The Chester, Conn., Winter Carnivale

If you're looking for a festival with a small town feel, look no further than the Chester Winter Carnivale. 2010 marks the 20^th year this festival, celebrating local artists and business, will be held in downtown Chester, Connecticut.

The festival begins on Feb. 21, 2010, but Saturday night offers one of the most exciting events: the Samba Rio! Masquerade Ball. If you plan to go, but fear your Samba isn't up to snuff, worry not. There are dance workshops at the Chester Community Center on the 16^th and on the 19^th, so you'll have time to practice and learn. The Ball is 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Saturday night at the St. Joseph Parish Center. Tickets also get you Brazilian appetizers, both sweet and savory, two drinks, and lots of fun. Be sure to dress Brazilian Carnivale style!

Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. at the Chester town center, the festival officially opens. An ice carving competition is held from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and you can vote for the People's Choice Award. At the city center there are food and street performers from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Chilly Chili Cook-off starts at 11:00 a.m. at the Chester Hose Company Fire House on Water Street, and a $5 ticket lets you try every chili and vote for your favorite.

Chester businesses hold special events to add to the festivities of the Winter Carnivale. They include the Dina Varano gallery of jewelry; Goodspeed Musicals (a two-time Tony award winner) has their Theater Treasure Tag sale at the Norma Terris Theater; Peekabouquet N Cupcake, offering a discount on your favorite items and sending 10 percent of sales to the Red Cross in Haiti; Connecticut River Artisans will showcase their works while serving you dessert; and the Nilsson Studio and Gallery will host a young local band called sayWhat?

Ending the festival is the Chester Tractor Parade, with decorated tractors driving up and down Main Street.