Passport to Sandy Hook and Other Family Events This Weekend

Whether you're in search of something fun to do with the kids or you have a babysitter and are planning a night out, look no further because Patch editors have picked a variety of events taking place today and tomorrow to help you make the most of your weekend. Click on the headline of each for more information.

Passport to Sandy Hook 

Where: Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire and Rescue Co., 18-20 Riverside Rd, Sandy Hook 

When: Saturday, Oct. 6, 2012, at 11 a.m.

Cost: Free

Description: Dine, shop, and visit all the attractions in the Sandy Hook Village of Newtown during this special event, which also features music, a bouncy house, prizes and samples.

Celebration of Animals and Blessings of Pets

Where:
When: Saturday, Oct. 6, at 10 a.m.

Cost: Free

Description: Blessing of the animals, raffle prizes, pet adoption, pet psychic, pet portraits, vendors and more.

Open House & Fire Safety Day

Where: Fireman's Field, corner of Shelton Rd (Route 110) and Moose Hill Rd, Monroe

When: Sunday, Oct. 7, noon to 4 p.m.

Cost: Free

Description: The Monroe Volunteer Fire Department's annual Open House and Safety Day is part of the celebration of National Fire Prevention Week 2012, with fun, learning and excitement for the whole family. The event has hands on fire safety demonstrations, touch-a-truck, food, raffles and a coloring contest.

Book Signing with Author Katina Makris

Where: Byrd's Books, 213 Greenwood Ave., 2nd Floor, Bethel

When: Sunday, Oct. 7, at 1 p.m.

Cost: Free

Description: Rooted in personal recovery experience, a deep understanding of alternative medicine, and a poetic connection to nature, "Out of the Woods" is Katina Makris’ story about her battle with Lyme Disease. Registration is required. To do so, call Byrd’s Books at 203-730-2973 or e-mail events@ByrdsBooks.com.

Christ Church Tashua Apple Festival

Where: Christ Church Tashua

When: Sunday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Cost: Free

Description: The event will feature the church's famous homemade apple pies, a variety of baked goods, candy and caramel apples.

There will also be a wide variety of crafters, a Kid's Zone with bounce houses, face painting, games and children's crafts will all be featured. Returning to the festival this year will be Good As Gold Girls who will buy your old gold at a premium price.

Friends of the Trumbull Library October Book Nook Sale

Where: Trumbull Library, 33 Quality St.

When: Saturday, Oct. 6, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost: Varies

Description: A selection of fiction, fabulous children's books, and media. A select group of non-fiction offered at half- price. Donations welcome.

Greenwich 2012 FOOD+WINE Festival: Culinary Village

Where: Greenwich (Arch Street) Teen Center, 100 Arch St, Greenwich, CT (Roger Sherman Baldwin Park)

When: Sat., Oct. 6, from noon to 10 p.m.

Cost: $95

Description: Culinary Village with grand, savory tastings and intriguing demonstrations will include more than 60 exclusive food, wine and spirit vendors. Celebrity Chef & Sommelier Demonstrations, celebrity book signings, Beer Garden, BBQ Pit Masters presented by JOHN STAGE, Burger Battle with Celebrity Chef judges, SOUTHERN BASH with BBQ, and live Bluegrass & Country Music. LIVE Concert Stage will present WILL HOGE and THE FELICE BROTHERS.  The Headlining Music Performance by GREGG ALLMAN and band. Guests will also receive an official festival tote bag & wine glass, and a two-year subscription to Serendipity magazine. 203-588-1363; events@­ungerpu­blishing.­com

Animal Festival in Stratford

Where: Paradise Green, Stratford, corner of Main Street and Huntington Road

When: Saturday, Oct. 6, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Cost: Free

Description: Festival that will include a one mile dog walk, food, contests, canine demonstrations, games, music, local celebrities, entertainment, pet adoptions, low cost microchip clinic, a silent auction, crafters/vendors for people and pets and more.

Where: Noroton Heights Fire Department, 209 Noroton Ave., Darien

When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 7

Cost: Free

Description: The Noroton Heights Fire Department's Open House in Darien will be a fun, exciting and educational experiance for the entire family.  We will have several demostarations and fire safety tips. This year they'll also be selling pumpkins.

Great Stratford Bird Festival

Where: Locations throughout Stratford

When: Oct. 5-7

Cost: Varies

Description: The annual bird festival celebrates the town's natural history, rich bird habitat, and the many indigenous shore, song and prey birds that live there and pass through on their migratory routes south for the winter. Click here for a full schedule of events.

Frank Stella Exhibit at the Philip Johnson Glass House

Where: The Glass House 199 Elm St, New Canaan, CT 06840

When: Tours through Nov. 30

Cost: $30, includes tour of Glass House

Description: Scarlatti Kirkpatrick (2006-present) is a series of recent works by the renowned American abstract artist Frank Stella. The series represents Stella's current and latest body of work. Frank Stella: Scarlatti Kirkpatrick will be presented in Da Monsta on The Glass House property and will be included on Site and Extended tours through Nov. 30, 2012.

Fairfield: SPOKES 2012 Ride to Prevent Suicide

Where: Penfield Beach (323 Fairfield Beach Rooad)

When: 8 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 7

Cost: $25

Description: "This event was founded by Tanya and Jeremy Brittain six months after Jeremy's sister attempted to commit suicide after a long battle with depression. An avid cyclist, Jeremy wanted to participate in a charity bike ride to benefit the AFSP, but was unable to find one. With the support of family, friends and some very generous sponsors, SPOKES was born. Our mission is to erase the stigma associated with suicide and mental illness. We hope that by sharing our story without shame, we will help others do the same." Click here to register.