Deanell Fraser

New Haven County

Vincent Salzo

Hartford Metropolitan Area

Meriden

Connecticut

Hartford County

Michael Lemanski

Berlin

Wallingford

Cheshire

Middlesex County

Rich Kirby

Durham-Middlefield

Southington

Chris Dehnel

Middletown

Rocky Hill

Newington

North Haven

Hamden

Jay Estate

<img src="https://jayheritagecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Balloon-300x200.jpg">Jay Day is our classic fall family festival held annually at the 23-acre award-winning Jay Estate with offerings for everyone! Join us on Sunday, October 25 from 11am - 3pm. New this year in honor of the Montgolfier Brothers invention of the hot-air balloon in 1783 - you guessed it - learn all about the thermodynamics of these beautiful aircrafts from <a href="https://www.libertyballoon.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Liberty Balloon Company</a>. Enjoy outdoor activities and old-fashioned entertainment as we commemorate America 250 with a very special chance to see authentic centuries-old artifacts of the Revolutionary War at the historic first home of patriot and peacemaker John Jay. <a href="https://youtu.be/1-5rBwbfv08?si=7Y61Jf0fiNcaNAr2" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Watch a video from last year's festival here.&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/b5a7d988-48ca-4a56-bb9b-28da36e2bc0e" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">REGISTER HERE TO AVOID THE LINES.</a>
<img src="https://jayheritagecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Revisit-the-Rev-300x300.jpg">
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
* Silhouette artist <a href="https://www.sweet-silhouette.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Varin Acevado</a> will create heirloom portraits. * Stilt walkers &amp; jugglers ensure super photo ops for the whole family! * Professional facepainters from <a href="https://www.jamesdaniel.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">James Daniel Entertainment </a>will create butterflies and dragons with deft dabs of paint and glitter! * Join the <a href="https://www.ryetroop2.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Rye Boy Scouts Troop 2</a> for boat racing in the reflecting pool * Create your own take-home origami animals with talented volunteers from our Japanese community partners in Harrison. * Try your hand at special geocaching activities in honor of America at 250 highlighting John Jay's role as spymaster during the Revolutionary War. * Make a self-portrait with artist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ellenjingxu/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jing (Ellen) Xu </a>and ColorWorld. * Learn about robotics and STEAM with <a href="https://www.makeinspires.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">MakeInspires.</a> * Don't miss the rocket show with <a href="https://newyorkcity.madscience.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Mad Science!</a> * Pony rides and the petting zoo are family favorites!

ALL AGES
* Self-guided tours of<a href="https://parks.ny.gov/history/rev-war?utm_campaign=NYSOGS+Parks-RevWar250&amp;utm_source=Google&amp;utm_medium=Search&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23972741403&amp;gbraid=0AAAABD-CRbX_77SLGE4f5AlYAwtMckwIS&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwlsfWBhD4ARIsACL7p1GnNW59-3sZb1eG8wDrPXmniU0OpY52GakfKQTDy-DZfXtRno0_JBwaAnZYEALw_wcB" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"> Revisit the Revolution Exhibit</a> at the Jay Mansion. * Self-guided tours of the award-winning Jay Estate Gardens (2022 NYS Nonprofit Excellence, 2023 ICAA Landscape Design, 2026 GCA Historic Preservation). * Nibble on savories from food trucks and local favorites like Cousins Lobster Roll, Jimmy's Soft Serve, Crazy Taco Mex, Food Truck Refinery, Westchester Burger and Mangones Market. * LIVE Music from <a href="https://www.brooklynbluegrass.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Brooklyn Bluegrass Collective</a>. * Horse-drawn Carriage Rides by Pelham Bit Carriages. * Shop for the holidays early or for any occasion - explore gorgeous jewelry, sweaters, fine art photographs, handcrafted Japanese pottery from <a href="https://nslifestyles.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">NS Lifestyles</a>, <a href="https://shopthebeehive.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Beehive</a>, <a href="https://www.crichlowfineart.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Crichlow Fine Art</a>, <a href="https://hirokosceramics.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Hiroko's Ceramics</a> and many more bespoke offerings from our vendors * Learn about 10,000 years of archaeology beneath our feet with Dr. Eugene Boesch.
More activities being added every day! Admission is $50 per family and $20 individual.
Thank you to our Jay Day Co-Chairs Lindsay Bello Martin, Claire Weschler, Jennifer Soliman and Julia Thalhammer and 2026 RCDS Community Engagement Fellow Ellora Shah.&nbsp;
More volunteers welcome! Contact us at <a href="mailto:jayheritagecenter@gmail.com">jayheritagecenter@gmail.com</a> to sign up for a shift.
The Jay Heritage Center (JHC) is a dynamic nonprofit which manages the Jay Estate in Rye, New York. The 23-acre park that they have preserved and interpreted since 1992 is an award-winning culture hub and wildlife refuge on Long Island Sound. Located in the heart of Westchester’s only National Historic Landmark District, the site welcomes visitors April through November to learn about our nation’s flawed yet precious democracy through indoor and outdoor public programs. Offerings about American History feature prominent writers and educators. Free horticulture and birding workshops teach guests about native plants and wildlife. Family-friendly concerts draw hundreds for old-fashioned fun and unplugged enjoyment. The site is a member of NY State's Path Through History and Westchester County's African American Heritage Trail. Sign up to volunteer or access all they offer at <a href="https://jayheritagecenter.org" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.jayheritagecenter.org</a>
<img src="https://jayheritagecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Vendors-300x300.jpg">

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Jay Day - Fall Family Festival

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