Besides incumbent U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays and Democratic Party challenger Diane Farrell, the Libertarian Party candidate Phil Maymin will also participate.

The debate, the first of 11 to be held from Oct. 4 to Oct. 19, will be from 1 to 2 p.m., with a luncheon planned for noon. The cost is $55 and reservations are required. Call The Business Council of Fairfield County at 359-3230 for further information.

After the Wednesday session in Stamford, on Thursday, Oct. 5, the League of Women Voters will sponsor the second debate in the series at 7:30 p.m. at Norwalk Community College.

The Farrell camp had been pushing debates for months, with the Shays' troops saying OK but insisting on a delay until autumn.

Although both sides continue to churn out press releases, aides for both candidates said the pace has slowed as Shays and Farrell prepared for the debates.

Some political experts question if 11 debates might be too much for the average voter.

Gubernatorial debates also are scheduled in the weeks ahead before Election Day.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell and her Democratic Party challenger, John DeStefano Jr., agreed last Friday to two debates. Details of when and where the two televised debates would take place and what their formats will be hadn't been announced as of press time yesterday.

In addition, Mary Glassman, DeStefano's lieutenant governor running mate, reported the agreement reached provides for one face-to-face debate between her and Michael C. Fedele, Rell's running mate.