This weekend (October 11 & 12) is the inaugural Shuck n’ Jive Festival held at the McLaughlin Vineyards in Sandy Hook, CT.

here will be food available on premises and there will be wine tasting for those who are interested in checking out the McLaughlins’ Wine.

In a new twist for music festivals, this one boasts a Pro level bike race through the vineyard and surrounding state park, up to 21 miles! The rewards are just, with the winner taking home a first prize of $1,000. Also, some of the bands that will be playing the festival will get to pick a registered mountain biker to be their “Fan Favorite.” Whomever wins the “Fan Favorite,” will also receive a prize.

Besides the incredible bike race, this festival is nestled up in the beautiful countryside of Sandy Hook, CT, on the McLaughlin Vineyards, which is next to a state park. Next weekend promises to be peak leaf peeping weekend, and the colors of fall surrounding the bike race and the music festival promise to be vibrant and full, which should make for a wonderful weekend.

Yes, this is also a music festival, with over 20 bands over 2 days including jazz/funk kings Kung Fu, Max Creek, Jen Durkin and the Business, The Z3, Sons of F.U.N.K, Funky Dawgz Brass Band, Bobby Paultauf Band, BRYAC Funk all-stars, and Natalie Cressman. Billy Iuso, guitarist extraordinaire from New Orleans, is the Artist-at-Large for the weekend. Sponsor Telefunken, who has provided equipment to many professional artists and studios (Phish, Snoop Dogg, etc.), will be providing their state of the art music system for the inaugural event. Long story short there – the music will be pristine…and funky!

Tickets are still available. so enjoy an amazing fall weekend in New England. Hiking, biking, music, food and leaf peeping. Bring the kids and have a great day!