Feed Fish, See Boats, Cruise, Mingle Mid the Art or the Pols

No one has any excuse to be bored this weekend around these parts. Here are several ideas, and at least one of them's got to appeal to you:

• "Six beautifully appointed homes in the historic Pine Point Association will open their doors for the third-annual Rowayton House Tour on Friday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. [...] Homes on the tour are a variety of styles and have been designed by top local architects, including Roger Bartels. Pick up tour maps at Bayley Beach and from there walk the town's picturesque streets to each residence. Shuttles also will be available. A boutique featuring jewelry and home decorating items will be open, too. Tickets are $50 in advance; $60 the day of the tour." -- from an event listing on Patch

• Thursday through Sunday: "Want to close out summer with a splash? Amphibious boat rides, meet & greets with Deadliest Catch captain Johnathan Hillstrand, paddlesports and interactive on-water activities are among the many unique attractions cruising into the 2013 Progressive Insurance Norwalk Boat Show. A favorite among boating and outdoor enthusiasts, the four-day event offers a wide array of events and experiences for visitors of all ages.

• “Arts & Crafts on Bedford” is an outdoor art fair, including activities for kids, on Bedford and Spring streets in downtown Stamford Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21-22. “Shop at our craft and artisan boutiques on Bedford Street, which will be closed to traffic for the weekend. Dine in our extended sidewalk cafés,” says the Stamford Downtown website. “Extended shopping hours on Saturday! Live music on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m.! Visit the Imagination Station presented by Stamford Museum & Nature Center and the Bartlett Arboretum featuring “hands on” activities for kids! New this year! Rock Climbing Wall sponsored by SMART TAP.” The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday and 10 to 5 on Sunday.

• Take a "Behind-the-Scenes Tour" of the Maritime Aquarium on Saturday at 8:15 a.m. (until 10 a.m.). "[T]he guided tour offers unique opportunities to see how the animal-husbandry staff meets the varying food and water needs of some 2,000 resident animals. The tour includes stops at the Aquarium’s 'fish kitchen,' where 18 tons of fish a year is prepared, and above the 110,000-gallon Open Ocean tank, where the dorsal fins of 8-foot sand tiger sharks cut through the water surface. Learn the delicate requirements of a jellyfish “nursery.” Participants must be at least 10 years old; under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $25 ($22.50 for Aquarium members). The tour is limited to 25 people, so reservations are strongly recommended. Walk-up tickets will be sold, space permitting. For reservations or more details, call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206."

• Take one of the Maritime Aquarium's Marine Life Study Cruises in Norwalk Harbor on Saturdays at 1 p.m. in September and October: "Cruise out for close encounters with crabs, fish, lobsters and always a few surprises when you come aboard the research vessel Oceanic. [...] Aquarium educators put participants to work in collecting and examining animals. [...] Tickets are $20.50, or $18.50 for Aquarium members. Maritime Aquarium Study Cruises are good for ages 8 and older. Space on the Oceanic is limited so advance reservations are strongly recommended. Walk-up tickets will be sold, space permitting. [...] Purchase tickets or get more details at www.maritimeaquarium.org or (203)852-0700, ext. 2206.

• Meet U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and state Attorney General George Jepsen, along with Darien's Democratic candidates for this year's election at Weed Beach on Sunday. The Darien Democratic Party fundraiser runs from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Weed Beach Paddle Hut and costs $50 per person at the door (you get appetizers and cocktails, too). If you're going, please R.S.V.P. MaryEllen Moore  at maryellen7@optonline.net.

• Let your kids take part in the Worldwide Day of Play from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday with free admission to Norwalk's Stepping Stones Museum for Children, which is "encouraging children to turn off the TV, video games, computer and come out and PLAY! Enjoy FREE museum admission, games, sports and other activities -- all guaranteed to get families up and moving!"

• "[T]he BigGER Rig Gig will be a casual evening of fun for grown ups, complete with gourmet food trucks, live music, libations and lawn games. The [...] benefit [for Person-to-Person] makes its debut on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 6:30pm to 10:30pm at Darien’s Ox Ridge Hunt Club. [...] To volunteer or make a donation, please contact Kathryn Mann at kathryntmann@mac.com. Additional details about the event can be found on the Opus for Person-to-Person website: www.opus4p2p.org." Tickets are $125 per person. Jeans and boots are appropriate attire.

• "Members Norwalk River Rowing Association's (NRRA) Youth Racing Team are participating in an Ergathon on Saturday, Sept. 21 to raise money for the Matthew Zucker Memorial Fund. [...] This year’s “Ergathon” will be held at three locations from 9am to 2pm:  Darien Sport Shop – 1127 Post Road in Darien, Stop and Shop – 380 Main Ave in Norwalk, and Stop and Shop - 5 River Road in Wilton.  Donations can be made at any of these locations during the Ergathon or by donating online at http://www.norwalkriverrowing.org" -- from Andrea Cragin's blog

• It's Adopt-a-Dog's 26th annual Puttin' on the Dog show at Roger Sherman Baldwin Park on Arch Street in Greenwich. Whether you're looking to adopt a dog or you want to show off your beloved pooch, this is the place to be—rain or shine from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 22. Judging categories include Puppy Love for pups under 12 months, Aged to Perfection for dogs at least age 10, Best Tail Wagger and the fun dog costume contest. Tickets—available at the gate—are $5 for children and seniors; $15 for adults. 
  

• The Greenwich Land Trust's Go Wild! annual family field day, with Nancy Fazzinga and Lindley Pless as event co-chairs, is a fabulous afternoon overflowing with classic family fun. From 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22, all generations are invited to enjoy the al fresco party at Conyers Farm — the Greenwich Polo Fields. There will be something for everyone to enjoy — a rock climbing wall, petting zoo, bungee trampoline, giant maze, birds of prey exhibit, sack races, mini golf, autumn crafts, and much more. Enormous hot air balloons will give GLT supporters a spectacular view of the expansive 62-acre preserve surrounding them. Tickets start at $30 for children; $50 adults.

• There will be plenty of color at the 6th Annual Dazzling Dahlias Show at the Garden Education Center of Greenwich this weekend. The show—hosted by the GEC's Greenwich Dahlia Society whose members hail from around the region from Westchester County to Trumbull—will open to the public following judging on Saturday, Sept. 21. Public viewing hours: 1 to 4 p.m., Sept. 21 and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 22, and admission is free. An added bonus is a presentation by Frances Palmer, potter-turned gardener, who will share some of her favorite dahlia varieties as well as examples of the beautiful pottery for which she is famed. Presentation will take place at about 2:30 p.m. Sept. 21. The GEC is at 130 Bible St., Cos Cob.