Dogwood Festival: A Mother's Day Rite of Passage

What began as a small church fair 76 years ago has blossomed into an annual event that attracts thousands from near and far. For many in Fairfield, the tradition of the annual Dogwood Festival is a rite of passage into spring and a hallmark of Mother's Day.

Even on the rainiest of Mother's Days, my own mom, Patti, would still insist my father drive us up to Greenfield Hill to view the pink and white blossoms synonymous with springtime in Fairfield. And now that I am a mother, I look forward to that same drive my parents took up Bronson Road and the chance to appreciate these beautiful trees that are in bloom for just a few weeks.

We recently moved into a new home and are lucky to have three dogwoods in our front yard, which are getting ready to bloom. Realizing I didn't know the history of these symbolic trees and have lived in Fairfield nearly my whole life, I decided I had to do a little research.

Fairfield is home to some 1,000 dogwood trees. According to Tree Warden Ken Placko, about 500 dogwood trees, mostly white,  that lead into and surround the Dogwood Festival, and he estimated another 500 dogwoods are in people's yards.

The first dogwood trees planted in Greenfield Hill were dug up and brought from neighboring woods by Dr. Isaac Bronson in the late 18th century. He planted these trees on his property along the edge of what is now Fairfield Country Day School on Bronson Road, according to the Greenfield Hill Village Improvement Society. The society just completed its latest Dogwood Tree Project, which evaluated existing trees and planted more than 100 new ones around the Greenfield Hill area.

Longtime Fairfielder Betsy Welke told About Town that the dogwoods soon to fully blossom are an icon of Mother's Day traditions in Fairfield.

"I've always associated the Dogwood Festival in Fairfield with Mother's Day," Welke said. "We were married at the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church so I have many happy memories there. If next Sunday is a day like today, it would be a fabulous way to spend Mother's Day and support the GHCC."

From a card table on the church lawn where the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church Women’s Guild sold handmade crafts and fudge in 1935, the festival has grown into an event that attracts thousands each year and pays homage to this symbol of life and Mother's Day in Fairfield.

In addition to local artisans selling goods on the church property, the three-day festival also includes the Dogwood Dash, children's games and a plant and flower tent where you can pick up many of spring's freshest blossoms. This year's festival will also feature a historic walking tour; children's crafts and games; live musical performances; and a variety of food and baked goods. More than 40 New England artisans will offer handmade wares, and the Dogwood Festival Art Show will feature local artists' spring-inspired works, available for purchase.

This year, the 2011 Art Exhibition will be held in the new Church House. A 35 percent commission of works sold is donated to local and international charities through the festival, according to Susan Winslow, co-chair of the art exhibition.

Proceeds from the weekend-long event benefit charities near and far, including: Operation Hope, Project Learn, Center for Women and Families, Family Services Woodfield (Meals on Wheels), Friends of Christ In India, Hall Neighborhood House, McGivney Center and Mercy Learning Center.

The festival hours are: Friday, May 6, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, May 7, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, May 8, noon to 5 p.m.

For information, go to http://www.greenfieldhillchurch.com.