade steps off at 2 p.m. in front of Town Hall on East Putnam Avenue and is free to attend. Learn more here.
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That's not all there is to do this weekend of course. If you want more ideas, head to CT Visit.
See you next weekend!
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Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
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