Fall Festivals, Spooky Art, Swing Dancing, and More in New London This Weekend

Monty's Fall Festival
Saturday, 10 a.m. - The Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art Village will host the 12th annual Monty’s Fall Festival from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday through Monday. Festival activities will include fall crafts, balloon bending, a "Mad Science" show, moon bounce, petting zoo and more. Admission to the festival is free with tickets to The Dinosaur Place. Tickets are $14.99 for ages 2-59 and $12.99 for senior citizens ages 60 and older. One dollar for every ticket purchased during the festival will be donated to L & M Hospital’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection program. For more information, call 860-443-4367 or visit www.naturesartvillage.com.

"Felting Fun," a Connecticut College Arboretum Workshop
Saturday, 10 a.m. - Felting is an age-old craft that may have started in the Middle East, and is still used today in many parts of the world by people of all ages. It is quite basic and requires very little experience or tools. Participants will look at wool fibers under the microscope, discuss other fibers such as angora, mohair, alpaca and silk, and make a wet felted ball to take home. Registration is required so please contact Kathy Dame at ktdam@conncoll.edu.

Groton Fall Fesitval
Saturday, 10 a.m. - This is a special community event created and hosted by the Groton Business Association (GBA) of the Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce. Groton’s Eighth Annual Fall Festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Poquonnock Plains Park and is a rain or shine event. The Festival will feature artists and crafters displaying their skill and wares for display and purchase. Local businesses and organizations will have exhibits. A complete list of participating artists, crafters, food vendors, businesses and organizations can be found at www.grotonbiz.com. Featured entertainment includes the Life Star Helicopter in the center ring, children’s entertainer Steve Elci and Kidsploration in the children’s playground, roaming entertainment from April's Balloon Creations and Simply Enchanted and more. Groton’s fire departments will celebrate Fire Prevention Week 2013 with special displays, exhibits, and vehicles.

Spooky Art at NESS
Saturday, 11 a.m. - The deep sea can be a deep, dark, cold, lonely, and scary place for animals to live. Explore some of the challenges and the unique adaptations of spooky animals like the red devil squid, the lantern fish, a gulper eel and even a vampire fish. Create your own ghoulish glow in the dark creatures to haunt your house for Halloween. The cost is $5 for adults, children 11 and under are $10, and children three and under are free. Reservations are required and can be made by calling 860-535-9362 or visiting www.nessf.org.

Trails to Ales with the Nature Center
Sunday, 3:30 p.m. - Back by popular demand is the Trails to Ales hiking and tasting series. Come out on Sunday for a hike at Riverwood Preserve (The Westerly Land Trust) in Westerly, followed by a visit to The Malted Barley in Westerly for a paddle of beers and snacks. Space is limited and you must be 21 years or older to participate. Members are $15. Non-members are $20. Call 860-536-1216 or go to http://www.dpnc.org/trailstoales.htm for more information.

Swing Dance Workshops
Sunday, 3:30 p.m. - Shoreline Swing will offer workshops on intermediate West Coast Swing, beginner West Coast Swing, and advanced Cha Cha. A swing dance will follow from 7 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Visit www.shorelineswingct.org for more information.

Originals and Traditionals Open Mic
Sunday, 5:30 p.m. - Come on down and join Golden Ratio for a different kind of Open Mic - Originals and Traditionals. Lew Bull is the featured musician. Come on down and enjoy good music and half-priced drinks and appetizers. Musicians, bring your instruments, sign up for the open mic and play your originals and traditional favorites.