It all starts this weekend - the August rush, if you will. Lots of very cool, very unique, CT festivals.
1. First up, the Taste of the Caribbean and Jerk Festival this Saturday at the Mortenson Riverfront Plaza in Hartford. Fiery jerk chicken, be it on a kabob or roll, is reason enough to go. But there's also a carnival parade and fantastic costumes.
2. Also up this weekend, the Potato & Corn Festival in North Branford. This one is tucked away in North Branford but boasts some great rides and killer food. And the live music? Man, it was just a few years ago I saw Big Shot there, long before front man Mike DelGiuidice began performing with Billy Joel himself. This time around check out Presley & Taylor, two local beauties who do country the way it's meant to be (above).
3. Shoreline Wine Festival at Bishop's Orchards in Guilford. Aug 12-13. Get your wine on at Bishop's, where they make a delish apple or pear-infused white all on their own. There are wines from all of CT's wineries, seminars by winemakers and live music. You can even take a tour of the Bishop's winery.
4. Mystic Outdoor Art Festival. Aug 12-13. One of the countries oldest art shows, Mystic is an artist's paradise year-round, never mind this very special weekend that comes around but once a year. More than 250 artists exhibit paintings, sculptures, photography and more. Great food too!