A Host of Family Fun Slated for Septemberfest in Simsbury

By John Fitts

Live entertainment, inflatables, tethered hot air balloon rides, a business expo, home show, fireworks and much more will be featured at this weekend's Septemberfest. 

For the third year, the event is sponsored by the Simsbury Performing Arts Center. 

"It has grown each year," said venue manager Tom Vincent. "It's like a thank you to the community for the support during the year." Septemberfest takes place from Friday, Sept. 6 from 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 7 from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 8 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

All events are at the Performing Arts Center on Iron Horse Boulevard. Admission, parking, entertainment and some activities are free. There is a charge for food court items and children's rides and inflatables. 

Events are numerous but include a few staples and new additions. 

One staple is live music with many returning artists. 

This year's entertainers include the Coyote River Band and Carrie Johnson Band on Friday, Farmer Rick Band, Farmington Valley Band, Harmonic Rewalk, Forward Motion and Preiser & O'Brien Band Saturday and Ringrose and Freeman, Doug Jones Jazz Band and Simsbury Community Band on Sunday.

"They really enjoy playing on a professional stage with a professional sound system," Vincent said. 

In addition, storytellers, and clowns, puppeteers, local studios, the Disc Dogs A2Z Show and others will entertain audiences of all ages. 

Septemberfest also features mountain bike stunt shows by Mike Steidley at 7:30 p.m. Friday and 1 and 5:30 p.m. Saturday. 

Another event highlight is the Innovative Inflatables, which will include more than 24 attractions, including some for adults, such as a mechanical bull. 

"We have a larger-than-life inflatable area," Vincent said. 

The event also includes a Business Expo area and the Chamber of Commerce's Home Improvement Show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. 

Fireworks are slated for Friday night with a rain date of Saturday. 

In the event of heavy rain, the Performing Arts Center web site will be updated with any closings or updates. 

See more about the event at http://www.simsbury-ct.gov/performing-arts-center/pages/septemberfest-2013