CT Celebrates Earth Day With River Cruises, Festivals And Puppets

Community Corner CT Celebrates Earth Day With River Cruises, Festivals And Puppets Why just plant a tree when you could be enjoying Belgian waffles, a river cruise, craft beer and an early-modernist puppet pageant…?
The Town of Putnam is celebrating International Day with street performers, a gondolier, face painting, opera singing, Belgian waffles, plenty of mozzarella and lots of reptiles, because… why not? (Shutterstock)
CONNECTICUT — Earth Day is Monday in Connecticut and on the rest of the planet, and there’ll be no shortage of tree plantings and roadside cleanups this weekend
But for those who believe there is no better way to celebrate Earth Day than on the water, paddle on over to the Connecticut River Museum on Saturday. Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection fisheries biologist Steve Gephard will be taking guests on an Earth Day Cruise down the river, and a deep dive into the world of the creatures who call it home.
Gephard has been working for 46 years to restore a viable population of Atlantic salmon in the Connecticut River. Now, he educates children in schools about the role fish play in the ecosystem and works with European governments to conserve salmon populations in the North Atlantic. The cruise will be afloat from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m., and tickets are available online here.
Meanwhile, out East, matters will be taking a slight geo-socio-detour from Earth Day revelries as the Town of Putnam celebrates International Day Downtown. The Pulaski Brass Band will provide the soundtrack for street performers, a gondolier, face painting, opera singing, Belgian waffles, plenty of mozzarella and lots of reptiles, because… why not? The madness kicks off at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in front of the Centreville Bank on Main Street and carries on to 4:30 p.m.
Batman and Robin? Obviously. Chocolate and peanut butter? Sure. Puppets and early modernist Marc Chagall? We’re not quite as sure, but we’re more than willing to give that combo a shot, and fortunately The Ballard Institute and Museum of Puppetry has already done the heavy lifting. The museum has partnered with the Puppet Arts Program at the University of Connecticut to present “I Am the Village: A Puppet Pageant Celebrating the Life and Art of Marc Chagall.” It will take to the streets of downtown Storrs for two events, beginning at 1:30 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. The happening includes a free, outdoor public puppet-making workshop at the museum, followed by the papier-mâché parade around Betsy Paterson Square at 3:30 p.m. These are free events; no tickets or registration required. All are welcome, but minors must be accompanied by adults. In case of rain, all events will take place inside the museum. The weather forecast on Sunday over East Lyme calls for mostly sunny skies and temperatures in the high 50s, darn near perfect conditions for the annual Rocky Neck Runfest. The competition combines three different race opportunities in one scenic venue along the beach and trails of Rocky Neck State Park. The 30K team relay and individuals kick off at 8:00 a.m., the Rocky Neck Trail 5K begins at 8:15 a.m., and the Rocky Neck Road 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. You can register online here, or just plan on taking it slow and enjoy the natural beauty along the state park’s well-marked roads and trails, including the Bride Brook salt marsh, the historic stone Ellie Mitchell Pavilion and the Four Mile River tidal area.
…and if your idea of raising your heart rate has more to do with bending an elbow than running a 5K, the New Britain Museum of American Art will be holding its annual “Craft Sippin’ in New Britain” on Friday night, 6-9 p.m. Each year, the NBMAA assembles some of the best breweries in the state for the popular sudsfest, which includes a walking taco bar, and MLB game on the big screen. Register online here.