Wadsworth Mansion Open Air Market

The Wadsworth Mansion at Long Hill Estate, 421 Wadsworth Street, Middletown is hosting their tenth annual Open Air Market and Festival on Sunday August 26, 2012.  The Festival will be open to the public from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. rain or shine.  The event is free.  The historic Mansion will transform its 700 foot vista into a marketplace and festival where a variety of vendors will gather to sell their Connecticut grown or made products. One can stroll from tent to tent purchasing fresh produce, fruit, cheese, breads and prepared foods.  Local artisans, such as potters, painters, and jewelers have been invited to sell their work.  Visitors will be encouraged to lounge on the lawn with lunch and listen to live music performed on the patio. Families can bring their children and spend the day.  It will be a day to discover the Wadsworth Mansion, enjoy music and art, and experience the tradition of shopping at an open-air market. 

Over eighty Connecticut vendors will be participating this year including:  Cold Goats Farm, The Farmers Cow, Cato Corner Cheese, Hometown Bakery, Wendy Black Nasta Jewelry, and Rustica Ornamentals.

Children’s and musical entertainment will be featured throughout the day.  The Middletown Commission on the Arts will be sponsoring the musical entertainment.  The Middletown Symphonic Band will play from 10 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. and  Joey Milardo and the Musical Cavaliers will entertain from 12:00-1:45 p.m. Tune Chic will perform  from 2:00- 4:00 p.m. There will be horse drawn carriage rides by Allegra Farms from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.  Along the vista there will be face painting from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Docent-led historical tours will be given by the Friends of Long Hill Estate throughout the day. 

Everyone Outside will be at the Wadsworth Mansion Stop by their booth  between 1 to 2 PM to learn about letterboxing (think scavenger hunt) and make your own letterbox stamp.  At 2:00 PM: join a Letterbox Walk  and learn a little about the history and natural history of the mansion grounds, find a beautiful hand carved letterbox stamp and learn where to find more.

Convenient shuttle parking will be available from Snow School.  Additional parking is available at Mercy High School.  For a complete listing of performers and vendors visit www.wadsworthmansion.com.