The Merchants of Chester present the 19th Annual Come Home to Chester Days, Art Gallery and Shop Opening Receptions in Chester Center, on Friday, September 18, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m..

CHESTER, CT, The Merchants of Chester celebrate the arrival of autumn with the 19th annual Come Home to Chester Days, a weekend of art gallery, shop and restaurant opening receptions in Chester Center on Friday, September 18, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and exciting events on Sunday, September 20, 2008, from 5:00 p.m. To 8:00 p.m.

"Every September, we keep our doors open late on the Friday night closest to the Autumnal Equinox to celebrate the beginning of fall. We have receptions in our galleries, shops, studios, and restaurants," says Leif Nilsson, artist and owner of the Leif Nilsson Spring Street Studio and Gallery. "It is a festive evening when townspeople and visitors are invited to stroll the streets of an antique New England village; to see the latest paintings, photographs, sculptures, fashion and jewelry; to sample baked goods and fine food; and to discover handcrafted decorative accessories and furnishings." Most everything is within walking distance from the Maple Street and Water Street parking lots.

Chester, Connecticut is a unique town known for celebrating art, history, music, fashion, theatre, craft, cuisine & conversation in the magnificent Connecticut River Valley.. The town is renowned for its quaint shops, artist galleries, and a variety of fantastic restaurants that all family members can enjoy. Easy to reach by car, rail, air, or boat, a convenient two-hour drive from NYC and Boston, MA, Chester is located at exit 6 on RT 9, between I-95 and I-91.

For general information about the event, contact Leif Nilsson at 860-526-2077. For specific information about particular merchants, call them directly, visit their websites, or consult http://www.VisitChesterct.com, which has a continually updated listing of the town's weekend and special events.

The following will be open Friday evening from 5 PM - 8 PM on September 18, 2009 unless otherwise noted.

Here's the link to the event. Maybe I will see you there.