'Gilmore Girls' Festival Is Coming To Guilford

GUILFORD, CT — Even though the final episode of "Gilmore Girls" aired in 2007, the show has lived on through syndication, streaming, and now a fan festival that will come to Guilford in the fall from Oct. 18-20.

Put on by The Fan Fest Society, which was founded by Marcus and Jennie Whitaker, The Firelight Event will take place throughout Guilford, including the Guilford Fairgrounds.

The Whitakers organized the first festival, previously titled "Gilmore Girls Fan Fest," in 2016 in Washington Depot, CT, according to Vanity Fair. The show takes place in the fictional town of Stars Hollow, CT.

Specific details on the 2024 event haven't been released yet.

"Guilford is a perfect spot for this event, with a stunning town green surrounded by shops and eateries (& so much more!)," organizers said recently on Instagram. "Where will we be once we get to Guilford? We'll meet up and enjoy spaces in town throughout the day & we'll be at the beautiful Guilford Fairground, half a mile away, in the evenings."

Past gatherings have included trivia, cast member meet & greets, arts & crafts sessions, musical performances, dancing classes, town hall debates, and plenty of coffee, according to the event website.

"Gilmore Girls" aired on The WB/The CW from 2000 to 2007.

"Fiercely independent single mom Lorelai raises gifted, Ivy League-bound daughter Rory amid a continual stream of quick-witted repartee," a description of the series on Netflix says.

The CT Tourism Office notes on its website that while the charmingly quaint New England town is not on the CT state map, its inspiration can be found throughout the Litchfield Hills region.

"Towns like Washington, New Milford, Bantam and Litchfield inspired the creators of the show, and they continue to draw fans looking to capture a little of the 'Gilmore Girls' magic," the CT Tourism website says.

Organizers noted on the event website that Guilford "feels like an incredible mash up of all the towns the festival has been to."

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