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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260802T120000
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UID:10007022-1785672000-1785682800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Olean Golf Tournament
DESCRIPTION:The Olean Golf Tournament tees off on Sunday\, August 2\, at Richmond Country Club\, combining a day of championship golf with an opportunity to support the Frank Olean Center’s mission of serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Held to celebrate the Center’s 60th Anniversary\, the charity tournament welcomes golfers of all skill levels for an afternoon of friendly competition and community support. \nCheck-in begins at 12:00 p.m.\, followed by a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start on Richmond Country Club’s acclaimed 18-hole championship course. Recognized by Golf Digest as one of Rhode Island’s premier public golf courses\, the beautifully maintained layout winds through towering pine forests\, offering players a scenic and challenging round that rivals many private clubs. Participants can register individually or as a foursome\, while local businesses and community members also have the opportunity to support the event through sponsorships. \nProceeds from the tournament benefit the Frank Olean Center\, a nonprofit organization that has provided programs and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities for six decades. By participating\, golfers help support opportunities that promote independence\, inclusion\, and an enhanced quality of life throughout the region. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Olean Golf Tournament \nDate: Sunday\, August 2\, 2026 \nCheck-In: 12:00 p.m. \nShotgun Start: 1:00 p.m. \nLocation: Richmond Country Club\n74 Sandy Pond Road\nHope Valley\, RI 02832 \nAdmission: \n\n$150 per player\n$600 per foursome\n\nPhone: (401) 364-9292 \nTickets\nTickets can be purchased by clicking the Event Ticketing link at the bottom of this page. \nMore Information\nAdditional event information is available by clicking the Event Website link at the bottom of this page. \n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/olean-golf-tournament/
LOCATION:Richmond Country Club\, 74 Sandy Pond Road\, Hope Valley\, RI\, 02832\, United States
CATEGORIES:Richmond Country Club
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Olean-Golf-Tournament-Sunday-August-2-12-pm-at-Richmond-Country-Club.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260804T000000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260804T000000
DTSTAMP:20260805T015931Z
CREATED:20260805T015931Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260805T015931Z
UID:10007102-1785801600-1785801600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Paddle for a Purpose Benefiting AFSP at Adventure Mystic
DESCRIPTION:Paddle for a Purpose Benefiting AFSP at Adventure Mystic invites paddlers of every experience level to enjoy an evening on the Mystic River while supporting suicide prevention efforts across southeastern Connecticut. Held Thursday\, August 6\, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.\, the community fundraiser combines kayaking and paddleboarding with a meaningful cause\, raising money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Southeastern Connecticut Out of the Darkness Walk. \nHosted by Adventure Mystic\, participants can choose between a paddleboard\, single kayak\, or double kayak before launching onto the scenic Mystic River. Along the way\, guests will enjoy a relaxing summer paddle while helping fund suicide prevention research\, education\, advocacy\, and community programs that provide hope and support to individuals and families affected by suicide. Raffle prizes will also be awarded throughout the evening\, adding an extra layer of fun to the fundraiser. \nProceeds from the event support the Southeastern Connecticut Out of the Darkness Walk\, scheduled for Saturday\, September 12\, at McCook Point Park in Niantic. Every registration helps advance the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s mission while encouraging open conversations about mental health and reminding participants that small acts of community support can have a lasting impact. \nWhether you’re gathering friends for a sunset paddle\, planning a date night on the water\, or simply looking for a meaningful way to spend a summer evening\, Paddle for a Purpose offers an opportunity to enjoy one of Mystic’s most beautiful settings while giving back to an important cause. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Paddle for a Purpose Benefiting AFSP at Adventure Mystic \nDate: Thursday\, August 6\, 2026 \nTime: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. \nLocation:\nAdventure Mystic\n15 Holmes Street\nMystic\, CT \nPricing: \n\nPaddleboard: $50\nSingle Kayak: $50\nDouble Kayak: $70\n\nIncludes: \n\nGuided evening paddle on the Mystic River\nRaffle prizes throughout the event\nA portion of every registration donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Southeastern Connecticut Out of the Darkness Walk\n\nMore Information\nSpace is limited\, and advance registration is recommended. Additional information and registration are available by clicking the Event Website link at the bottom of this page.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/paddle-for-a-purpose-benefiting-afsp-at-adventure-mystic/
LOCATION:RI
CATEGORIES:Adventure Mystic
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Paddle-for-a-Purpose-Benefitting-AFSP-at-Adventure-Mystic.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260815T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260815T220000
DTSTAMP:20260811T214845Z
CREATED:20260811T214845Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T214845Z
UID:10007151-1786791600-1786831200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:FarmFest 2026 at Highland Homestead
DESCRIPTION:FarmFest 2026 at Highland Homestead expands to two days of live music\, food\, vendors\, raffles\, and family activities in Pawcatuck on Saturday and Sunday\, August 15–16. Now in its fifth year\, the homegrown festival puts Connecticut musicians on a stage built from two hay wagons overlooking a farm pond\, with this year’s proceeds supporting the Chikumbuso Women & Orphans Project in Zambia. (Eventbrite) \nFarmFest started small and intentionally stayed local. Sinooka Productions launched the grassroots festival in 2022 at Highland Homestead\, the Main family farm at the end of Pawcatuck Avenue. Volunteers handle everything from parking to ticketing\, while local musicians provide the soundtrack. As attendance and community support have grown\, so has the event. What began as a DIY gathering has developed into a full weekend festival without losing the farm setting that makes it different. \nSaturday is the big day\, with music running from noon until 10 p.m. along with vendors\, raffles\, food\, and activities for all ages. Sunday slows things down a little but keeps the music going from noon until 5 p.m. Both days support a cause thousands of miles from Pawcatuck but closely aligned with FarmFest’s community-driven roots. \nTwo Days of Live Local Music\nMusic is at the center of FarmFest. \nThe festival focuses on Connecticut’s alternative\, indie\, and rock scene\, giving regional musicians an outdoor stage and audiences an opportunity to discover bands they might otherwise only encounter in clubs and smaller venues. \nAnd this isn’t a conventional festival stage. \nAt Highland Homestead\, the stage is constructed from two hay wagons overlooking a small pond. It’s one of those details that tells you almost everything you need to know about FarmFest. This is deliberately a farm festival\, created by local people rather than dropped onto the property by an outside event company. \nThe 2026 music schedule runs: \nSaturday\, August 15\nNoon – 10:00 p.m. \nSunday\, August 16\nNoon – 5:00 p.m. \nDoors open at 11 a.m. \nMore Than the Music\nSaturday’s expanded festival programming includes vendors\, raffles\, food\, and activities for all ages. \nThat gives families and visitors who aren’t planning to stand in front of the stage for 10 straight hours plenty of room to wander around the farm\, browse vendors\, grab something to eat\, and return to the music throughout the day. \nThe event is designed to be family friendly. \nFive Years of FarmFest\nSinooka Productions launched the first FarmFest in 2022 as a grassroots DIY music festival. \nInstead of moving into a conventional event venue as the festival grew\, organizers continued holding it at Highland Homestead. A network of volunteers helps operate the festival\, handling parking\, admissions\, and other jobs needed to keep the weekend running. \nThe charitable component has grown alongside the music. \nOver the previous two years\, FarmFest organizers say the festival raised more than $8\,000 for the PACS2 Research Foundation and Boston University’s Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Amyloidosis Center. The 2025 festival specifically supported the Amyloidosis Center. \nFor its fifth year\, FarmFest is directing its fundraising toward the Chikumbuso Women & Orphans Project. \nWhere the Money Goes in 2026\nAll proceeds from FarmFest 2026 will support the Chikumbuso Women & Orphans Project\, a grassroots community organization in Ng’ombe\, Zambia. \nThe organization began in 2005 with an effort to help seven women meeting in a one-room church. It later purchased a former bar and brothel and transformed the property into a community center and school. Today\, its work focuses on education\, skills training\, micro-enterprise\, and long-term support for women and children living in poverty. (Chikumbuso Project) \nChikumbuso now operates a K–7 community school and provides scholarships that help students continue through high school and college. Its programs serve hundreds of children each year. \nThe organization’s work extends well beyond the classroom. Its vocational program has trained more than 300 young people in tailoring and small-business skills\, while its micro-enterprise programs help widows and single mothers earn income through handcrafted goods. Chikumbuso also operates a 12-bed Safe Haven for girls who cannot safely remain in their homes. \nLearn more about the Chikumbuso Project \nA Festival Built Around Community\nThere’s a fairly direct line between what FarmFest has become in Pawcatuck and the organization it’s supporting this year. \nThe festival depends on local musicians\, volunteers\, vendors\, sponsors\, donors\, and attendees. Chikumbuso describes its own work in similar community terms\, using education and small-business development to build systems that can continue supporting families over the long term. \nSo buying a ticket isn’t simply paying to hear a weekend of music. The proceeds from the festival are being directed toward those programs in Zambia. \nGetting to Highland Homestead\nHighland Homestead is located at the end of Pawcatuck Avenue\, away from the commercial center of Pawcatuck. \nAddress:\n170 Pawcatuck Ave.\nPawcatuck\, CT 06379 \nFrom the downtown Pawcatuck area\, visitors can take Mechanic Street to Clark Street. Clark Street becomes Pawcatuck Avenue; continue to the end of the road for the entrance to Highland Homestead. \nBecause this is a working farm rather than a conventional concert venue\, allow a little extra time for arrival\, parking\, and getting settled. \nEvent Details\nDates\nSaturday\, August 15\, 2026\nSunday\, August 16\, 2026 \nDoors Open\n11:00 a.m. \nSaturday Music\n12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. \nSunday Music\n12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. \nLocation\nHighland Homestead \nAddress\n170 Pawcatuck Ave.\nPawcatuck\, CT 06379 \nEntertainment\nLocal Connecticut alternative\, indie\, and rock bands \nSaturday Activities\nLive music\, food\, vendors\, raffles\, and activities for all ages \nFundraiser\nAll FarmFest 2026 proceeds benefit the Chikumbuso Women & Orphans Project. \nAge Restrictions\nNone listed. The festival is designed as a family-friendly event. \nRefund Policy\nThe current official ticket listing states that refunds are available up to seven days before the event. \nMore Information\nFor more information\, visit the event website using the Event Website link below. \nFor ticket purchases\, click on the Ticketing link below. \n\n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/farmfest-2026-at-highland-homestead/2026-08-15/
LOCATION:Highland Homestead\, 170 Pawcatuck Rd\, Pawcatuck\, 06379\, United States
CATEGORIES:Highland Homestead
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Farmfest-2026-at-Highland-Homestead-Pawcatuck-Saturday-and-Sunday-August-15-and-16.jpg
END:VEVENT
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260815T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260815T210000
DTSTAMP:20260813T151126Z
CREATED:20260813T151126Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260813T151126Z
UID:10007181-1786813200-1786827600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Mudhead Benefit Regatta & Sails Up 4 Cancer Shoreside Party
DESCRIPTION:Mudhead Benefit Regatta & Sails Up 4 Cancer Shoreside Party brings sailors and non-sailors together in Mystic on Saturday\, August 15\, but you don’t need to spend the day racing to take part. Once the boats are coming back in\, the focus shifts ashore to Rocks 21 for a public celebration with a BBQ buffet\, DJ\, silent auction\, prize drawings and the announcement of the day’s race results. (Sails Up 4 Cancer) \nThis year’s party also marks two milestones for organizations deeply tied to southeastern Connecticut’s sailing community: 15 years of Sails Up 4 Cancer and 50 years of the Mystic River Mudhead Sailing Association. That makes the post-race gathering more than the usual celebration at the end of a regatta. It’s an anniversary party and cancer fundraiser rolled into one. \nMost importantly\, the shoreside party is open to the public\, and you do not have to sail in the regatta to attend. Party tickets are $50 in advance or $65 at the door and include the BBQ buffet and one drink ticket. \nThe Party After the Race\nThe sailing may give the day its name\, but for plenty of people the main event begins when everyone comes ashore. \nThe Sails Up 4 Cancer Shoreside Party takes place at Rocks 21 at 3 Williams Avenue in Mystic at 5pm. Racers coming off the water mix with friends\, supporters and people who skipped the sailing altogether. \nA DJ provides the music\, while the evening includes prize drawings\, a silent auction and presentation of the regatta results. \nTickets also include a BBQ buffet and one drink ticket. \nIt’s an easy way to support the cause without knowing port from starboard. Come for the food\, stay for the party\, bid on something in the auction and help raise money for people affected by cancer. \nCelebrating 15 Years of Sails Up 4 Cancer\nThe 2026 event marks the 15th anniversary of Sails Up 4 Cancer\, the Mystic-area nonprofit behind the fundraiser. \nThe organization uses sailing as the foundation for raising money to support cancer education\, prevention\, care and research. Its work also extends directly to people dealing with cancer through the SU4C Spinnaker Fund\, which provides financial assistance to individuals in the community. \nFunds raised through events like the Mudhead Benefit Regatta help support that work. \nSU4C’s calendar now includes fundraisers throughout the year\, but sailing remains at the organization’s core. The annual regatta and party bring that mission back to the Mystic waterfront where it began. \nAnd 50 Years of the Mudheads\nThere’s another birthday at this year’s party. \nThe Mystic River Mudhead Sailing Association celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026. \nThe Mudheads have long approached sailing as both competition and community. The club promotes racing at multiple skill levels while placing an unusual amount of emphasis on camaraderie and the social side of the sport. \nYou can see both halves of that personality on August 15. \nDuring the day\, sailors compete for results and ECSA points. Once the racing ends\, crews head ashore and the atmosphere changes quickly from competition to celebration. \nAbout the Mudhead Benefit Regatta\nFor those following the racing itself\, the Mudhead Benefit Regatta welcomes both serious racers and recreational sailors. \nBoat registration is $50 per boat\, and skippers are encouraged to recruit crews who can also help raise money by seeking donations from friends\, family members\, employers and other supporters. / \nThe competition provides the framework\, but fundraising is the larger purpose. \nThe regatta has also participated in the Sailors for the Sea Clean Regattas program\, an international sustainability initiative designed to reduce waste and keep trash and other pollution out of waterways. Sails Up 4 Cancer reports that the Mudheads earned Silver Level Clean Regatta certification for the event. \nYou Don’t Have to Be a Sailor\nThis is probably the most useful thing to know before deciding whether to go. \nThe party is explicitly open to non-sailors \nYou don’t need a boat. You don’t need to know anyone racing. And you certainly don’t need to understand corrected sailing times to enjoy the evening. \nThe shoreside portion works as a standalone Saturday event: BBQ\, music\, drinks\, an auction and a crowd celebrating on the Mystic waterfront. \nFor people who want to support Sails Up 4 Cancer but aren’t part of the sailing community\, this is the part of the regatta designed to bring everybody together. \nParty Tickets\nAdvance tickets for the shoreside party are $50 per person. \nTickets purchased at the door are $65 per person. \nAdmission includes: \n\nBBQ buffet\nOne drink ticket\nDJ\nSilent auction\nPrize drawings\nRegatta results and awards\nAccess to the public shoreside celebration\n\nAdvance tickets make sense if you’re already planning to attend\, both for the lower price and to avoid relying on availability at the door. \nEvent Details\nDate: Saturday\, August 15\, 2026 \nEvent: Mudhead Benefit Regatta in support of Sails Up 4 Cancer & SU4C Shoreside Party \nShoreside Party Location: Rocks 21 \nAddress: 3 Williams Avenue\, Mystic\, CT 06355 \nParty Admission: $50 in advance; $65 at the door \nParty Ticket Includes: BBQ buffet and one drink ticket \nEntertainment: DJ \nActivities: Silent auction\, prize drawings and announcement of race results \nPublic Admission: Yes. The party is open to the public and non-sailors. \nRegatta Entry: $50 per boat \nBeneficiary: Sails Up 4 Cancer \n2026 Milestones: 15th anniversary of Sails Up 4 Cancer and 50th anniversary of the Mystic River Mudhead Sailing Association. \nImportant Note: You do not need to participate in the regatta to purchase a ticket and attend the shoreside party. \nMore Information\nFor more information\, visit the event website using the Event Website link below. \nFor ticket purchases\, click on the Ticketing link belowttyy \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/mudhead-benefit-regatta-sails-up-4-cancer-shoreside-party/
LOCATION:Rocks 21\, 3 Williams Avenue\, Mystic\, CT\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Rocks 21
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Mudhead-Benefit-Regatta-and-Sails-Up-4-Cancer-Shoreside-Party-Saturday-August-15-5pm-at-Rocks-21.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260816T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260816T170000
DTSTAMP:20260811T214845Z
CREATED:20260811T214845Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260811T214845Z
UID:10007152-1786878000-1786899600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:FarmFest 2026 at Highland Homestead
DESCRIPTION:FarmFest 2026 at Highland Homestead expands to two days of live music\, food\, vendors\, raffles\, and family activities in Pawcatuck on Saturday and Sunday\, August 15–16. Now in its fifth year\, the homegrown festival puts Connecticut musicians on a stage built from two hay wagons overlooking a farm pond\, with this year’s proceeds supporting the Chikumbuso Women & Orphans Project in Zambia. (Eventbrite) \nFarmFest started small and intentionally stayed local. Sinooka Productions launched the grassroots festival in 2022 at Highland Homestead\, the Main family farm at the end of Pawcatuck Avenue. Volunteers handle everything from parking to ticketing\, while local musicians provide the soundtrack. As attendance and community support have grown\, so has the event. What began as a DIY gathering has developed into a full weekend festival without losing the farm setting that makes it different. \nSaturday is the big day\, with music running from noon until 10 p.m. along with vendors\, raffles\, food\, and activities for all ages. Sunday slows things down a little but keeps the music going from noon until 5 p.m. Both days support a cause thousands of miles from Pawcatuck but closely aligned with FarmFest’s community-driven roots. \nTwo Days of Live Local Music\nMusic is at the center of FarmFest. \nThe festival focuses on Connecticut’s alternative\, indie\, and rock scene\, giving regional musicians an outdoor stage and audiences an opportunity to discover bands they might otherwise only encounter in clubs and smaller venues. \nAnd this isn’t a conventional festival stage. \nAt Highland Homestead\, the stage is constructed from two hay wagons overlooking a small pond. It’s one of those details that tells you almost everything you need to know about FarmFest. This is deliberately a farm festival\, created by local people rather than dropped onto the property by an outside event company. \nThe 2026 music schedule runs: \nSaturday\, August 15\nNoon – 10:00 p.m. \nSunday\, August 16\nNoon – 5:00 p.m. \nDoors open at 11 a.m. \nMore Than the Music\nSaturday’s expanded festival programming includes vendors\, raffles\, food\, and activities for all ages. \nThat gives families and visitors who aren’t planning to stand in front of the stage for 10 straight hours plenty of room to wander around the farm\, browse vendors\, grab something to eat\, and return to the music throughout the day. \nThe event is designed to be family friendly. \nFive Years of FarmFest\nSinooka Productions launched the first FarmFest in 2022 as a grassroots DIY music festival. \nInstead of moving into a conventional event venue as the festival grew\, organizers continued holding it at Highland Homestead. A network of volunteers helps operate the festival\, handling parking\, admissions\, and other jobs needed to keep the weekend running. \nThe charitable component has grown alongside the music. \nOver the previous two years\, FarmFest organizers say the festival raised more than $8\,000 for the PACS2 Research Foundation and Boston University’s Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine Amyloidosis Center. The 2025 festival specifically supported the Amyloidosis Center. \nFor its fifth year\, FarmFest is directing its fundraising toward the Chikumbuso Women & Orphans Project. \nWhere the Money Goes in 2026\nAll proceeds from FarmFest 2026 will support the Chikumbuso Women & Orphans Project\, a grassroots community organization in Ng’ombe\, Zambia. \nThe organization began in 2005 with an effort to help seven women meeting in a one-room church. It later purchased a former bar and brothel and transformed the property into a community center and school. Today\, its work focuses on education\, skills training\, micro-enterprise\, and long-term support for women and children living in poverty. (Chikumbuso Project) \nChikumbuso now operates a K–7 community school and provides scholarships that help students continue through high school and college. Its programs serve hundreds of children each year. \nThe organization’s work extends well beyond the classroom. Its vocational program has trained more than 300 young people in tailoring and small-business skills\, while its micro-enterprise programs help widows and single mothers earn income through handcrafted goods. Chikumbuso also operates a 12-bed Safe Haven for girls who cannot safely remain in their homes. \nLearn more about the Chikumbuso Project \nA Festival Built Around Community\nThere’s a fairly direct line between what FarmFest has become in Pawcatuck and the organization it’s supporting this year. \nThe festival depends on local musicians\, volunteers\, vendors\, sponsors\, donors\, and attendees. Chikumbuso describes its own work in similar community terms\, using education and small-business development to build systems that can continue supporting families over the long term. \nSo buying a ticket isn’t simply paying to hear a weekend of music. The proceeds from the festival are being directed toward those programs in Zambia. \nGetting to Highland Homestead\nHighland Homestead is located at the end of Pawcatuck Avenue\, away from the commercial center of Pawcatuck. \nAddress:\n170 Pawcatuck Ave.\nPawcatuck\, CT 06379 \nFrom the downtown Pawcatuck area\, visitors can take Mechanic Street to Clark Street. Clark Street becomes Pawcatuck Avenue; continue to the end of the road for the entrance to Highland Homestead. \nBecause this is a working farm rather than a conventional concert venue\, allow a little extra time for arrival\, parking\, and getting settled. \nEvent Details\nDates\nSaturday\, August 15\, 2026\nSunday\, August 16\, 2026 \nDoors Open\n11:00 a.m. \nSaturday Music\n12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. \nSunday Music\n12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. \nLocation\nHighland Homestead \nAddress\n170 Pawcatuck Ave.\nPawcatuck\, CT 06379 \nEntertainment\nLocal Connecticut alternative\, indie\, and rock bands \nSaturday Activities\nLive music\, food\, vendors\, raffles\, and activities for all ages \nFundraiser\nAll FarmFest 2026 proceeds benefit the Chikumbuso Women & Orphans Project. \nAge Restrictions\nNone listed. The festival is designed as a family-friendly event. \nRefund Policy\nThe current official ticket listing states that refunds are available up to seven days before the event. \nMore Information\nFor more information\, visit the event website using the Event Website link below. \nFor ticket purchases\, click on the Ticketing link below. \n\n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/farmfest-2026-at-highland-homestead/2026-08-16/
LOCATION:Highland Homestead\, 170 Pawcatuck Rd\, Pawcatuck\, 06379\, United States
CATEGORIES:Highland Homestead
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Farmfest-2026-at-Highland-Homestead-Pawcatuck-Saturday-and-Sunday-August-15-and-16.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260822T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260822T160000
DTSTAMP:20260828T174201Z
CREATED:20260817T002323Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260828T174201Z
UID:10007205-1787385600-1787414400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Inaugural Island Run Paddle Challenge 2026
DESCRIPTION:Inaugural Island Run Paddle Challenge 2026 sends paddlers onto the waters off Esker Point Beach in Groton on Saturday\, August 22\, with three courses ranging from a one-mile fun paddle to an eight-mile run toward Fishers Island\, followed by an afternoon celebration featuring a barbecue\, live music and SURFRIDER sprints. \nThe new event is designed to work for more than serious racers. Participants can choose a course based on experience and ambition\, with divisions for stand-up paddleboards\, C1 canoes and K1 kayaks. Everyone who completes the challenge receives a finisher medal\, while the fastest paddlers compete for prizes from local businesses. \nMore importantly\, the day benefits a Mystic-based organization with an unusual approach to helping veterans rebuild their working lives: Work Vessels for Veterans. \nThree Courses\, Three Different Challenges\nThe Island Run Paddle Challenge starts and finishes from Esker Point Beach\, with three distances available. \nThe Long Course covers approximately eight miles and takes paddlers toward Fishers Island. It begins at 9 a.m. and provides the day’s biggest endurance challenge. \nThe Short Course is a four-mile route around Ram Island\, beginning at 9:30 a.m. \nFor paddlers looking for something more approachable\, the Fun Course covers one mile around Palmers Cove and begins at 10 a.m. \nCheck-in for all participants begins at 8 a.m. \nThe three distances make this less intimidating than an event built exclusively around an eight-mile open-water race. Experienced paddlers can tackle Fishers Island while recreational participants can still get onto the water and be part of the day without committing to the longest course. \nSUPs\, Kayaks and Canoes\nThe competition is open to several types of paddle craft. \nParticipants can race using a stand-up paddleboard (SUP)\, C1 canoe or K1 kayak. \nRegistration is $99\, and all paddlers receive a finisher medal. \nFirst-\, second- and third-place finishers will receive gift cards and swag contributed by local businesses. \nThe event listing currently states that registration ends August 31\, although the race itself is August 22. That appears to be a date error in the registration information\, so anyone planning to participate should register before race day rather than relying on the listed deadline. \nRegister for the event by clicking Event Ticketing below\nThe Party Starts at Noon\nYou don’t necessarily have to spend the entire day racing. \nThe competitive portion leads into a noon trophy ceremony\, followed by a barbecue and live music at Esker Point Beach. \nSURFRIDER sprints are also planned after the barbecue\, with Surfrider Foundation Connecticut serving as co-host of the event. \nThat makes the afternoon portion particularly accessible for friends and family who aren’t getting into a kayak or onto a paddleboard themselves. They can watch the paddlers return\, stick around for the awards and then join the post-race gathering. \nSupporting Work Vessels for Veterans\nThe beneficiary gives the inaugural race a strong local connection. \nWork Vessels for Veterans is a West Mystic-based nonprofit founded in 2008 to help injured veterans establish businesses and pursue career education by providing them with the equipment they need. \nAnd despite the organization’s name\, that doesn’t necessarily mean boats. \nA “vessel” can be virtually any piece of equipment that helps a veteran build a livelihood. The organization has supplied veterans with everything from agricultural and construction equipment to tools needed for other small businesses. Rather than issuing loans or simply handing recipients cash\, Work Vessels for Veterans purchases or obtains the equipment itself. \nThe organization reports that it has now assisted more than 4\,300 injured veterans\, with recipients in all 50 states as well as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More than $4.3 million worth of equipment has been provided\, helping launch more than 800 businesses and generating an estimated $42 million in economic activity. \nThat mission has particularly deep roots around Mystic\, Groton and Noank. Work Vessels for Veterans was co-founded by people with connections to southeastern Connecticut’s marine industry\, and several members of its current board come from Groton\, Mystic\, Noank and Niantic. \nSo although the Island Run Paddle Challenge is new\, the organization it’s supporting has been doing this work for nearly two decades. \nA Day on the Water at Esker Point\nEsker Point Beach makes a natural headquarters for the event. \nThe Groton beach looks across Palmer Cove toward the waters surrounding Groton Long Point\, Ram Island and Fishers Island Sound. From there\, organizers can send paddlers onto three substantially different courses without moving the event away from its central gathering point. \nIt’s also a setting where the race and the afternoon celebration fit together particularly well. \nCome to compete and you can spend the morning on the water. \nCome to support somebody who’s racing and there’s still a barbecue\, live music\, awards and the waterfront waiting when they return. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Inaugural Island Run Paddle Challenge 2026 \nDate: Saturday\, August 22\, 2026 \nEvent Hours: 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. \nCheck-In: 8:00 a.m. \nLong Course: 8 miles toward Fishers Island; starts at 9:00 a.m. \nShort Course: 4 miles around Ram Island; starts at 9:30 a.m. \nFun Course: 1 mile around Palmers Cove; starts at 10:00 a.m. \nCraft: SUP\, C1 and K1 \nRegistration: $99 \nFinisher Medal: All paddlers \nAwards: First-\, second- and third-place prizes featuring gift cards and swag from local businesses \nTrophy Ceremony: Noon \nAfter the Race: Barbecue and live music \nAdditional Competition: SURFRIDER sprints following the barbecue \nLocation: Esker Point Beach \nAddress: 900 Groton Long Point Road\, Groton\, CT 06340 \nBeneficiary: Work Vessels for Veterans \nCo-Host: Surfrider Foundation Connecticut \nMore Information\nTo participate in one of the three paddle courses\, use the Event Registration link below. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/inaugural-island-run-paddle-challenge-2026/
LOCATION:Esker Point Beach\, 900 Groton Long Point Rd\, Groton\, 06340\, United States
CATEGORIES:Esker Point Beach
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Inaugural-Island-Run-Paddle-Challenge-2026.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260827T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260827T180000
DTSTAMP:20260823T214551Z
CREATED:20260823T214356Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260823T214551Z
UID:10007256-1787846400-1787853600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Mystic Aquarium’s Summer Pour Tour: Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyard
DESCRIPTION:Mystic Aquarium’s Summer Pour Tour: Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyard heads inland to North Stonington on Thursday\, August 27\, pairing an afternoon of wine tasting with a chance to support the Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program. \nFrom 4 to 6 p.m.\, guests can enjoy specialty pours\, meet members of Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue team\, and learn about the work that happens when seals and other marine animals are found sick\, injured\, or stranded along the New England coast. \nA portion of proceeds from the evening will benefit the rescue and rehabilitation program. \nAnd despite some event calendars listing Mystic Aquarium as the venue\, this stop of the Pour Tour takes place at Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyard at 113 Pendleton Hill Road in North Stonington. \nTaking the Summer Pour Tour Beyond the Aquarium\nThe Summer Pour Tour takes Mystic Aquarium’s conservation work out into the community. \nThroughout the summer\, the Animal Rescue team is visiting five breweries\, vineyards and bars across Connecticut and Rhode Island. Each stop combines a local drinking destination with specialty pours and an opportunity to meet members of the team responsible for responding when marine animals are in trouble. \nThe August 27 visit to Kingdom of the Hawk follows earlier summer stops\, including Creature Brewing\, with Grey Sail Brewing scheduled to follow in September. \nRather than holding a traditional fundraiser\, the Aquarium is essentially bringing the people who do the work directly to the places where people are already spending a summer afternoon. \nMeet the People Behind Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program\nThe Summer Pour Tour supports a program with more than half a century of history. \nMystic Aquarium established its Animal Rescue Program in 1975 to respond to sick\, injured and stranded marine animals. The team works along approximately 1\,000 miles of coastline covering Connecticut\, Rhode Island and Fishers Island\, New York\, and operates a 24-hour hotline for reports of marine animals in distress. \nSeals make up a large portion of the animals that come through the program\, including gray\, harp and harbor seals. \nWhen an animal requires rehabilitation\, getting it healthy enough to return to the ocean can take months. Veterinarians\, animal-care professionals\, interns and volunteers provide specialized care while deliberately limiting the animal’s dependence on people. \nThe ultimate goal isn’t to create another Aquarium resident. \nIt’s to send a healthy wild animal back home. \nRescue Is Only the Beginning\nResponding to a stranded animal can also tell researchers something about what’s happening beyond the shoreline. \nMystic Aquarium works with NOAA Fisheries and other members of the regional stranding network\, gathering information from the animals that come into its care. \nThat means a stranded seal or other marine mammal can provide clues about disease\, injuries\, environmental conditions and other threats affecting wildlife populations. \nMystic Aquarium’s rescue work was recently featured in a 2026 Connecticut Public documentary examining the rehabilitation process and the effort required to give injured marine wildlife a second chance. \nDuring the Pour Tour stop\, guests will have an opportunity to meet members of that Animal Rescue team and learn more about what happens behind the scenes. \nFrom the Shoreline to a North Stonington Vineyard\nThe setting for this particular stop couldn’t be much farther removed from a marine animal rehabilitation clinic. \nKingdom of the Hawk sits on 50 acres of farmland in North Stonington\, surrounded by vines\, forest and wildlife. \nMichael and Merrily Connery purchased the property in 2018 and began planting vines almost immediately. Its centerpiece is a contemporary barn positioned along the edge of a hill to take advantage of the surrounding landscape. \nThe building combines steel beams\, polished concrete\, stone\, large windows and an open floor plan with the form of an agricultural barn. \nThe result is deliberately modern without ignoring the farming history of the surrounding town. \nThe Saltwater Farm Connection\nAnyone who thinks Kingdom of the Hawk feels vaguely familiar may have visited its sister vineyard. \nThe Connerys are also behind Saltwater Farm Vineyard in Stonington. \nThat project began after Michael Connery purchased 108 acres along the Stonington shoreline in 2001. The property included an old private airport and a deteriorating World War II-era airplane hangar\, which was eventually transformed into Saltwater Farm’s distinctive winery and tasting room. \nKingdom of the Hawk became the couple’s second vineyard project. \nThere are deliberate architectural connections between the two. Steel\, stone and a prominent archway at Kingdom of the Hawk echo features at Saltwater Farm\, but the newer property takes on a more contemporary farmhouse character suited to rural North Stonington. \nA Second Vineyard Takes Flight\nThere’s also a reason for the name. \nHawks are frequently seen above the North Stonington property\, which encompasses vineyard\, farmland and forest. \nThe Connerys developed Kingdom of the Hawk as both a vineyard and gathering place\, with indoor and outdoor areas designed for visitors to linger rather than simply stop for a quick tasting. \nThe vineyard serves wine by the glass and bottle rather than offering traditional tasting flights\, along with Connecticut craft beer and other selections. \nAmong wines associated with Kingdom of the Hawk are Raptor Red and Wayward White\, names that continue the vineyard’s avian identity. \nWine That Helps Wildlife\nThursday’s event brings the two worlds together. \nVisitors can spend a late-summer afternoon overlooking the vines in rural North Stonington while meeting people whose working days may involve answering a call about an injured seal along the coast. \nA portion of the evening’s proceeds goes back to Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program to help support that rescue and rehabilitation work. \nThe exact percentage or amount being donated by Kingdom of the Hawk has not been publicly specified\, so guests should simply know that purchases made during the event help support the program. \nIt’s an unusually easy fundraiser: find a glass\, find a view and meet some of the people doing the work your purchase is helping fund. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Mystic Aquarium Summer Pour Tour – Kingdom of the Hawk\nDate: Thursday\, August 27\, 2026\nTime: 4–6 p.m.\nLocation: Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyard\nAddress: 113 Pendleton Hill Road\, North Stonington\, CT 06359\nHost: Mystic Aquarium\nBeneficiary: Mystic Aquarium Animal Rescue Program \nGuests can enjoy specialty pours\, meet members of Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue team and learn about marine animal rescue and rehabilitation while visiting the 50-acre North Stonington vineyard. \nA portion of proceeds from the event will benefit Mystic Aquarium’s Animal Rescue Program. \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/mystic-aquariums-summer-pour-tour-kingdom-of-the-hawk-vineyard/
LOCATION:Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyard\, 113 Pendelton Hill Road\, North Stonington\, 06359\, United States
CATEGORIES:Kingdom of the Hawk Winery
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Mystic-Aquariums-Summer-Pour-Tour-at-Kingdom-of-the-Hawk-Vineyard.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260829T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260829T180000
DTSTAMP:20260901T002752Z
CREATED:20260827T182720Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T002752Z
UID:10007279-1788012000-1788026400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Pours with Purpose: Zara Manzur at Outer Light
DESCRIPTION:Pours with Purpose: Zara Manzur Foundation at Outer Light Brewing Company brings an afternoon of craft beer and community fundraising to Outer Light Brewing Company in Groton on Saturday\, August 29\, with proceeds supporting a local nonprofit helping students pursue careers in medicine and rehabilitation therapy. \nThe event runs from 2 to 6 p.m. as part of Outer Light’s recurring Pours with Purpose series\, which turns a visit to the brewery into an opportunity to support organizations working in the surrounding community. \nThis edition is dedicated to the Zara Manzur Foundation\, a nonprofit created in loving memory of Zara Jaclyn Manzur. \nRemembering Zara Through Opportunity\nThe Zara Manzur Foundation was established with a specific goal: helping local students afford the education necessary to enter medical and rehabilitation therapy fields. \nThe registered nonprofit provides financial assistance and educational resources to students pursuing those careers\, with the goal of awarding an annual scholarship that reduces some of the financial burden associated with higher education. \nIt’s a mission that transforms Zara’s memory into something tangible. \nA student gets help paying for school. That student moves closer to a career in medicine or rehabilitation. Eventually\, the person receiving that opportunity may spend a career helping other people. \nThe foundation describes its work simply as being done in loving memory of Zara Jaclyn Manzur. \nA Pint With a Larger Purpose\nOuter Light created Pours with Purpose as a recurring way to bring charitable organizations into the taproom and introduce their work to the brewery’s community. \nThat makes the format deliberately casual. \nInstead of attending a formal fundraising dinner or gala\, people can stop at the brewery\, order a beer\, spend time with friends and learn about the organization being supported. \nFor the August 29 edition\, that organization is the Zara Manzur Foundation. \nIt’s an easy Saturday afternoon out\, but the reason for gathering reaches well beyond the taproom. \nA Groton Brewery Built Around Community\nOuter Light Brewing Company opened in Groton in 2015 and has developed into a regular gathering place for community events\, fundraisers and casual weekend get-togethers. \nIts coastal Connecticut identity even carries into the beer. \nThe brewery’s flagship lineup includes Lonesome Boatman Amber Ale\, Subduction IPA\, Morning Light Lager and the hazy Juicy Bull$#!t New England IPA. \nThe taproom has an industrial brewery atmosphere\, with guests able to see portions of the production operation while enjoying their drinks. \nOuter Light also regularly uses its space for community cookouts\, special releases and charitable events like Pours with Purpose. \nSpend Saturday Supporting a Local Scholarship\nThere’s no complicated itinerary here. \nCome to Outer Light. \nHave a drink. \nSpend some time with people from the community. \nAnd help an organization working to make the cost of education a little less daunting for a local student preparing for a career devoted to helping others. \nFor the Zara Manzur Foundation\, that’s the purpose behind the pour. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Pours with Purpose: Zara Manzur Foundation\nDate: Saturday\, August 29\, 2026\nTime: 2–6 p.m.\nLocation: Outer Light Brewing Company\nAddress: 266 Bridge Street\, Groton\, CT 06340\nBeneficiary: Zara Manzur Foundation\nFoundation Mission: Providing financial assistance and educational resources to local students entering medical or rehabilitation therapy fields\nOrganization: Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit\nSeries: Pours with Purpose \nPours with Purpose: Zara Manzur Foundation brings the community together at Outer Light Brewing Company while supporting scholarships and educational assistance for local students pursuing careers in medicine and rehabilitation therapy. \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/pours-with-purpose-zara-manzur-foundation-at-outer-light-brewing-company/
LOCATION:Outer Light Brewing Company\, 266 Bridge Street\, Groton\, CT\, 06340\, United States
CATEGORIES:Outer Light Brewing
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