CONNECTICUT

“Top Chef” producer and host Tom Colicchio hosts an unforgettable dining experience at Craftsteak at Foxwoods. The Dine Around event includes a nose-to-tail pork menu featuring food stations with dishes prepared by Tom Colicchio, Craftsteak Chef de Cuisine James Lynn, and Pastry Chef Lenora Alcee. Peterson Winery, Thomas Hooker Brewery, and Berkshire Mountain Distillers will be providing a premium selection of beverages. Information: www.foxwoods.com

Crack your first lobster claw of the season at Mystic Seaport’s butter-dribbling, shell-sucking, quintessentially New-England Lobster Days during Memorial Day Weekend. Lobsters in the rough are served by the Rotary Club of Mystic. Lobster platters are served picnic-style under Mystic Seaport’s open-air Boat Shed where diners can watch boats cruising on the Mystic River and enjoy music of the sea. Museum Admission is required to attend Lobster Days. Regular museum admission does not include price of food. Food and drink are purchased separately when on grounds. Information: www.mysticseaport.org/lobsterdays

This is a night of fine wine, a silent auction, and delicious bites from local caterers and restaurants. This year’s event will honor June Rosenthal, supporter, and Aquarion Water Company, premier partner. All proceeds from the event support SM&NC’s educational mission. Information: www.stamfordmuseum.org.

This three-day festival features live bands, national barbecue experts, cooking demos, rib contests. Host Mike Petit of NESN's Grillseekers hosts the event, filled with cooking demonstrations, live bands and Q&A sessions with Pitmaster Troy Black. Guests can also enjoy the beats and treats from DJ Chef Marc Weiss, shop the Sardilli Farmer's Market, ride the mechanical bull and watch Joey Jaws Chestnut battle in a rib eating contest. Information: http://bit.ly/HrC4Km

At this quintessential New England event, you’ll enjoy a cookout that includes: fire roasted Connecticut river shad or barbecue chicken or hot dogs, salads, Lyman Orchard’s apple pie and shucked clams and oysters with all the fixin’s. There also will also live music, antique cars, and firetruck/moon bounces, face painting, cotton candy, popcorn and sno cones for the kids. The Shad Bake is held rain or shine. There is covered outdoor seating as well as indoor seating. Tickets are non-refundable.

Sample delicious wines, cheeses and fine cuisine from area restaurants during Village Gate’s Taste of Farmington Valley! Some of the top local chefs will be in attendance, and guests are welcome to vote for their favorite dish. Raffle prizes will be awarded, and admission is free.

Featuring fine wines, specialty food vendors, artisans, and live music, it is the perfect summer activity for both the amateur and sophisticated wine connoisseur. The festival enjoyed a record number of guests last year, and this year, organizers are promising more music, more excitement, good food, and lots of great local wines. Information: www.ctwine.com

Once again it is time to give thanks for Wuttatmineash, the first berry of the season. Native people continue to come together each year to honor the strawberry. Come enjoy a puppet show and sample the berry’s sweetness with a strawberry drink. Make a pendant to remember the celebration and enter the hubbub tournament, a traditional Native American dice game, where the winner receives a hubbub game. Information: www.pequotmuseum.org.