Nutmeg Festival Turns 108 This Saturday

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church hosts its 108th annual Nutmeg Festival on Saturday, July 26, on the church's campus at 351 Main St in Ridgefield. A large portion of the festival's proceeds will go to local charities.

What began in 1906 as an "apron and cake sale" by the Ladies Guild has become one of Connecticut's oldest church fairs. It gets under way at 10 a.m. and continues until 4 p.m. with live music, food, magic, books, children's activities, a White Elephant sale, Silent Auction, raffle and many other attractions for all ages.

Entertainment will include Dixieland music performed by the Catoonah Street Jazz & Blues Society (shown in the accompanying photo) and magic by Ben Nemzer, a New York magician who performs throughout the tri-state area.

Children's activities will feature a Bouncy House, face painting and games. Food will be available all day, from cookies and pies at the Saint Stephen'sville Cookie Monster and Pantry booths, to hot dogs, hamburgers and other specialties served up at the Country Grill.

All raffle proceeds will benefit the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund in the United States, which provides disaster relief. First prize is one week at a vacation home near Vermont's Mt. Snow. Second prize is a 40-inch high-definition television set, and third is a Weber gas grill, donated by Ridgefield Hardware.

There is no charge for admission.