Nutmeg Festival Turns 112 This Saturday

St. Stephen’s Church, Ridgefield, holds its annual Nutmeg Festival on Sat., Aug. 11, on the church’s campus at 351 Main St. This year marks the Festival’s 112th edition, making it one of Connecticut’s oldest church fairs. It opens at 10 a.m. to the sound of bagpipes and closes at 4 p.m. Admission is free, and a large portion of proceeds is donated to local charities.

This something-for-everyone event features many returning favorites, including magic by New York-based Ben Nemzer, the Dixieland music of Catoonah Street Jazz & Blues Society, games for children, a Silent Auction and raffle, and booths selling homemade pies, cookies, toys, books, jewelry, art and collectibles, and furniture.

New this year will be performances by a band from the Bach to Rock music school in Ridgefield. The Country Grill will feature Odeen’s BBQ and slices from Planet Pizza, and Deborah Ann’s of Ridgefield will sponsor the ice cream. Another first will be The Knitting Booth, stocked with needles and all sorts of yarn, where people can stop by and knit a little square that will be incorporated into blankets to be donated to local social service organizations. If you don’t know how to knit, instructions will be provided.

Raffle tickets may be purchased online - nutmegfestival.org - or at the Festival, and Silent Auction bids will be taken online – also at nutmegfestival.org - as well as at the Festival. All raffle proceeds will be divided among Danbury Food Collaborative’s Man in the Van, Housatonic Habitat for Humanity and Hour Children at Bedford Hills Correctional Facility. Silent Auction proceeds go to multiple local charities. For more information visit www.nutmegfestival.org.