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The line was long and the steam was rising Friday evening, Aug. 20, as the 30th annual Lobsterfest kicked off it's three-day run at the Canton Volunteer Fire Company on Canton Springs Road. Photos: dotCANTON

The promise of lobster, New England clam chowder, corn on the cob and good company made the wait in line worth it for the hungry diners who came to Lobsterfest, a Canton tradition, Friday evening, Aug. 20.

Canton Voluntary Fire Company member Corey Russo said Friday is always the busiest time at Lobsterfest, with about 1,800 dinners consumed between 6 and 9:30 p.m. He said the company anticipates 2,200 more dinners will be ordered between noon and 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 21. Lobsterfest concludes with a four-hour seating on Sunday, Aug. 22, with dinners available from noon to 4 p.m., unless the food runs out sooner.

Russo said 4,200 lobsters were purchased for the event, with the company able to obtain more if needed. He said the company purchased 75 bags of corn, each bag containing 60 ears. Russo guessed that 350 gallons of New England clam chowder would be consumed Friday night alone.

– dotCANTON

Photos: dotCANTON

The town has issued several traffic advisories for Canton this weekend.

FRI., SAT., SUN., AUG. 20, 21, 22

LOBSTERFEST: To accommodate vehicle and pedestrian traffic at Lobsterfest, Canton Springs Road between Dowd Avenue and Meadowview Court (Dartmouth Drive area) will be closed to thru traffic Friday 5:00 p.m. to closing (estimated at 10:30 p.m.), Saturday noon to closing  (estimated at 10:30 p.m.) and Sunday noon to closing (estimated at 4 p.m.). Residents who live in the area are asked to use an alternate route.

SUNDAY, AUG. 22

LOBSTER LOOP ROAD RACE: Dowd Avenue at Route 44 will be closed starting at 6:30 a.m. About 8 a.m., all of Dowd Avenue will be closed to traffic. Other roads impacted by the race are Simonds Avenue, Gildersleeve Avenue, Maple Avenue, Dyer Avenue, Hill Street and East Hill Road. The race should be over by 11:30 a.m., allowing traffic to resume. To get around this event, use Route 44 and Route 179. Parking for the event is at the fire station on Canton Springs Road. There is no parking on Canton Valley Circle or in any business on Route 44.

LITCHFIELD TRIATHLON: The bicycle portion of the triathlon will be coming through Canton starting about 8 a.m. and ending about 10:30 a.m. The bicycles will be traveling east on Route 44 from New Hartford, turning right (south) onto Route 179 and then turning right (west) onto Route 202. There will be partial lane and road shoulder closures. Please use caution when passing the bicyclists and at these intersections.

MOTORCYCLE RIDE: The Special Olympics Motorcycle Dream Ride will be in Canton and impacting traffic at two times and on two routes.

The first group (400-600 motorcycles) will enter Canton about 10:30 a.m., traveling east on Route 44 from New Hartford. The group will turn left (north) onto Route 179 (Cherry Brook Road) and continue to Route 309. Expect lengthy delays at intersections.

The second group (1,500-2,500 motorcycles) will enter Canton about noon, traveling west on Route 309 from Simsbury. The group will turn right (north) onto Route 179 (Cherry Brook Road) and will continue into Barkhamsted. The group will return to Canton between 1 and 2 p.m., traveling east on Route 44 from New Hartford. The group will then turn right (south) onto Route 179, cross Route 202, continue through Collinsville on Route 179 into Burlington. Expect lengthy traffic delays at intersections and in the Collinsville area.

If you believe summer ends when school begins, this coming weekend is the next-to-last weekend before the arrival of fall (Canton schools open on Tuesday, Aug. 31).

That doesn’t mean, however, that summer’s going away quietly in town. In fact, the four-day stretch that begins Friday, Aug. 20, includes several noteworthy events, including three days of lobsterfesting, a day of music, art and river fun in Collinsville, a 5K run and walk, the weekly Collinsville Farmers Market, the closing of the town pool and the grand opening of a taco restaurant.

Set your clocks: The fun starts at 6 p.m. Friday.

FRIDAY, AUG. 20

LOBSTERFEST: Day 1 of the 30th annual Lobsterfest, 6 to 9:30 p.m., Canton Volunteer Fire Company, 14 Canton Springs Road. For $18 you get New England clam chowder, lobster, corn and a beverage. The Fabulous Turkey Foot Band performs. Classic car show on site sponsored by NAPA/Canton Auto Parts. Food fest benefits the fire company.

SATURDAY, AUG. 21

LOBSTERFEST: Day 2, noon to 9:30 p.m., Canton Volunteer Fire Company, 14 Canton Springs Road. The Johnny Larsen Band performs.

Activities Saturday at Collinsville Canoe & Kayak and at the nine-hour "Community Unity Day" music and art festival at Downright Music & Art, plus the regularly scheduled Collinsville Farmers Market on Sunday will keep the area around Main and Bridge streets busy this weekend. Photo: dotCANTON

COLLINSVILLE CANOE & KAYAK: They’re billing it as the First Annual Collinsville SUP Cup at Collinsville Canoe & Kayak, and while much of what’s going on there from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. will be about introducing visitors to stand up paddle boarding (SUP) and how it can be enjoyed, there will be opportunities to get wet in the Farmington River. In addition, food in the form of burgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers and more will be available for purchase from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. See Collinsville Canoe & Kayak’s website for more information.

COMMUNITY UNITY DAY: Downright Music & Art’s “Community Unity Day,” 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., town hall parking lot, Collinsville.

Schedule of Events

1 p.m. — Vortex (rock, fusion funk), featuring Jeffrey Howard of the McLovins; community chalk walk begins.

2:30 p.m. — WuWuRu (reggae)

4 p.m. — Tricky and The Andrews (indie, soul, pop)

5 p.m. — MCs Zee Santiago, Clockwise and Self Suffice Continue reading A ‘Lots To Do’ Weekend