Click photo to enlarge
Delicate dogwood blooms bright against the morning sky at the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church.
FAIRFIELD — The relatively mild winter did more than just help people save on heating bills, it also gave a boost to the Dogwood Festival that blossoms for its 73rd annual stanza Friday.

"It looks like the bloom is pretty heavy," Scott Jamison, owner of Oliver's Nursery, said.

"That's because of the fairly mild winter."

His Bronson Road nursery is located just down the road from the Greenfield Congregational Church, the host of the event, and the more than 500 pink and white dogwood trees in the heart of the historic Greenfield Hill neighborhood.

"I think the state of the dogwoods is great," Jamison said, adding the flowering trees continue to be popular symbols of spring in town.

"We still sell a lot of them," he said.

"There really isn't anything quite like them when they're in bloom."

Jamison said dogwood trees are "worth the effort" and a new hybrid dogwood seems more resistant to borers and fungus.

Some of the special events at this year's Dogwood Festival include Sandra Shaw Murphy Duets at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the church and a Family Fun Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Dwight School.

Saturday features the Dogwood Dash at 9 a.m.

Also scheduled Saturday isthe mini dash at 10 a.m. with age-appropriate races for kids 2 to 7 years old.

At 1:30 p.m. Saturday, the Greenfield Hill Church Choir and Men's Choir will perform and there will be a western barbecue from 7 to 10 p.m.

Sunday's events include the Blessing of the Animals at

Advertisement
11:30 a.m. and a performance by the Pitchpipers at 2 p.m.

In addition, there will be a caf and bakery, art show and sale, gifts and plant boutique, craft show and sale, guided walking tours, and children's games.

An expanded Kate's Korner will be held at the Greenfield Hill Grange 1873, with free shuttle service provided.

For more information visit the Web site greenfieldhillchurch.com.