Darien Library
Pope Francis body procession

You Can Watch with Others: Darien Library Will Livestream Coverage Surrounding Pope Francis’ Funeral

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Darien Library will open the Community Room from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. to show a livestream of coverage of Pope Francis’ funeral from the Vatican News channel on YouTube, the library announced. The funeral will take place before the library opens, starting at 4 a.m., Eastern Time (10 a.m. in Rome) but parts or all of it can be expected to be replayed. The video channel may also show related events, interviews and discussions. The funeral Mass takes place in St. Peter’s Square, marking the beginning of nine days of mourning and Masses.

Community Organizations
Bates-Scofield House Darien Historical Society

See Objects from the Museum of Darien Archives at a Free Open House on Sunday

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The Museum of Darien will hold an open house Sunday, March 23, where visitors can see objects from the museum’s archives, including the unseen “Darien Review” bound-books dating back to 1924. — an announcement from the Museum of Darien

Museum educators will lead guided tours of the historic homestead, offering insights into life in early Darien. Visitors can also explore the museum’s current exhibition, “Darien Dresses Up!”, with curators Lynn Sheppard and Cynthia Stamm on hand to talk about the evolution of style and fashion in town. If You’re Going … This free event takes place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 45 Old King’s Highway, next door to Old King’s Market (formerly known as Goodwives Shopping Center).

Darien Library
Mini Golf Darien Library 2025

Darien Library’s Mini Golf Fundraiser Takes Place Saturday and Sunday, February 8 and 9

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Darien Library has announced the return of its 10th Annual Mini Golf Fundraiser, happening on Saturday, February 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, February 9, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

— an announcement from Darien Library

Mini Golf at the Library has been a community favorite for the past decade, bringing families and friends together for a day of fun. Players of all ages can enjoy putting their way through a unique 18-hole miniature golf course set up throughout the Library. After completing the course, all golfers can warm up with a complimentary hot chocolate, generously provided by Michael Joseph’s Catering. To learn more and register in advance, visit darienlibrary.org/minigolf, or contact the Darien Library Administrative Office at 203-669-5220. Early bird pricing will be available until January 26th for just $8 a person, after that tickets will be $10 per player.

Arts & Entertainment
Diggity band Darien Summer Nights 2024 at Tilly Pond

Darien Summer Nights Concerts Continue Friday Nights from July 26 to Aug 16 at Tilley Pond Park

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Darien Summer Nights Concerts will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. with three concerts in the next four Fridays, first with the Bob Button Big Band, then The Dooh Dah’s and, two weeks later, Diggity. — an announcement from the Corbin District website

The Corbin District and Darien Parks and Recreation are sponsoring the Summer 2024 concerts at Tilley Pond Park. The concerts have been held at Grove Street Plaza, but this summer the park is the venue, so bring beach chairs and blankets. The music — from live bands — is from 6 to 9 p.m. (expect a break or two), and it’s free. A few food trucks will be on hand to make it easy to enjoy the music and have dinner.

Darien Pride Committee 2024
LGBTQ+ Pride You Belong Celebration

LGBTQ+ Pride ‘You Belong’ Celebration, Coming Sunday to Tilley Pond Park

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The LGBTQ+ Pride “You Belong” Celebration on Sunday, June 9, at Tilley Pond Park features giveaways, crafts, food trucks and entertainment, including drag performances. — an announcement from the Darien Pride Committee
This family-friendly event will even feature puppies from a local shelter who need a good home. Entertainment will include music, courtesy of local DJ Soce, songs by Stephen Cerussi, and drag performances by DHS graduate Boxa Crayonz and Brooklyn-based David Puck. Boxa Crayonz will also act as host for the festivities. Darien Pride Chair Dan Guller said his committee is excited for this third year of celebrating diversity:
“We’ve gotten so many positive responses from our past celebrations.  With the LGBTQ+ community under fire across the country, we need this reminder of how open and accepting Darien is, which is why the theme of ‘You Belong’ is so fitting.

Concert Series 2024
WIDE Logo Music on Church Lane 2024

35 Evenings of Live Music on Friday and Saturday Nights in Downtown Westport

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For 35 evenings this summer, on Friday and Saturday nights from June 1 to Sept. 28, you can attend free concerts  outdoors on Church Lane in downtown Westport. The Music on Church Lane concert series is organized by the Westport Downtown Association, a business group. Professional musicians from the area will play starting at 6 p.m. and ending at 9 p.m. each Friday and Saturday night. The organizers ask that you donate to support this summer’s schedule of local, professional musicians and bands.

Darien’s 2024 Memorial Day: Parade, Ceremony, Address, Food Fair

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The Darien Memorial Day Parade will be held Monday, May 27, 2024, kicking off at 10 a.m. Traffic detours and restrictions will be in effect at some locations beginning at 8 a.m. (see below). Marchers will gather in the parking lot of Goodwives Shopping Center, 25 Old Kings Highway North, turn right and follow Old Kings, turning left onto Brookside Road and then left onto the Post Road, through downtown, and end up at the corner of Post Road and Hecker Avenue. Right after the parade (usually at about 11:15 a.m.), the towns’ Memorial Day observance will take place at Spring Grove Veterans Cemetary, across the street from Police Headquarters. Traditionally, wreaths are placed at the monument during the ceremony. The names of those from Darien fallen in war are read and a gun salute is fired off.

Book Sales 2024
Westport Library Book Sale 2024

Westport Library’s BIG Spring 2024 Used Book Sale Starts Friday, Goes Through Monday, May 17 to 20

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Westport Library is hosting its Big Spring Book Sale Event indoors with thousands of used books to browse through this weekend, from Friday to Monday, May 17 to 20. 
The Westport used book sale is one of the biggest in Fairfield County (along with Southport’s Pequot Library Book Sale, taking place this year from July 26 to 30). — an announcement from Westport Library
The gently used books in over 50 categories, include children’s; literature and classics; fiction, mystery, and SciFi and fantasy; art, photography, history, math, science, psychology, philosophy, religion and spirituality, biography, business, cooking, gardening, performing arts, travel, foreign language, education, reference, and more, along with noteworthy, especially antiquarian books. 

In addition to books, there are vintage vinyl records, DVDs and CDs, ephemera, and a large selection of framed artworks, from small desktop pieces to supersized wall pictures. Please note:  Graphic novels and manga will be available only at our Westport Book Shop, right across Jesup Green from the Westport Library.  For Book Shop hours, click here. If You’re Going … Westport Library is located at 20 Jesup Road, in downtown Westport.

Parents & Kids
Playland Park from the air

Playland Amusement Park Opening Saturday, May 18: Here’s What It Offers on Opening Day and After

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Fun rides and the Long Island Sound’s tides are right around the corner at Playland, in Rye, New York, as the historic amusement park and premier waterfront destination will host a special ribbon cutting opening ceremony at 12 noon, Saturday, May 18, to celebrate the start of the summer season. — an announcement from Playland Park

Guests can enjoy a full season of entertainment, rides, beach going and more with the 2024 All Access Season Pass.The award-winning amusement park features over 50 rides and attractions including the iconic Dragon Coaster, which will turn 95-years-old this year, and the debut of Playland’s newest ride, Jack the Puppeteer. Other opening weekend festivities include a celebratory drum roll line up by the Lighting Drumline from the Barack Obama School for Social Justice in Yonkers, a special performance by an electric violinist, strolling entertainers, face painters, airbrush tattoo artists, and more. “Through our diverse offerings ranging from recreation to leisure, and thrilling entertainment, coupled with our new and robust arts and community programming this year, Playland is committed to not only growing and revitalizing the historic park but to introduce Playland to a new generation of visitors to create lasting memories and traditions for the next 100 years,” said Evonne Keeler, CEO of Playland. On Sunday, a Half Marathon and 5K Run/Walk
On Sunday, May 19, 2024, Playland Park will also host a 2nd Annual Half Marathon & 5K Run/Walk event by Soul Ryeders, a nonprofit cancer support organization based in Rye.

Art Exhibits

Hand-Made Jewelry, Housewares, Clothing, Furniture at Bruce Museum Crafts Fest, Saturday and Sunday

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The Bruce Museum’s 39th Annual Outdoor Crafts Festival features fine contemporary hand-made crafts in jewelry, wearable and decorative fiber, glass, furniture and housewares, pottery, and much more, all available for purchase. — an announcement from the Bruce Museum

There will also be demonstrations, family craft activities, Museum Movers–Kids Yoga on Saturday, and food offered by Aux Délices (ask them if they have their ginger scones and try one — they also have them at the Darien store). If You’re Going … The Bruce Museum is at 1 Museum Drive in Greenwich, near Interstate 95 Exit 3. The Outdoor Craft Festival is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19, 2024.

Darien History
A picture that went along with a HisTOURy tour of Darien 5-19-2024

Take a Bus Tour May 19 Through Darien Buildings, Visit Inside Some, Learn About Renowned Darienites of the Past

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Visit several home interiors on a bus tour of historic Darien homes, many more buildings along the way and see and learn about renowned Darienites of the past on Sunday, May 19. The tour, which takes about four hours, is sponsored by The Museum of Darien and conducted by HisTOURy, a nonprofit. This is a one-time-only event, space is limited, so you may want to register early. — an announcement from HisTOURy Tours and The Museum of Darien

Actor Frank Latimore, award-winning artist Dorothea Warren O’Hara, and acclaimed author Erskine Caldwell are among many talented and renowned artists, authors, actors and other notable people that once called Darien home. Join us to tour a great collection of their historic homes!

Barrett Bookstore 2024

A Challenge for Bibliophiles: See a Bunch of CT Bookstores This Weekend, Enjoy the Scenery, Maybe Win a Prize

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Twenty-one Connecticut bookstores are inviting you to the latest “passport challenge,” where book lovers get their special “passport” stamped at a slew of participating bookstores in the state — all in one weekend (with an exception — see below). They then become eligible for various prizes in one of several lotteries. This year’s Connecticut Book Trail Passport Challenge starts this Saturday, April 27. — an announcement from the organizers

What’s In It for You
After getting your passport stamped at a certain number of bookstores, you can be entered into lotteries to become eligible for various prizes. You don’t need to buy anything to participate.

Theatre 308 2024
Flamboyant hat Hello Dolly

Theatre 308 Presents ‘Hello, Dolly!’ at Darien High School, March 14 to 16

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This March, the students of Darien High School’s Theatre 308 will perform the hit Golden-Age musical Hello, Dolly! presenting a classic story filled with smiles, songs and plenty of love. — an announcement from Darien High School

The two-act musical portrays the story of the famous matchmaker, Mrs. Dolly Levi, as she attempts to marry the prominent Mr. Horace Vandergelder in hopes of sharing his money with the masses, the way her late husband had taught her. At the same time, Mrs. Levi excels in pairing the young widow, Mrs. Molloy, and her assistant Minnie Fay, with two of Vandergelder’s comedic secondaries: Cornelius Hackl and Barnaby Tucker. From the streets of Yonkers to the most captivating restaurant in New York City, Mrs. Dolly Levi leads the characters, as well as the audience, on an unforgettable adventure through New York at the turn of the twentieth century.

Charity Events and Opportunities
Mini Golf at Darien Library 800 x 407

Darien Library’s 9th Annual Mini Golf Fundraiser Coming Saturday and Sunday, Feb 10 to 11

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Darien Library has announced the return of its 9th annual Mini Golf fundraiser event, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 10, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

— an announcement from Darien Library

Mini Golf at the Library has been a fan favorite event over the past decade. For just $5 per person, players of all ages are invited to putt their way through the Library on an 18-hole miniature golf course set up throughout the building. All golfers are welcome to enjoy a free hot chocolate after they have completed the course, courtesy of Michael Joseph’s Catering.