2008

May
June
July
August

The first Sunday of every month, tour the collection at your own pace from 12 pm until closing, with interpreters stationed throughout the period rooms to answer questions. At 1 pm, enjoy a gallery talk on subjects ranging from architecture to Wedgwood. May –October, join a guided estate walk at 2 pm.

First Sundays are a wonderful opportunity to experience old favorites in a whole new way!

May–October, optional 1.5 hour house-and-garden tour available weekends.

November–April, optional 1.5 hour house tour encompassing first floor Service Wing — see a whole new side of this vibrant household!

Sign our Guest Book and receive monthly emails about upcoming events. Your email helps the museum save postage.

MAY 2008

May 3 Saturday 10 am
WILDFLOWERS & HISTORY AT TWO GREAT ESTATES
Part II of an adventure comparing the landscape and wildflowers of Westmoor Park and Hill-Stead. After a wildflower walk in the restored meadow at Westmoor on April 26, enjoy a walk in Hill-Stead's meadow, where estate naturalist Diane Tucker will identify flora and fauna on the museum's breathtaking hilltop estate. Free to members, $3 members-to-be.

May 4 Sunday 1 pm
FIRST SUNDAY GALLERY TALK: Artists' Books
Hill-Stead is known for its Impressionist painting collection, but, like many collectors, Alfred A. Pope also had an interest in limited-edition artists' books. Interpreter Muriel Forbes will show and discuss rarely-seen art books in Hill-Stead's archives, including works by Edgar Degas (selection from Vingt dessins shown at right), Francisco de Goya, Léon Bakst and William Nicholson. Free to members or with museum admission.

May 4 Sunday 2 pm
FIRST SUNDAY GUIDED ESTATE WALK
With the expert guidance of interpreter Betty Collins, explore Hill-Stead's estate—discover history along centuries-old woodland trails, and enjoy magnificent hilltop views. Free to members or with museum admission.

Participate in First Sundays—see the Pope Riddle house and estate in new ways, and learn things you never knew!

May 9 & 10, Friday & Saturday, 10 am–4 pm
MAY MARKET
Enjoy Hill-Stead's lush grounds and bask in the strains of the strolling minstrel duo Timepiece as you browse among 50 vendors offering antiques and quality crafts for home and garden. Expert horticulturalists and Master Gardeners are on hand to help select shrubs and perennials.

NEW! Order your pre-sale plants today! Go to May Market Plants for images, information and an order form.

May Market Highlight: 10:30 am Friday, May 9: Hill-Stead welcomes renowned Floral Designer Chris Giftos as May Market's guest speaker. For over 30 years Mr. Giftos was Chief Floral Designer and Director of Special Events at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. As such he was responsible for the flawless execution of glamorous events at one of the world's largest and finest art museums, from planning the music and the menu to creating the extraordinary floral arrangements. Mr. Giftos, who has been a guest of Martha Stewart and Oprah Winfrey and has traveled the world lecturing on floral design, will share his experience and expertise with this year's May Market audience. The lecture is $30 (including May Market admission).

Other May Market treats include garden and cooking demonstrations, delicious food and homemade goodies at the Cupcake Café, Zoodle Face Painting and crafts activities for children, and Theodate's Attic, a space filled with pre-loved collectibles. Admission to May Market is $8 for members and pre-sold tickets, $10 for members-to-be at the gate. To purchase tickets in advance, call 860.677.4787 ext 132.
See a list of May Market Exhibitors
See a detailed Schedule of Activities

May 11 Sunday 7 am
MOTHER'S DAY WARBLER WALK
Bring your binoculars and your mother to this Hill-Stead tradition. Watch for waves of warblers, flycatchers, vireos and other songbirds as they visit Hill-Stead on their journey north. Estate naturalist Diane Tucker offers expert commentary. Complimentary to members, $3 members-to-be.

May 21 & 28, Wednesdays
9 am - 12 pm
GARDEN GANG

Join a spirited volunteer group and help preserve Hill-Stead's historic sunken garden. To participate, contact Cindy Cormier at 860.677.4787 ext 120 or cormierc@hillstead.org

Volunteer Opportunities

May 22 Thursday 6 pm BENEFIT DINNER AUCTION
Monet in May
A must-attend charity event of the season! Delight in sunset views from the West Lawn while sipping a martini. Socialize, enjoy exceptional food and wine, and bid on auction items of legendary quality. For information and sponsorship opportunities, contact Marie Dalton-Meyer at dalton-meyerm@hillstead.org or 860.677.4787 ext 130.

2008 Dinner Auction Sponsors

May 31 Saturday 2 pm
NATURE WALK: THINGS ON THE WING
Immerse yourself in the riot of nature at Hill-Stead. With estate naturalist Diane Tucker as your guide, spot and learn to identify birds, butterflies and bugs. Get a close look at various insects, "those tiny things that rule the world," and find and learn about the wildflowers that attract and support them. Free to members, $3 members-to-be.

May, specific date to be determined, 10 pm
SPRING MIGRATION MOON BIRDING ADVENTURE
Conditions have to be just right for this unusual night time experience, so the specific date has yet to be determined. Certain weather conditions sometimes coincide with the phase of the moon to create an opportunity to see thousands of migrating songbirds flocking through the sky and across the shining moon. Interested parties can sign up to be on our "call list" by emailing cagenelloc@hillstead.org; estate naturalist Diane Tucker will call those on the list on the afternoon of the event, and participants will meet at Hill-Stead at 10 pm to watch the show through telescopes. Sign up and you won't miss this amazing natural spectacle that is sure to be memorable. Free to members, $3 members-to-be.

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JUNE 2008

June 1 Sunday 1 pm
FIRST SUNDAY GALLERY TALK
Carriages and Cars: Traveling in Style
When the Pope family moved into Hill-Stead in 1901, transportation in America was in transition. Horse-drawn carriages remained the dominant form of vehicle, but the automobile was becoming increasingly popular. Always interested in the latest technology, the Popes bought their first car in 1905. With museum volunteer and guest curator Tracey Angels, tour the Carriages and Cars exhibition and learn about the White Steamer, Packard Victoria and Stutz Bearcat that traveled along Hill-Stead's graceful drive. Free to members or with museum admission.

June 1 Sunday 2 pm
FIRST SUNDAY ESTATE WALK
With the expert guidance of interpreter Betty Collins, explore garden elements, meadows, stone walls and woodland trails. Hear how Theodate Pope Riddle's design for Hill-Stead drew on the English Landscape and Colonial Revival movements, and included a dairy farm, trail system and orchards. Free to members or with museum admission.

June 4 Wednesday
9 am—12 pm
GARDEN GANG
Volunteer, meet new friends and share gardening tips as you help preserve Hill-Stead's historic Sunken Garden. To participate, contact Cindy Cormier at 860.677.4787 ext 120 or cormierc@hillstead.org.

June 7 & 8, Saturday & Sunday, 12—4 pm
CONNECTICUT TRAILS DAY
Join in this statewide celebration of the outdoors with a visit to Hill-Stead's 152-acre estate. Enjoy exploring over 3 miles of scenic walking trails traversing meadows, woodlands and wetlands. Amble the gentle terrain on your own, or join a guided walk. Saturday, 10 am: Estate naturalist Diane Tucker guides walkers through Hill-Stead's scenic meadows, woodlands and wetlands and up to the overlook, offering stunning views of the Farmington Valley. Sunday, 2 pm: Museum interpreter Betty Collins leads participants on an exploration of Hill-Stead's estate and trails, including the Sunken Garden, the Wild Garden and the restored allée of maple trees. Free to members and children 12 and under, $5 members-to-be. Visit www.ctwoodlands.org for information about activities happening across the state.

June 11 Wednesday 9 am—12 pm
GARDEN GANG
Volunteer, enjoy the fresh air and share gardening tips as you help preserve Hill-Stead's historic Sunken Garden. To participate, contact Cindy Cormier at 860.677.4787 ext 120 or cormierc@hillstead.org.

June 11 Wednesday 6:30—8:30 pm
SUNKEN GARDEN POETRY & MUSIC FESTIVAL — OPENING NIGHT
Robert Pinsky, Unites States Poet Laureate (1997—2000), translator, essayist, and teacher, will kick off the 16th season of the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival, back by popular demand after a one-year hiatus. Joining Pinsky will be Merge, a collaboration between the "intimate and innovative" poetry of Cassandra Cleghorn and the "brilliant supportive music" of Erik Lawrence and his band Hipmotism.
The gates will open at 5:30 pm. Boxed suppers will be available for purchase, or participants can bring their own food. Picnicking will be allowed on the West Lawn and in select locations in the Sunken Garden. Attendance is free. On-site parking charge is $10 per car.
www.barclayagency.com/pinsky.html
www.mergepoetrymusic.com
Summer Performance Series

June 14, Saturday, 10 am—4 pm
CONNECTICUT OPEN HOUSE DAY
Hill-Stead is proud to be one of over 100 organizations participating in the Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism's annual celebration of the state's diverse art, history, film and tourism attractions. The museum will offer Connecticut residents and their guests complimentary, self-guided tours of the 1901 Pope Riddle House and its world-renowned art collection, including Impressionist masterpieces by Degas, Monet and Cassatt, among others. Participate and find out how to be a Connecticut Ambassador! Free to the public.

June 15 Sunday 10 am
FATHER'S DAY BIRD WALK
Swallows and bluebirds are very busy and involved fathers. Grab your dad and come out to check bird boxes with estate naturalist Diane Tucker. See how birds make their nests, and with luck get a close look at eggs and fledglings! The touching devotion of these birds is inspiring. Free to members, $3 members-to-be.

June 18 Wednesday 9 am—12 pm
GARDEN GANG
Volunteer, meet new friends and stay in shape as you help preserve Hill-Stead's renowned Sunken Garden. To participate, contact Cindy Cormier at 860.677.4787 ext 120 or cormierc@hillstead.org.

June 20 Friday
BOSTON MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS with ADVENTURES, INC.
Visit El Greco to Velázquez: Art During the Reign of Philip III, a groundbreaking exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (www.mfa.org). Featuring paintings, sculpture and decorative arts, the show examines a fascinating period (1598–1621) bracketed by two giants of Spanish painting, El Greco (1541–1614) and Velázquez (1599–1660). Discover the masterpieces of Philip III's court and the artists who flourished during his reign. Cost: $100 per person includes transportation, refreshments on the bus, museum admission, driver tip, informal commentary by Hill-Stead's Curator and Interim Co-Director Cindy Cormier, and a small donation to Hill-Stead Museum. Bus Departures: Hill-Stead Museum at 7:30 am; Sheraton Hotel, Founders Plaza, East Hartford at 8 am; Boston at 3 pm. For more information and reservations, contact Jean Glasel at 860.674.1114 or visit www.goadventuresinc.com.

June 21 & 22, Saturday & Sunday
10 am—5 pm
ROSE & GARDEN WEEKEND
Hill-Stead's Beatrix Farrand-designed one-acre sunken garden, with 90 varieties of perennials, is an important part of this weekend of garden events sponsored by the Central Regional Tourism District. Tour the garden at your own pace, with master gardeners on hand to answer questions. Along with the spectacular garden, enjoy exploring Hill-Stead's estate— over three miles of stone walls, woodland trails, a meadow and pond, all set on 152 acres. All garden and outdoor activities are free to the public. For more information on events at other participating sites, visit www.visitctriver.com.

June 21 Saturday 10 am
SOUND SAFARI for the VISUALLY IMPAIRED
A special nature program for the senses, this walk is designed with the visually impaired in mind, though everyone is welcome. With estate naturalist Diane Tucker, explore nature using sound, touch, taste and smell. See how enjoyment of the outdoors can be universal. Free to members, $3 members-to-be.

June 22 Sunday 12—4 pm
CONNECTICUT'S HISTORIC GARDENS DAY
Visit one or several of eleven historic gardens across Connecticut, including Hill-Stead's own c. 1920 Beatrix Farrand-designed Sunken Garden. Stroll the garden paths, admire heirloom plants and consult with interpreters and master gardeners. Enjoy views of the Farmington Valley while sipping a glass of cool lemonade on the Mount Vernon-style verandah. At 2 pm, relax and enjoy a talk and slide show. This year, Connecticut's Historic Gardens Day coincides with Rose and Garden Weekend (see above), so there will be plenty of activity and plenty to see in each area of the state. For information on activities at other historic gardens, visit www.florencegriswoldmuseum.org.

June 25 Wednesday
9 am—12 pm
GARDEN GANG
Surround yourself with beauty and friends, and be a part of a tradition of volunteerism that has sustained Hill-Stead's Sunken Garden for over 20 years. To participate, contact Cindy Cormier at 860.677.4787 ext 120 or cormierc@hillstead.org.

June 25 Wednesday 6:30 pm
SUNKEN GARDEN POETRY & MUSIC FESTIVAL

Connecticut Poetry Circuit Winners
Five winners of a state-wide poetry contest among Connecticut college students will captivate the audience with their work. Poets include: Tess Bird, a Women's Studies major with a concentration in Creative Writing at the University of Connecticut; Lisa Butler, a Visual Fine Arts major at Manchester Community College; Chiara Di Lello, a student at Wesleyan University; Taylor Katz, an English major with a concentration in Poetry and a Religious Studies minor at Connecticut College; and Tyler Theofilos, a senior English major in the Writing Concentration at Yale University.

Coleman Barks
A renowned poet and bestselling author of numerous volumes on Rumi (Sufi mystic, 1207—1273), Coleman Barks was recently awarded an honorary doctorate in Persian language and literature by the University of Tehran for his 30 years of translating Rumi. Mr. Barks will read the poetry of Rumi with musical accompaniment by Grammy Award winning cellist and composer Eugene Friesen.
The gates will open at 5:30 pm. Boxed suppers will be available for purchase, or participants can bring their own food. Picnicking will be allowed on the West Lawn and in select locations in the Sunken Garden. Attendance is free. On-site parking charge is $10 per car.
www.colemanbarks.com
www.eugenefriesenmusic.com
Summer Performance Series

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JULY 2008

July 2 Wednesday
9 am—12 pm
GARDEN GANG
Dig in and enjoy the camaraderie as you help preserve Hill-Stead's historic Sunken Garden and contribute to its beauty. To participate, contact Cindy Cormier at 860.677.4787 ext 120 or cormierc@hillstead.org.

July 6 Sunday 1 pm
FIRST SUNDAY GALLERY TALK: Italian Majolica
Learn all about the Pope family's impressive collection of 16th- and 17th-century Italian majolica, purchased in Venice, Faenza, Deruta, Urbino, Castel Durante and Abruzzi. Hill-Stead's Education Coordinator Sharon Stotz will discuss how these fine objects were made, and for whom, and will enlighten participants as to the stylistic traits that distinguish the different types of pottery. Free to members or with museum admission.

July 6 Sunday 2 pm
FIRST SUNDAY ESTATE WALK
Explore Hill-Stead's spectacular property, step by breathtaking step. Interpreter Betty Collins offers expert commentary on the estate's original 6-hole golf course, the orchard, dairy farm and other surprises. For a sense of both the interior and exterior beauty at Hill-Stead, enjoy First Sunday activities— tour the museum at your own pace, learn about Italian Majolica at a 1 pm Gallery Talk, and then stroll the estate. Free to members or with museum admission.

July 9 Wednesday 9 am—12 pm
GARDEN GANG
Volunteer, spend time in nature with friends, and help preserve Hill-Stead's historic Sunken Garden. To participate, contact Cindy Cormier at 860.677.4787 ext 120 or cormierc@hillstead.org.

July 9 Wednesday 6:30 pm
SUNKEN GARDEN POETRY & MUSIC FESTIVAL
Billy Collins
United States Poet Laureate 2001—2003 and New York State Poet Laureate 2004—2006, Billy Collins combines critical acclaim with popular appeal. The award-winning poet has published eight collections of poetry, including Questions about Angels, The Art of Drowning, Taking Off Emily Dickinson's Clothes, and The Trouble with Poetry and Other Poems. Upon reading at the Sunken Garden Poetry Festival in 1999, Billy Collins proclaimed the festival "a cultural phenomenon." Joining Collins will be award-winning jazz vocalist Sheila Jordan, "one of the jazz world's best kept secrets" (Blue Note), with Cameron Brown on bass.
The gates will open at 5:30 pm. Boxed suppers will be available for purchase, or participants can bring their own food. Picnicking will be allowed on the West Lawn and in select locations in the Sunken Garden. Attendance is free. On-site parking charge is $10 per car.
www.barclayagency.com/collins.html
www.sheilajordanjazz.com
Summer Performance Series

July 13 Sunday 10 am
BUTTERFLY NATURE WALK
July is peak butterfly time. With estate naturalist Diane Tucker, see a variety of species, learn about them and find out which plants they prefer. See the special areas at Hill-Stead where monarch butterflies live and breed. Free to members, $3 members-to-be.

NEW! SUMMER NATURE & ARTS ADVENTURE

Mondays through Fridays
July 14–18, July 21–25, and July 28–August 1

9 am–12:30 pm

For students entering grades 1–6. Maximum class size: 15. $125 per child per week for members, $135 per child per week for members-to-be. Reservations required: 860.677.4787 ext 121.

Join us for an adventure-based outdoor summer experience that will combine nature, science and art in a thoroughly enjoyable way. Your youngsters will be learning without even realizing it!

Utilizing Hill-Stead's diverse ecosystem and comprehensive estate—including woodland trails, meadows, pond, Sunken Garden, historic house and renowned Impressionist art collection—instructors will guide participants in fun activities that will reveal the world around them. Whether turning over bug boards, dipping nets into the pond, playing games, sketching on the trails or writing poetry, young adventurers will make new discoveries while finding ways to express themselves.

Each week will focus on a theme:

Each day is comprised of three one-hour activities, both nature- and art-oriented. One day per week will be devoted to spending time inside the museum. Friday of each week will feature a guest presenter specializing in art, animals or wildlife rehabilitation.

All ages are eligible for any week; children will be grouped into grades 1-2, 3-4, 5-6. Because each week has a different theme, children can attend multiple weeks and be equally engaged.

July 16 Wednesday
MoMA & The MET, NYC with ADVENTURES, INC.
The exhibition Dalí: Painting and Film at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City (www.moma.org) brings together more than 100 works by Salvador Dalí (1904–1989), including major paintings, photographs, drawings and films, to explore the central role of cinema in his work.
At The Metropolitan Museum of Art (www.metmuseum.org), view a retrospective of the work of J.M.W. Turner (1775–1851), the first presented in the United States in over 40 years. The exhibition will highlight approximately 140 paintings and watercolors, ranging in subject from seascapes and topographical views to historical subjects.Cost: $125 per person includes transportation, museum admissions, refreshments on the bus, driver tip, informal commentary by Hill-Stead interpreter Janet Conlin and a small donation to Hill-Stead Museum. Bus Departures: Sheraton Hotel, Founders Plaza, East Hartford at 7:30 am; Hill-Stead Museum at 8 am; New York City at 4:30 pm. For more information and reservations, contact Jean Glasel at 860.674.1114 or visit www.goadventuresinc.com.

July 16 Wednesday
9 am—12 pm
GARDEN GANG
Volunteer, meet new friends and stay in shape as you help preserve Hill-Stead's c. 1920 Beatrix Farrand-designed Sunken Garden. To participate, contact Cindy Cormier at 860.677.4787 ext 120 or cormierc@hillstead.org.

July 19 Saturday 7:30 pm
MIDSUMMER MOTH EXPERIMENT & NIGHT HIKE
Enjoy a nighttime show of moths, fireflies and other insects! Estate naturalist Diane Tucker will paint trees on Hill-Stead's property with a special concoction to lure moths, encouraging them to settle down and feed so participants can see these beautiful jewels of the night. No flashlights, please. Free to members, $3 members-to-be.

July 23 Wednesday 9 am—12 pm
GARDEN GANG
Volunteer, meet new friends (and see old ones) and help preserve Hill-Stead's Sunken Garden. To participate, contact Cindy Cormier at 860.677.4787 ext 120 or cormierc@hillstead.org.

July 23 Wednesday 6:30 pm
SUNKEN GARDEN POETRY & MUSIC FESTIVAL
Patricia Fargnoli & Ilya Kaminsky

Patricia Fargnoli, the New Hampshire Poet Laureate, is the author of 3 books and 2 chapbooks of poetry. Her first book, Necessary Light (Utah State University Press, 1999) won the May Swenson Book Award, and her latest book, Duties of the Spirit (Tupelo Press, 2005), is the winner of the prestigious Jane Kenyon Poetry Book Award for Outstanding Poetry published by a New Hampshire author in the preceding two years. Her poems have appeared in literary journals such as Poetry, Ploughshares and The Mid-American Review, and have been published internationally in Turkey, China and Canada.

Award-winning author of Dancing in Odessa (Tupelo Press, 2004), Russian poet Ilya Kaminsky offers a "rare and exhilarating pleasure" (Boston Review). Winner in 2005 alone of the Whiting Prize, the Metcalf Award from the American Academy of Arts & Letters and the Foreword Poetry Book of the Year Award, he is widely regarded as the most exciting young poet in America today.


New York-based vocalist, composer and lyricist Tessa Souter offers jazz with a Middle Eastern and flamenco flavor.

The gates will open at 5:30 pm. Boxed suppers will be available for purchase, or participants can bring their own food. Picnicking will be allowed on the West Lawn and in select locations in the Sunken Garden. Attendance is free. On-site parking charge is $10 per car.
www.joefargnoli.com | www.ilyakaminsky.com | www.tessasouter.com
Summer Performance Series

July 30 Wednesday
9 am—12 pm
GARDEN GANG
Enjoy summer blooms and the camaraderie of fellow gardeners as you help preserve Hill-Stead's one-acre jewel. To participate, contact Cindy Cormier at 860.677.4787 ext 120 or cormierc@hillstead.org.

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AUGUST 2008

August 2 Saturday 10 am
BUG EXTRAVAGANZA
With estate naturalist Diane Tucker enthusiastically guiding this nature walk, participants will learn to appreciate katydids, crickets, praying mantises and more. Take a peak under the bug boards to see what lurks there! Fun for all ages. Free to members, $3 members-to-be.

August 3 Sunday 1 pm
FIRST SUNDAY GALLERY TALK: SECRETS OF HILL-STEAD'S CELLAR
The vast, 9,000-square-foot basement at Hill-Stead no longer contains the wine collection and food storage of 100 years ago. Today its contents tell a contemporary story of equal interest. See vestiges of the wine cellar, old heating and ventilation system from 1901, alongside a state-of-the-art heating, air conditioning and cooling system essential to the preservation of the museum's priceless art collection. Free to members or with museum admission.

August 3 Sunday 2 pm
FIRST SUNDAY ESTATE WALK

Trace Theodate's footsteps through Hill-Stead's lush garden and grounds, including the former dairy farm. Museum interpreter Betty Collins offers expert commentary. Free to members or with museum admission.

August 6, 13, 20, 27 Wednesdays 9 am–12 pm
GARDEN GANG
Volunteer, meet new friends and stay in shape as you help preserve Hill-Stead's historic Sunken Garden. To participate, contact Cindy Cormier at 860.677.4787 ext 120 or cormierc@hillstead.org.

August 6 Wednesday 6:30–8:30 pm
SUNKEN GARDEN POETRY & MUSIC FESTIVAL
Paul Muldoon / Music by Rackett
Pulitzer Prize winner and author of 10 collections of poetry, Irish poet Paul Muldoon was recently appointed poetry editor of The New Yorker magazine. In addition to his "stimulating, provocative and unfailingly interesting" poetry (Maria Johnson, Contemporary Poetry Review), Muldoon has won awards for songs co-written with Warren Zevon and Bruce Springsteen. Musical guest Rackett, founded by Muldoon and Nigel Smith in 2004, provides "enlightened lyrics" and "nasty guitar licks."
The gates open at 5:30 pm. Boxed suppers will be available for purchase, or participants can bring their own food. Attendance is free. On-site parking is $10 per car. See Festival Facts for more information.

August 20 Wednesday 6:30–8:30 pm
SUNKEN GARDEN POETRY & MUSIC FESTIVAL
Night of Fresh Voices / Music by Freddie Bryant
Connecticut High School artists from diverse cultural backgrounds present award-winning verse. Participants to be announced. Guitarist Freddie Bryant presents a "gorgeous blend of delicate harmonics, etherial harmonies and rhythmic freedom" with "an incendiary groove" (Jim Fergespm, Jazz Times Magazine).
www.freddiebryant.com

Gates open at 5:30 pm. Boxed suppers will be available for purchase, or participants can bring their own food. Attendance is free. On-site parking is $10 per car. See Festival Facts for more information.

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