Top 20 Connecticut Events for 2011

April 30-May 1: MERIDEN,Meriden Daffodil Festival. Celebrate the blooming of the 600,000 daffodils in Hubbard Park. Enjoy the parade, a juried crafts fair, food prepared by local nonprofit organizations, a business expo, and a spectacular fireworks display. 203-630-4259; daffodilfest.com

May 6-7: FARMINGTON,Hill-Stead May Market. All the crafts and plants you need to start the season. Artisans and antiques dealers set up shop on the verdant grounds of the Hill-Stead Museum. Shop for perennials and woodland plants, get advice from master gardeners, and enjoy cooking demonstrations by local experts. 860-677-4787; hillstead.org

May 27-29: STAMFORD,Connecticut Salsa Fest. The Hilton hosts a weekend of events in honor of this spicy Latin dance. Watch professional performances or take to the floor yourself for an instructional class or social session. This year’s silent auction benefits the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 203-967-3105; ctsalsafest.com

June 4: SOMERS,HERBFEST 2011. Get your hands dirty at Pleasant View Farms and learn more about the medicinal and culinary gifts of herbs. Attend workshops, join a “weed walk,” and sample tasty herb dishes. 860-763-5206; herbfestct.com

June 8-Aug. 3: FARMINGTON,Sunken Garden Poetry Festival. Every other Wednesday the Hill-Stead Museum will host an evening of poetry and music on its grounds. Guests this year include Tony Hoagland, Dick Allen, and Elizabeth Thomas. 860-677-4787; hillstead.org

June 9-12: MYSTIC, Sea Music Festival. Mystic Seaport hosts this annual festival celebrating the musical tradition of the Golden Age of Sail. The museum’s own chantey staff along with visiting performers will present tunes from the great maritime cultures around the world. 860-572-5302; mysticseaport.org

JUNE 10-11: STONINGTON,“Gardens by the Sea.” Produced by the Stonington Garden Club, this exclusive tour of 10 of the town’s most beautiful gardens happens only once every three years. Don’t miss it! stonington-gardenclub.org

June 11-12: HARWINTON, Harwinton Antiques Weekend. Formerly known as Farmington Antiques Weekend, this annual show has moved to the Harwinton Fairgrounds and grown to 250 vendors selling a full range of wares. 317-598-0012; farmingtonantiquesweekend.com

June 19-Sept. 4: FALLS VILLAGE, Music Mountain. This summer series began as a venue for string quartets but has since expanded into big band, jazz, and country. Held at Gordon Hall Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons. 860-824-7126; musicmountain.org

June 24-26: MYSTIC,WoodenBoat Show. This 20th annual celebration of wooden boats at Mystic Seaport promises enough demonstrations, tours, and workshops to satisfy your high-seas fantasies. Register early for the “Family BoatBuilding” event and construct your own vessel over three days. 207-359-4651; thewoodenboatshow.com

July 9: HARTFORD,Riverfest. Spend an afternoon and evening on the waterfront. Come enjoy the food and the music, and stick around for the fireworks, launched from three barges on the Connecticut River. 860-713-3131; riverfront.org

July 9-10, MILFORD,New England Arts & Crafts Festival. For the 25th year, historic Milford Green will host a juried show of artisanal wares. More than 150 vendors, live entertainment, and kids’ events. 203-878-6647; milfordarts.org

July 15-17: HARTFORD,Greater Hartford Jazz Festival. Dedicated to bringing quality music to the capital region, this is the largest free jazz festival in New England, attracting 45,000 fans to historic Bushnell Park. 860-727-0050; hartfordjazz.com

July 16-17: STONINGTON,Stonington Wine and Food Fest. A weekend at Stonington Vineyards: Sample wines and local foods, and dance to the music of Dan Stevens. 860-535-1222; stoningtonvineyards.com

July 29-30: OLD LYME,Midsummer Festival. This classic town celebrates its artistic heritage with Friday-night jazz and a full slate of Saturday events in the historic district, including a fresh market, an artisans’ fair, live music, and more. 860-434-5542; oldlymeartalliance.org/midsummer

July 30-Aug. 7: NEW BRITAIN & NEWINGTON,Nutmeg State Games. It’s the Olympics of Connecticut! Amateur athletes compete at various venues in several sports, including figure skating, fencing, track and field, and more. 860-528-4588; nutmegstategames.org

Aug. 5-7: KENT, Litchfield Jazz FestivaL. Returning for its 16th season at the Kent School. This year’s headliners include Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, the Roy Haynes Fountain of Youth Band, and the Jimmy Heath Big Band. 860-361-6285; litchfieldjazzfest.com

Aug. 13-14: MYSTIC, Mystic Outdoor Art Festival. Shop for fine arts and crafts along the streets of the historic district in Connecticut’s most picturesque port. More than 250 vendors, plus food and kids’ events. 860-572-9578; mysticchamber.org

Aug. 20: MILFORD, MILFORD OYSTER FESTIVAL. Celebrate the legacy of this town and the slimy delicacy that helped build it. Enjoy musical performances, kids’ activities, harbor canoe and kayak races, arts and crafts vendors, and more. 203-878-5363; milfordoysterfestival.org

Aug. 25-28: BROOKLYN, Brooklyn Fair. One of the oldest agricultural events in the U.S. Enjoy the carnival, livestock exhibitions, live music, and traditional fair fun, all at Brooklyn Fairgrounds. 860-779-0012; brooklynfair.org

Call ahead to confirm dates, schedules, and admission prices. To submit an event for possible publication, go to: YankeeMagazine.com/submitevent