With more than a half million daffodils in bloom, this weekend's annual Meriden Daffodil Festival can certainly be called Connecticut's most colorful event. Here's your guide to this fun, free spring festival, scheduled this year for April 26 and 27. Highlights of the weekend festivities include a parade and fireworks on Saturday and many musical performances. See headliner Eric Burdon and the Animals Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.

If fields of daffodils inspire you to plan your own spring garden, check my guide to Garden Centers and Nurseries for local plant sources.

9 More Fabulous Flower Festivals in the Region

_{Daffodil Festival photo © 2001 Kim Knox Beckius.}