Pizza, Bats, Crafts, A Film Fest & Fairs Galore: This Weekend in CT

CONNECTICUT — There’s nothing quite like the smell of fried dough inside a greasy brown paper bag to trigger fond childhood memories — not to mention blood glucose meters. There’ll be plenty of Connecticut residents getting triggered one way or another this weekend as local fair season kicks into overdrive.

But first, there’s a Food Truck Festival in Bloomfield on Saturday, Sept. 14, from 4 to 8 p.m. A fleet of movable feasts will be rolling in to the Town Green at the Town Center, along with wine, beer, and live entertainment.

Look for more food trucks along with a selection of seasonal beers when the Town of Fairfield hosts its 2nd annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 2 to 6 p.m. in The Lot at Fairfield Theater Company and Sanford Street Lot.

Gov. Ned Lamont’s recent gubernatorial proclamation declaring New Haven as “The Pizza Capital of America,” and Connecticut as “The Home of America’s Best Pizza,” may have kindled some controversy, but you’ll hear no arguments at the 9th Annual Apizza Feast on Friday. From 4 to 10 p.m., Downtown New Haven will be overrun by True Believers, as well as pizza trucks, pizza chefs, merch tents and beer gardens, all preaching the thin-crust gospel.

The 75th annual Berlin Fair is looking to be huge. The four days of festivities begin at the Berlin Fairgrounds on Thursday, Sept. 12, and the schedule is packed. They’ve got racing pigs, sure, but also space adventures, sea lions, tractor pulls, goats, sheep, cattle, a Pink Floyd cover band and plenty more.

The 4th Annual Bridgeport Film Fest looks to be slightly more cerebral, with just a little less popcorn. The Klein Memorial Auditorium is the hub for three days of workshops, panels, food trucks, after parties, red carpet shenanigans and continuous unspoolings. Get your tickets online here. Lights dim Friday, Sept. 13, and don’t come back on until Sunday.

Local crafters and artisans — and the folks who buy their stuff — will be all over the Burlington Tavern Day Craft Fair, Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. across from the Post Office at 700 George Washington Turnpike. Also crammed onto the grounds will be a car show, a business expo, and plenty to keep the little folk occupied.

But will there be puppies you can bring home? Probably not, Bunky, which is why you need to leave time this weekend to take in BooZoo’s Adoption Expo at the Stepping Stones Museum for Children in Norwalk. On Saturday, Sept, 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., look for giveaways from local vendors, puppy-themed activities, a visit from SPCA Westchester’s “Puppy Truck” (1 – 4 p.m.) and plenty of opportunities to provide a forever home for your next best friend.

Easily the coolest venue on our list of weekend hotspots is the Old New-Gate Prison & Copper Mine in East Granby, the first chartered copper mine and the first state prison in early America. It’s Bat Appreciation Day there on Sept. 15 (cooler still), led by Department of Energy and Environmental Protection wildlife biologists. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the scientists will explain what the bats do to help humans, and what humans can do to annoy bats less. Activities are hands-on, and cover the whole bat-spectrum, including exhibits, presentations, bat story time, historical tales, a sneak peek at “the bat cave,” and bat crafts.

Coolest of all? Admission is free.