Music, Comedy, Tragedy, Craft Beer & Christmas: This Weekend In CT

CONNECTICUT — Rock, roots, a reggae-infused paddle boat rally and an absolutely enormous fireworks show will all be on tap alongside the craft beer at events throughout Connecticut this weekend.

They are slicing up the fruitcake and hauling out the holly in Riverton this weekend to celebrate Christmas in July, and, boy, couldn't you use a little of that? It's a brilliant idea, executed brilliantly by the Riverton Merchants: All the vendors, food, craft beers and live music you expect at your typical Connecticut summer fair, just Yuletide Style. The experience extends across the shops in the Riverton Marketplace into the White Pines Campground, the local grange, and even the Riverton Fair Grounds, where Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making an appearance. Riverton's Winter Wonderland in the middle of summer will be July 13–14, and first events begin 6 a.m. both days, because there's a lot of Christmas to cram in. Full agenda online here. Carolers, start your engines…

It will be a heckuva lot hotter over in Windham at the 3rd Annual Latin Multicultural Festival on Saturday. Henry Aguayo and Victor Coco Santiago headline a deep lineup of international musical stars on the Shaboo Stage downtown at Jillson Square from noon to 10 p.m. Admission is free.

Look, we don't care what you're into, this sounds like fun: Floatswella 2024 is a pop-up paddle-craft-only rally on the Mystic River with live reggae music performed by Red Lion. The best vantage point will be along the west side of the Mystic River, north of the Bascule Bridge. Launch points include I-95 Highway Bridge on Rover Road, Isham Street at Bay Street, Water Street across from Daniel Packer Inn, and Williams Beach at the Ocean Community YMCA. The rally is 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, with a rain date of Sunday, July 14.

Only a fraction of Sail Fest 2024, all weekend long in New London, will have anything to do with sailing, but that's because all told it's one of southeastern Connecticut's biggest summertime events. The carnival rides are major, as are the fireworks (one of the largest displays in the Northeast), and with over 200 vendors lining the streets, there will be plenty to see, buy, and eat. Live music will pour from multiple stages, there are art and woodworking shows, and an entire tent to hold all the craft beer vendors. The event sprawls throughout New London’s waterfront park and nearby streets Saturday and Sunday, July 13 and 14.

Still more fireworks: The Redding Historical Society will be holding its 8th annual Rock 'N Roots Music Festival and Fireworks Show at Lonetown Farm on Saturday. Pastoral setting, live bands and food trucks, all day beginning at 3 p.m., boom-booms at night. Sounds like a plan. Tickets are available online here.

The Capital Classics Theatre Company will be staging two of The Bard's plays this summer at The Greater Hartford Shakespeare Festival, which begins this week and runs through Aug. 4, with shows every night except for Mondays and Tuesdays.

With its productions of "Hamlet" and "The Taming of The Shrew," the troupe is offering audiences a choice between two of the most famous and influential comedies and tragedies ever written. There's also food, pre-show entertainment, and it's all presented at the Bruyette Athenaeum (outdoors or indoors, depending on weather) on the campus of the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford. Monday - Saturday, 7:30-10:30 p.m., Sunday 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tickets are available online here.