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The Town of Goshen

by Penny Michels

To many of us Goshen, Connecticut, is the “Town-on-the-way-to…” another destination. The fact is, a record forty-three Berkshire towns are within a mere fifteen miles of the familiar traffic circle that sits at the junction of CT routes 4 and 63.

Goshen also means the Goshen Fair. The Connecticut Agricultural Fair has been celebrating the richly diverse culture of farming and its importance in everyone's lives for the last century. The Goshen Fairground in Litchfield County, in the foothills of the Berkshire Mountains, is perhaps the most traditional Labor Day destination in all of the region. This year marks its 100th milestone. www.goshenfair.org

Goshen hosts another undisputed centerpiece in the cultural life of the Berkshires. For over seventeen years The Litchfield Jazz Festival has attracted such jazz titans as Jimmy Heath, James Moody, Dave Brubeck, and Sonny Rollins. Some of the finest players of all time, Tommy Flanagan, Ray Charles, Thomas Chapin, and Tito Puente performed there. The dates for this year’s event are Friday, August 9 through Sunday, August 11. For a complete listing visit litchfieldjazzfest.com

Sunset Meadows Vineyards and Miranda Vineyards have established roots on the sunny hillsides of Goshen. Both wineries provide stops for travelers making their way along the Connecticut Wine Trail, one of the most exciting and fastest growing wine regions in the United States. A tremendous variety of wine styles and stunning scenery are to be enjoyed as you meander along the trail. The Connecticut Vineyard and Winery Association’s blue signs will help guide you to the twenty-five wineries on the Connecticut trail. Celebrate the 2013 Connecticut Wine Festival, from July 27 through 28, at the Goshen Fairgrounds.<a href="http://ctwine.com/wine-festival " target="_new">ctwine.com/wine-festival

Nodines Smokehouse is not only a beloved Goshen landmark; it is also a great place to stop for a hearty cup of soup or an unbeatable smoked chicken sandwich. The family owned business began in 1969 and thrived as a small, custom smokehouse. It has since become a nationally famous purveyor of quality smoked meats and cheeses to small, hometown markets as well as some of the finest gourmet shops and restaurants across the country.www.nodinesmokehouse.com

Thorncrest Farm and Creamery is a more recent addition to the Goshen food-scape. As well as offering old-fashioned pasteurized cream-line milk, they have developed a line of artisanal chocolates made in small batches in the European style. The scrumptious pralines and truffles are made from fresh cream and butter from Thorncrest cows and only the purest ingredients from nearby orchards and farms.
www.thorncrestfarm.net

The agricultural community of Goshen was incorporated in 1739 and, despite brief periods of light manufacturing, it has maintained the integrity of its agricultural identity to this day.

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