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Things To Do in Connecticut this Weekend: St. Patrick's Day Crafts, Maple Sugaring, Cardboard Sled Race, Theater

Smell and see how maple syrup is made. Photo courtesy of Visit CT
Smell and see how maple syrup is made. Photo courtesy of Visit CT
3/11/20 - By Ally Noel

Cheers to being halfway through March! We’ve survived the transition to daylight savings time and spring is right around the corner. Several St. Patrick's Day parades are canceled because of coronavirus, but there are other ways to celebrate the Irish holiday this weekend, including shamrock-themed cookie decorating in Norwalk and a pot-of-gold treasure hunt in Newtown. There’s also a fishing demonstration, fantastic live theatrical performances, and a few more maple festivals as well. The annual cardboard sled race is in Middlefield was on at press time!

Due to coronavirus, some activities planned for this weekend have been canceled, postponed, or modified. We will do our best to keep our weekend picks up-to-date with any changes made by event organizers. Stay well, everyone.

We update our Events Calendar frequently so be sure to check back for even more great suggestions. To keep up with the latest family-friendly events and activities, sign up for our newsletters, and follow us on Facebook, and Instagram. Have a fantastic weekend!

 

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Things To Do All Weekend

Lamothe's Maple Sugaring

Come see how pure maple syrup is made the old-fashioned way at Lamothe's Sugar House. Demonstrations every Saturday and Sunday. READ MORE

Maple Syrup Making at The Woodbury Sugar Shed

Woodbury
The Woodbury Sugar Shed is making fresh CT maple syrup in Woodbury. Samples of freshly drawn maple syrup are available, and larger sizes are available for purchase. READ MORE

The Little Mermaid - CANCELED FROM MARCH 16 ON

Bridgeport
Take a journey under the sea with The Downtown Cabaret Theater as a plucky mermaid princess risks everything for a chance at a better life. This exciting new adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen story asks what you’re willing to give up to get what you want? READ MORE

Bald Eagle Viewing at Shepaug Dam

Southbury
The Shephaug eagle viewing site is open for another season. Specialists with telescopes will be available to help viewers spot eagles and other birds of prey. Please make reservations. READ MORE
The Cardboard Sled Race is an annual tradition at Powder Ridge. Photo courtesy of Powder Ridge Park
The Cardboard Sled Race is an annual tradition at Powder Ridge. Photo courtesy of Powder Ridge Park

Things To Do Saturday

Cardboard Box Race

Middlefield
Try your skills in building and racing in a cardboard vehicle.Prizes will be awarded for fastest sled & best design in each division and greatest costumes. READ MORE

Animal Meet & Greet- CANCELED

Darien
Get up close and personal with some of the creatures at the Darien Nature Center with Victoria Heyne. After the meet and greet she will lead a 45-minute guided walk through the trails at the Nature Center. You’ll learn to identify trees and signs of winter wildlife while enjoying fresh air. Suitable for all ages! READ MORE

Sensory-Sensitive Saturday- CANCELED

Greenwich
During the Sensory-Sensitive Saturday sessions, The Audubon provides relaxing nature films, natural artifacts with interesting textures, books, and pictures. Staff naturalists are present to support learning about nature in this soothing environment. READ MORE

Annual Maple Sugar Festival

Washington
Looking for a sweet end to the winter months? As the days get warmer, but the nights remain cold, it’s the right condition for maple sugaring! Join IAIS staff for an event celebrating the gift of Maple Sugar. Throughout the day, IAIS Museum Educator and Ecologist Susan Scherf will demonstrate various traditional techniques of collecting sap and boiling it down into syrup and sugar.  READ MORE

Teddy Bear Health Clinic - POSTPONED

Bristol
Hands-on activities include a teddy bear health and repair station, wellness checkup, and teddy bear yoga. Each bear will receive a certificate of health after their checkup. READ MORE

Bass Fishing in CT Presentation @ Danbury Library- CANCELED

Danbury
Calling all outdoor enthusiasts!  Join Dylan Napoleone, a senior from Woodland Regional High School, for a captivating informational session on bass fishing in Connecticut.  All ages and interest levels are welcome, no matter if you’re new to the sport or just want to share in the camaraderie of this pastime!  FREE! Registration recommended. Register here: http://danburylibrary.evanced.info/signup/EventDetails?EventId=30954&backTo=Calendar&startDate=2020/03/01 READ MORE

Annual Greater Hartford St. Patrick's Day Parade

Hartford
The Central Connecticut Celtic Cultural Committee will be hosting the 2024 Greater Hartford St. Patrick's day parade on March 9th to celebrate the 52nd Anniversary of this great event!  The parade will step off from the Capitol building at 11AM. READ MORE

Norwalk St Patrick's Day Parade

Norwalk
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Norwalk with the Norwalk Police Emerald Society. The Parade will start at Veteran's Park, down Washington St, and up North Main St. READ MORE

Cookie Decorating for Saint Patrick's Day at Pinstripes- CANCELED

Norwalk
Kick-off your Saturday morning with Cookie Decorating for Saint Patrick's Day! Tickets are just $15 and include a complimentary kids meal off of the kids' menu. READ MORE

Luck of the Irish! Storytime & Craft - CANCELED

Bridgeport
Enjoy some fun Irish stories and folk tales, and maybe a golden craft to take home! Don't forget to wear some green! READ MORE

St Paddy's Day Painting Event

Bethel
Paint a canvas of your own or work as a family on this fun Pot of Gold painting. Drop offs welcome. All ages welcome. READ MORE

Saturday Night MAX - CANCELED

Stamford
Join Code Ninjas, nationwide leaders in kids coding and STEM education,for a two-part evening of computer game coding and STEM robotic-type challenges. This will include creating a computer game that can be played at home. Children should have dinner before they arrive, and a snack will be provided. READ MORE

St. Paddy's Decorating Class for Kids - REGISTRANTS CAN PICK UP MATERIALS

Watertown
Join Hardcore Sweet Cupcakes for a Kids Decorating Class. All supplies included. The kids will decorate 6 cupcakes + 2 cookies READ MORE

Syrup Saturday: A Pancakes & PJs Breakfast

New Canaan
Bring the whole family and join the New Canaan Nature Center for their annual Syrup Season celebration – you won’t want to miss the famously delicious Pancakes & PJs party, complete with TONS of fun syrup-related activities!   Guests are encouraged to come in their PJs! READ MORE

Pizza with Penguins: Go Green Edition

Mystic
Waddle in to the Main Gallery where you’ll feast your eyes on a pizza buffet* catered by the all-new Ocean Blue Catering. Fill a dish with your favorites and enjoy the company of family and friends. Then, clear your plate to make room for the guest of honor; a resident African penguin! Meet this inspiring animal and its trainer all while learning about African penguins, their plight and ways you can help protect this endangered species. Plus, take part in a ‘green’ craft to take home with you after dinner! READ MORE
Shepaug Dam. Photo by Ally Noel
Shepaug Dam. Photo by Ally Noel

Things To Do Sunday

Maple Sugar Madness

South Glastonbury
Visit our 1755 River Mansion and watch demonstrators tap the maple trees on the property and demonstrate syrup making in the outdoor fire pit. Tour the house and barns. Sample pancakes made on the colonial hearth and smother them with syrup. READ MORE

New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade

New Haven
The annual Greater New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade in downtown New Haven is a yearly, family tradition. Each year the Parade requests that the City of New Haven rename the streets closest to the reviewing stand at New Haven City Hall and dedicate the renaming in memory of a deceased person who has served the Greater New Haven Irish Community in a positive way. READ MORE

Courthouse O'Putnam 5K - CANCELED

Putnam
Run the northeast corner of Connecticut in a fun 5K that starts and finishes in picturesque downtown Putnam. The loop course along the Quinebaug River finishes in front of the Courthouse Bar & Grille, where the post-race party tops off the Irish celebration. READ MORE

Family Festivities Series at Westport Country Playhouse- CANCELED

Westport
2020 Family Festivities Series features Judy Moody & Stink on January 12, Charlotte's Web on February 23rd, and The Pout-Pout Fish on March 15. READ MORE

Disney Sing-Along- CANCELED

Stamford
Come and hear your favorite Disney songs performed live on stage. READ MORE

Find the Pot of Gold

Newtown
Discover all the magic of the holiday, from leprechauns to rainbows and pots of gold! Join the Newtown Community Center for fun arts and crafts and a treasure hunt. READ MORE

Family Volunteer Outing - POSTPONED

Stamford
Help keep Mill River Park beautiful. There will be jobs for all ages focusing on clearing debris from the meadows and riverbanks. Meet at the Mill River Carousel Pavilion at 10am. All the tools necessary will be supplied. READ MORE

Shamrock Stroll at Harbor Point- CANCELED

Stamford
Enjoy Harbor Point's 6th Annual St Patrick's Day Shamrock Stroll 5K Fun Run/Walk event (or bring your pooch to the pet parade and costume competition).  READ MORE

Places featured in this article:

The Institute for American Indian Studies
Imagine Nation, A Museum Early Learning Center
Pinstripes at the SoNo Collection
Burroughs & Saden Branch/Bridgeport Library
Giggling Pig Bethel
Courthouse Bar & Grille
Newtown Community Center