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Things to do in Connecticut this weekend

From foot races to benefit veterans to a train full of toys for good girls and boys, here's what's happening in Connecticut this weekend!

CONNECTICUT, USA — It's Veterans Day weekend, and it's shaping up to be a chilly but pleasant one to head out and see what's happening across the state! 

For other Veterans Day events in the state, head here.

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Get into the holiday spirit with the Watertown History Museum on Saturday as they hold their 2nd Annual Holiday Wreath Festival & Marketplace! Featured will be beautiful wreaths made by local artisans, which will be available to purchase via an auction. There will also be local vendors selling things from jewelry to other trinkets and items that will make wonderful holiday gifts! The event is free to attend and will be held at the Watertown United Methodist Church from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more here. 

Foxwoods Resort & Casino is holding a weekend of Veterans Day events. On Friday, they will be providing free suits for veterans along with taking professional headshots and other on-site resources. On Saturday, Foxwoods will host its annual Veterans Day Parade for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic! The parade route begins at the Rainmaker Expo Center. Then, also on Saturday, the Mashantucket Pequot Museum will host a Veterans Powwow to unite and honor Native and non-Native Americans who have served alongside U.S. armed forces. Learn more about the events and how to attend here.

Lace up your running shoes for the Plainfield Salute the Troops 5K and Fun Run this Saturday! The Plainfield Parks and Recreation Department hosts the race in honor of the military and proceeds will be donated to the local VFW, American Legion, and Veteran's Coffeehouse. The 5K race will begin at 10 a.m. at Shepard Hill Elementary School. The course is a mix of downhill and uphill running. At 11:30 a.m., the Run Run will happen and follow a similar course. Both races are intended for all abilities and skill levels. After the fun run, food and entertainment will be available until 1 p.m. Learn more and sign up for the event here.

Also happening Saturday is the Bartlett & Grippe Hot COCO 5K, Walk & Kids Fun Run in Cheshire! The race is to help benefit Abilities without Boundaries, which helps create possibilities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The kid's run begins at 10 a.m., with the 5K beginning 10 minutes later. After the races, there will be a part with music, hot cocoa, food, activities, and giveaways! Learn more about the run and how to attend here.

Get some good eatin' at the Taste of the Seasons event at the Apple Barrel Farm Market at Lyman Orchards! The event, held on Saturday, will feature a culinary collection of local vendors lined up for a free-tasting extravaganza. Save your appetite as you taste your way through a seasonal array of free samples. The best part is that the event is free to attend! Learn more here.

That's not the only event happening at Lyman Orchards on Saturday! Head over to the golf course for a beautiful night full of stargazing with the Astronomy Society of New Haven. The event will happen on Saturday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., where you'll be able to see the two biggest planets in our solar system and their largest moons, as well as galaxies and other mysteries our universe holds. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more here.

And finally, it's all aboard for the Operation Toy Train! The Railroad Museum of New England and the Naugatuck Railroad are partnering with Operation Toy Train and the Marines to benefit the Toys for Tots Foundation. They'll be running a special train and spotting at four locations to collect toys for the holidays. They're asking passengers, friends, and neighbors to visit one of the stops to donate a new toy (no wrapping paper). The stops include:

  • Waterbury: 44 Chase River Road, behind Fascia's Chocolates; 12 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
  • Thomaston Station: 242 East Main Street, Thomaston; 1 pm - 1:30 p.m.
  • East Litchfield: 70 East Litchfield Road, just east of Johnson Road/Exit 42 on Route 8; 2 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
  • Torrington: 170 Water Street, Torrington, next to Alfredo's Deli; 3 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Learn more about the event here.

If you want more ideas on what to check out this weekend, head to CT Visit.

See you next weekend! 

Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com. 

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