By Tyler R. Morrissey
Each month we will highlight a few events happening in each of the communities William Pitt and Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty serves.
As the calendar flips from May to June, there are plenty of activities to take part in. Below are just a few events to enjoy as we begin the official start of summer.
Westchester
This Saturday, David Rockefeller’s legacy of conservation and philanthropy will be celebrated at the Westchester Land Trust’s 30th Anniversary Annual Benefit. The event will take place at the private Rockefeller Family Estate in Pocantico Hills, a venue known for its elegant recreation center that was used by the Rockefeller family for almost 100 years. Funds raised at the event will be used by the Washington Land Trust to permanently preserve open space throughout the county, including more than 1,000 acres of currently active projects. Tickets include a strolling dinner with savory food stations, live music and dancing, exciting silent auction items and themed entertainment. VIP tickets include an intimate guided tour of the venue and a VIP reception before the main event. For more information, click here.
Fairfield County
Also happening next weekend on June 2nd and 3rd is the Greenwich Concours d’Elegance, a two-day car show that will feature American automobiles and motorcycles on Saturday, and imported vehicles on Sunday. Auto Week has called this gathering, “the Met Gala of car universe celebrities.” Saturday will also feature cars of John Fitch, competition motorcycles and a circle of supercars. With a Saturday ticket, guests can also preview the cars for auction in the Bonhams tent. Saturday night’s festivities will culminate with a gala party at the Greenwich Delamar Hotel, with a sumptuous buffet overlooking luxurious yachts. Sunday will feature a special display of Jaguars with a focus on pre-World War II vehicles. There will also be an auction beginning at noon. For more information, click here.
Litchfield County
Saturday, June 2nd is Connecticut Trails Day. Across the Nutmeg State, trails will be frequented by nature lovers and hiking enthusiasts as they celebrate the beautiful scenic landscape Connecticut has to offer. The White Memorial Conservation Center in Litchfield is hosting an open house from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to coincide with this celebration. The museum provides a glimpse of the natural diversity found outdoors on the White Memorial Foundation’s 4,000-acre wildlife sanctuary, the largest privately held sanctuary in Connecticut. The Museum features hand-painted and photographic murals, dioramas, a Children’s Corner, live animals and a working honeybee hive. For more information, click here.
Hartford County
The third Sunday in June is commonly known as Father’s Day. What better way for a fun Father’s Day out with the family than a trip to the New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks? Treat dad to Open Cockpit Day at the museum and let him climb aboard cockpits of historic airplanes and helicopters. A variety of aircraft will be open for visitors including the WWII-era Republic P-47D “Thunderbolt,” the Vietnam War era “Huey” helicopter, as well as supersonic jet fighters including the North American F-100A “Super Sabre” and the Lockheed F-104C “Starfighter.” There will also be special activities that include climb aboard experiences in historic aircraft and realistic flight simulators. The open cockpit experience will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and food will be available on site for purchase. For more information, click here.
The Connecticut Shoreline
Every summer for more than 80 years, thousands of people from Cheshire and surrounding communities converge on the historic church green to enjoy the time-honored tradition of the Cheshire Strawberry Festival and Craft Fair. This yearly pilgrimage continues on June 9th for an event that features naturally sweet, farm fresh strawberry shortcake with lots of whipped cream. In addition, there are hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones and other treats. An integral part of the festival is the arts and crafts fair, which features more than 30 artisans providing wonderfully handcrafted items of all shapes and sizes. For more information, click here.
The Berkshires
One of the most popular museums in the Berkshires is The Bidwell House Museum in Monterey, Massachusetts. Set in the Berkshire Hills is an elegant Georgian saltbox originally built circa 1760 as a parsonage. Authentically restored, filled with antiques and surrounded by 192 acres of beautiful grounds and hiking trails, the museum tells the story of the early settlement of the Berkshires. The Bidwell House was originally owned by Reverend Adonijah Bidwell, the first minister of this region of the state. On June 16th from 10-11 a.m. University of Massachusetts Archaeologist Kerry Lynch will hold a walk and talk as she reports on the August 2017 archaeological dig on the grounds of the museum. Lynch will explain the significance of the items that were found and how they relate to the 18th, 19th and 20th century residents of the Bidwell House. For more information, click here.
