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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260909T110000
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SUMMARY:Luxe CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways at Mystic Museum of Art
DESCRIPTION:Luxe CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways at Mystic Museum of Art explores the history of textiles in southeastern Connecticut\, tracing how fabrics\, fashion\, and craftsmanship have shaped the region from the precolonial era through the present day. On view from June 26 through October 11\, 2026\, the exhibition brings together historic artifacts and contemporary works to examine how textiles reflect labor\, immigration\, cultural identity\, and changing ideas of luxury. \nInspired by southeastern Connecticut’s once-thriving velvet industry\, the exhibition features a collaboration between Mystic Museum of Art\, Historic Stonington\, Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center\, Mystic Seaport Museum\, and the Connecticut Region of the Studio Art Quilt Associates. Visitors will encounter an extensive collection of beadwork\, embroidery\, quilts\, velvet\, fashion\, and textile art drawn from partner institutions and the museum’s own collection. \nThe exhibition also highlights contemporary fashion designers with Connecticut connections\, including Xarea Lockhart\, Toriana Sauro\, Christian Siriano\, and Peter Som. Their work connects the region’s textile heritage with modern fashion\, demonstrating how clothing and material culture continue to influence art\, identity\, and design. Throughout the exhibition\, the museum will present lectures\, artist conversations\, and hands-on workshops that further explore these themes. \nExhibition Details\n\nExhibition: Luxe CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways\nVenue: Mystic Museum of Art\nDates: June 26-October 11\, 2026\nLocation: Mystic\, CT\n\nExhibition Highlights\nVisitors will experience: \n\ns\nWorks from Mystic Museum of Art’s permanent collection\nLoans from regional museums and organizations\n\nFeatured Partners\nThe exhibition includes contributions from: \n\nHistoric Stonington\nMashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center\nMystic Seaport Museum\nStudio Art Quilt Associates\, Connecticut Region\n\nFeatured Designers\nThe exhibition showcases work by designers with Connecticut ties\, including: \n\nXarea Lockhart\nToriana Sauro\nChristian Siriano\nPeter Som\n\nAdmission\n\nGeneral Admission: $12\nNew London County residents: $10\nSeniors (65+): $10\nStudents with valid ID: $10\nFree:\n\nMystic Museum of Art members\nYouth ages 17 and under\nMilitary personnel and veterans\n\n\n\nExhibition Programs\nPublic programs are held on select Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. \nTuesday\, July 7\nMystic Mudlarking: The River and the Rossie Velvet Mill \n\nGuest speaker: Mary Hendrickson\n\nTuesday\, July 21\nImmigration and Industry \n\nGuest speaker: Chelsea Mitchell\, Library Director & Collections Manager\, Historic Stonington\n\nTuesday\, September 1\nConversation with Alana Ryder and Emerging Designers \nFeaturing: \n\nAlana Ryder\nXarea Lockhart\nToriana Sauro\n\nWorkshops\nAll workshops take place in KTJ Studios. \nSaturday\, September 19\nFrom Textile to Art: Felt Collage Workshop \nSaturday\, September 26\nIntroduction to Sewing Workshop \n\nFeatured designer: Toriana Sauro\n\nSaturday\, October 10\nRelief Printing on Silk Scarf Workshop \nWhy Visit\nLuxe CT examines how textiles have connected communities across centuries while reflecting the region’s history of manufacturing\, immigration\, craftsmanship\, and artistic innovation. By pairing historical artifacts with contemporary fashion and fiber art\, the exhibition offers visitors a deeper understanding of southeastern Connecticut’s cultural heritage and its continuing influence on today’s artists and designers. \n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/luxe-ct-velvet-mills-to-modern-runways-at-mystic-museum-of-art/2026-09-09/
LOCATION:Mystic Museum of Art\, 9 Water Street\, Mystic\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mystic Museum of Art
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260909T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260909T170000
DTSTAMP:20260705T020852Z
CREATED:20260510T162306Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260705T020852Z
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SUMMARY:Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO Bricks
DESCRIPTION:Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO Bricks drops visitors into centuries of maritime mystery and disaster at Mystic Seaport Museum.. The internationally touring exhibition combines massive LEGO® ship recreations with real maritime history\, creating an experience that feels part museum exhibit\, part interactive adventure. As the first American stop for the exhibition\, Mystic Seaport becomes the latest host for a showcase that has previously appeared at major maritime museums in Europe and Australia. \nThe exhibit features eleven detailed LEGO® models recreating famous shipwrecks and maritime disasters spanning thousands of years\, including the Titanic\, the Vasa\, Franklin’s Arctic expedition ships Terror and Erebus\, and the ancient Uluburun trading vessel. Created in partnership with LEGO® Certified Professional Ryan “The Brickman” McNaught\, the displays combine historical storytelling with surprisingly intricate engineering and visual detail. Some models even include cross-section cutaways revealing what happened beneath the waterline. \nInteractive experiences throughout the exhibit invite visitors to test survival scenarios\, operate a remote underwater vehicle\, experiment with ship stability\, and build LEGO® creations of their own. Alongside the models are replica artifacts\, archaeological tools\, and multimedia displays exploring how modern researchers investigate shipwrecks and what those discoveries reveal about trade\, exploration\, disaster\, and human history. The result is an exhibit that works equally well for families\, history buffs\, LEGO® fans\, and anyone who still secretly wants to touch every museum display. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/brickwrecks-sunken-ships-in-lego-bricks-3/2026-09-09/
LOCATION:Mystic Seaport\, 75 Greenmanville Ave\, Mystic\, CT\, \,06355-1946\,\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mystic Seaport
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Brickwrecks-Sunked-Ships-in-Lego-Bricks.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260909T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260909T180000
DTSTAMP:20260901T212201Z
CREATED:20260901T212201Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T212201Z
UID:10007311-1788944400-1788976800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill 2026: Complete Guide
DESCRIPTION:B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill is now open for the 2026 season\, beginning another fall of fresh-pressed sweet cider\, cider donuts\, traditional hard cider\, apple wine and one of the most unusual pieces of working history in Connecticut. \nThe family-owned Old Mystic landmark opened for the season September 1 and is currently scheduled to operate seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 129 North Stonington Road. \nBut calling Clyde’s a cider shop doesn’t quite explain why generations of families make a trip here every fall. \nThe mill has been family-owned since 1881. Fourth\, fifth and sixth generations of the family still work in the business. Apples are still crushed and pressed using historic machinery powered by steam. Visitors can watch the machinery operate\, descend into the cellar for traditional hard cider tastings\, sample apple wines in a converted grist mill and leave with a bag of cider donuts. \nClyde’s calls itself the oldest steam-powered cider mill in the United States. \nMore precisely\, it is the last operating steam-powered cider mill in the country\, according to the mill\, and its historic cider-making machinery has been recognized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers as a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. \nIt isn’t a reproduction of an old cider mill. \nIt’s the real thing. \nA Mystic Fall Tradition Since 1881\nThe story begins with Benjamin F. Clyde. \nIn 1881\, Clyde began producing cider from apples he had pressed at other local mills. He eventually rented a press before purchasing his own mill in 1897. \nThe equipment that followed would become the heart of the operation visitors still come to see. \nClyde purchased a screw press manufactured by Boomer & Boschert of Syracuse\, New York. The company also supplied the apple grater\, elevator and cider pump\, along with plans for the mill building. \nThe machinery was installed in 1898. \nAt the time\, cider mills were hardly unusual in rural America. \nThey served much the same role for apple growers that grist mills did for farmers growing grain. Orchards could bring surplus apples to a centrally located mill\, where the fruit could be processed and pressed into juice. Some of that juice could then be fermented into hard cider. \nMost of those community mills disappeared. \nClyde’s didn’t. \nThe Steam-Powered Mill Is Still Working\nThat’s what makes a visit different from touring a preserved historic building. \nThe machinery still has a job. \nApples enter the cider-making system and are elevated to a grinder\, where they’re reduced to pulp. That pulp is prepared for pressing\, and the historic screw press applies the tremendous pressure needed to extract the juice. \nThe technology was impressive for its era. \nAccording to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers\, the all-steel screw press could apply pressure at three speeds and represented one of the last generations of screw presses before hydraulic presses became widespread during the 20th century. \nASME designated B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark in 1994\, recognizing the machinery as a rare survivor of an industry that was once common throughout America’s apple-growing regions. \nMore than a century after the equipment was installed\, Clyde’s still uses the mill to make cider. \nWhen Can You Watch Clyde’s Press Cider?\nVisitors don’t have to settle for looking at the machinery. \nClyde’s runs it during the season. \nThe mill’s typical pressing schedule is: \nTuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m.–noon\nSaturday and Sunday: 10 a.m.–noon \nThe schedule can vary because Clyde’s presses according to production needs\, so the machinery isn’t guaranteed to be running continuously throughout those periods. \nEven when the press isn’t operating\, visitors are welcome to look inside the historic press building. \nFor anyone specifically interested in seeing the steam-powered machinery at work\, a pressing morning is the best time to plan a visit. \nHow Clyde’s Makes Sweet Cider\nFresh sweet cider is the product that started everything. \nClyde’s purchases its apples from small orchards rather than operating a pick-your-own orchard of its own. The apples are processed at the mill and pressed into cider using the historic equipment. \nThe finished sweet cider is flash pasteurized on the property. \nVisitors can buy cider to take home or drink it while visiting\, and seasonal cider drinks have become part of the experience alongside the mill’s baked goods. \nThat combination has helped turn what was originally a working agricultural business into a fall destination. \nYou can come to learn how a 19th-century cider press works. \nYou can also come because you want cider and a donut. \nNeither is the wrong reason. \nAbout Those Clyde’s Cider Donuts\nFor plenty of visitors\, the steam engine has competition. \nClyde’s cider donuts have become almost as closely associated with the mill as the cider itself. \nThe store sells its well-known cider donuts along with other baked goods and seasonal treats. The selection can vary\, but the broader shop also carries jarred products\, honey from local beekeepers\, candied apples made by the family and other locally produced goods. \nIt’s part bakery\, part country store and part historic attraction. \nAnd on a busy fall weekend\, the line is evidence that plenty of people know exactly what they came for. \nThen There Is the Cider Downstairs\nThe word “cider” gets considerably more complicated at Clyde’s. \nSweet cider is only part of the story. \nClyde’s also makes traditional hard cider using a process very different from the sweeter\, carbonated canned ciders that have become common in supermarkets and bars. \nThe hard cider begins with apple juice and ferments before aging in oak whiskey barrels. \nThe process from juice to finished hard cider typically takes about a year. \nAfter fermentation and aging\, the hard cider receives relatively little filtration before being sold. That preserves more of the raw\, oaky character produced by the barrel. \nThe result is considerably stronger than many commercial hard ciders. \nClyde’s hard ciders and apple wines generally contain 12 to 14 percent alcohol. \nHard Cider vs. Apple Wine: What’s the Difference?\nThis is one of the more interesting parts of Clyde’s operation because the two products begin in essentially the same place. \nBoth the hard cider and apple wine start as fermented apple juice aged in oak whiskey barrels. \nWhat happens afterward separates them. \nClyde’s hard cider is only lightly filtered to remove sediment. That leaves it with a bolder flavor\, more pronounced oak character and more bite. \nThe apple wine receives considerably more filtration. \nThat additional processing produces a smoother\, somewhat sweeter product that is also shelf stable before opening. \nSo someone expecting Clyde’s hard cider to taste like a modern canned hard cider may be surprised. \nThis is closer to an older cider-making tradition. \nWhat’s in the Hard Cider Cellar?\nThe hard cider cellar sits underneath the press building. \nThat’s where visitors can taste Clyde’s traditional hard ciders and where the product has been made for generations. \nAvailability changes throughout the season\, but Clyde’s 2026 lineup includes several recurring varieties. \nThe Original is the starting point. It’s dry\, without added fruit flavors competing with the oak character of the barrel. \nLucky Lion is also dry and crisp\, with a character Clyde’s says some drinkers compare to Scotch. \nBlackout goes even further in that direction. It’s Clyde’s most popular hard cider and wine flavor\, with strong oak notes that the mill describes as almost reminiscent of whiskey. \nThen things get fruitier. \nBoomerang combines apple and cranberry for a tart\, sweeter cider. \nGoodfella adds blackberry and lands on the sweeter end of the lineup. \nYellow Jacket combines apple and orange\, producing some sweetness with a citrus bite. \nCherry Bomb adds another fruit-driven option. \nBecause Clyde’s rotates its hard ciders\, individual varieties can change during the season. \nThe Apple Wine List Goes Much Further\nThe wine side of the operation offers even more variety. \nClyde’s currently lists 14 apple wines\, ranging from dry expressions of apple to much sweeter fruit combinations. \nApple Wine is the driest of the wine lineup. \nSpiced Apple uses mulling spices for a distinctly fall-oriented version. \nSpider Cider combines sweetness with pumpkin spices and can be warmed or used in a hot toddy. \nStrawberry Bliss is the sweetest wine in the lineup\, combining apple and strawberry. \nBlueberry Spinner combines apple and blueberry. \nApple Raspberry leans sweet but tart. \nCider House Blend combines apple\, orange and cranberry. \nSeveral of the hard cider varieties\, including Original\, Lucky Lion\, Blackout\, Boomerang\, Goodfella and Yellow Jacket\, are also produced as wines. \nThe distinction comes back to filtration. \nSame roots. \nDifferent finish. \nYes\, You Can Taste Them for Free\nClyde’s offers separate hard cider and wine tastings throughout its season. \nAnd the tastings are free. \nNo purchase is required and no reservation is necessary. \nVisitors can sample up to four hard ciders and up to four wines at their respective tasting locations. \nHard cider tastings take place in the cellar beneath the press building. \nWine tastings are held in the tasting room\, which has its own connection to the property’s history: the building is a converted grist mill once used to produce johnnycake meal. \nTastings are first-come\, first-served. \nCurrent tasting hours are: \nMonday–Saturday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.\nSunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. \nEveryone participating in a tasting must show a valid ID\, regardless of age or appearance. Clyde’s does not accept expired IDs or photographs of identification. \nConnecticut alcohol rules also mean Clyde’s cannot sell its hard cider or wine before 10 a.m. on Sundays. \nA Few Clyde’s Flavors to Know Before You Taste\nIf you don’t know where to start\, the tasting bottles are generally arranged from driest to sweetest\, and the staff can help narrow the choices. \nFor something dry: Original or Apple Wine. \nFor strong oak character: Blackout. \nFor dry and crisp: Lucky Lion. \nFor tart cranberry: Boomerang. \nFor something sweeter: Goodfella. \nFor fall spice: Spiced Apple or Spider Cider. \nFor very sweet fruit: Strawberry Bliss or Blueberry Spinner. \nOne warning for anyone accustomed to mass-market hard cider: remember the alcohol content. \nAt 12 to 14 percent ABV\, Clyde’s hard cider is much closer to wine strength than a typical bottle or can of commercial cider. \nCan You Bring Back a Clyde’s Growler?\nYes. \nClyde’s sells 64-ounce growlers of hard cider and offers growler refills. \nThere are a couple of important rules. \nClyde’s refills growlers rather than exchanging them\, so customers should clean their growler before bringing it back. The mill can only refill glass growlers that have a stamped or imprinted 64-ounce measurement. \nWine cannot be used for growler fills. \nThe refill program is for hard cider. \nHard cider should also be kept cool after purchase. Clyde’s recommends refrigeration. \nThere’s More Than Cider\nThe tasting room also contains Clyde’s gift shop\, with merchandise and locally made products that can include handmade earrings\, postcards and art prints. \nElsewhere at the mill\, visitors can browse honey produced by local beekeepers\, jarred foods\, family-made candied apples\, baked goods and other seasonal products. \nThat makes it possible to spend considerably more time at Clyde’s than simply buying a gallon of cider and heading home. \nWatch the press. \nGet cider and donuts. \nExplore the store. \nGo downstairs for a hard cider tasting. \nVisit the wine tasting room. \nBrowse the gift shop. \nIt’s effectively several different experiences spread across the historic property. \nIs B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill Good for Kids?\nYes. \nClyde’s welcomes children of all ages. \nThe working mill is also an opportunity to show kids a piece of machinery doing the job it was actually designed to do more than a century ago. \nThere is no alcohol involved in the regular sweet cider\, and the bakery\, cider and mill demonstration make Clyde’s an easy family fall stop. \nJust don’t confuse the two kinds of cider. \nThe traditional hard cider and apple wines are 12 to 14 percent alcohol and are strictly for adults 21 and older. \nCan You Pick Apples at Clyde’s?\nNo. \nThis is one of the most useful things to know before making the trip. \nB.F. Clyde’s is a cider mill\, not a pick-your-own orchard. \nThe mill purchases apples from small orchards and uses them to produce its cider. \nIf apple picking is part of your fall plans\, you’ll need to visit an orchard separately. \nCan You Bring a Dog?\nYes\, with restrictions. \nLeashed pets are permitted on the grounds. \nThey aren’t allowed inside the buildings or on the porch\, and visitors need to bring whatever they need to clean up after their pets. \nParking Can Be the Hardest Part of a Fall Visit\nClyde’s popularity comes with one predictable problem. \nIt gets busy. \nThe main parking lot can fill during peak periods\, particularly on fall weekends. \nClyde’s asks visitors to try the main lot first and to respect posted no-parking areas and neighboring properties if parking along nearby roads. \nAn auxiliary lot is available at 49 North Stonington Road. It’s approximately four-tenths of a mile from the mill\, so visitors using it should expect a walk. \nIf your schedule is flexible\, a weekday visit can make the entire experience easier. \nIf you’re coming specifically to see the press operate\, Tuesday or Thursday morning offers the combination of a weekday visit and a scheduled pressing window. \nClyde’s Isn’t a Museum\, and That’s the Point\nThere are plenty of places where historic machinery survives behind ropes. \nClyde’s is different. \nBenjamin Clyde started making cider in 1881. \nHe acquired his own mill in the 1890s. \nThe equipment installed in 1898 survived the arrival of hydraulic presses\, mass food production\, supermarkets\, interstate highways and more than a century of changes in how Americans buy their food. \nThe family survived with it. \nToday\, fourth\, fifth and sixth generations are involved in the operation. \nEvery September\, the doors open again. \nApples arrive. \nThe steam-powered machinery starts moving. \nFresh cider begins flowing. \nAnd people line up for cider donuts. \nThat’s why B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill is more than another place to add to a Connecticut fall checklist. It’s a piece of New England’s agricultural and industrial history that never stopped doing its job. \n2026 Visitor Guide\nAttraction: B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill\n2026 Season Opening: September 1\, 2026\nCurrent Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.\, seven days a week\nLocation: 129 North Stonington Road\, Mystic\, CT 06355\nAdmission: Free\nChildren: Welcome\nPets: Leashed pets allowed on the grounds; not inside buildings or on the porch\nApple Picking: No\nSweet Cider: Available\nCider Donuts and Baked Goods: Available\nHard Cider: Available for adults 21+\nApple Wine: Available for adults 21+\nAlcohol Content: Hard cider and wine are generally 12–14% ABV\nTastings: Free; no reservation required\nHard Cider Tastings: Cellar beneath the press building\nWine Tastings: Tasting room\nTasting Hours: Monday–Saturday\, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday\, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.\nTypical Pressing Schedule: Tuesday\, Thursday\, Saturday and Sunday\, 10 a.m.–noon\nParking: Main lot plus auxiliary parking at 49 North Stonington Road\nThanksgiving: Closed\nShipping: Not available\nPreorders/Call-Ahead Orders: Not available \nHard Cider Menu\nAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers History \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \n  \n  \n  \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/b-f-clydes-cider-mill-2026-complete-guide/2026-09-09/
LOCATION:B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill\, 129 North Stonington Road\, Mystic\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:B.F. Clyde's Cider Mill
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T213000
DTSTAMP:20260531T170134Z
CREATED:20260531T033610Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260531T170134Z
UID:10003122-1788894000-1788903000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Trivia at C.C. O'Brien's
DESCRIPTION:Friendly competition\, giggles\, and bragging rights come to Pawcatuck every Tuesday night at Trivia at C.C. O’Brien’s. From 7-9: 30 p.m.\, teams of 1-6 players gather to challenge themselves on a wide range of categories. With food\, drinks\, and great company around every question\, players of all knowledge levels are sure to enjoy the experience. \nTrivia at C.C. O’Brien’s provides players with an evening full of music\, trivia questions\, and prizes for the top 3 teams each week. Whether you consider yourself a trivia nerd or you simply want to enjoy a night out with friends\, we have you covered. No matter your experience level with trivia\, there isn’t anything to be nervous about. \n$0 buys you entry to play\, but there is a $10 drink food minimum. \nWhether you have a group of friends\, coworkers\, or even your significant other\, Trivia at C.C. O’Brien’s is the perfect opportunity to bring your team together and see who’s brain is the smarty-pants!
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/trivia-at-c-c-obriens/2026-09-08/
LOCATION:C.C. O’ Brien’s\, 8 Mechanic St\, Pawcatuck\, 06379\, United States
CATEGORIES:C.C. O'Brien's
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/CC-Obriens-every-Thursday-7pm-to-930-pm.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T210000
DTSTAMP:20260602T004331Z
CREATED:20260602T004331Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260602T004331Z
UID:10004121-1788894000-1788901200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Trivia Night at The Jealous Monk
DESCRIPTION:Trivia Night at The Jealous Monk hosts its own version of trivia every Tuesday called Opinionation. Opinionation is a survey-style game where knowledge is only about 1/10 as important as knowing what everyone else is thinking. This free game is played from 7 to 9 p.m. when teams come together to play fun survey questions and guess what every other player thinks. \nOpinionation is a trivia game like no other. Forget historical dates and useless trivia you’ll never remember. With Opinionation\, your team will have to determine the five most popular answers given by players to each question. Each round consists of two segments with several questions. There are also bonus and final rounds that can really change the game. This format allows for lots of giggles\, upsets\, and arguing among teammates. \nGroups of friends\, coworkers\, date night- you name it. Our trivia at The Jealous Monk is great for all ages and skill levels. So whether you’re an expert at trivia or you just enjoy the company\, try your skills at predicting the most popular answer while we keep you guessing. \n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/trivia-night-at-the-jealous-monk/2026-09-08/
LOCATION:Jealous Monk\, 27 Coogan Blvd\, Mystic\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Jealous Monk
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Trivia-Night-at-the-Jealous-Monk-Tuesdays-7-pm-to-9-pm.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T220000
DTSTAMP:20260512T031029Z
CREATED:20260512T030939Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T031029Z
UID:10001406-1788886800-1788904800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Taco Tuesday at Milestone Mystic
DESCRIPTION:Taco Tuesday at Milestone Mystic  brings weekly margaritas\, rotatng taco specials\, and waterfront-night-out energy to downtown Mystic every Tuesday starting at 5 p.m. Sitting right along Water Street\, Milestone already carries the kind of lively coastal atmosphere that feels made for warm-weather evenings\, and Taco Tuesday adds an easy excuse to settle in with friends after work or stretch dinner into a full night out. \nTaco Tuesday at Milestone keeps the menu fresh by rotating taco selections each week\, giving regulars something new to look forward to beyond the usual specials. Guests can grab three tacos for $18 while pairing them with $10 margaritas and sangrias or $5 Modelos and Coronas. The combination leans casual and social rather than overcomplicated\, creating the kind of weekly gathering spot where people linger over drinks\, split appetizers\, and watch the evening crowd build as the night goes on. \nThe location itself adds a lot to the experience. Water Street tends to come alive in the evenings during the warmer months\, with visitors moving between restaurants\, bars\, and the nearby waterfront while Mystic’s downtown energy shifts from daytime tourism to nightlife. Taco Tuesday fits naturally into that rhythm\, offering an affordable midweek outing with enough variety to keep locals and visitors coming back throughout the summer season. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/taco-tuesday-at-milestone-mystic/2026-09-08/
LOCATION:CT
CATEGORIES:Milestone
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Taco-Tuesday-at-Milestone-Mystic.jpeg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T230000
DTSTAMP:20260512T032734Z
CREATED:20260512T032734Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T032734Z
UID:10001476-1788883200-1788908400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Trivia & Taco Tuesday with DJ Trivia RI at Surf Cantina
DESCRIPTION:Trivia & Taco Tuesday with DJ Trivia RI at Surf Cantina turns Tuesday nights in downtown Westerly into a mix of tacos\, drinks\, and friendly competition. With $3 tacos running from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and trivia kicking off at 7 p.m.\, the weekly event blends casual dinner plans with the kind of lively group atmosphere that keeps tables talking\, laughing\, and debating answers long after the first round begins. \nTrivia & Taco Tuesday with DJ Trivia RI brings a more energetic spin to the usual trivia-night format thanks to DJ Trivia’s fast-moving style and crowd interaction. Teams gather around baskets of tacos and drinks while competing through rounds that can shift from pop culture and music to sports\, movies\, and random knowledge. The setup works especially well inside Surf Cantina’s coastal-inspired atmosphere\, where the laid-back vibe keeps the night social even for people who are mostly there for the tacos and margaritas. \nTuesday nights in Westerly tend to feel quieter before the summer weekend crowds fully arrive\, which gives events like this a strong locals-night feel. Surf Cantina’s Canal Street location adds to that energy\, drawing groups of friends\, coworkers\, and trivia regulars looking for an easy midweek outing that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Between the taco specials\, upbeat trivia atmosphere\, and downtown setting\, the night offers a fun excuse to break up the workweek without overcomplicating it. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/trivia-taco-tuesday-with-dj-trivia-ri-at-surf-cantina/2026-09-08/
LOCATION:Surf Cantina\, 15 Canal Street\, Westerly\, RI\, 02891\, United States
CATEGORIES:Surf Cantina
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Trivia-and-Taco-Tuesday-with-DJ-Trivia-RI-at-Surf-Cantina.jpeg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T190000
DTSTAMP:20260908T220743Z
CREATED:20260908T220743Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260908T220743Z
UID:10007520-1788879600-1788894000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Free School Supply Shop at Westerly Library
DESCRIPTION:Free School Supply Shop at Westerly Library gives local students a chance to stock their backpacks without spending a dollar as the new school year gets underway. Westerly Library & Wilcox Park is turning its Pop-Up at Coy into a temporary school-supply store from Tuesday\, September 8\, through Saturday\, September 12\, with everything in the shop available free to students. \nFamilies can find backpacks\, calculators\, folders\, lunchboxes\, notebooks\, markers\, pencils\, pens\, rulers and other donated supplies. There is no purchase involved and no admission charge. The idea is simple: take the school supplies a student needs. \nThe shop runs from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday\, 1 to 5 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. \nA Community School-Supply Drive Becomes a Free Store\nThe shelves at the Free School Supply Shop were filled by the community before students ever walked through the door. \nWesterly Library began collecting new and gently used school supplies on August 3\, placing donation bins near its entrances and inviting residents to contribute through September 8. \nThe library’s suggested donations covered many of the expenses families encounter at the beginning of a school year: backpacks and lunchboxes\, calculators and rulers\, folders and notebooks\, along with everyday supplies such as pencils\, pens and markers. \nInstead of simply distributing prepacked bags\, the library has taken a different approach. \nThe donations become inventory for a temporary shop where students can look through the available supplies and choose what they need. \nThat distinction may seem small\, but it gives students and families some control over what they take home. A teenager who needs a calculator and notebooks isn’t necessarily looking for the same supplies as an elementary school student who needs markers\, pencils and a lunchbox. \nThe library describes the shop as offering a variety of supplies free to any student. \nFive Days to Stop In\nThe Free School Supply Shop isn’t limited to a single afternoon. \nWesterly Library is opening it across five days with different hours to give families several opportunities to visit: \n\nTuesday\, September 8: 3–7 p.m.\nWednesday\, September 9: 3–7 p.m.\nThursday\, September 10: 3–7 p.m.\nFriday\, September 11: 1–5 p.m.\nSaturday\, September 12: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.\n\nThat means families who can’t make an after-school weekday visit still have Friday afternoon and Saturday options. \nBecause the shop consists of donated items\, selection will naturally depend on what the community contributed and what remains when a family visits. Anyone hoping for the widest selection should consider stopping in earlier in the week. \nThe Pop-Up at Coy Was Built for Ideas Like This\nThe school-supply shop isn’t taking over a conventional meeting room. \nIt’s happening in The Pop-Up at Coy\, a small storefront-like space immediately inside the front of Westerly Library. \nThe room has had quite a few lives. \nIt originally served as the library’s reception office and was once the office of Sallie Coy\, who joined the organization in 1911 and became the longest-serving librarian and library director in its history. Coy remained director until retiring in 1960. \nOver the years\, the space also served as the circulation desk and the Friends Bookstore. A 2017 renovation transformed it into a café. \nIts latest incarnation deliberately moves away from having one permanent purpose. \nWesterly Library now uses The Pop-Up at Coy as a temporary activation space where local organizations\, small businesses\, nonprofits\, community resources and other projects can set up for limited periods. The library describes the concept as a way to give visitors opportunities to see\, experience and learn about different community offerings. \nFor five days in September\, its purpose couldn’t be much more practical: shelves of free supplies for students heading back to class. \nMore Than Books at Westerly Library\nThe school-supply project also fits the broader role Westerly Library has carved out for itself. \nThe library is operated by the private nonprofit Memorial and Library Association\, which was established in 1892 to commemorate local volunteer soldiers and sailors who served in the Civil War. \nWesterly Library opened in 1894 with about 5\,000 volumes. The original building included considerably more than books\, with a gymnasium\, bowling alley\, art gallery\, museum and meeting space for the Grand Army of the Republic. \nMore than 130 years later\, the idea of a library as a community space remains. \nToday’s collection contains more than 287\,000 items\, while the building also houses public computers\, meeting and programming spaces\, youth areas\, a Makerspace\, the Hoxie Gallery and local history collections. \nPrograms range from children’s storytimes and craft sessions to technology instruction\, support groups\, book clubs and community-resource programs. \nThe Free School Supply Shop belongs to the latter category. It doesn’t require a class\, lecture or workshop to be useful. It takes something families need and makes it available in a familiar public place. \nAnd There’s a 15-Acre Park Outside\nA trip to the school-supply shop can also include some time outdoors. \nWesterly Library shares its downtown property with Wilcox Park\, a 15-acre Victorian strolling park and arboretum. \nThe original park land was donated in 1898 by Harriet Wilcox in memory of her husband\, Stephen Wilcox\, the local industrialist and inventor who had earlier donated the land for the library and $25\,000 toward its construction. \nHarriet envisioned a park that could be enjoyed by the working people of Westerly and neighboring Pawcatuck. \nLandscape architect Warren H. Manning\, who had worked with Frederick Law Olmsted and later became a founding member of the American Society of Landscape Architects\, designed the park while incorporating much of the site’s existing vegetation. \nToday\, Wilcox Park contains 159 different tree species and 43 cultivars\, including seven recognized Rhode Island Champion Trees. \nSo a stop for notebooks and pencils doesn’t necessarily have to be an errand in and out of a building. The park is directly outside and remains open from dawn until 9 p.m. \nFree Really Does Mean Free\nThere isn’t a complicated eligibility requirement buried in the description. \nWesterly Library says the supplies are available free to any student. \nThere is no admission charge listed\, no registration requirement and no requirement that families purchase anything else. The library’s event is categorized for families\, adults\, teens\, tweens and children\, reflecting the fact that school-supply needs don’t end after elementary school. \nFor families buying supplies for multiple children\, or for anyone facing an unexpectedly expensive back-to-school list\, even a few notebooks\, folders\, pens or a calculator can take something off the bill. \nAnd because the inventory came from donations\, the Free School Supply Shop turns one family’s extra backpack or unused package of pencils directly into something another student can use. \nThat’s community programming at its simplest. \nDetails\nEvent: Free School Supply Shop\nDates: Tuesday\, September 8–Saturday\, September 12\, 2026\nTuesday–Thursday Hours: 3–7 p.m.\nFriday Hours: 1–5 p.m.\nSaturday Hours: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.\nAdmission: Free\nWho Can Participate: School supplies are available free to any student\nRegistration: No registration listed\nAvailable Supplies: Donated school supplies may include backpacks\, calculators\, folders\, lunchboxes\, markers\, notebooks\, pencils\, pens and rulers; selection depends on availability\nLocation: The Pop-Up at Coy\, Westerly Library & Wilcox Park\nAddress: 44 Broad Street\, Westerly\, RI 02891\nPhone: 401-596-2877\nLibrary Hours: Monday–Thursday 9 a.m.–8 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed Sunday\nWilcox Park Hours: Daily from dawn–9 p.m. \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/free-school-supply-shop-at-westerly-library/2026-09-08/
LOCATION:Westerly Library & Wilcox Park\, 44 Broad Street\, Westerly\, RI\, 02891\, United States
CATEGORIES:Westerly Library & Wilcox Park
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Free-School-Supply-Shop-at-Westerly-Library.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T180000
DTSTAMP:20260606T203643Z
CREATED:20260604T204337Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260606T203643Z
UID:10005261-1788879600-1788890400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Groton City Farmers Market Summer 2026
DESCRIPTION:The Groton City Farmers Market returns for its 2026 summer and fall season\, bringing fresh Connecticut-grown food\, local products\, and community spirit to Washington Park every Tuesday from June 9 through October 27. Held at the corner of Mitchell and Meridian Streets from 3 to 6 p.m.\, the market serves as a gathering place where residents can shop directly from local farmers\, food producers\, and artisans while supporting small businesses throughout southeastern Connecticut. \nWhile agriculture remains the heart of the market\, visitors will find much more than fruits and vegetables. Vendors offer locally sourced meats\, poultry\, eggs\, seafood\, baked goods\, and specialty food products\, all with an emphasis on Connecticut-grown and Connecticut-made offerings. Organizers work to ensure products are clearly identified and locally sourced\, helping shoppers make informed choices while supporting the region’s agricultural economy. \nThe market’s mission is to make healthy\, affordable\, locally produced food accessible to the community while creating a welcoming neighborhood destination in the heart of Groton. In addition to its weekly summer and early fall schedule\, the market also hosts seasonal pop-up markets during the colder months\, extending its commitment to connecting local producers with residents year-round. \n2026 Musician Lineup\n\nJune 9 – Ron Bettez\nJune 17 – Ella Yaras\nJune 23 – Kevin Salley\nJune 30 – Kayle Devlin\nJuly 7 – Ella Yaras\nJuly 14 – Kevin Salley\nJuly 21 – Terri Lachance\nJuly 28 – Steven Harz\nAugust 4 – Inner Groove\nAugust 11 – Kevin Salley\nAugust 18 – Ella Yaras\nSeptember 1 – Ronald Bettez\nSeptember 15 – John Wood\nSeptember 22 – Steven Harz\nSeptember 29 – Terri Lachance\nOctober 7 – Denise Jones\nOctober 13 – John Wood\n\nCity of Groton Farmers Market • Tuesdays\, 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. • Washington Park
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/groton-city-farmers-market-summer-2026/2026-09-08/
LOCATION:Washington Park\, 155 Meridian Street\, Groton\, 06340\, United States
CATEGORIES:Washington Park
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Groton-City-Farmers-Market-Summer-2026-Tuesdays-3pm-to-6pm.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T170000
DTSTAMP:20260701T201347Z
CREATED:20260701T201347Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260701T201347Z
UID:10006469-1788865200-1788886800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Luxe CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways at Mystic Museum of Art
DESCRIPTION:Luxe CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways at Mystic Museum of Art explores the history of textiles in southeastern Connecticut\, tracing how fabrics\, fashion\, and craftsmanship have shaped the region from the precolonial era through the present day. On view from June 26 through October 11\, 2026\, the exhibition brings together historic artifacts and contemporary works to examine how textiles reflect labor\, immigration\, cultural identity\, and changing ideas of luxury. \nInspired by southeastern Connecticut’s once-thriving velvet industry\, the exhibition features a collaboration between Mystic Museum of Art\, Historic Stonington\, Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center\, Mystic Seaport Museum\, and the Connecticut Region of the Studio Art Quilt Associates. Visitors will encounter an extensive collection of beadwork\, embroidery\, quilts\, velvet\, fashion\, and textile art drawn from partner institutions and the museum’s own collection. \nThe exhibition also highlights contemporary fashion designers with Connecticut connections\, including Xarea Lockhart\, Toriana Sauro\, Christian Siriano\, and Peter Som. Their work connects the region’s textile heritage with modern fashion\, demonstrating how clothing and material culture continue to influence art\, identity\, and design. Throughout the exhibition\, the museum will present lectures\, artist conversations\, and hands-on workshops that further explore these themes. \nExhibition Details\n\nExhibition: Luxe CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways\nVenue: Mystic Museum of Art\nDates: June 26-October 11\, 2026\nLocation: Mystic\, CT\n\nExhibition Highlights\nVisitors will experience: \n\ns\nWorks from Mystic Museum of Art’s permanent collection\nLoans from regional museums and organizations\n\nFeatured Partners\nThe exhibition includes contributions from: \n\nHistoric Stonington\nMashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center\nMystic Seaport Museum\nStudio Art Quilt Associates\, Connecticut Region\n\nFeatured Designers\nThe exhibition showcases work by designers with Connecticut ties\, including: \n\nXarea Lockhart\nToriana Sauro\nChristian Siriano\nPeter Som\n\nAdmission\n\nGeneral Admission: $12\nNew London County residents: $10\nSeniors (65+): $10\nStudents with valid ID: $10\nFree:\n\nMystic Museum of Art members\nYouth ages 17 and under\nMilitary personnel and veterans\n\n\n\nExhibition Programs\nPublic programs are held on select Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. \nTuesday\, July 7\nMystic Mudlarking: The River and the Rossie Velvet Mill \n\nGuest speaker: Mary Hendrickson\n\nTuesday\, July 21\nImmigration and Industry \n\nGuest speaker: Chelsea Mitchell\, Library Director & Collections Manager\, Historic Stonington\n\nTuesday\, September 1\nConversation with Alana Ryder and Emerging Designers \nFeaturing: \n\nAlana Ryder\nXarea Lockhart\nToriana Sauro\n\nWorkshops\nAll workshops take place in KTJ Studios. \nSaturday\, September 19\nFrom Textile to Art: Felt Collage Workshop \nSaturday\, September 26\nIntroduction to Sewing Workshop \n\nFeatured designer: Toriana Sauro\n\nSaturday\, October 10\nRelief Printing on Silk Scarf Workshop \nWhy Visit\nLuxe CT examines how textiles have connected communities across centuries while reflecting the region’s history of manufacturing\, immigration\, craftsmanship\, and artistic innovation. By pairing historical artifacts with contemporary fashion and fiber art\, the exhibition offers visitors a deeper understanding of southeastern Connecticut’s cultural heritage and its continuing influence on today’s artists and designers. \n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/luxe-ct-velvet-mills-to-modern-runways-at-mystic-museum-of-art/2026-09-08/
LOCATION:Mystic Museum of Art\, 9 Water Street\, Mystic\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mystic Museum of Art
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Luxe-CT-Velvet-Mills-to-Modern-Runways-at-Mystic-Museum-of-Art-daily-11am-5pm.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T170000
DTSTAMP:20260705T020852Z
CREATED:20260510T162306Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260705T020852Z
UID:10000475-1788865200-1788886800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO Bricks
DESCRIPTION:Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO Bricks drops visitors into centuries of maritime mystery and disaster at Mystic Seaport Museum.. The internationally touring exhibition combines massive LEGO® ship recreations with real maritime history\, creating an experience that feels part museum exhibit\, part interactive adventure. As the first American stop for the exhibition\, Mystic Seaport becomes the latest host for a showcase that has previously appeared at major maritime museums in Europe and Australia. \nThe exhibit features eleven detailed LEGO® models recreating famous shipwrecks and maritime disasters spanning thousands of years\, including the Titanic\, the Vasa\, Franklin’s Arctic expedition ships Terror and Erebus\, and the ancient Uluburun trading vessel. Created in partnership with LEGO® Certified Professional Ryan “The Brickman” McNaught\, the displays combine historical storytelling with surprisingly intricate engineering and visual detail. Some models even include cross-section cutaways revealing what happened beneath the waterline. \nInteractive experiences throughout the exhibit invite visitors to test survival scenarios\, operate a remote underwater vehicle\, experiment with ship stability\, and build LEGO® creations of their own. Alongside the models are replica artifacts\, archaeological tools\, and multimedia displays exploring how modern researchers investigate shipwrecks and what those discoveries reveal about trade\, exploration\, disaster\, and human history. The result is an exhibit that works equally well for families\, history buffs\, LEGO® fans\, and anyone who still secretly wants to touch every museum display. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/brickwrecks-sunken-ships-in-lego-bricks-3/2026-09-08/
LOCATION:Mystic Seaport\, 75 Greenmanville Ave\, Mystic\, CT\, \,06355-1946\,\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mystic Seaport
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Brickwrecks-Sunked-Ships-in-Lego-Bricks.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T180000
DTSTAMP:20260901T212201Z
CREATED:20260901T212201Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T212201Z
UID:10007310-1788858000-1788890400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill 2026: Complete Guide
DESCRIPTION:B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill is now open for the 2026 season\, beginning another fall of fresh-pressed sweet cider\, cider donuts\, traditional hard cider\, apple wine and one of the most unusual pieces of working history in Connecticut. \nThe family-owned Old Mystic landmark opened for the season September 1 and is currently scheduled to operate seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 129 North Stonington Road. \nBut calling Clyde’s a cider shop doesn’t quite explain why generations of families make a trip here every fall. \nThe mill has been family-owned since 1881. Fourth\, fifth and sixth generations of the family still work in the business. Apples are still crushed and pressed using historic machinery powered by steam. Visitors can watch the machinery operate\, descend into the cellar for traditional hard cider tastings\, sample apple wines in a converted grist mill and leave with a bag of cider donuts. \nClyde’s calls itself the oldest steam-powered cider mill in the United States. \nMore precisely\, it is the last operating steam-powered cider mill in the country\, according to the mill\, and its historic cider-making machinery has been recognized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers as a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. \nIt isn’t a reproduction of an old cider mill. \nIt’s the real thing. \nA Mystic Fall Tradition Since 1881\nThe story begins with Benjamin F. Clyde. \nIn 1881\, Clyde began producing cider from apples he had pressed at other local mills. He eventually rented a press before purchasing his own mill in 1897. \nThe equipment that followed would become the heart of the operation visitors still come to see. \nClyde purchased a screw press manufactured by Boomer & Boschert of Syracuse\, New York. The company also supplied the apple grater\, elevator and cider pump\, along with plans for the mill building. \nThe machinery was installed in 1898. \nAt the time\, cider mills were hardly unusual in rural America. \nThey served much the same role for apple growers that grist mills did for farmers growing grain. Orchards could bring surplus apples to a centrally located mill\, where the fruit could be processed and pressed into juice. Some of that juice could then be fermented into hard cider. \nMost of those community mills disappeared. \nClyde’s didn’t. \nThe Steam-Powered Mill Is Still Working\nThat’s what makes a visit different from touring a preserved historic building. \nThe machinery still has a job. \nApples enter the cider-making system and are elevated to a grinder\, where they’re reduced to pulp. That pulp is prepared for pressing\, and the historic screw press applies the tremendous pressure needed to extract the juice. \nThe technology was impressive for its era. \nAccording to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers\, the all-steel screw press could apply pressure at three speeds and represented one of the last generations of screw presses before hydraulic presses became widespread during the 20th century. \nASME designated B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark in 1994\, recognizing the machinery as a rare survivor of an industry that was once common throughout America’s apple-growing regions. \nMore than a century after the equipment was installed\, Clyde’s still uses the mill to make cider. \nWhen Can You Watch Clyde’s Press Cider?\nVisitors don’t have to settle for looking at the machinery. \nClyde’s runs it during the season. \nThe mill’s typical pressing schedule is: \nTuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m.–noon\nSaturday and Sunday: 10 a.m.–noon \nThe schedule can vary because Clyde’s presses according to production needs\, so the machinery isn’t guaranteed to be running continuously throughout those periods. \nEven when the press isn’t operating\, visitors are welcome to look inside the historic press building. \nFor anyone specifically interested in seeing the steam-powered machinery at work\, a pressing morning is the best time to plan a visit. \nHow Clyde’s Makes Sweet Cider\nFresh sweet cider is the product that started everything. \nClyde’s purchases its apples from small orchards rather than operating a pick-your-own orchard of its own. The apples are processed at the mill and pressed into cider using the historic equipment. \nThe finished sweet cider is flash pasteurized on the property. \nVisitors can buy cider to take home or drink it while visiting\, and seasonal cider drinks have become part of the experience alongside the mill’s baked goods. \nThat combination has helped turn what was originally a working agricultural business into a fall destination. \nYou can come to learn how a 19th-century cider press works. \nYou can also come because you want cider and a donut. \nNeither is the wrong reason. \nAbout Those Clyde’s Cider Donuts\nFor plenty of visitors\, the steam engine has competition. \nClyde’s cider donuts have become almost as closely associated with the mill as the cider itself. \nThe store sells its well-known cider donuts along with other baked goods and seasonal treats. The selection can vary\, but the broader shop also carries jarred products\, honey from local beekeepers\, candied apples made by the family and other locally produced goods. \nIt’s part bakery\, part country store and part historic attraction. \nAnd on a busy fall weekend\, the line is evidence that plenty of people know exactly what they came for. \nThen There Is the Cider Downstairs\nThe word “cider” gets considerably more complicated at Clyde’s. \nSweet cider is only part of the story. \nClyde’s also makes traditional hard cider using a process very different from the sweeter\, carbonated canned ciders that have become common in supermarkets and bars. \nThe hard cider begins with apple juice and ferments before aging in oak whiskey barrels. \nThe process from juice to finished hard cider typically takes about a year. \nAfter fermentation and aging\, the hard cider receives relatively little filtration before being sold. That preserves more of the raw\, oaky character produced by the barrel. \nThe result is considerably stronger than many commercial hard ciders. \nClyde’s hard ciders and apple wines generally contain 12 to 14 percent alcohol. \nHard Cider vs. Apple Wine: What’s the Difference?\nThis is one of the more interesting parts of Clyde’s operation because the two products begin in essentially the same place. \nBoth the hard cider and apple wine start as fermented apple juice aged in oak whiskey barrels. \nWhat happens afterward separates them. \nClyde’s hard cider is only lightly filtered to remove sediment. That leaves it with a bolder flavor\, more pronounced oak character and more bite. \nThe apple wine receives considerably more filtration. \nThat additional processing produces a smoother\, somewhat sweeter product that is also shelf stable before opening. \nSo someone expecting Clyde’s hard cider to taste like a modern canned hard cider may be surprised. \nThis is closer to an older cider-making tradition. \nWhat’s in the Hard Cider Cellar?\nThe hard cider cellar sits underneath the press building. \nThat’s where visitors can taste Clyde’s traditional hard ciders and where the product has been made for generations. \nAvailability changes throughout the season\, but Clyde’s 2026 lineup includes several recurring varieties. \nThe Original is the starting point. It’s dry\, without added fruit flavors competing with the oak character of the barrel. \nLucky Lion is also dry and crisp\, with a character Clyde’s says some drinkers compare to Scotch. \nBlackout goes even further in that direction. It’s Clyde’s most popular hard cider and wine flavor\, with strong oak notes that the mill describes as almost reminiscent of whiskey. \nThen things get fruitier. \nBoomerang combines apple and cranberry for a tart\, sweeter cider. \nGoodfella adds blackberry and lands on the sweeter end of the lineup. \nYellow Jacket combines apple and orange\, producing some sweetness with a citrus bite. \nCherry Bomb adds another fruit-driven option. \nBecause Clyde’s rotates its hard ciders\, individual varieties can change during the season. \nThe Apple Wine List Goes Much Further\nThe wine side of the operation offers even more variety. \nClyde’s currently lists 14 apple wines\, ranging from dry expressions of apple to much sweeter fruit combinations. \nApple Wine is the driest of the wine lineup. \nSpiced Apple uses mulling spices for a distinctly fall-oriented version. \nSpider Cider combines sweetness with pumpkin spices and can be warmed or used in a hot toddy. \nStrawberry Bliss is the sweetest wine in the lineup\, combining apple and strawberry. \nBlueberry Spinner combines apple and blueberry. \nApple Raspberry leans sweet but tart. \nCider House Blend combines apple\, orange and cranberry. \nSeveral of the hard cider varieties\, including Original\, Lucky Lion\, Blackout\, Boomerang\, Goodfella and Yellow Jacket\, are also produced as wines. \nThe distinction comes back to filtration. \nSame roots. \nDifferent finish. \nYes\, You Can Taste Them for Free\nClyde’s offers separate hard cider and wine tastings throughout its season. \nAnd the tastings are free. \nNo purchase is required and no reservation is necessary. \nVisitors can sample up to four hard ciders and up to four wines at their respective tasting locations. \nHard cider tastings take place in the cellar beneath the press building. \nWine tastings are held in the tasting room\, which has its own connection to the property’s history: the building is a converted grist mill once used to produce johnnycake meal. \nTastings are first-come\, first-served. \nCurrent tasting hours are: \nMonday–Saturday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.\nSunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. \nEveryone participating in a tasting must show a valid ID\, regardless of age or appearance. Clyde’s does not accept expired IDs or photographs of identification. \nConnecticut alcohol rules also mean Clyde’s cannot sell its hard cider or wine before 10 a.m. on Sundays. \nA Few Clyde’s Flavors to Know Before You Taste\nIf you don’t know where to start\, the tasting bottles are generally arranged from driest to sweetest\, and the staff can help narrow the choices. \nFor something dry: Original or Apple Wine. \nFor strong oak character: Blackout. \nFor dry and crisp: Lucky Lion. \nFor tart cranberry: Boomerang. \nFor something sweeter: Goodfella. \nFor fall spice: Spiced Apple or Spider Cider. \nFor very sweet fruit: Strawberry Bliss or Blueberry Spinner. \nOne warning for anyone accustomed to mass-market hard cider: remember the alcohol content. \nAt 12 to 14 percent ABV\, Clyde’s hard cider is much closer to wine strength than a typical bottle or can of commercial cider. \nCan You Bring Back a Clyde’s Growler?\nYes. \nClyde’s sells 64-ounce growlers of hard cider and offers growler refills. \nThere are a couple of important rules. \nClyde’s refills growlers rather than exchanging them\, so customers should clean their growler before bringing it back. The mill can only refill glass growlers that have a stamped or imprinted 64-ounce measurement. \nWine cannot be used for growler fills. \nThe refill program is for hard cider. \nHard cider should also be kept cool after purchase. Clyde’s recommends refrigeration. \nThere’s More Than Cider\nThe tasting room also contains Clyde’s gift shop\, with merchandise and locally made products that can include handmade earrings\, postcards and art prints. \nElsewhere at the mill\, visitors can browse honey produced by local beekeepers\, jarred foods\, family-made candied apples\, baked goods and other seasonal products. \nThat makes it possible to spend considerably more time at Clyde’s than simply buying a gallon of cider and heading home. \nWatch the press. \nGet cider and donuts. \nExplore the store. \nGo downstairs for a hard cider tasting. \nVisit the wine tasting room. \nBrowse the gift shop. \nIt’s effectively several different experiences spread across the historic property. \nIs B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill Good for Kids?\nYes. \nClyde’s welcomes children of all ages. \nThe working mill is also an opportunity to show kids a piece of machinery doing the job it was actually designed to do more than a century ago. \nThere is no alcohol involved in the regular sweet cider\, and the bakery\, cider and mill demonstration make Clyde’s an easy family fall stop. \nJust don’t confuse the two kinds of cider. \nThe traditional hard cider and apple wines are 12 to 14 percent alcohol and are strictly for adults 21 and older. \nCan You Pick Apples at Clyde’s?\nNo. \nThis is one of the most useful things to know before making the trip. \nB.F. Clyde’s is a cider mill\, not a pick-your-own orchard. \nThe mill purchases apples from small orchards and uses them to produce its cider. \nIf apple picking is part of your fall plans\, you’ll need to visit an orchard separately. \nCan You Bring a Dog?\nYes\, with restrictions. \nLeashed pets are permitted on the grounds. \nThey aren’t allowed inside the buildings or on the porch\, and visitors need to bring whatever they need to clean up after their pets. \nParking Can Be the Hardest Part of a Fall Visit\nClyde’s popularity comes with one predictable problem. \nIt gets busy. \nThe main parking lot can fill during peak periods\, particularly on fall weekends. \nClyde’s asks visitors to try the main lot first and to respect posted no-parking areas and neighboring properties if parking along nearby roads. \nAn auxiliary lot is available at 49 North Stonington Road. It’s approximately four-tenths of a mile from the mill\, so visitors using it should expect a walk. \nIf your schedule is flexible\, a weekday visit can make the entire experience easier. \nIf you’re coming specifically to see the press operate\, Tuesday or Thursday morning offers the combination of a weekday visit and a scheduled pressing window. \nClyde’s Isn’t a Museum\, and That’s the Point\nThere are plenty of places where historic machinery survives behind ropes. \nClyde’s is different. \nBenjamin Clyde started making cider in 1881. \nHe acquired his own mill in the 1890s. \nThe equipment installed in 1898 survived the arrival of hydraulic presses\, mass food production\, supermarkets\, interstate highways and more than a century of changes in how Americans buy their food. \nThe family survived with it. \nToday\, fourth\, fifth and sixth generations are involved in the operation. \nEvery September\, the doors open again. \nApples arrive. \nThe steam-powered machinery starts moving. \nFresh cider begins flowing. \nAnd people line up for cider donuts. \nThat’s why B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill is more than another place to add to a Connecticut fall checklist. It’s a piece of New England’s agricultural and industrial history that never stopped doing its job. \n2026 Visitor Guide\nAttraction: B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill\n2026 Season Opening: September 1\, 2026\nCurrent Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.\, seven days a week\nLocation: 129 North Stonington Road\, Mystic\, CT 06355\nAdmission: Free\nChildren: Welcome\nPets: Leashed pets allowed on the grounds; not inside buildings or on the porch\nApple Picking: No\nSweet Cider: Available\nCider Donuts and Baked Goods: Available\nHard Cider: Available for adults 21+\nApple Wine: Available for adults 21+\nAlcohol Content: Hard cider and wine are generally 12–14% ABV\nTastings: Free; no reservation required\nHard Cider Tastings: Cellar beneath the press building\nWine Tastings: Tasting room\nTasting Hours: Monday–Saturday\, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday\, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.\nTypical Pressing Schedule: Tuesday\, Thursday\, Saturday and Sunday\, 10 a.m.–noon\nParking: Main lot plus auxiliary parking at 49 North Stonington Road\nThanksgiving: Closed\nShipping: Not available\nPreorders/Call-Ahead Orders: Not available \nHard Cider Menu\nAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers History \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \n  \n  \n  \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/b-f-clydes-cider-mill-2026-complete-guide/2026-09-08/
LOCATION:B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill\, 129 North Stonington Road\, Mystic\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:B.F. Clyde's Cider Mill
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/BF-Clydes-Cider-Mill-2026-Complete-Guide.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T220000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260908T010000
DTSTAMP:20260902T224606Z
CREATED:20260902T224410Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260902T224606Z
UID:10007430-1788818400-1788829200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Chapter One Industry Night
DESCRIPTION:Chapter One Industry Night returns to downtown Mystic on Labor Day\, giving the bartenders\, servers\, cooks and other hospitality workers who spent the holiday weekend taking care of everyone else a late-night Monday of their own. \nThe weekly Industry Night returns Monday\, September 7\, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. at Chapter One Food & Drink\, 32 West Main Street\, just steps from the Mystic River Bascule Bridge. \nFor the Labor Day edition\, Chapter One is adding complimentary late-night snacks\, music from DJ Cribb and something particularly interesting for Mystic’s cocktail crowd: a sneak peek at the restaurant’s new cocktail menu. \nIt’s not being presented as the official launch of that menu. This is an advance look\, giving the hospitality crowd the opportunity to see what Chapter One has been working on before the new cocktail program makes its full debut. \nAnd September 7 is an especially appropriate night to bring Industry Night back. \nAfter one of the busiest tourism weekends of the summer\, the people who spent Friday\, Saturday and Sunday pouring drinks\, carrying plates\, working kitchens and keeping Mystic’s restaurants and bars running finally get their weekend. \nIt just happens to start at 10 p.m. on a Monday. \nBecause Weekends Work Differently in the Restaurant Business\nChapter One sums up the idea behind Industry Night pretty well: “Because weekends are overrated when you work all of them.” \nFor people outside hospitality\, Friday and Saturday nights are when the workweek ends. \nFor many people inside it\, that’s when work gets serious. \nBartenders\, servers\, cooks\, hosts\, bussers\, barbacks and managers often work their longest and busiest shifts while everyone else is going out. Sunday can be another workday\, particularly in a destination like Mystic where brunch\, day trips and weekend tourism keep restaurants busy. \nThat turns Monday into something different. \nIndustry nights have long given restaurant and bar workers a place to meet other people who keep similarly unconventional schedules. Instead of starting the party at 7 p.m.\, the night begins late enough for people finishing restaurant shifts to participate. \nAt Chapter One\, that’s 10 p.m. \nLabor Day Makes This One Particularly Appropriate\nThere’s also some nice symmetry in bringing the weekly event back on Labor Day. \nMystic doesn’t exactly take Labor Day weekend off. \nDowntown fills with visitors during the summer\, and Labor Day weekend traditionally represents one of the final big surges before the region begins shifting toward fall. \nThe people working inside the restaurants\, bars and kitchens experience that weekend very differently from the people sitting at the tables. \nWhile visitors are taking one last long summer weekend\, hospitality workers are taking orders\, mixing cocktails\, preparing meals\, clearing tables and working through the crowds. \nChapter One’s September 7 event begins after most of that is over. \nThe late 10 p.m. start isn’t an inconvenience for this audience. It’s part of the point. \nA Sneak Peek at Chapter One’s New Cocktail Menu\nThe most interesting addition to the Labor Day edition may be behind the bar. \nChapter One is using Industry Night to offer a sneak peek at its new cocktail menu. \nThe distinction matters. \nThis isn’t being advertised as the formal rollout of the new menu. Chapter One is specifically calling it a preview\, giving the Industry Night crowd an early look at what’s coming. \nThat’s a particularly fitting audience for a cocktail-menu preview. \nA room filled with hospitality workers is likely to contain people who spend their own shifts mixing drinks\, explaining menus\, making recommendations and watching beverage trends develop in real time. \nThey know what moves. \nThey know what sits untouched. \nThey know what happens when somebody orders an espresso martini while a bartender already has six tickets in front of them. \nAnd Chapter One has made cocktails a significant part of its identity. \nThe restaurant’s existing beverage program includes specialty cocktails alongside wine and draft beer\, while cocktail flights have also appeared as part of its offerings. \nIndustry Night gives that beverage program a natural place to evolve. \nComplimentary Late-Night Snacks Return\nThe September 7 event also brings back late-night snacks\, and for the Labor Day event\, they’re complimentary. \nChapter One’s announcement specifically tells the hospitality community to join them for complimentary late-night snacks as part of the night’s festivities. \nAgain\, the timing makes sense. \nPeople arriving at 10 or 11 p.m. may be coming directly from work. \nA conventional dinner service isn’t really what this event is about. Late-night food is. \nIt’s also something Chapter One has associated with Industry Night before. The restaurant’s Monday Industry Night and late-night food offerings have appeared as part of its nightlife programming in the past. \nSo while the September 7 event marks the return of the current weekly Industry Night\, the concept itself has history at Chapter One. \nDJ Cribb Takes Over the Music\nDJ Cribb provides the music for the Labor Day return. \nThat also distinguishes September 7 from simply being another late Monday at the bar. \nChapter One has long operated with one foot in Mystic’s restaurant scene and the other in its nightlife. \nThe restaurant promotes entertainment ranging from acoustic performers to DJs\, and its downtown location allows the dining room and bar atmosphere to shift as the night gets later. \nIndustry Night leans firmly toward the nightlife side. \nDinner service gives way to late-night snacks. \nThe new cocktail menu gets a preview. \nDJ Cribb supplies the soundtrack. \nAnd the intended crowd isn’t ambiguous. \nChapter One’s invitation begins with: “Hospitality people\, this one’s for you.” \nIndustry Night Isn’t Just a Labor Day Event\nSeptember 7 is the kickoff\, but Chapter One isn’t bringing Industry Night back for a single holiday appearance. \nIt’s returning every Monday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. \nThat’s an important distinction for hospitality workers who are working Labor Day itself and can’t make the first night. \nMonday becomes the regular night. \nThe complimentary snacks\, DJ Cribb appearance and cocktail-menu sneak peek are specifically part of the September 7 Labor Day event. Chapter One has not announced that those particular features will repeat every Monday. \nWhat does repeat is Industry Night itself. \nThat gives downtown Mystic another regular late-night option aimed specifically at the people who work in its restaurants and bars. \nChapter One Has Been Part of Downtown Mystic Since 2016\nChapter One Food & Drink opened its Mystic restaurant in August 2016. \nOwners Daniel Van Kruiningen and Kenneth Fontaine combined their backgrounds in hospitality with their friendship to create the restaurant\, eventually expanding Chapter One with a second location on the Guilford Green in 2018. \nThe original remains in the heart of downtown Mystic at 32 West Main Street. \nIt’s difficult to find a much more central location. \nChapter One sits on the Groton side of downtown\, just west of the Mystic River Bascule Bridge\, placing it within walking distance of the restaurants\, bars and shops clustered around both sides of the river. \nDuring the day and early evening\, Chapter One operates as a full restaurant serving lunch and dinner\, with seafood\, steaks\, burgers and other contemporary American dishes. \nLater\, the personality can change. \nThe restaurant has made live entertainment and DJs part of its identity\, along with weekend nightlife. \nIndustry Night fits that second personality particularly well. \nMystic’s Hospitality Workers Get Their Own Monday Night\nThere’s another reason the idea works here. \nMystic’s food and drink scene has become a major part of the destination itself. \nPeople don’t simply come downtown to see the drawbridge and then look for somewhere convenient to eat. \nRestaurants\, breweries\, bars\, bakeries\, coffee shops and cocktail programs have increasingly become reasons to make the trip. \nThat means a lot of people are required to keep the machine moving. \nThere are the people customers see: bartenders\, servers and hosts. \nThen there are the people they may never see: line cooks\, prep cooks\, dishwashers\, barbacks and others working behind the scenes. \nIndustry Night flips the relationship for a few hours. \nThe people who normally create someone else’s night out get one of their own. \nAnd It Starts When Most People Are Thinking About Bed\nThere’s something wonderfully restaurant-industry about beginning an event at 10 p.m. on a Monday. \nFor a lot of people\, that’s late. \nFor someone who has just finished closing out tables\, cleaning a station or getting through another dinner service\, it can feel like the beginning of the evening. \nThat’s the audience Chapter One is after. \nOn Labor Day\, they’ll get complimentary late-night snacks\, DJ Cribb and an advance taste of the restaurant’s next cocktail menu. \nAfter that\, Industry Night settles into its new weekly home every Monday from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. \nThe weekend crowd can have Friday and Saturday. \nMonday belongs to the people who served them. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Chapter One Industry Night\nDate: Monday\, September 7\, 2026\nTime: 10 p.m.–1 a.m.\nVenue: Chapter One Food & Drink\nAddress: 32 West Main Street\, Mystic\, CT 06355\nAudience: Hospitality and food-service industry community\nLabor Day Features: Complimentary late-night snacks\, music by DJ Cribb and a sneak peek at Chapter One’s new cocktail menu\nRecurring Schedule: Every Monday\, 10 p.m.–1 a.m.\nLocation: Downtown Mystic\, steps from the Mystic River Bascule Bridge \n  \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/chapter-one-industry-night/
LOCATION:Chapter One Food and Drink\, 32 West Main Street\, Mystic\, CT\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Chapter One Food and Drink
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T220000
DTSTAMP:20260903T221807Z
CREATED:20260902T230740Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T221807Z
UID:10007431-1788807600-1788818400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Dutch Tavern Comedy Show
DESCRIPTION:Dutch Tavern Comedy Show brings a night of free stand-up to downtown New London on Monday\, September 7\, with six comedians taking over the historic Green Street tavern. \nDoors open at 6:30 p.m.\, with the show beginning at 7 p.m. Connor O’Brien headlines the evening\, joined by featured comedians Dame FK\, Jenn Richey\, Lucas Estrella\, Casey Frontera and Dimaggio Comfort. \nAdmission is free. \nSix Comedians at the Dutch Tavern\nThe September 7 show brings together a five-comedian featured lineup before Connor O’Brien closes the night as headliner. \nThe lineup includes: \nDame FK\nJenn Richey\nLucas Estrella\nCasey Frontera\nDimaggio Comfort\nHeadliner: Connor O’Brien \nWith six comedians scheduled\, the evening is structured as a stand-up showcase rather than a single-comedian performance. \nComedy Inside a New London Institution\nThe setting gives this show a character very different from a traditional comedy club. \nDutch Tavern has occupied 23 Green Street since 1933\, when Mauritz “Dutch” Nauta opened the tavern following the end of Prohibition. \nThe small downtown bar has survived generations of changes around it while remaining one of New London’s recognizable neighborhood institutions. \nIts history also intersects with New London’s literary past. Eugene O’Neill was among the writers associated with the tavern\, and the Dutch has maintained its reputation as a gathering place for artists\, musicians\, writers and New London regulars. \nFor a stand-up show\, its compact size should put the comedians and audience in unusually close quarters. \nA Free Labor Day Comedy Show\nThe show falls on Labor Day Monday\, providing a free evening option after the long holiday weekend. \nThere are no tickets or admission charges advertised for the September 7 show. \nDoors open at 6:30 p.m.\, giving the audience a half hour before the first comedian takes the stage at 7. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Dutch Tavern Comedy Show\nDate: Monday\, September 7\, 2026\nDoors: 6:30 p.m.\nShow: 7 p.m.\nVenue: Dutch Tavern\nAddress: 23 Green Street\, New London\, CT 06320\nAdmission: Free\nHeadliner: Connor O’Brien\nFeaturing: Dame FK\, Jenn Richey\, Lucas Estrella\, Casey Frontera and Dimaggio Comfort \n\n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/dutch-tavern-comedy-show/
LOCATION:Dutch Tavern\, 23 Green Street\, New London\, CT\, 06320\, United States
CATEGORIES:Dutch Tavern
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T203000
DTSTAMP:20260521T140352Z
CREATED:20260521T140352Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260521T140352Z
UID:10002587-1788805800-1788813000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Monday Trivia at Friar Tuck’s
DESCRIPTION:Monday Trivia at Friar Tuck’s is every Monday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Friar Tuck’s Tavern in Mystic\, bringing weekly trivia competition\, drinks\, and laid-back nightlife energy to downtown Mystic. Hosted by A.C.\, the recurring trivia night invites teams and solo players alike to kick off the week with brain-teasing questions\, friendly competition\, and the atmosphere of one of Mystic’s longtime neighborhood taverns. With free entry and gift certificates awarded to the top two teams\, the event has become a regular Monday night gathering spot for locals looking for something more interactive than the usual start-of-the-week routine. \nMonday Trivia at Friar Tuck’s combines classic pub trivia atmosphere with the social energy that keeps local tavern nights alive year-round in SE Connecticut. Teams gather around tables balancing drinks\, food\, and increasingly competitive debates over answers as the night moves through multiple rounds of questions covering pop culture\, history\, sports\, music\, and general knowledge. The casual setting keeps the event approachable whether players arrive with a full trivia team or simply stop in looking for a fun night out in Mystic. \nLocated in the heart of downtown Mystic\, Friar Tuck’s Tavern continues to serve as one of the area’s recognizable local hangouts for live entertainment\, nightlife\, and recurring community events. Monday Trivia offers a quieter but lively alternative to busy weekend crowds while giving locals and visitors another reason to spend an evening in Mystic beyond the usual tourist season routines. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/monday-trivia-at-friar-tucks/2026-09-07/
LOCATION:Friar Tuck’s Tavern\, 12 Water Street\, Mystic\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Friar Tuck's Tavern
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Monday-Trivia-at-Friar-Tucks-Mondays-630-pm-to-830-pm.jpeg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T220000
DTSTAMP:20260603T224938Z
CREATED:20260602T005710Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260603T224938Z
UID:10004381-1788800400-1788818400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Martini Monday at Milestone
DESCRIPTION:Raise your glass. Monday is once again here\, but thanks to Martini Monday at Milestone restaurant in downtown Mystic\, there’s something to celebrate. Every Monday evening from 5 p.m. to closing\, Milestone is offering house-made martinis for $10. Come in and explore our ever-changing selection of specialty martinis in a casual neighborhood setting. \nCurrently\, we are featuring Espresso Martinis\, Lemon Drop Martinis\, Dirty Martinis\, Cosmopolitans\, and other classic and seasonal favorites. Whether it’s your after-work gathering with friends\, a casual date night\, or you just want a night off from cooking at home\, stop by Milestone on Monday and skip the wait until the weekend to enjoy an artisanal cocktail. And don’t forget about industry night! As part of Milestone’s weekly industry night promotion\, restaurant and hospitality professionals receive a discount on their entire bill. Come enjoy discounted drinks\, delicious food and friendly company on Monday nights at Milestone. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/martini-monday-at-milestone/2026-09-07/
LOCATION:Milestone\, 12 Water Street\, Mystic\, CT\, 06355\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Martini-Mondays-at-Milestone-5pm-to-10-pm.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T190000
DTSTAMP:20260911T012344Z
CREATED:20260831T214505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T012344Z
UID:10007425-1788800400-1788807600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Free U.S. Coast Guard Band Concert at Avery Point
DESCRIPTION:Free U.S. Coast Guard Band Concert at Avery Point brings the Coast Guard’s 55-member premier musical ensemble to the lawn of the historic Branford House on Labor Day\, Monday\, September 7\, for an outdoor waterfront performance overlooking Long Island Sound. \nThe concert begins at 5 p.m. and is scheduled to run until 7 p.m. No tickets are necessary. \nUnder the direction of Chief Warrant Officer Jeffrey A. Spenner\, the full Coast Guard Band will perform a program stretching from Puccini and Rossini to John Williams and Wicked\, along with marches and patriotic music. Three members of the band step forward as featured soloists during the evening: alto saxophonist Joe D’Aleo\, baritone Samuel West and soprano Allison Landstedt. \nAnd there may be no more appropriate setting for the Coast Guard Band than Avery Point. \nLong before the property became part of UConn\, the Coast Guard itself occupied this waterfront peninsula. \nWhat’s on the Program?\nThis isn’t simply two hours of patriotic standards. \nThe September 7 program is designed to show off the range of a full professional concert band\, with opera\, Broadway\, film music\, marches and solo showcases all sharing the program. \nSenior Chief Musician Joe D’Aleo will be featured on alto saxophone in a Tosca Fantasy based on music from Giacomo Puccini’s opera. \nPuccini premiered Tosca in Rome in 1900. Its sweeping melodies and dramatic orchestral writing have kept it among the world’s best-known operas for more than a century. Here\, some of that music moves from the opera house to solo saxophone and concert band. \nMusician First Class Samuel West takes a different trip to Italy with Gioachino Rossini’s “La Danza.” \nWritten in 1835\, the rapid-fire song is based on the tarantella\, the famously energetic southern Italian dance. It demands considerable agility from its singer\, making it as much a vocal showcase as a piece of lighthearted entertainment. \nThen the program jumps forward roughly 170 years. \n“Defying Gravity” Comes to Avery Point\nSoprano Musician First Class Allison Landstedt will perform “Defying Gravity\,” Stephen Schwartz’s showstopper from Wicked. \nThe song closes the first act of the musical as Elphaba makes the decision that changes the direction of her story. Since Wicked opened on Broadway in 2003\, “Defying Gravity” has become one of the most recognizable theater songs of the 21st century. \nThe Coast Guard Band arrangement gives Landstedt the vocal spotlight with the power of a full military concert band behind her. \nIt’s a long way from Puccini. \nThat’s the point. \nJohn Williams Goes to War\, Musically\nThe evening also includes John Williams’ “March from 1941.” \nSteven Spielberg’s 1979 comedy 1941 may not rank among his most celebrated movies\, but Williams’ music produced a concert march that long outlived the film’s initial reception. \nWilliams approached the score with the oversized musical language appropriate for Spielberg’s chaotic World War II comedy. The resulting march has become a concert-band favorite\, filled with the kind of brass\, percussion and instantly recognizable orchestral energy associated with the composer of Star Wars\, Jaws\, Indiana Jones and E.T. \nOn a waterfront that once served as an actual World War II Coast Guard training center\, there’s also an interesting historical connection between the music and the setting. \nYou Probably Know “Thunder and Blazes” Even If You Don’t Know Its Name\nAnother piece on the program may produce an immediate flash of recognition. \nJulius Fučík’s “Thunder and Blazes” is better known in the United States by another title: “Entrance of the Gladiators.” \nFučík\, a Czech composer and military bandmaster\, wrote the march in 1897. Although originally conceived with Roman gladiators in mind\, the piece eventually became inseparable in American popular culture from the circus. \nIts racing chromatic melody became musical shorthand for clowns\, big tops and circus entrances. \nHear the first few notes and there’s a good chance you’ll know it. \nThe Coast Guard Band’s performance brings the piece back to its natural habitat: a large\, technically accomplished wind band. \nThis Is a Military Band Made Up of Professional Musicians\nThe United States Coast Guard Band isn’t a student ensemble from the nearby Coast Guard Academy. \nIt’s the Coast Guard’s professional premier musical organization. \nBased at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London\, the 55-member ensemble performs concerts\, official ceremonies\, educational programs and national tours while serving as the musical representative of the service. \nIts musicians are active-duty members of the Coast Guard\, but they’re also professional performers selected for one of the most specialized jobs in the military. \nThat combination gives the band two roles. \nIt performs ceremonial music when the Coast Guard needs a musical presence for official functions. \nBut on the concert stage\, it operates as a professional wind ensemble capable of tackling orchestral transcriptions\, contemporary concert music\, jazz\, Broadway\, opera\, film scores and solo repertoire. \nThe Avery Point performance falls squarely on that concert side of its mission. \nJeffrey Spenner Takes the Podium\nChief Warrant Officer Jeffrey A. Spenner leads the September 7 concert. \nSpenner joined the Coast Guard Band in 2019 as assistant director and became the first conductor in the band’s history hired from outside the organization. \nHe brought military-band experience with him. \nBefore joining the Coast Guard\, Spenner served with the 399th Army Band at Fort Leonard Wood\, Missouri\, performing as both a conductor and trumpeter. \nHis work extends well beyond military music. Spenner has conducted orchestras and ensembles in the United States and abroad and currently serves as Orchestra Artistic Director with the Manchester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale. \nAt the Coast Guard Band\, his responsibilities include concerts\, ceremonies\, recordings and touring\, along with oversight of education and outreach programs. \nFor the Avery Point concert\, he’ll have the full band rather than one of its smaller jazz or chamber ensembles. \nWhy Avery Point Is Such an Appropriate Place for This Concert\nThe waterfront backdrop is beautiful. \nThe history makes it better. \nToday’s UConn Avery Point campus began as the private estate of Morton Plant\, a railroad\, steamship and hotel magnate. \nPlant built the Branford House at the beginning of the 20th century. UConn records place its construction in 1903–04\, with the mansion reportedly valued at about $3 million when completed. \nThe sprawling estate included elaborate gardens and land that is now Shennecossett Golf Course. \nAfter the Plant era\, the property eventually passed to the State of Connecticut. \nThen World War II changed its purpose completely. \nBefore UConn\, This Was a Coast Guard Base\nIn 1942\, the property was leased to the United States Coast Guard. \nThe former millionaire’s estate became a wartime training center. \nThe Coast Guard constructed additional buildings and used Avery Point to train personnel during World War II. According to UConn’s history of the campus\, the operation included a school devoted to the use of dynamite on nearby Pine Island. \nThe Coast Guard also built the Avery Point Lighthouse during its time on the property. \nThe lighthouse was completed during the war and remained in operation until June 25\, 1967. \nThat same year marked another major transition for Avery Point. \nThe former Coast Guard property became the southeastern campus of the University of Connecticut. \nSo when the Coast Guard Band performs outside Branford House on September 7\, it’s doing so on ground that was once part of the service itself. \nA Concert at the Edge of Long Island Sound\nAvery Point is unusual even among Connecticut’s waterfront concert settings. \nThe campus occupies a peninsula at the mouth of the Thames River\, where the river opens into Long Island Sound. \nBranford House sits near the shoreline\, its stone exterior and broad lawn facing the water. \nThe Avery Point Lighthouse stands farther along the waterfront\, and the campus shoreline offers views across the Sound and toward the approaches to New London Harbor. \nInstead of walking into a concert hall\, the audience gets the Coast Guard Band outdoors with the water behind it. \nFor a band representing a maritime service\, the location does a fair amount of the staging on its own. \nA Labor Day Finale to the Coast Guard Band’s Summer\nThe September 7 performance is part of the Coast Guard Band’s summer concert series. \nThroughout the warmer months\, the ensemble travels to communities around New England for free outdoor performances\, bringing full concert-band programs outside its regular home at the Coast Guard Academy. \nThe Avery Point concert arrives on Labor Day and effectively gives southeastern Connecticut one more major outdoor concert before summer gives way to fall. \nThere are no tickets to buy. \nNo theater seats. \nAnd no need to enter the Coast Guard Academy for this particular performance. The concert takes place at UConn Avery Point in Groton\, not on the Academy’s secured New London campus. \nJust a professional 55-member military band\, a century-old mansion\, two hours of music and Long Island Sound behind the stage. \nEvent Details\nEvent: U.S. Coast Guard Band Summer Concert Series – Avery Point\nDate: Monday\, September 7\, 2026\nTime: 5–7 p.m.\nLocation: Branford House at UConn Avery Point\nAddress: 1084 Shennecossett Road\, Groton\, CT 06340\nAdmission: Free\nTickets: No tickets necessary\nEnsemble: Full U.S. Coast Guard Band\nConductor: CWO Jeffrey A. Spenner\nSetting: Outdoor waterfront concert \nFeatured Soloists and Music\nMUCS Joe D’Aleo\, alto saxophone: Puccini’s Tosca Fantasy\nMU1 Samuel West\, baritone: Rossini’s “La Danza”\nMU1 Allison Landstedt\, soprano: Stephen Schwartz’s “Defying Gravity” from Wicked \nThe program also includes John Williams’ “March from 1941\,” Julius Fučík’s “Thunder and Blazes\,” patriotic favorites and additional concert-band selections. \nGood to Know\nThe concert is outdoors on the grounds of Branford House at UConn Avery Point. \nNo tickets are required for admission. \nThis event is at UConn Avery Point in Groton\, not inside the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London. The Coast Guard’s event listing does not state that the Academy’s REAL ID entry requirement applies to this concert. \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/free-u-s-coast-guard-band-concert-at-avery-point/
LOCATION:Branford House at UConn Avery Point\, 1084 Shennecossett Road\, Groton\, 06340\, United States
CATEGORIES:Branford House at UConn Avery Point
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Free-U.S.-Coast-Guard-Band-Concert-at-Avery-Point.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T210000
DTSTAMP:20260705T023526Z
CREATED:20260609T022239Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260705T023526Z
UID:10005375-1788796800-1788814800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Dock 9 Family Mondays
DESCRIPTION:Dock 9 Family Mondays offers an affordable way for families to enjoy a night out together in Stonington with food specials\, games\, and drink discounts throughout the evening. Held every Monday from 4 p.m. until close\, the weekly promotion is designed to give parents and kids a reason to gather around the table and spend time together after the start of a busy week. \nThe centerpiece of the promotion is a kids-eat-free offer\, allowing one free kids meal with each adult entrée purchased\, with a maximum of three complimentary meals per family. Children can choose from a menu that includes favorites such as cheeseburgers\, grilled cheese\, pasta\, chicken tenders\, quesadillas\, and mozzarella sticks. Open darts are available all night\, adding a fun activity for guests of all ages. \nFamily Mondays is ideal for parents looking for a casual weeknight dinner option that won’t break the budget. Adults can also take advantage of happy hour specials featuring discounted house wine and draft beers while kids enjoy a meal and some friendly competition around the dartboards. \nAdditional Details\n\nLocation: Dock 9\nAddress: u Stonington\, CT\nSchedule: Every Monday\nTime: 4 p.m. to close\n\nKids Eat Free \n\nOne free kids meal with each adult entrée purchased\nMaximum of three free kids meals per family\n\nKids Menu \n\nCheeseburger\nGrilled Cheese\nPasta\nChicken Tenders\nQuesadilla\nMozzarella Sticks\n\nActivities \n\nOpen darts all night\n\nHappy Hour Specials \n\n$5 House Wine\n$2 Off All Drafts\nFamily-friendly weekly dining promotion\nFood and drink specials subject to change by the venue
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/dock-9-family-mondays/2026-09-07/
LOCATION:Dock 9\, 22 Bayview Avenue\, Suite 49\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Dock 9
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Dock-9-Family-Mondays-from-4pm-to-close-in-the-Velvet-Mill-Stonington.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T160000
DTSTAMP:20260721T235339Z
CREATED:20260721T235051Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260721T235339Z
UID:10006966-1788793200-1788796800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Mystic Seaport Planetarium Show: Stars and Stripes
DESCRIPTION:Mystic Seaport Planetarium Show: Stars and Stripes takes visitors on a fascinating journey through American history by exploring how the night sky influenced some of the nation’s most pivotal moments. Presented daily from June 21 through September 7 at the Treworgy Planetarium\, this immersive show reveals the surprising connections between astronomy and events that helped shape the United States. \nFrom Paul Revere’s midnight ride to Abraham Lincoln’s visit to the U.S. Naval Observatory during the Civil War\, and even the planning of the D-Day invasion during World War II\, Stars and Stripes demonstrates how the Moon\, stars\, and the forces of gravity have played unexpected roles throughout history. Combining storytelling with stunning planetarium visuals\, the program offers an engaging experience for visitors of all ages. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Mystic Seaport Planetarium Show: Stars and Stripes \nDates: Daily\, June 21 – September 7\, 2026 \nTime: 3:00 p.m. \nVenue: Treworgy Planetarium at Mystic Seaport Museum \nLocation: Mystic\, CT \nAdmission: Additional fee required \nAbout the Show\nStars and Stripes explores the relationship between astronomy and American history through several remarkable stories\, including: \n\nHow the phase of the Moon helped conceal Paul Revere during his famous midnight ride.\nWhy President Abraham Lincoln made an unexpected visit to the U.S. Naval Observatory during the Civil War.\nHow the gravitational relationship between the Earth and Moon influenced the timing of the Allied D-Day landings at Normandy.\n\nUsing the planetarium’s immersive projection system\, guests experience the night sky as it appeared during these historic moments while learning how celestial events influenced critical decisions and military strategy. \nAbout Treworgy Planetarium\nLocated inside Mystic Seaport Museum\, the Treworgy Planetarium presents educational programs that combine astronomy\, science\, navigation\, and maritime history. Its state-of-the-art digital projection system creates an immersive environment where visitors can explore the universe while discovering the important role the night sky has played throughout history. \nWhy Attend\nStars and Stripes offers a unique perspective on American history by revealing how astronomy has influenced some of the nation’s defining events. Whether you’re interested in history\, science\, or simply looking for an engaging family activity during a visit to Mystic Seaport Museum\, this daily planetarium show provides an entertaining and educational experience. \nTickets\nThere is an additional fee is required for this planetarium program. \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/mystic-seaport-planetarium-show-stars-and-stripes/2026-09-07/
LOCATION:Mystic Seaport\, 75 Greenmanville Ave\, Mystic\, CT\, \,06355-1946\,\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mystic Seaport
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Mystic-Seaport-Planetarium-Show-Stars-and-Stripes-Treworgy-Planetarium-Daily-at-3pm-until-September-7.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T133000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T163000
DTSTAMP:20260903T000248Z
CREATED:20260903T000248Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T000248Z
UID:10007436-1788787800-1788798600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Labor Day Weekend at Stonington Vineyards
DESCRIPTION:Labor Day Weekend at Stonington Vineyards stretches across three days\, September 5–7\, with live music\, food vendors and wine on the vineyard grounds in Stonington. \nThe holiday weekend is part of the vineyard’s Summer Pop-Ups series\, a collection of casual events designed to add live acoustic music and visiting food vendors to a regular afternoon at the winery. Unlike Stonington Vineyards’ ticketed summer Friday concerts\, no tickets are required for the Labor Day weekend pop-ups. Guests can simply visit the vineyard. \nEach day gets a different musical act and food vendor. Saturday brings Violet Theory and South County BBQ. James Harris performs Sunday with Jayy’s Food Truck on site. The weekend concludes Monday with Dillon & Nicole and food from the Mystic Lions. \nThat makes this less a conventional three-day festival than three consecutive afternoons at the vineyard\, each with its own music and food. \nSaturday: Violet Theory and South County BBQ\nSaturday\, September 5\, starts the weekend with Violet Theory performing from 3 to 6 p.m. \nViolet Theory is a familiar name on the southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island live-music circuit\, with a calendar that takes the group through wineries\, restaurants\, breweries\, waterfront venues and other gathering spots across the region. \nThe group performs in several configurations\, including duo and trio arrangements. \nFor the Stonington Vineyards appearance\, the winery is pairing the music with South County BBQ. \nSaturday also offers the longest regular vineyard hours of the holiday weekend. Stonington Vineyards’ current summer schedule has the winery open from noon until 7 p.m. Saturdays\, leaving plenty of time before and after Violet Theory’s three-hour set. \nGuests don’t have to arrive precisely when the music starts. The pop-up is intended to complement an afternoon at the winery rather than operate like a concert with a fixed gate time. \nSunday: James Harris and Jayy’s Food Truck\nThe pace shifts earlier Sunday\, September 6. \nJames Harris performs from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m.\, providing three hours of live music during the middle of the winery’s Sunday hours. \nFood comes from Jayy’s Food Truck. \nStonington Vineyards is open from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday\, giving visitors time on either side of the performance for tastings and wine on the grounds. \nIt’s also worth knowing that Sunday is one of the days Stonington Vineyards normally offers a complimentary winery tour. Those tours are subject to the winery’s current schedule and conditions\, so visitors interested in combining a tour with the Labor Day weekend activities should confirm availability with the vineyard. \nMonday: Dillon & Nicole and the Mystic Lions\nStonington Vineyards keeps the weekend going through Labor Day itself. \nOn Monday\, September 7\, Dillon & Nicole perform from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. \nThe Mystic Lions will handle the food\, serving hot dogs\, meatball grinders and corn on the cob. \nThat gives Monday a particularly local character. \nThe Mystic Lions Club is part of Lions Clubs International’s network of community service organizations\, with local Lions projects traditionally supporting charitable and community causes. \nThe vineyard remains open from noon to 6 p.m. Monday. \nWith the music ending at 4:30\, visitors still have another hour and a half before the winery’s scheduled closing time. \nThree Days\, Three Different Visits\nOne useful thing about the Labor Day weekend schedule is that it doesn’t require committing to an entire festival. \nThere is no three-day pass. \nThere isn’t a single stage running continuously all weekend. \nInstead\, Stonington Vineyards has essentially expanded its Summer Pop-Ups concept across the holiday. \nSaturday is Violet Theory and South County BBQ. \nSunday is James Harris and Jayy’s. \nMonday is Dillon & Nicole and the Mystic Lions. \nSomeone could choose whichever combination sounds best\, or return for more than one afternoon. \nAnd because these are pop-ups rather than ticketed concerts\, the vineyard says no tickets are required. \nOne of Connecticut’s Early Wine-Trail Vineyards\nThe setting has been part of Connecticut’s modern wine industry for decades. \nStonington Vineyards is a founding member of the Connecticut Wine Trail and sits at 523 Taugwonk Road\, away from the busier coastal roads connecting Mystic\, Stonington and Westerly. \nThe vineyard’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound isn’t merely useful for attracting visitors. \nIt also affects the grapes. \nStonington Vineyards describes its location as having a maritime microclimate shaped by nearby ocean waters\, moderating temperatures in a way the winery compares to the conditions found in Bordeaux. \nApproximately 6.5 acres are planted with Chardonnay and another 3.5 acres with Cabernet Franc. \nThe vineyard also emphasizes relatively low yields\, cluster thinning and hand harvesting as part of its approach to winemaking. \nChardonnay Has a Particular Place Here\nStonington Vineyards has built much of its reputation around white wine\, particularly Chardonnay. \nThe property’s combination of soils and coastal climate helped shape the varieties planted there\, with Chardonnay becoming an important part of the vineyard. \nCabernet Franc provides the primary red grape planting. \nThe winery’s broader lineup has also included Riesling\, rosé and its popular Seaport White blend. \nFor visitors who want to sample rather than commit immediately to a bottle\, regular tastings are part of the experience. \nStonington Vineyards currently prices its standard tasting at $16 per person including tax\, with six wine samples and a souvenir glass. \nThe winery stops tastings approximately 30 minutes before closing. \nBring a Picnic If the Food Truck Isn’t Enough\nThe visiting food vendors aren’t the only food option. \nStonington Vineyards explicitly allows visitors to bring their own picnic food and snacks. \nThat’s useful for a holiday weekend when groups may want to settle onto the grounds for several hours rather than simply stop for a tasting. \nThe winery itself doesn’t operate a full restaurant. It carries smaller food items such as crackers\, cheeses\, nuts\, jams and pretzels\, along with flight boxes designed to accompany wine. \nOutside food is welcome. \nOutside alcohol is not. \nStonington Vineyards’ farm winery and craft café license prohibits guests from bringing other alcoholic beverages onto the property. Anyone bringing a cooler for a picnic should keep it to food and nonalcoholic drinks. \nWine and other beverages licensed for sale by the vineyard are available on site. \nLawn Chairs and a Slower Afternoon\nStonington Vineyards’ outdoor events tend to make use of one of the property’s biggest assets: space. \nRather than treating live music as something that requires everyone to stand in front of a stage\, the vineyard’s summer programming encourages the kind of afternoon where people settle in with wine and food. \nThe property includes lawn space\, patios and decks overlooking the vineyard. \nFor the vineyard’s larger summer concerts\, lawn chairs and blankets are explicitly encouraged\, and that same relaxed outdoor approach is a natural fit for the smaller Summer Pop-Ups. \nThe Labor Day weekend schedule also spreads the music through the afternoon rather than pushing it into nighttime. \nSaturday’s performance runs 3–6 p.m. \nSunday and Monday run 1:30–4:30 p.m. \nIt’s daytime wine-country rather than late-night nightlife. \nA Labor Day Weekend Alternative to the Coast\nThe location also provides a contrast with what will be happening a few miles away. \nLabor Day weekend is traditionally busy along the southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island shoreline. Mystic\, downtown Westerly and the beaches can all attract holiday crowds. \nStonington Vineyards sits inland on Taugwonk Road\, surrounded by the landscape that produces its wines. \nThe entertainment remains decidedly local: regional musicians\, area food vendors and a community organization closing out the weekend on Monday. \nThere isn’t an elaborate festival itinerary to follow. \nChoose an afternoon. \nBring some people. \nFind something to eat. \nListen to the band. \nAnd figure out what’s going in the wine glass. \nSaturday\, September 5\nMusic: Violet Theory\nMusic Time: 3–6 p.m.\nFood: South County BBQ\nVineyard Hours: Noon–7 p.m.\nAdmission: No ticket required \nSunday\, September 6\nMusic: James Harris\nMusic Time: 1:30–4:30 p.m.\nFood: Jayy’s Food Truck\nVineyard Hours: Noon–6 p.m.\nAdmission: No ticket required \nMonday\, September 7\nMusic: Dillon & Nicole\nMusic Time: 1:30–4:30 p.m.\nFood: Mystic Lions\nFood Menu: Hot dogs\, meatball grinders and corn on the cob\nVineyard Hours: Noon–6 p.m.\nAdmission: No ticket required \nEvent Details\nEvent: Labor Day Weekend at Stonington Vineyards\nDates: Saturday\, September 5 through Monday\, September 7\, 2026\nVenue: Stonington Vineyards\nAddress: 523 Taugwonk Road\, Stonington\, CT 06378\nSaturday Hours: Noon–7 p.m.\nSunday Hours: Noon–6 p.m.\nMonday Hours: Noon–6 p.m.\nAdmission: No tickets required for the Summer Pop-Ups\nActivities: Wine\, live music and visiting food vendors\nOutside Food: Picnics and snacks are welcome\nOutside Alcohol: Not permitted \n\n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/labor-day-weekend-at-stonington-vineyards/2026-09-07/
LOCATION:Stonington Vineyards\, 523 Taugwonk Rd\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Stonnington Vineyards
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Labor-Day-Weekend-at-Stonington-Vineyards.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T180000
DTSTAMP:20260905T212351Z
CREATED:20260905T212351Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260905T212351Z
UID:10007478-1788782400-1788804000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Odyssey ’26 Greek Festival
DESCRIPTION:Odyssey ’26: A Greek Festival returns to Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church in Orange over Labor Day weekend\, filling four days with Greek food\, live music\, traditional dancing\, cooking demonstrations\, church tours and a sprawling marketplace. \nRunning Friday\, September 4 through Monday\, September 7\, Odyssey is celebrating its 44th year in 2026. The festival is held rain or shine across the church’s grounds at 480 Racebrook Road\, with both admission and parking free. \nAnd if food is the reason for making the trip\, this is not a festival where the Greek menu is an afterthought. Parishioners spend months preparing for a weekend built around dishes ranging from lamb roasted on the spit and moussaka to spanakopita\, souvlaki\, flaming saganaki and loukoumades. \nForty-Four Years of Going Greek in Orange\nOdyssey began more than four decades ago as a way for the Saint Barbara parish to invite the surrounding community into its traditions. \nThe festival has grown considerably since then. \nToday\, organizers describe Odyssey as one of Connecticut’s largest Greek festivals\, with the celebration spreading indoors and outdoors across the church’s country setting. \nThe basic purpose\, however\, remains remarkably close to where it started. \nSaint Barbara’s parishioners use the weekend to share the food\, music\, dance\, Orthodox faith and traditions of their Hellenic heritage with thousands of visitors who may otherwise have little connection to the church. \nThat hospitality is built right into the festival’s greeting: Kali Orexi\, or “healthy appetite.” \nFor Odyssey\, that’s useful advice. \nCome Hungry: Greek Food Is at the Center of Odyssey\nThere is a lot to work through over four days. \nThe 2026 festival lineup includes gyro\, lamb chops\, souvlaki\, lamb on the spit\, moussaka\, spanakopita and Greek salads\, along with an assortment of smaller dishes and appetizers. \nSaganaki brings some theater to the meal. The sharp Greek cheese is flambéed at the festival’s Gourmet Meze grill\, creating the familiar burst of flame before it’s served. \nThen there are the pastries. \nOne of Odyssey’s longtime favorites is loukoumades\, small pieces of fried dough traditionally finished with honey and cinnamon. Other Greek pastries and sweets round out the dessert side of the festival. \nThis isn’t simply a collection of outside vendors selling Greek-inspired food. Saint Barbara emphasizes the work of its own parishioners in preparing the dishes and pastries that have become associated with Odyssey over its four-decade history. \nCooking demonstrations take that idea a little further by showing visitors how some of those traditions make their way into the kitchen. \nA New Taverna Arrives for 2026\nThere’s a significant addition this year. \nOdyssey is introducing a new Taverna\, giving visitors a place to have a glass of Greek wine or Greek beer while listening to live music. \nThe new space strengthens something Odyssey has always had at its center: this isn’t supposed to feel like a food pickup operation. \nIt’s meant to be somewhere people stay. \nRather than grabbing a gyro and heading for the parking lot\, visitors can settle in\, listen to the bands\, watch the dancers and make an afternoon or evening out of the festival. \nAnd there will be plenty of music. \nTwo Live Greek Bands Keep Odyssey Moving\nOdyssey ’26 features two live Greek bands\, with music running throughout the weekend. \nGrecian Nights will perform daily\, including at the new Taverna\, giving visitors plenty of opportunities to hear live Greek music without having to plan around a single concert time. \nMusic and dance are closely connected here. \nThe Odyssey Dancers return with performances of traditional Greek dances\, dressed in costumes that reflect the culture and regional traditions behind the dances themselves. \nFor visitors\, watching is optional. \nGreek festivals have a habit of turning spectators into participants\, and the live music provides plenty of opportunities for people to join the dancing even if their technique isn’t going to earn them a place with the Odyssey Dancers. \nThe Saint Barbara Choir will also perform during the festival\, bringing another musical tradition into the weekend. \nStep Inside Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church\nFood and dancing may bring many people through the gates\, but Odyssey also gives visitors an opportunity to learn about the community hosting it. \nPresentations and tours inside Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church introduce guests to Orthodox Christianity\, the church itself and the traditions represented within its sanctuary. \nThat’s an important part of what separates Odyssey from a generic Greek-themed food festival. \nThe festival exists because of the parish. \nFor Saint Barbara\, sharing Greek culture and sharing the church’s spiritual home are intertwined. Visitors can walk inside\, look at the religious art and architecture and learn why the sanctuary looks and functions differently from churches they may know from other Christian traditions. \nNo religious background is required to participate in the presentations. \nShop the Odyssey Marketplace\nThe festival’s marketplace provides another reason to wander beyond the food tents. \nVendors and festival booths offer goods and gifts alongside the cultural programming\, giving Odyssey the feel of a temporary Greek village spread across the church grounds. \nA giant raffle is another longstanding component of the weekend. \nTaken together\, the marketplace\, music\, dancing\, cooking demonstrations\, church presentations and food make Odyssey an event that rewards wandering rather than following a rigid schedule. \nYou can arrive for lunch and discover a dance performance. \nStop for loukoumades and find live music underway. \nWalk through the marketplace and end up inside the church learning something you didn’t know about Greek Orthodox tradition. \nThat’s essentially how Odyssey is designed to work. \nFour Days\, Including Labor Day\nOdyssey opens at noon each day. \nOn Friday\, Saturday and Sunday\, the festival continues until 10 p.m.\, allowing the atmosphere to change considerably between a family-oriented afternoon visit and an evening of live music\, dancing\, food and drinks. \nLabor Day Monday is shorter\, running from noon to 6 p.m. \nThe festival takes place rain or shine\, with activities spread between indoor and outdoor spaces. \nAdmission is free. \nParking is also free\, with spaces available on the Saint Barbara property and additional parking next door at Holy Infant Church. \nThat makes Odyssey particularly easy to approach as a spontaneous Labor Day weekend trip. There is no admission ticket to justify and no need to commit to an entire day. \nAlthough once the food starts arriving\, staying awhile becomes considerably easier. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Odyssey ’26: A Greek Festival\nDates: Friday\, September 4 through Monday\, September 7\, 2026\nFriday: Noon–10 p.m.\nSaturday: Noon–10 p.m.\nSunday: Noon–10 p.m.\nMonday: Noon–6 p.m.\nLocation: Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church\nAddress: 480 Racebrook Road\, Orange\, CT 06477\nAdmission: Free\nParking: Free\, including additional parking next door at Holy Infant Church\nFood: Gyro\, lamb chops\, souvlaki\, lamb on the spit\, moussaka\, spanakopita\, saganaki\, Greek salads\, pastries\, loukoumades and more\nEntertainment: Two live Greek bands\, Odyssey Dancers and Saint Barbara Choir\nAlso: Cooking demonstrations\, church tours and presentations\, marketplace and giant raffle\nNew for 2026: Taverna serving Greek wine and beer with live music from Grecian Nights\nWeather: Rain or shine \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/odyssey-26-greek-festival/2026-09-07/
LOCATION:Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church\, 480 Racebrook Road\, Orange\, 06477\, United States
CATEGORIES:Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Odyssey-26-Greek-Festival.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T170000
DTSTAMP:20260701T201347Z
CREATED:20260701T201347Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260701T201347Z
UID:10006468-1788778800-1788800400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Luxe CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways at Mystic Museum of Art
DESCRIPTION:Luxe CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways at Mystic Museum of Art explores the history of textiles in southeastern Connecticut\, tracing how fabrics\, fashion\, and craftsmanship have shaped the region from the precolonial era through the present day. On view from June 26 through October 11\, 2026\, the exhibition brings together historic artifacts and contemporary works to examine how textiles reflect labor\, immigration\, cultural identity\, and changing ideas of luxury. \nInspired by southeastern Connecticut’s once-thriving velvet industry\, the exhibition features a collaboration between Mystic Museum of Art\, Historic Stonington\, Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center\, Mystic Seaport Museum\, and the Connecticut Region of the Studio Art Quilt Associates. Visitors will encounter an extensive collection of beadwork\, embroidery\, quilts\, velvet\, fashion\, and textile art drawn from partner institutions and the museum’s own collection. \nThe exhibition also highlights contemporary fashion designers with Connecticut connections\, including Xarea Lockhart\, Toriana Sauro\, Christian Siriano\, and Peter Som. Their work connects the region’s textile heritage with modern fashion\, demonstrating how clothing and material culture continue to influence art\, identity\, and design. Throughout the exhibition\, the museum will present lectures\, artist conversations\, and hands-on workshops that further explore these themes. \nExhibition Details\n\nExhibition: Luxe CT: Velvet Mills to Modern Runways\nVenue: Mystic Museum of Art\nDates: June 26-October 11\, 2026\nLocation: Mystic\, CT\n\nExhibition Highlights\nVisitors will experience: \n\ns\nWorks from Mystic Museum of Art’s permanent collection\nLoans from regional museums and organizations\n\nFeatured Partners\nThe exhibition includes contributions from: \n\nHistoric Stonington\nMashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center\nMystic Seaport Museum\nStudio Art Quilt Associates\, Connecticut Region\n\nFeatured Designers\nThe exhibition showcases work by designers with Connecticut ties\, including: \n\nXarea Lockhart\nToriana Sauro\nChristian Siriano\nPeter Som\n\nAdmission\n\nGeneral Admission: $12\nNew London County residents: $10\nSeniors (65+): $10\nStudents with valid ID: $10\nFree:\n\nMystic Museum of Art members\nYouth ages 17 and under\nMilitary personnel and veterans\n\n\n\nExhibition Programs\nPublic programs are held on select Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 p.m. \nTuesday\, July 7\nMystic Mudlarking: The River and the Rossie Velvet Mill \n\nGuest speaker: Mary Hendrickson\n\nTuesday\, July 21\nImmigration and Industry \n\nGuest speaker: Chelsea Mitchell\, Library Director & Collections Manager\, Historic Stonington\n\nTuesday\, September 1\nConversation with Alana Ryder and Emerging Designers \nFeaturing: \n\nAlana Ryder\nXarea Lockhart\nToriana Sauro\n\nWorkshops\nAll workshops take place in KTJ Studios. \nSaturday\, September 19\nFrom Textile to Art: Felt Collage Workshop \nSaturday\, September 26\nIntroduction to Sewing Workshop \n\nFeatured designer: Toriana Sauro\n\nSaturday\, October 10\nRelief Printing on Silk Scarf Workshop \nWhy Visit\nLuxe CT examines how textiles have connected communities across centuries while reflecting the region’s history of manufacturing\, immigration\, craftsmanship\, and artistic innovation. By pairing historical artifacts with contemporary fashion and fiber art\, the exhibition offers visitors a deeper understanding of southeastern Connecticut’s cultural heritage and its continuing influence on today’s artists and designers. \n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/luxe-ct-velvet-mills-to-modern-runways-at-mystic-museum-of-art/2026-09-07/
LOCATION:Mystic Museum of Art\, 9 Water Street\, Mystic\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mystic Museum of Art
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T170000
DTSTAMP:20260705T020852Z
CREATED:20260510T162306Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260705T020852Z
UID:10000474-1788778800-1788800400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO Bricks
DESCRIPTION:Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO Bricks drops visitors into centuries of maritime mystery and disaster at Mystic Seaport Museum.. The internationally touring exhibition combines massive LEGO® ship recreations with real maritime history\, creating an experience that feels part museum exhibit\, part interactive adventure. As the first American stop for the exhibition\, Mystic Seaport becomes the latest host for a showcase that has previously appeared at major maritime museums in Europe and Australia. \nThe exhibit features eleven detailed LEGO® models recreating famous shipwrecks and maritime disasters spanning thousands of years\, including the Titanic\, the Vasa\, Franklin’s Arctic expedition ships Terror and Erebus\, and the ancient Uluburun trading vessel. Created in partnership with LEGO® Certified Professional Ryan “The Brickman” McNaught\, the displays combine historical storytelling with surprisingly intricate engineering and visual detail. Some models even include cross-section cutaways revealing what happened beneath the waterline. \nInteractive experiences throughout the exhibit invite visitors to test survival scenarios\, operate a remote underwater vehicle\, experiment with ship stability\, and build LEGO® creations of their own. Alongside the models are replica artifacts\, archaeological tools\, and multimedia displays exploring how modern researchers investigate shipwrecks and what those discoveries reveal about trade\, exploration\, disaster\, and human history. The result is an exhibit that works equally well for families\, history buffs\, LEGO® fans\, and anyone who still secretly wants to touch every museum display. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/brickwrecks-sunken-ships-in-lego-bricks-3/2026-09-07/
LOCATION:Mystic Seaport\, 75 Greenmanville Ave\, Mystic\, CT\, \,06355-1946\,\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mystic Seaport
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T180000
DTSTAMP:20260903T140908Z
CREATED:20260903T140908Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T140908Z
UID:10007441-1788777000-1788804000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Connecticut Renaissance Faire 2026 Guide
DESCRIPTION:Connecticut Renaissance Faire 2026 transforms the Lebanon Country Fairgrounds into a sprawling 16th-century fantasy village for nine weekends of jousting\, comedy\, live music\, costumed characters\, artisan shopping\, food\, games and themed adventures. \nThe Faire runs from August 29 through October 25 at 122 Mack Road in Lebanon\, with regular hours from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. It also opens on holiday Mondays\, including Labor Day and Columbus Day. \nFor 2026\, the Faire is advertising more than 40 shows each day across 13 stages\, along with dozens of games and activities and more than 200 artisans\, food vendors and other merchants. \nAnd this isn’t an event where you simply watch from the sidelines. \nWalk through the gates and you enter a village populated by kings\, queens\, knights\, fairies\, musicians\, rogues and other characters who interact with visitors throughout the day. You can watch armored combat\, cheer at the joust\, throw an axe\, shop for a handmade sword or drinking horn\, take the kids on human-powered rides\, eat a turkey leg and end up in a conversation with a member of the royal court on the way to your next show. \nHere’s how to plan a day at the 2026 Connecticut Renaissance Faire. \nWhen Is the Connecticut Renaissance Faire?\nThe 2026 season runs from August 29 through October 25. \nThe Faire is generally open Saturdays and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.\, with special openings on Labor Day and Columbus Day. \nThe season is divided into themed weekends\, so the experience changes as fall progresses. Themes for 2026 include Dragons & Dungeons\, Roses & Romance\, Shirefolk\, Faerie Ring Revels\, Pirates & Vikings\, Time Travelers\, All Hallows and the new Merry Macabre weekend. \nLabor Day weekend\, September 5–7\, is Dragons & Dungeons\, a fantasy-focused weekend built around quests\, heroes and legendary characters. \nCostumes aren’t required to attend. Some visitors arrive in everyday clothes\, while others treat the themed weekends as an opportunity to build elaborate Renaissance\, fantasy\, pirate\, Viking or other character costumes. \nHow Much Are Connecticut Renaissance Faire Tickets?\nGeneral admission for the 2026 season is $18 for adults and $10 for youth\, while children in the Faire’s child admission category enter free. \nAdmission covers the Faire itself and its regular stage performances. Certain games\, rides\, food\, drinks and premium experiences cost extra. \nOne useful change from the way some fairs and festivals operate is that there are no food tickets. Food and beverages are purchased directly from individual merchants. \nSame-day re-entry is also permitted with a handstamp\, so leaving the grounds doesn’t necessarily mean the end of your Faire day. \nStart With the Shows\nTrying to see everything at the Connecticut Renaissance Faire in one day is probably the wrong approach. \nThere are simply too many performances. \nThe 2026 Faire uses 13 stages and advertises more than 40 shows daily. Entertainment ranges from music and comedy to acrobatics\, combat demonstrations\, theatrical performances and interactive shows. \nOne of the biggest spectacles is the armored combat demonstration from the Knights of Gore. These aren’t performers simply swinging lightweight theatrical weapons around one another. The demonstrations feature fighters in plate armor engaging in full-contact medieval-style combat. \nThe Knights of Gore also present educational demonstrations throughout the day covering subjects such as medieval helmets\, the roles of knights and squires and siege weapons including the trebuchet. \nThe Joust Remains a Centerpiece\nIt’s difficult to imagine a Renaissance faire without knights charging toward one another on horseback. \nJousting remains one of the major attractions in Lebanon. \nThe 2026 season includes jousting from Roundtable Productions and Equus Nobilis\, both listed among the Faire’s new entertainment additions this year. \nThe joust combines horsemanship\, theatrical storytelling and medieval-style competition on a scale that’s difficult to replicate on one of the smaller stages. \nIf seeing a joust is high on your list\, check the schedule when you arrive and build the rest of the day around it rather than assuming you’ll simply stumble across the right performance. \nThere Is Plenty of Comedy\nNot everything involves swords and armor. \nComedy is scattered throughout the Faire\, sometimes on a stage and sometimes walking directly toward you in the lanes. \nThe Norfolk Theatricals specialize in interactive theatrical comedy\, presenting deliberately chaotic original plays with audience members sometimes pulled into the performance. \nBone Dallaire roams the grounds as a self-important thespian and playwright whose opinion of his own talent may exceed everyone else’s. \nThe Faire’s cast of Crown Players adds another layer of continuous theater. Instead of performing only at scheduled times\, characters inhabit the village and interact with guests throughout the day. \nThat distinction is important for first-time visitors. \nThe Connecticut Renaissance Faire isn’t simply a collection of scheduled shows surrounded by food booths. The space between the stages is part of the performance. \nMusic Runs From Celtic Traditions to Sea Chanteys\nLive music is another major part of the day. \nThe 2026 roster includes performers working with Celtic music\, traditional folk\, sea chanteys and other styles that fit naturally into the Faire setting. \nJesse Ofgang and the Diaspora\, new for 2026\, combine Scottish and Irish musical traditions with contemporary rhythms using instruments including bagpipes\, whistles and guitars. \nNemeton: Folk Fantasy Music and Dance brings an especially unusual collection of instruments to the Faire\, including bagpipes\, drums\, double flutes\, penny whistles\, English concertina\, medieval small pipes\, rauschpfeife and hurdy-gurdy. \nNew England’s Misfits of Avalon draw from Celtic music with hammered dulcimer\, mandolin\, guitar and violin. \nOther weekends bring different musicians\, including the maritime and Celtic sounds of the Crimson Pirates and southeastern Connecticut’s Bards of Gungywamp. \nBecause performers vary by themed weekend\, it’s worth checking the schedule for the specific date you’re attending. \nSome of the Best Entertainment Is Strange\nRenaissance faires have always left room for acts that don’t fit neatly into a category. \nThat’s part of the fun. \nFor 2026\, Fly by Night joins the Connecticut Faire with a combination of comedy\, juggling\, whip cracking and sideshow skills. The duo of Steve King and Ryan Roberts has been performing since 1990 and appeared as semifinalists on the fourth season of America’s Got Talent. \nCircus Stella puts rescued dogs into a circus environment alongside Dextre Tripp\, mixing canine tricks with juggling\, ladder balancing\, rope walking and unicycling. \nElsewhere\, visitors can encounter puppetry\, dance\, storytelling\, magic and roaming performers without necessarily planning to see them. \nLeave some empty space in the schedule. \nAt a Renaissance faire\, getting distracted is part of the itinerary. \nGames and Rides Go Beyond the Stages\nThere’s plenty to do when you want to participate rather than watch. \nThe Faire’s games and activities include old-fashioned and Renaissance-inspired challenges\, physical games and human-powered attractions. \nSome activities carry an additional fee. \nYou’ll find opportunities to test skill and strength\, explore the Royal Maze and take part in attractions spread throughout the village. \nFor families with younger children\, this can provide a useful break between longer stage performances. \nFor adults\, it can become surprisingly competitive. \nEat the Turkey Leg\, But Don’t Stop There\nYes\, there are giant turkey legs. \nThe Faire’s Turkey Legs and More stand serves the oversized roasted festival staple along with turkey sundaes\, mac and cheese\, smoked chicken\, lemonade and fried dough. \nBut the food selection has grown far beyond the Renaissance-faire stereotype. \nThe 2026 Faire lists 37 food merchants and seven pubs and taverns\, with meals\, desserts\, snacks and beverages distributed throughout the grounds. \nThere are burgers and hot dogs\, chicken sandwiches\, baked goods\, fried seafood\, sweets and a broad assortment of festival food. \nThe Faire also identifies vendors offering vegetarian\, vegan\, gluten-free and dairy-free choices. \nEvery food merchant is required to offer at least one item priced at $7\, an attempt to keep at least one lower-priced choice available at each location. \nOutside snacks and nonalcoholic drinks are also permitted. \nYou Can Walk the Faire With a Drink\nThere are no isolated beer tents requiring guests to remain inside a designated drinking area. \nAdults can purchase alcoholic beverages from the Faire’s pubs and taverns and carry their drinks while exploring the grounds. \nValid identification is required for alcohol purchases. \nThat also makes the taverns part of the atmosphere rather than simply concession stands. \nFor visitors looking for something more structured\, the Faire offers two separate 21-and-over experiences. \nThe Pub Crawl Is a 90-Minute Quest\nThe Connecticut Renaissance Faire Pub Crawl isn’t simply four drink tickets stapled together. \nThe approximately 90-minute experience is hosted by Fae Frostwhiperer and takes a group of no more than 15 participants through four Faire taverns. \nThere are four alcoholic drinks along the way\, but participants also complete challenges\, play games\, sing\, chant and interact with their guide. \nOne stop at Shattered Shield includes Liar’s Dice\, a vegetable platter and an exclusive small-batch mead that isn’t sold from the tavern’s regular menu. \nAnother stop includes a Test of Strength at King’s Inn Crossing. \nPub Crawls depart twice each Faire day\, at 11 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. \nThe price is $75\, plus a processing fee when purchased online. Tickets can also be purchased at Shattered Shield without the online processing fee\, although each crawl is limited to 15 participants and can sell out. \nParticipants must be 21 or older with valid identification. \nRegular Faire admission is not included with the Pub Crawl. \nWhiskey Tastings Offer a Quieter Break\nFor adults who prefer sipping to crawling\, guided whiskey tastings offer a considerably calmer experience. \nThe approximately one-hour sessions explore a curated selection of whiskies\, with hosts discussing origins\, production methods\, flavor profiles and techniques for nosing and tasting. \nCharcuterie is served alongside the pours. \nThe experience is designed for both beginners and experienced whiskey drinkers\, and advance reservations are strongly recommended because seating is intentionally limited. \nParticipants must be 21 or older and bring valid government-issued photo identification. \nLike the Pub Crawl\, a whiskey tasting is an additional experience. Regular Connecticut Renaissance Faire admission must be purchased separately. \nShopping Is a Major Part of the Faire\nDon’t treat the merchant area as an afterthought. \nThe Faire says the 2026 season includes 213 artisans\, games and food vendors\, with 32 new shops joining the grounds this year. \nThe marketplace is where the fantasy world starts becoming something you can take home. \nDepending on the merchant\, visitors can find clothing\, leatherwork\, jewelry\, drinking vessels\, artwork\, fantasy accessories\, home décor and handcrafted goods. \nSome merchants make items that are specifically useful for people building Renaissance or fantasy costumes\, while others sell pieces that work perfectly well outside the Faire. \nFor someone arriving without a costume\, the marketplace also provides an easy way to gradually become more appropriately dressed as the day progresses. \nYou may enter in jeans. \nThere is no guarantee you will leave without a cloak. \n2026 Is a Significant Expansion Year\nThe Faire has added a substantial amount of new material for 2026. \nIts official count includes 11 new shows\, 32 new shops and seven new food offerings. \nAmong the new entertainment are the two jousting productions\, Fly by Night and Jesse Ofgang and the Diaspora. \nThe Faire is also introducing Merry Macabre\, a new themed weekend for October 24–25 that takes the season into darker territory just before Halloween. \nThat expansion matters even to people who have attended in previous years. \nThe basic formula remains recognizable\, but the Faire is deliberately designed so returning on another weekend doesn’t simply reproduce the same day. \nBringing Kids to the Connecticut Renaissance Faire\nChildren don’t have to understand Renaissance history to find things to do here. \nThere are family-oriented performances\, interactive games\, rides and characters throughout the village. \nOne particularly memorable experience is the Knighting Ceremony with the King and Queen\, where children can present themselves before King Basil and Queen Gwendolyn Genevieve and receive royal recognition before the parade. \nThere are also quests and interactive encounters with the Knights of Gore. \nThe Faire’s combination of structured shows and wandering characters means children can become involved in the fantasy rather than spending the entire day watching adults perform. \nYes\, You Can Bring Your Pet\nThe Connecticut Renaissance Faire has an unusually broad pet policy. \nWell-behaved dogs\, cats\, rabbits\, ferrets\, rats and lizards are permitted. \nPet admission is $5 per animal\, while service animals enter free. \nDogs and cats must have proof of current rabies vaccination. A veterinarian’s letter\, email or current rabies tag can serve as proof. \nPets must remain on a non-retractable leash no longer than six feet and owners are responsible for cleaning up after them. \nLivestock\, horses\, donkeys\, mules and other large animals aren’t permitted. \nThe Faire advises owners to bring food and water for their animals. Water bowls may be available from merchants\, but pet food isn’t sold on the grounds. \nPets are also permitted on the parking shuttles. \nParking Has Changed for 2026\nThis is one section worth reading before leaving home. \nThe Faire has a new parking system for 2026. \nVisitors who want to park directly at the Faire grounds at 122 Mack Road can purchase Premium Parking for $10 per vehicle. \nThere are only 525 Premium Parking spaces available each Faire day\, and they must be purchased online in advance for the specific date you’re attending. \nYou cannot purchase Premium Parking when you arrive at the lot. \nVIP admission includes Premium Parking. \nThere are also 125 free ADA parking spaces at the main Faire site for vehicles displaying a valid handicapped placard or plate. These spaces can’t be reserved and are available on a first-available basis. \nMotorcycles can park at the main site for free. \nFree Parking and Shuttles Are Available\nYou don’t have to pay to park. \nThe Faire operates free satellite parking with continuous shuttle service beginning at 9:30 a.m. \nOne free lot is located at 744 Trumbull Highway in Lebanon. \nAdditional parking is available at Lebanon Middle School\, 891 Exeter Road\, and Lyman Memorial High School\, 917 Exeter Road. \nThere is one important wrinkle with the school lots: the shuttles do not pick up directly at the schools. \nGuests parking at either school walk to the Mobil station located between the two schools\, which serves as the shuttle pickup and drop-off point. \nThe last shuttle leaves the Faire 30 minutes after closing. \nAnd don’t blindly follow your GPS. \nThe Faire specifically warns visitors not to use Barker Road\, which police close to through traffic on Faire weekends. \nWhere to Stay\nFor visitors coming from farther away\, the Faire maintains a list of nearby lodging options rather than operating an on-site campground. \nBecause the event runs for nine weekends\, staying overnight can also make sense for visitors who want to attend both Saturday and Sunday without making the drive twice. \nCheck lodging availability early for popular themed weekends\, particularly as the season moves toward October and foliage season in eastern Connecticut. \nWhat First-Time Visitors Should Know\nThe easiest mistake is approaching the Connecticut Renaissance Faire like an attraction where everything follows one obvious route. \nIt doesn’t. \nThere are performances happening simultaneously\, characters wandering the lanes\, merchants to explore\, food to try and activities that can consume far more time than expected. \nCheck the day’s performance schedule first and choose the handful of shows you really don’t want to miss. \nThen allow the rest of the day to happen around them. \nYou might stop for lunch and encounter a roaming performer. \nYou might head toward a stage and spend 30 minutes shopping instead. \nYou might intend to watch one song and stay for an entire set. \nThat’s not poor planning. \nThat’s pretty much how a Renaissance faire is supposed to work. \nConnecticut Renaissance Faire 2026 Details\nEvent: Connecticut Renaissance Faire\nSeason: August 29–October 25\, 2026\nRegular Days: Saturdays and Sundays\, plus Labor Day and Columbus Day\nHours: 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m.\nLocation: Lebanon Country Fairgrounds\nAddress: 122 Mack Road\, Lebanon\, CT 06249\nAdult General Admission: $18\nYouth Admission: $10\nChild Admission: Free\nEntertainment: More than 40 shows daily across 13 stages\nMarketplace: More than 200 artisans\, food vendors\, games and other merchants\nFood: 37 food merchants and seven pubs and taverns\nPremium On-Site Parking: $10\, advance date-specific purchase required\nFree Parking: Satellite lots with shuttle service\nPet Admission: $5; service animals free\nSame-Day Re-Entry: Permitted with handstamp\nOutside Food: Snacks and nonalcoholic drinks permitted \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \nTo purchase tickets\, click the Event Ticketing link below. \n  \n  \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/connecticut-renaissance-faire-2026-guide/2026-09-07/
LOCATION:Lebanon Fair Grounds\, 122 Mack Road\, Lebanon\, 06249\, United States
CATEGORIES:Lebanon Fairgrounds
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T160000
DTSTAMP:20260901T000309Z
CREATED:20260901T000309Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T000309Z
UID:10007302-1788775200-1788796800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Olde Mistick Village Art Show
DESCRIPTION:Olde Mistick Village Art Show returns across multiple summer and holiday weekends\, bringing painters\, photographers\, jewelers\, potters\, woodworkers\, and mixed-media artists to the walkways of Olde Mistick Village. The outdoor art event takes place Labor Day weekend\, September 5–7\, transforming the historic shopping village into an open-air showcase filled with original artwork\, handcrafted goods\, and live creative demonstrations. With free admission and ample parking\, the event gives visitors a chance to explore both the artist displays and the village’s shops\, restaurants\, and summer atmosphere all in one afternoon. \nThe weekend lineup highlights the wide range of artists and mediums featured throughout the series\, including acrylic and oil painters\, fused glass artists\, underwater photographers\, wildlife photographers\, ceramicists\, woodworkers\, illustrators\, and mixed-media creators. Visitors can browse everything from seascapes\, landscapes\, and wildlife paintings to handcrafted pottery\, vintage book purses\, holographic glass jewelry\, carved wooden kitchen utensils\, hand-turned pens\, and underwater photography printed on aluminum. The variety of styles and materials gives the show the feel of a coastal New England art market spread throughout the village pathways and courtyards. \nSet among the brick walkways and Colonial-style buildings of Olde Mistick Village\, the art show blends shopping\, creativity\, and shoreline summer energy into a relaxed weekend outing. Visitors can spend the afternoon meeting artists\, browsing handmade work\, stopping for food or drinks\, and exploring more than 40 independent shops surrounding the event. Whether attending during Father’s Day weekend\, midsummer in July\, or Labor Day weekend\, the Olde Mistick Village Art Show offers one of the region’s larger seasonal gatherings focused on local and regional art. \n\nEvent Details\nEvent: Olde Mistick Village Art Show \nDates: \n\nSeptember 5–7\, 2026 (Labor Day Weekend)\n\nTime: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. each day \nLocation:\nOlde Mistick Village\n27 Coogan Boulevard\nMystic\, CT 06355 \nAdmission: Free \nParking: Free on-site parking \nWhat You’ll Find\n\nOriginal artwork from local and regional artists\nPaintings in acrylic\, oil\, watercolor\, and mixed media\nFine art and underwater photography\nHandcrafted jewelry and fused glass art\nPottery and ceramics\nWoodworking and hand-turned creations\nIllustrations and mixed-media artwork\nOpportunities to meet artists and watch demonstrations\nMore than 40 locally owned shops and restaurants throughout Olde Mistick Village\n\nArtists\nGlass \n\nMarylee Schwarzer~ Shattered Glass Studios~ Fused Glass Décor\nCole Quinn ~ Blown Away Gallery ~ Glass Blower\n\nIllustrations \n\nEric Sturtevant ~ Illustrations~ Original Watercolor/Ink/Pencil Illustrations\, Books\nCarrie Wagner Sepialepus Illustration ~ Colorful Cartography & Illustrations\n\nJewelry \n\nLise Weller~ Omni by Lise ~ Holographic Fused Glass\n\nMixed Media \n\nJohn Houle ~ Burnt Offerings Art with Acrylic Wash\nMichael Michaud ~ Mijumi Art ~Mixed media on canvas and collage on watercolor paper\nTammi Sauco~ Gratefulheart art.com ~Acrylic Mixed Media\n\nPainting \n\nWendy Avery~ Wavery Art ~Acrylic Painting\nVictoria Bishop~ Lyricwatercolors.com ~ Watercolors\nBruce Dumas~ Dumas Art Studio ~ Traditional Acrylic\, Landscapes\, Boats\, Seascapes\nKatie Fogg~ Kfoggstudio~ Color Plein-Air-oil Painitngs\nBeth Goulet ~ Pastels Landscapes & Animals\nLinda Halllinan ~ Unique Visions by Linda~ Acrylic on canvas\nFran Henderson~ Henderson Studio ~ Oil Paintings on Canvas and Recycled Materials\nLeonardo Jaracampos~ Acrylic Paintings Seascapes & Landscapes\nAlexandra Jedrey~ Oil Paintings of Oyster Shells\nDebbie Lindsley ~ Whimsical Accents~ Hand Painted Stones\, Slate & Canvas\nNicole Lynch~ Acrylic/Oil ~Wildlife\nDave Nuvue~ Pastels~ Landscapes\, Sealife\, Wildlife\nSakara Perry~Watercolor & Ink mixed media collage\, using magazines &Acrylic paint on Masonite\nGraciela Perrone~ Oils on Canvas\, Watercolors on Paper\nZack Prosser ~ Acrylic on Canvas\nCarlos Rios ~ Oil Seascapes\, Landscapes\nJeremy Schilling~ Fine Art Oil Paint Contemporary Realist Painter\nAnn Torey ~Crafty Peddler ~ Acrylic Painting with Eggshells\nBeverly Townsend~ Acrylic on Canvas\nNigel Wynter ~Nigel Wynter Art~ Oil\, Sports Themed\, Landscapes Art\n\nPhotography \n\nDavid DelBiondo~ Ocean Visits Underwater Photography ~ Underwater Sea Life\nDoug Hockman ~ Photography ~ Nature/ Abstract Photography on Wood\nNancy Nielsen Photography ~ / Mixed Media ~ Sea Glass\, Driftwood\nTom Sayers ~ On the Wing Photography ~ Wildlife Birds on Aluminum\nJudith Secco~ Framed Fine Art Photography\n\nPottery \n\nMark Bentz ~ Garden Grove Pottery\nPat Shea ~ Pottery by Shea\n\nWood \n\nKen Guarneri ~ My Turn Wood Turning~ One of a Kind Turned on a Lathe\nDon Hart ~ Hart Woodworking ~ Hand Turned Pens/Pencils\, Mixed Media\nRay Medeiros ~Why a Spoon ~ Hand Carved Kitchen Utensils\nBrian Spice ~NeWoodworkz~ Hand Turned Pens\, Pencils\, Sewing Notions\n\nGood to Know\n\nThe event is held outdoors along the walkways of Olde Mistick Village.\nComfortable walking shoes are recommended.\nMany artists sell one-of-a-kind pieces that are only available during the show.\nVisitors can easily combine the art show with shopping\, dining\, or exploring nearby Mystic attractions.\n\nNearby Attractions\n\nMystic Aquarium\nMystic Seaport Museum\nDowntown Mystic\nMystic River Park\nDenison Pequotsepos Nature Center
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/olde-mistick-village-art-show-7/
LOCATION:Olde Mistick Village\, 27 Coogan Blvd\, Mystic\, CT\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Olde Mistick Village
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T230000
DTSTAMP:20260903T151855Z
CREATED:20260903T151855Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T151855Z
UID:10007461-1788771600-1788822000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:165th Woodstock Fair Guide
DESCRIPTION:165th Woodstock Fair returns to South Woodstock for five days over Labor Day weekend\, September 3–7\, bringing one of Connecticut’s oldest agricultural traditions together with major concerts\, livestock shows\, carnival rides\, fair food and several new attractions. \nThe 2026 Main Stage lineup is unusually strong. Tonic headlines Friday night\, Kool & the Gang takes over Saturday\, Trace Adkins performs Sunday\, and Beach Boys co-founder Al Jardine and the Pet Sounds Band close the Fair on Labor Day Monday. The Flying Wallendas and magician Leon Etienne also perform throughout the weekend. \nAll Main Stage entertainment is included with Fair admission. \nBut the Woodstock Fair is still\, fundamentally\, an agricultural fair. Livestock barns\, dairy cattle\, sheep\, goats\, rabbits\, agricultural competitions and the historic Brunn Barn sit alongside the flashing lights of the Fiesta Shows midway. \nFor its 165th edition\, the Fair is adding something new to that mix: Rustic Tap & Vine\, a dedicated beer and wine area featuring Connecticut producers. \nHere’s what to know before heading to South Woodstock. \nWhen Is the 2026 Woodstock Fair?\nThe Woodstock Fair runs Thursday\, September 3 through Monday\, September 7\, 2026 at the Woodstock Fairgrounds\, 281 Route 169 in South Woodstock. \nOpening times vary by day. \nThursday: 4 p.m.\nFriday: Noon\nSaturday: 9 a.m.\nSunday: 9 a.m.\nLabor Day Monday: 9 a.m. \nThursday through Sunday\, the Main Gate remains open until 9:30 p.m.\, with other gates closing at 9 p.m. Carnival rides and games continue until 11 p.m. \nMonday operates on an earlier schedule. All gates close at 7 p.m.\, with carnival rides and games continuing until 8 p.m. \nThe barns and exhibition halls also have their own closing times\, so visitors primarily interested in the agricultural side shouldn’t wait until late evening to explore them. \nHow Much Are Woodstock Fair Tickets?\nOnline general admission for 2026 is $16.95 for adults\, including the processing fee. \nAdmission for active-duty military members with identification is $11.80\, while seniors 65 and older with identification also pay $11.80 online. \nChildren 10 and younger are admitted free. \nOne of the biggest values in the ticket is the entertainment. \nThe major concerts\, Flying Wallendas performances\, Leon Etienne’s magic shows and other stage entertainment are included with paid Fair admission. There is no separate concert ticket required for Kool & the Gang\, Trace Adkins\, Tonic or Al Jardine. \nMain Stage performances are general admission with no reserved seating. \nGuests may bring folding chairs for the grass-covered area in front of the stage. \nFriday Night: Tonic Headlines the Main Stage\nFriday\, September 4\, starts the first full day of the Fair at noon. \nThe Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m.\, followed by Soul Afire at 5 p.m. and Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30. \nThen the Main Stage shifts into ’90s alternative rock. \nTonic performs at 8 p.m. \nFormed in Los Angeles in the 1990s\, Tonic broke nationally with its 1996 debut album Lemon Parade. The record produced the band’s signature hit\, “If You Could Only See\,” along with “Open Up Your Eyes.” \nThe band’s success carried into subsequent albums\, and Tonic earned two Grammy nominations for its 2002 album Head on Straight. \nFriday also brings the Old Fiddlers Club of Rhode Island to Center Stage at noon\, Soul Afire at 2:30 p.m.\, Leon Etienne at 3:45 and the Fair’s Country Karaoke Contest at 6. \nSaturday Night: Kool & the Gang\nSaturday brings the biggest dance party of the weekend. \nKool & the Gang headlines the Main Stage at 8 p.m. September 5. \nFew bands arrive with a catalog more immediately recognizable at a fairground. \nThe group’s decades of funk\, soul\, R&B and pop produced “Celebration\,” “Jungle Boogie\,” “Ladies’ Night\,” “Get Down on It\,” “Too Hot\,” “Cherish” and a long list of other hits. \nThe band’s history reaches back to Jersey City in 1964\, making Kool & the Gang’s longevity particularly appropriate for the 165th edition of a fair that has built its own identity around tradition. \nSaturday’s Main Stage begins much earlier. \nThe Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m. The Stevie Nicks Experience performs at 5\, followed by Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30 and Kool & the Gang at 8. \nCenter Stage has its own schedule beginning with Quest Martial Arts at 10:30 a.m.\, followed by the East Woodstock Cornet Band at 11:30. Quest returns at 2 p.m.\, the Stevie Nicks Experience performs at 2:30\, Leon Etienne appears at 3:45\, and the Pop Karaoke Contest begins at 5. \nSunday Night Belongs to Trace Adkins\nSunday\, September 6\, turns the Main Stage toward country music. \nTrace Adkins performs at 8 p.m. \nThe Louisiana-born singer has spent three decades in country music\, with a catalog that includes “You’re Gonna Miss This\,” “Every Light in the House\,” “Ladies Love Country Boys\,” “Songs About Me” and “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk.” \nAdkins has also been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 2003. \nBefore the headliner\, the Flying Wallendas perform at 1 and 3 p.m. Nick Bosse and the Northern Roots take the stage at 5\, followed by Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks at 6:30. \nCenter Stage begins Sunday at 10 a.m. with Whitney Doucet\, followed by Danielson Martial Arts at 11:15\, another Whitney Doucet performance at noon\, Danielson Martial Arts at 1:30\, Nick Bosse at 2:30 and Leon Etienne at 4. \nAl Jardine Closes the Fair on Labor Day\nThe final day gets an appropriate end-of-summer soundtrack. \nAl Jardine of the Beach Boys and the Pet Sounds Band perform at 5:30 p.m. Monday\, September 7. \nJardine was a founding member of the Beach Boys\, singing and playing guitar as the group created one of the defining catalogs in American popular music. \nHis lead vocals include “Help Me\, Rhonda\,” while his decades with the Beach Boys connected him to records ranging from the early surf hits through Pet Sounds and beyond. \nMonday’s Main Stage begins with the Flying Wallendas at 11:30 a.m. Leon Etienne performs at 12:30\, the Wallendas return at 2\, Red Light Band performs at 2:30\, and Etienne returns at 4 before Jardine closes the 165th Fair. \nThe Flying Wallendas Perform Throughout the Weekend\nThe Flying Wallendas are more than another stage act on the schedule. \nThe Wallenda name has been synonymous with high-wire performance for generations\, dating back to the European circus tradition that eventually brought the family to the United States. \nTheir appearances are spread throughout the Fair\, making them one of the easiest major attractions to catch even if you’re attending primarily for something else. \nThey perform Thursday at 6 p.m.; Friday\, Saturday and Sunday at 1 and 3 p.m.; and Monday at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. \nThat gives visitors nine opportunities over the five-day Fair. \nLeon Etienne Brings Magic to Multiple Stages\nAnother performer will be difficult to miss. \nLeon Etienne’s Magic Rocks appears repeatedly on both the Main and Center stages. \nEtienne has built his act around large-scale illusions\, sleight of hand\, comedy and rock-show energy rather than the quieter presentation of a traditional stage magician. \nHis national television appearances have included America’s Got Talent\, where he became one of the show’s recognizable magic acts. \nAt Woodstock\, he’s performing multiple times throughout Labor Day weekend\, making his show one of the easier entertainment options to work into a full day. \nDon’t Skip the Agriculture\nIt would be easy to look at a lineup containing Kool & the Gang and Trace Adkins and think of Woodstock primarily as a music festival with carnival rides. \nThat misses the heart of the Fair. \nThe Woodstock Fair describes itself as Connecticut’s largest agricultural fair\, and its agricultural competitions remain a major part of the five-day event. \nFriday begins with the Rabbit Exhibition and Sheep Show at noon\, followed by the Goat Show at 1 p.m. and Youth Dairy Cattle Show at 3. \nSaturday starts early with the Dairy Cattle Show and Rabbit Exhibition at 9 a.m.\, Youth Sheep Show at 9:30 and Sheep Lead Line at 6 p.m. \nSunday includes rabbits\, sheep and goats in the morning and Beef Showmanship at 3 p.m. \nMonday begins with the Beef Show and Rabbit Exhibition at 9 a.m.\, followed by the Sheep Show at 9:30. \nThe Youth Dairy Cattle Show on Friday is followed by showmanship and a costume class\, while Sunday’s Beef Showmanship is followed by steer and costume classes. \nVisit the Brunn Barn Museum\nOne of the best places to understand why the agricultural part of Woodstock matters is the Brunn Barn Museum. \nThe barn itself dates to 1822. \nIt was dismantled in 2004 and reconstructed at the Woodstock Fairgrounds in time for the 2005 Fair. \nInside\, the focus is on New England’s agricultural past. \nAntique farm equipment and tools help show how work was accomplished before tractors\, combines and other modern machinery transformed farming. \nThe barn also hosts demonstrations and educational displays. \nIn a Fair increasingly filled with modern entertainment\, the Brunn Barn provides a direct connection to the agricultural history that created events like Woodstock in the first place. \nNew for 2026: Rustic Tap & Vine\nOne of the biggest additions to the 165th Fair is decidedly more modern. \nRustic Tap & Vine debuts in 2026 as a new beer and wine destination inside the Fair. \nThe project was created in partnership with bankHometown\, a division of TruNorth Bank\, along with Taylor Brooke Brewery and Winery\, Bear Hands Brewing Company and Black Pond Brewery. \nThe new attraction opens with the Fair at 4 p.m. Thursday. \nRustic Tap & Vine operates Thursday from 4–7 p.m.; Friday\, Saturday and Sunday from noon–7 p.m.; and Labor Day Monday from noon–6 p.m. \nFor adults who remember when a fair beer meant little more than grabbing whatever was being poured at a concession stand\, the dedicated space gives the 2026 Fair another distinct destination. \nThe Midway Is Back With Fiesta Shows\nFiesta Shows operates the Woodstock Fair midway\, with rides ranging from family attractions to the sort of spinning machinery that looks much more entertaining from the ground depending on your tolerance for centrifugal force. \nThe expected 2026 lineup includes the Super Cyclone Coaster\, Spider Wheel\, Warrior\, Top Gun\, Thunder Bolt\, Zero Gravity\, Hyper Spin\, Pharaoh’s Fury\, Fire Ball\, Spinning Coaster\, Zipper\, Starship Exodus and Hurricane. \nThere are also gentler options including the carousel\, train\, Crazy Bus\, Rock’n Tug and slide. \nRide height requirements vary. \nIndividual ride credits will be available at the Fair\, while advance unlimited-ride options are also available. \nRide Wristbands Can Save Money\nIf the midway is going to be a major part of your day\, buying in advance can save a few dollars. \nThursday’s unlimited wristband is $30 online or $35 on site and is valid from 4–10 p.m. \nFriday is split into two sessions\, noon–5 p.m. or 5 p.m.–close\, with wristbands costing $30 online or $35 on site. \nSaturday\, Sunday and Monday use all-day Megapass wristbands at $40 online or $45 on site. \nThese do not include Fair admission. \nWristbands and Megapasses also aren’t valid for the bumper cars\, mechanical bull\, rock wall or bungee jump. \nFamily Fun Goes Beyond the Midway\nFamilies who don’t want to spend the entire day buying ride credits have another option. \nThe Fabulous Family Fun Area is open all five days with the Records and Burpee Petting Zoo\, inflatable games and Sandtasia Sand Sculpture. \nThe Pork Chop Revue also performs throughout the weekend. \nDespite the name\, it’s not a barbecue demonstration. \nThe show features trained pigs performing tricks and comedic routines and has become the kind of oddball agricultural entertainment that fits naturally at a country fair. \nSaturday also brings Vinny’s Pizza Eating Contest at 2:15 p.m. \nOn Sunday\, the competitive eating turns to dessert with a Blueberry Pie Eating Contest at 2:15. \nYou Can Enter the Karaoke Contest\nThe audience can become the entertainment on Friday and Saturday. \nFriday’s Country Karaoke Contest begins at 6 p.m. on Center Stage. \nSaturday’s Pop Karaoke Contest starts at 5 p.m. \nEach contest is limited to 10 contestants\, and advance registration is available through the Fair. \nParticipants are asked to arrive at Center Stage 30 minutes before the contest\, with registration beginning 15 minutes before showtime. \nSomeone can even enter both competitions\, although a separate registration is required for each. \nLabor Day Starts With a Cornhole Tournament\nMonday morning brings a different kind of competition. \nThe Woodstock Fair Cornhole Tournament begins at 10 a.m. September 7 on Center Stage. \nTwo-person teams compete in either Social or Competitive divisions. \nRegistration is $50 per team\, or $25 per player\, and the entire registration pool goes into the prize purse. \nThe Woodstock Fair adds another $2\,500. \nTournament registration does not include Fair admission or parking\, and players need to bring their own regulation cornhole bags. The Fair supplies the boards. \nCome Hungry\nWoodstock’s food list is enormous. \nThis is still the place for fried dough\, funnel cakes\, sausage and peppers\, giant eclairs\, fried Oreos\, caramel apples\, ice cream\, kettle corn and the sort of food decisions that seem completely reasonable inside a fairground. \nBut the selection goes considerably further. \nThere are lobster rolls and lobster quesadillas from Cousins Maine Lobster; clam cakes and chowder; jerk chicken and oxtails; Polish food including pierogi\, kielbasa and stuffed cabbage; gyros; barbecue brisket; poutine; tacos; empanadas; Indian street food; Thai dishes; Colombian-American food; Mediterranean dishes; bubble tea and specialty coffee. \nYou can find bacon on a stick. \nYou can find chocolate-covered bacon. \nYou can find a deep-fried PB&J. \nThere is even a vendor dedicated entirely to gluten-free fair food\, with gluten-free funnel cakes\, fried Oreos\, chicken tenders\, corn dogs and donuts. \nLocal churches\, Scouts\, Lions\, veterans groups and other nonprofits also operate food stands\, continuing a piece of the Fair that feels considerably closer to its community roots. \nParking Is Not Included\nThis is important for first-time visitors. \nThe Woodstock Fair does not operate an on-site parking lot. \nInstead\, neighboring farms\, businesses and organizations provide parking around the Fairgrounds and set their own prices. \nFor 2026\, the Fair lists several nearby options at $10. \nFairvue Farm is on Route 171 near the South Gate. \nValleyside Farm is near Routes 171 and 169 and provides access convenient to the Main and Service gates. \nSouth Woodstock Baptist Church offers parking near Roseland Park and North Gate roads. \nScranton’s Shops is across the street and diagonally north of the Service Gate. \nBring the extra $10 into your day’s budget rather than arriving expecting admission to include parking. \nPlan on Walking\nThe Woodstock Fair is big. \nBetween the livestock areas\, exhibition halls\, stages\, food stands\, midway\, agricultural attractions and parking outside the grounds\, a visit can involve a considerable amount of walking. \nComfortable shoes aren’t a bad idea. \nIt’s also worth looking at the Fair map before arriving\, particularly if you’re trying to catch a specific livestock show and a Main Stage performance on the same day. \nThe agricultural Fair and entertainment Fair coexist\, but they’re not all concentrated into one compact midway. \nWhich Day Should You Go?\nIf music is the deciding factor\, the choice is straightforward. \nGo Friday for Tonic. \nGo Saturday for Kool & the Gang. \nGo Sunday for Trace Adkins. \nGo Monday for Al Jardine and the Pet Sounds Band. \nFor the broadest all-day Fair experience\, Saturday and Sunday provide early 9 a.m. openings and entertainment running into the evening. \nMonday is a good choice for visitors who prefer an earlier day\, with the Fair opening at 9 a.m. and winding down after Al Jardine’s 5:30 p.m. concert. \nThursday is the abbreviated opening night\, beginning at 4 p.m. \nAnd if the animals are your priority\, check the livestock schedule before choosing a date. Different species and competitions take place on different days. \nEvent Details\nEvent: 165th Woodstock Fair\nDates: Thursday\, September 3–Monday\, September 7\, 2026\nLocation: Woodstock Fairgrounds\nAddress: 281 Route 169\, South Woodstock\, CT 06267\nThursday Opening: 4 p.m.\nFriday Opening: Noon\nSaturday Opening: 9 a.m.\nSunday Opening: 9 a.m.\nMonday Opening: 9 a.m.\nAdult Online Admission: $16.95 including processing fee\nSenior 65+ Online Admission: $11.80 with ID\nActive-Duty Military Online Admission: $11.80 with ID\nChildren: Ages 10 and younger free\nMain Stage Headliners: Tonic\, Kool & the Gang\, Trace Adkins\, Al Jardine of the Beach Boys and the Pet Sounds Band\nOther Major Entertainment: Flying Wallendas and Leon Etienne’s Magic Rocks\nNew for 2026: Rustic Tap & Vine\nMidway: Fiesta Shows\nParking: Nearby independently operated lots; listed 2026 options are $10\nMain Stage Shows: Included with paid Fair admission; general admission seating \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \nTo purchase tickets\, click the Event Ticketing link below. \n\n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/165th-woodstock-fair-guide/2026-09-07/
LOCATION:Woodstock Fairgrounds\, 281 Route 169\, South Woodstock\, 06267\, United States
CATEGORIES:Woodstock Fairgrounds
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/165th-Woodstock-Fair-Guide.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260907T180000
DTSTAMP:20260901T212201Z
CREATED:20260901T212201Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T212201Z
UID:10007309-1788771600-1788804000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill 2026: Complete Guide
DESCRIPTION:B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill is now open for the 2026 season\, beginning another fall of fresh-pressed sweet cider\, cider donuts\, traditional hard cider\, apple wine and one of the most unusual pieces of working history in Connecticut. \nThe family-owned Old Mystic landmark opened for the season September 1 and is currently scheduled to operate seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 129 North Stonington Road. \nBut calling Clyde’s a cider shop doesn’t quite explain why generations of families make a trip here every fall. \nThe mill has been family-owned since 1881. Fourth\, fifth and sixth generations of the family still work in the business. Apples are still crushed and pressed using historic machinery powered by steam. Visitors can watch the machinery operate\, descend into the cellar for traditional hard cider tastings\, sample apple wines in a converted grist mill and leave with a bag of cider donuts. \nClyde’s calls itself the oldest steam-powered cider mill in the United States. \nMore precisely\, it is the last operating steam-powered cider mill in the country\, according to the mill\, and its historic cider-making machinery has been recognized by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers as a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark. \nIt isn’t a reproduction of an old cider mill. \nIt’s the real thing. \nA Mystic Fall Tradition Since 1881\nThe story begins with Benjamin F. Clyde. \nIn 1881\, Clyde began producing cider from apples he had pressed at other local mills. He eventually rented a press before purchasing his own mill in 1897. \nThe equipment that followed would become the heart of the operation visitors still come to see. \nClyde purchased a screw press manufactured by Boomer & Boschert of Syracuse\, New York. The company also supplied the apple grater\, elevator and cider pump\, along with plans for the mill building. \nThe machinery was installed in 1898. \nAt the time\, cider mills were hardly unusual in rural America. \nThey served much the same role for apple growers that grist mills did for farmers growing grain. Orchards could bring surplus apples to a centrally located mill\, where the fruit could be processed and pressed into juice. Some of that juice could then be fermented into hard cider. \nMost of those community mills disappeared. \nClyde’s didn’t. \nThe Steam-Powered Mill Is Still Working\nThat’s what makes a visit different from touring a preserved historic building. \nThe machinery still has a job. \nApples enter the cider-making system and are elevated to a grinder\, where they’re reduced to pulp. That pulp is prepared for pressing\, and the historic screw press applies the tremendous pressure needed to extract the juice. \nThe technology was impressive for its era. \nAccording to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers\, the all-steel screw press could apply pressure at three speeds and represented one of the last generations of screw presses before hydraulic presses became widespread during the 20th century. \nASME designated B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark in 1994\, recognizing the machinery as a rare survivor of an industry that was once common throughout America’s apple-growing regions. \nMore than a century after the equipment was installed\, Clyde’s still uses the mill to make cider. \nWhen Can You Watch Clyde’s Press Cider?\nVisitors don’t have to settle for looking at the machinery. \nClyde’s runs it during the season. \nThe mill’s typical pressing schedule is: \nTuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m.–noon\nSaturday and Sunday: 10 a.m.–noon \nThe schedule can vary because Clyde’s presses according to production needs\, so the machinery isn’t guaranteed to be running continuously throughout those periods. \nEven when the press isn’t operating\, visitors are welcome to look inside the historic press building. \nFor anyone specifically interested in seeing the steam-powered machinery at work\, a pressing morning is the best time to plan a visit. \nHow Clyde’s Makes Sweet Cider\nFresh sweet cider is the product that started everything. \nClyde’s purchases its apples from small orchards rather than operating a pick-your-own orchard of its own. The apples are processed at the mill and pressed into cider using the historic equipment. \nThe finished sweet cider is flash pasteurized on the property. \nVisitors can buy cider to take home or drink it while visiting\, and seasonal cider drinks have become part of the experience alongside the mill’s baked goods. \nThat combination has helped turn what was originally a working agricultural business into a fall destination. \nYou can come to learn how a 19th-century cider press works. \nYou can also come because you want cider and a donut. \nNeither is the wrong reason. \nAbout Those Clyde’s Cider Donuts\nFor plenty of visitors\, the steam engine has competition. \nClyde’s cider donuts have become almost as closely associated with the mill as the cider itself. \nThe store sells its well-known cider donuts along with other baked goods and seasonal treats. The selection can vary\, but the broader shop also carries jarred products\, honey from local beekeepers\, candied apples made by the family and other locally produced goods. \nIt’s part bakery\, part country store and part historic attraction. \nAnd on a busy fall weekend\, the line is evidence that plenty of people know exactly what they came for. \nThen There Is the Cider Downstairs\nThe word “cider” gets considerably more complicated at Clyde’s. \nSweet cider is only part of the story. \nClyde’s also makes traditional hard cider using a process very different from the sweeter\, carbonated canned ciders that have become common in supermarkets and bars. \nThe hard cider begins with apple juice and ferments before aging in oak whiskey barrels. \nThe process from juice to finished hard cider typically takes about a year. \nAfter fermentation and aging\, the hard cider receives relatively little filtration before being sold. That preserves more of the raw\, oaky character produced by the barrel. \nThe result is considerably stronger than many commercial hard ciders. \nClyde’s hard ciders and apple wines generally contain 12 to 14 percent alcohol. \nHard Cider vs. Apple Wine: What’s the Difference?\nThis is one of the more interesting parts of Clyde’s operation because the two products begin in essentially the same place. \nBoth the hard cider and apple wine start as fermented apple juice aged in oak whiskey barrels. \nWhat happens afterward separates them. \nClyde’s hard cider is only lightly filtered to remove sediment. That leaves it with a bolder flavor\, more pronounced oak character and more bite. \nThe apple wine receives considerably more filtration. \nThat additional processing produces a smoother\, somewhat sweeter product that is also shelf stable before opening. \nSo someone expecting Clyde’s hard cider to taste like a modern canned hard cider may be surprised. \nThis is closer to an older cider-making tradition. \nWhat’s in the Hard Cider Cellar?\nThe hard cider cellar sits underneath the press building. \nThat’s where visitors can taste Clyde’s traditional hard ciders and where the product has been made for generations. \nAvailability changes throughout the season\, but Clyde’s 2026 lineup includes several recurring varieties. \nThe Original is the starting point. It’s dry\, without added fruit flavors competing with the oak character of the barrel. \nLucky Lion is also dry and crisp\, with a character Clyde’s says some drinkers compare to Scotch. \nBlackout goes even further in that direction. It’s Clyde’s most popular hard cider and wine flavor\, with strong oak notes that the mill describes as almost reminiscent of whiskey. \nThen things get fruitier. \nBoomerang combines apple and cranberry for a tart\, sweeter cider. \nGoodfella adds blackberry and lands on the sweeter end of the lineup. \nYellow Jacket combines apple and orange\, producing some sweetness with a citrus bite. \nCherry Bomb adds another fruit-driven option. \nBecause Clyde’s rotates its hard ciders\, individual varieties can change during the season. \nThe Apple Wine List Goes Much Further\nThe wine side of the operation offers even more variety. \nClyde’s currently lists 14 apple wines\, ranging from dry expressions of apple to much sweeter fruit combinations. \nApple Wine is the driest of the wine lineup. \nSpiced Apple uses mulling spices for a distinctly fall-oriented version. \nSpider Cider combines sweetness with pumpkin spices and can be warmed or used in a hot toddy. \nStrawberry Bliss is the sweetest wine in the lineup\, combining apple and strawberry. \nBlueberry Spinner combines apple and blueberry. \nApple Raspberry leans sweet but tart. \nCider House Blend combines apple\, orange and cranberry. \nSeveral of the hard cider varieties\, including Original\, Lucky Lion\, Blackout\, Boomerang\, Goodfella and Yellow Jacket\, are also produced as wines. \nThe distinction comes back to filtration. \nSame roots. \nDifferent finish. \nYes\, You Can Taste Them for Free\nClyde’s offers separate hard cider and wine tastings throughout its season. \nAnd the tastings are free. \nNo purchase is required and no reservation is necessary. \nVisitors can sample up to four hard ciders and up to four wines at their respective tasting locations. \nHard cider tastings take place in the cellar beneath the press building. \nWine tastings are held in the tasting room\, which has its own connection to the property’s history: the building is a converted grist mill once used to produce johnnycake meal. \nTastings are first-come\, first-served. \nCurrent tasting hours are: \nMonday–Saturday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.\nSunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. \nEveryone participating in a tasting must show a valid ID\, regardless of age or appearance. Clyde’s does not accept expired IDs or photographs of identification. \nConnecticut alcohol rules also mean Clyde’s cannot sell its hard cider or wine before 10 a.m. on Sundays. \nA Few Clyde’s Flavors to Know Before You Taste\nIf you don’t know where to start\, the tasting bottles are generally arranged from driest to sweetest\, and the staff can help narrow the choices. \nFor something dry: Original or Apple Wine. \nFor strong oak character: Blackout. \nFor dry and crisp: Lucky Lion. \nFor tart cranberry: Boomerang. \nFor something sweeter: Goodfella. \nFor fall spice: Spiced Apple or Spider Cider. \nFor very sweet fruit: Strawberry Bliss or Blueberry Spinner. \nOne warning for anyone accustomed to mass-market hard cider: remember the alcohol content. \nAt 12 to 14 percent ABV\, Clyde’s hard cider is much closer to wine strength than a typical bottle or can of commercial cider. \nCan You Bring Back a Clyde’s Growler?\nYes. \nClyde’s sells 64-ounce growlers of hard cider and offers growler refills. \nThere are a couple of important rules. \nClyde’s refills growlers rather than exchanging them\, so customers should clean their growler before bringing it back. The mill can only refill glass growlers that have a stamped or imprinted 64-ounce measurement. \nWine cannot be used for growler fills. \nThe refill program is for hard cider. \nHard cider should also be kept cool after purchase. Clyde’s recommends refrigeration. \nThere’s More Than Cider\nThe tasting room also contains Clyde’s gift shop\, with merchandise and locally made products that can include handmade earrings\, postcards and art prints. \nElsewhere at the mill\, visitors can browse honey produced by local beekeepers\, jarred foods\, family-made candied apples\, baked goods and other seasonal products. \nThat makes it possible to spend considerably more time at Clyde’s than simply buying a gallon of cider and heading home. \nWatch the press. \nGet cider and donuts. \nExplore the store. \nGo downstairs for a hard cider tasting. \nVisit the wine tasting room. \nBrowse the gift shop. \nIt’s effectively several different experiences spread across the historic property. \nIs B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill Good for Kids?\nYes. \nClyde’s welcomes children of all ages. \nThe working mill is also an opportunity to show kids a piece of machinery doing the job it was actually designed to do more than a century ago. \nThere is no alcohol involved in the regular sweet cider\, and the bakery\, cider and mill demonstration make Clyde’s an easy family fall stop. \nJust don’t confuse the two kinds of cider. \nThe traditional hard cider and apple wines are 12 to 14 percent alcohol and are strictly for adults 21 and older. \nCan You Pick Apples at Clyde’s?\nNo. \nThis is one of the most useful things to know before making the trip. \nB.F. Clyde’s is a cider mill\, not a pick-your-own orchard. \nThe mill purchases apples from small orchards and uses them to produce its cider. \nIf apple picking is part of your fall plans\, you’ll need to visit an orchard separately. \nCan You Bring a Dog?\nYes\, with restrictions. \nLeashed pets are permitted on the grounds. \nThey aren’t allowed inside the buildings or on the porch\, and visitors need to bring whatever they need to clean up after their pets. \nParking Can Be the Hardest Part of a Fall Visit\nClyde’s popularity comes with one predictable problem. \nIt gets busy. \nThe main parking lot can fill during peak periods\, particularly on fall weekends. \nClyde’s asks visitors to try the main lot first and to respect posted no-parking areas and neighboring properties if parking along nearby roads. \nAn auxiliary lot is available at 49 North Stonington Road. It’s approximately four-tenths of a mile from the mill\, so visitors using it should expect a walk. \nIf your schedule is flexible\, a weekday visit can make the entire experience easier. \nIf you’re coming specifically to see the press operate\, Tuesday or Thursday morning offers the combination of a weekday visit and a scheduled pressing window. \nClyde’s Isn’t a Museum\, and That’s the Point\nThere are plenty of places where historic machinery survives behind ropes. \nClyde’s is different. \nBenjamin Clyde started making cider in 1881. \nHe acquired his own mill in the 1890s. \nThe equipment installed in 1898 survived the arrival of hydraulic presses\, mass food production\, supermarkets\, interstate highways and more than a century of changes in how Americans buy their food. \nThe family survived with it. \nToday\, fourth\, fifth and sixth generations are involved in the operation. \nEvery September\, the doors open again. \nApples arrive. \nThe steam-powered machinery starts moving. \nFresh cider begins flowing. \nAnd people line up for cider donuts. \nThat’s why B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill is more than another place to add to a Connecticut fall checklist. It’s a piece of New England’s agricultural and industrial history that never stopped doing its job. \n2026 Visitor Guide\nAttraction: B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill\n2026 Season Opening: September 1\, 2026\nCurrent Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.\, seven days a week\nLocation: 129 North Stonington Road\, Mystic\, CT 06355\nAdmission: Free\nChildren: Welcome\nPets: Leashed pets allowed on the grounds; not inside buildings or on the porch\nApple Picking: No\nSweet Cider: Available\nCider Donuts and Baked Goods: Available\nHard Cider: Available for adults 21+\nApple Wine: Available for adults 21+\nAlcohol Content: Hard cider and wine are generally 12–14% ABV\nTastings: Free; no reservation required\nHard Cider Tastings: Cellar beneath the press building\nWine Tastings: Tasting room\nTasting Hours: Monday–Saturday\, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sunday\, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.\nTypical Pressing Schedule: Tuesday\, Thursday\, Saturday and Sunday\, 10 a.m.–noon\nParking: Main lot plus auxiliary parking at 49 North Stonington Road\nThanksgiving: Closed\nShipping: Not available\nPreorders/Call-Ahead Orders: Not available \nHard Cider Menu\nAmerican Society of Mechanical Engineers History \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \n  \n  \n  \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/b-f-clydes-cider-mill-2026-complete-guide/2026-09-07/
LOCATION:B.F. Clyde’s Cider Mill\, 129 North Stonington Road\, Mystic\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:B.F. Clyde's Cider Mill
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260906T193000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260906T210000
DTSTAMP:20260428T051212Z
CREATED:20260428T051212Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260428T051212Z
UID:10000093-1788723000-1788728400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Goo Goo Dolls with special guest Neon Trees
DESCRIPTION:There’s a certain kind of summer-night soundtrack that just feels right the second it starts… and Goo Goo Dolls have been writing that kind of music for decades. Songs like “Iris\,” “Slide\,” and “Name” don’t just play\, they linger… the kind you catch yourself singing without realizing it. On their Summer 2026 tour\, that mix of alt-rock and melody-driven emotion comes through live in a way that feels both nostalgic and completely present. \nFrontman John Rzeznik brings a worn-in\, familiar energy to the stage… not flashy\, just real. The band leans into what they do best: big choruses\, clean guitar lines\, and songs that build into something you can feel across a crowd. It’s the kind of set where one track rolls into the next and suddenly you’re deep into it\, surrounded by people who know every word. \nOpening the night\, Neon Trees bring a brighter\, more upbeat pulse that sets the tone early. With songs like “Animal” and “Everybody Talks\,” they hit that sweet spot between indie pop and rock\, keeping the energy up and the crowd moving. Together\, it makes for a night that shifts naturally… from high-energy singalongs to those quieter\, reflective moments… the kind of show that feels made for warm air\, open skies\, and not wanting it to end too soon.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/goo-goo-dolls-with-special-guest-neon-trees/
LOCATION:Mohegan Sun\, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd\, Uncasville\, 06382\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mohegan Sun
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Goo-Goo-Dolls.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260906T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260906T220000
DTSTAMP:20260831T002602Z
CREATED:20260831T002602Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260831T002602Z
UID:10007284-1788717600-1788732000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:The FIXX\, Colin Blunstone and Peter Asher
DESCRIPTION:The FIXX\, Colin Blunstone and Peter Asher at the United bring three distinct chapters of British rock history to Westerly on Sunday\, September 6\, for a triple bill stretching from the first British Invasion through new wave and the MTV era. \nThe show begins at 7:30 p.m.\, with doors opening at 6 p.m. Tickets are $73 to $83\, including fees. The orchestra section is sold out as of publication\, but tickets remain available in the center and balcony sections. \nCalling this simply a night of ’80s music wouldn’t come close. \nBetween the three acts are connections to The Beatles\, The Zombies\, James Taylor\, Linda Ronstadt\, the birth of MTV-era new wave and some of the most recognizable records of the past 60 years. \nThe FIXX and the Sound of the MTV Era\nFor anyone who had MTV playing in the early 1980s\, it doesn’t take long to recognize The FIXX. \n“One Thing Leads to Another.” \n“Saved by Zero.” \n“Red Skies.” \n“Stand or Fall.” \nThe British band emerged at precisely the moment when music videos were becoming inseparable from pop music\, but there was something darker and more complicated underneath their sleek new-wave sound. \nFormed in London in 1979\, The FIXX developed a combination of guitar\, synthesizers\, sharp rhythms and often politically or socially observant lyrics. The sound fit the new decade without sounding quite like anyone else occupying it. \nTheir breakthrough in the United States came with 1983’s Reach the Beach. “One Thing Leads to Another” became the band’s biggest American hit\, while “Saved by Zero” became another defining song of the era. \nMore than four decades later\, much of the lineup responsible for that sound remains together: vocalist Cy Curnin\, keyboardist Rupert Greenall\, guitarist Jamie West-Oram and drummer Adam Woods\, joined by bassist Dan K. Brown. \nThis isn’t a version of The FIXX built around a lone surviving member and a new backing band. \nThe musical core remains remarkably intact. \nThe Voice Behind The Zombies\nThen the clock moves backward another 20 years. \nColin Blunstone was still a teenager when he became the lead singer of The Zombies\, one of the most distinctive groups to emerge from Britain’s first great wave of rock bands. \nHis voice is immediately recognizable on “She’s Not There\,” the band’s 1964 breakthrough. \nThen came “Tell Her No.” \nAnd finally\, “Time of the Season.” \nThat last song appeared on Odessey and Oracle\, the 1968 album that would eventually be regarded as one of the landmark records of the psychedelic era. \nThere’s an irony to its success. The Zombies had already broken up by the time “Time of the Season” became a major hit in America. \nBlunstone went on to build a solo career that included albums such as One Year\, Ennismore and Journey. He also became the voice behind “Old and Wise” by The Alan Parsons Project. \nHis Westerly performance is designed to travel through that entire history\, combining Zombies classics with material from his solo career and collaborations. \nBlunstone is now 81. \nWhat began as a teenage adventure has become a career spanning seven decades. \nThe Zombies were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2019. \nPeter Asher’s Extraordinary Trip Through Pop History\nAnd then there’s Peter Asher. \nHis career almost sounds invented. \nAsher first became famous as one half of Peter & Gordon during the British Invasion. Their 1964 recording of “A World Without Love\,” written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon-McCartney\, reached No. 1 in both the United States and Britain. \nPeter & Gordon followed it with a string of hits including “I Go to Pieces\,” “Lady Godiva” and other Lennon-McCartney compositions. \nBut performing turned out to be only the beginning. \nAsher became an A&R executive at The Beatles’ Apple Records\, where he signed and began working with a young American singer-songwriter named James Taylor. \nWhen Asher moved to the United States\, his second career exploded. \nHe became Taylor’s manager and producer and went on to produce some of Linda Ronstadt’s defining recordings. Across the decades\, his work has connected him with artists including Carole King\, Joni Mitchell\, Neil Diamond\, Cher and Diana Ross. \nHis producing career earned multiple Grammys. \nAnd he’s still doing it. \nAsher co-produced Barbra Streisand’s 2025 album The Secret of Life: Partners\, Volume Two\, putting him in recording sessions involving another extraordinary collection of artists more than 60 years after Peter & Gordon first reached No. 1. \nHe was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2015. \nSongs With the Stories Behind Them\nAsher’s portion of Sunday’s concert takes a different form from a conventional rock set. \nIt’s built around songs and storytelling. \nHe performs on vocals and guitar\, joined by Robert Berry on piano\, bass and vocals and Aubrey Richmond on violin\, mandolin and vocals. \nThat format gives him room to do something few musicians can. \nHe can tell stories about the British Invasion because he was there. \nHe can talk about The Beatles’ Apple Records because he worked there. \nHe can talk about discovering and producing records with James Taylor because he did it. \nAnd he can play the songs that started the entire journey. \nThree Generations on One Stage\nThat’s what makes the combination of these three acts more interesting than a conventional nostalgia package. \nPeter Asher takes the story back to the British Invasion and the orbit surrounding The Beatles. \nColin Blunstone brings the unmistakable voice of The Zombies and the increasingly adventurous British pop music that followed. \nThe FIXX picks up the story more than a decade later\, when another generation of British musicians crossed the Atlantic through FM radio and a new television network called MTV. \nTheir careers don’t belong to the same moment. \nThat’s the point. \nPut them together and Sunday’s concert becomes something close to a musical timeline: from “A World Without Love” and “She’s Not There” to “Time of the Season\,” “One Thing Leads to Another” and “Saved by Zero.” \nRoughly 20 years separate some of those records. \nMore than 60 years separate the earliest from the concert happening in Westerly. \nA Rare Tour Comes Through Westerly\nThe Westerly performance is part of a month-long U.S. tour bringing the three acts together. \nThe tour begins September 2 in Massachusetts and continues through September\, making the UNITED one of the early stops. \nIt’s also a particularly fitting show for the restored downtown theater. \nThe UNITED Theatre originally opened in 1926 and has been reborn as a regional film\, music and arts venue. Its Black Box Auditorium offers a much more intimate setting for these artists than the arenas and large theaters their music has filled over the decades. \nFor this performance\, the room will be fully seated. \nAnd some of those seats are already gone. \nThe orchestra section is sold out as of publication\, with tickets still available in the center and balcony. \nFor three artists whose careers collectively stretch back to the early 1960s\, there’s still an audience that wants to hear what comes next. \nEvent Details\nEvent: The FIXX\, Colin Blunstone and Peter Asher\nDate: Sunday\, September 6\, 2026\nShow: 7:30 p.m.\nDoors: 6 p.m.\nLocation: The UNITED Theatre\nAddress: 5 Canal Street\, Westerly\, RI 02891\nVenue: Black Box Auditorium\nTickets: $73–$83\, inclusive of fees\nAges: All ages\nSeating: Fully seated performance\nTicket Availability at Publication: Orchestra sold out; center and balcony seats remain available\nPerformers: The FIXX\, Colin Blunstone and Peter Asher \nThe FIXX\, Colin Blunstone and Peter Asher bring more than six decades of British rock and pop history together for one night at the UNITED Theatre in Westerly. \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \nTo purchase tickets\, click the Event Ticketing link below. \nURL’s \nThe FIXX \nColin Blunstone \nPeter Asher \n  \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/the-fixx-colin-blunstone-and-peter-asher/
LOCATION:United Theatre\, 5 Canal Street\, Westerly\, RI\, 02891\, United States
CATEGORIES:United Theater
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/The-FIXX-Colin-Blunstone-and-Peter-Asher.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260906T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260906T210000
DTSTAMP:20260911T012416Z
CREATED:20260831T005628Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T012416Z
UID:10007285-1788717600-1788728400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Shoreline Reggae Fest at Hygienic Art Park
DESCRIPTION:Shoreline Reggae Fest at Hygienic Art Park brings four regional reggae acts together in downtown New London on Sunday\, September 6\, for an outdoor afternoon and evening of roots reggae\, dub and improvisational music. \nDoors open at 4 p.m. for the returning festival\, with Red Lion\, Glaucoma Suspect\, Jam Shed and Lazy River filling the Art Park with reggae through the evening. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. \nIt’s also a lineup with unusually deep local roots. These aren’t four touring acts passing through Connecticut on the same bill. The musicians come from the southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island music community\, and several have been playing reggae around the region for years. \nReggae Returns to the Art Park\nShoreline Reggae Fest made its Hygienic Art Park debut last summer with a lineup that included Red Lion\, Glaucoma Suspect and Jam Shed. \nAll three return in 2026. \nThat makes Sunday’s show less a collection of unrelated bands and more of a reunion of musicians who have helped build a regional reggae scene stretching across southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island. \nAnd Hygienic Art Park is particularly well suited to it. \nThe outdoor performance space sits alongside Hygienic’s galleries on Bank Street\, creating a small open-air music venue in the middle of downtown New London. There’s a stage\, room to sit and\, importantly for this show\, space in front of the stage to dance. \nFor Shoreline Reggae Fest\, the park becomes a meeting point for four different approaches to the music. \nRed Lion Brings the Roots\nRed Lion describes its sound as conscious\, uplifting reggae. \nBut the group didn’t begin with musicians learning reggae from scratch. \nIts members brought experience from several other reggae projects\, with connections to bands including Soulshot\, Large Up\, Space Mon Rah\, Dub Squad\, Inity and The High Voltage Band. \nAt the center is Eric “Irie Feelinz” Williams\, whose original lyrics and vocals help give Red Lion its identity. \nThe band’s sound sits firmly in the roots-rock reggae tradition\, where rhythm carries the music but the words matter too. \nIt’s a distinction worth making. \nRoots reggae developed as more than dance music. Social consciousness\, spirituality\, resistance and community became central to the form\, particularly through the Jamaican music that spread internationally during the 1970s. \nRed Lion draws from that tradition while making the music here in Southern New England. \nGlaucoma Suspect Crosses the State Line\nFollow the shoreline east from New London and eventually you reach another piece of Sunday’s lineup. \nGlaucoma Suspect is an eight-piece roots reggae band based in Westerly. \nThe group approaches reggae with an emphasis on the music’s original roots and its tradition of carrying social messages\, while bringing a full-band sound to stages around Connecticut and Rhode Island. \nEight musicians also give them a considerably different presence from a stripped-down reggae group. \nThe rhythm section establishes the pocket\, but a larger ensemble leaves room to layer vocals and instrumentation over it\, creating the kind of full sound associated with classic roots reggae bands. \nGlaucoma Suspect has become familiar around the local live-music circuit and isn’t new to Hygienic. The band previously appeared in the venue’s Downtown Live programming and was part of the first Shoreline Reggae Fest last summer. \nNow they’re back for year two. \nJam Shed Started in an Actual Shed\nSome band names require an explanation. \nJam Shed really doesn’t. \nThe Salem\, Connecticut\, group traces its beginnings to Wednesday-night jam sessions held in a shed. \nWhat started as musicians getting together to play became something more permanent. They worked through reggae and dub favorites\, experimented with arrangements and improvised. \nEventually\, the jam sessions became a band. \nMore than a decade later\, that loose beginning remains part of Jam Shed’s musical identity. Reggae and dub provide the foundation\, but improvisation gives the musicians room to stretch songs rather than simply reproduce them. \nThat’s especially appropriate for dub. \nThe form grew out of Jamaican reggae recording culture as producers began stripping songs apart\, emphasizing bass and drums and manipulating individual elements with echo\, reverb and other studio effects. \nIn a live setting\, that same spirit creates room for musicians to explore. \nFor a group born during jam sessions\, it’s a natural fit. \nLazy River Rounds Out the Festival\nLazy River completes Sunday’s four-act lineup. \nThe current festival materials connect the act with DJ Ben Jammin’ and dalabil\, adding another approach to the afternoon alongside the three returning live bands. \nWhy Reggae Works in New London\nJamaica is a long way from Bank Street. \nThe music isn’t. \nReggae has traveled far beyond the island where it developed\, absorbing local influences wherever musicians have picked it up while retaining one of the most recognizable rhythmic foundations in popular music. \nSouthern New England has supported its own reggae community for years\, helped by small clubs\, breweries\, outdoor stages and festivals willing to put local bands in front of an audience. \nSunday’s lineup illustrates that community particularly well. \nRed Lion draws musicians with experience across several regional reggae projects. \nGlaucoma Suspect comes down from Westerly. \nJam Shed comes from Salem. \nPut them together and Shoreline Reggae Fest becomes a snapshot of a scene that already exists around us. \nAn Outdoor Stage in the Middle of New London\nHygienic Art Park is one of the more unusual music spaces in the region. \nWalk along Bank Street and you’re surrounded by the buildings\, restaurants and bars of downtown New London. Step into the Art Park during a concert and the atmosphere changes. \nThe outdoor space was designed to function as both a public arts environment and performance venue\, with a raised stage\, sound and lighting infrastructure and space for an audience to gather around it. \nIt’s part of the larger Hygienic Art complex at 79 Bank Street\, which includes galleries and artist spaces in the historic building next door. \nHygienic’s connection to New London’s creative community goes back decades\, including its famous annual Salon des Indépendants and the grassroots effort that ultimately saved the former Hygienic Restaurant building from demolition. \nMusic eventually became another part of that mission. \nDuring the warmer months\, the Art Park turns that history inside out. \nThe gallery walls disappear. \nThe stage lights come on. \nAnd on Sunday\, the soundtrack is reggae. \nFour Bands and One Late-Summer Sunday\nLabor Day weekend usually feels like a dividing line around here. \nSummer isn’t technically over\, but everyone knows what’s coming. \nShoreline Reggae Fest offers another option before letting it go. \nThere are four acts\, an outdoor stage and hours of music beginning late Sunday afternoon. \nRed Lion brings its conscious roots-reggae approach. Glaucoma Suspect arrives with an eight-piece Westerly lineup. Jam Shed brings the improvisational spirit that started during those Wednesday nights in a Salem shed. Lazy River adds another piece to the mix. \nAnd for the second year\, it all comes together in the middle of downtown New London. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Shoreline Reggae Fest\nDate: Sunday\, September 6\, 2026\nDoors: 4 p.m.\nLocation: Hygienic Art Park\nAddress: 79 Bank Street\, New London\, CT 06320\nLineup: Red Lion\, Glaucoma Suspect\, Jam Shed and Lazy River\nAdvance Tickets: $15\nTickets at the Door: $20\nAges: All ages\nSetting: Outdoor concert \nShoreline Reggae Fest at Hygienic Art Park brings Red Lion\, Glaucoma Suspect\, Jam Shed and Lazy River together for a late-summer celebration of the regional reggae scene in downtown New London. \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \nTo purchase tickets\, click the Event Ticketing link below. \n  \nFeatured image is an artistic representation inspired by the event and may not depict the actual people\, location\, or activities shown. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/shoreline-reggae-fest-at-hygienic-art-park/
LOCATION:Hygienic Art Park\, 79 Bank Street\, New London\, CT\, 06320\, United States
CATEGORIES:Hygenic Art
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