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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T170000
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SUMMARY:Red Lion Reggae Band on the Niantic River
DESCRIPTION:Red Lion Reggae Band on the Niantic River Saturday\, September 5\, bringing live roots reggae directly onto the water for an unusual Save the River-Save the Hills event beginning at 5 p.m. \nThere isn’t a parking address to plug into the GPS. \nIn fact\, the event flyer says exactly the opposite: \nNo parking. By boat\, canoe\, kayak\, or float. No landing or docking.  \nIf you’re used to arriving at a club\, festival\, or park to see a band\, this one requires a completely different plan. \nYou need to be on the river. \nRed Lion Comes Out of Southern New England’s Reggae Scene\nRed Lion Reggae Band brings together musicians with roots in a number of reggae projects familiar around southeastern Connecticut and Rhode Island. \nMembers have musical connections to groups including Soulshot\, Large Up\, Dub Squad\, Inity\, Space Mon Rah and High Voltage Band. \nAt the front is vocalist and percussionist Eric “Irie Feelinz” Williams. \nGuitarist and vocalist Jeff Gibson is another member of the group. \nRather than approaching reggae simply as summertime party music\, Red Lion has been described around the regional music scene as playing conscious\, uplifting reggae\, combining original lyrics with a message centered on positivity and unity. \nThat makes the group a particularly appropriate choice for an environmental gathering on the Niantic River. \nReggae Has Always Had Something to Say\nReggae certainly works on the water. \nBut there’s more to the pairing than atmosphere. \nThe genre that developed in Jamaica during the late 1960s and 1970s has a long history of connecting music with social commentary\, spirituality\, political struggle and calls for unity. \nBob Marley and the Wailers took that message around the world\, but conscious reggae has never been limited to Marley. \nArtists including Peter Tosh\, Burning Spear and generations that followed used reggae to address the world around them rather than treating the music solely as entertainment. \nRed Lion operates within that broader tradition while drawing on decades of reggae played much closer to home. \nThe members’ connections to multiple New England bands give the project a lineage within the region’s own reggae community. \nA Band Built From Familiar Regional Players\nSoutheastern Connecticut has sustained a surprisingly durable reggae scene. \nRed Lion is one of its newer combinations. \nThe band has appeared around New London and elsewhere in southern New England\, including a downtown New London Let Loose Thursday performance. \nThe group’s sound crosses roots reggae and related styles while retaining the live-band character at the center of the genre: vocals\, guitar\, bass\, drums and rhythm working together rather than a preprogrammed approximation of reggae. \nThat should translate particularly well to Saturday’s setting. \nThere isn’t much need to manufacture a tropical atmosphere when the audience is already floating on the Niantic River on Labor Day weekend. \nThe Concert Is Really About the River\nThe location isn’t incidental. \nSave the River-Save the Hills is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to protecting the Niantic River Estuary\, its watershed and the Oswegatchie Hills. \nIts work extends across the watershed in East Lyme\, Waterford\, Montville and Salem. \nThe organization has spent years advocating for the river while also trying to make a larger point about watersheds: \nWhat happens on land eventually affects the water. \nDevelopment\, stormwater runoff\, nutrients\, sewage and changes to the surrounding landscape can all influence an estuary. \nThat’s why the organization’s name includes both halves. \nSave the River. \nSave the Hills. \nThe Niantic River Isn’t Really a Conventional River\nThe Niantic River is an estuary connected to Niantic Bay and Long Island Sound. \nFresh water draining from the surrounding watershed meets salt water moving inland from the Sound\, creating a productive environment for marine and coastal life. \nThat connection also makes the estuary sensitive to what happens upstream and along its shores. \nWater doesn’t respect town boundaries. \nRunoff entering a tributary miles away can ultimately become part of the same system used by boaters\, anglers\, wildlife and people living along the Niantic River. \nSave the River-Save the Hills has built much of its work around that interconnectedness. \nOne of Its Most Practical Programs Happens From a Boat\nThe organization doesn’t limit itself to advocacy. \nIt also operates the Niantic River pumpout boat. \nThe concept is remarkably straightforward. \nRecreational boats equipped with holding tanks accumulate sewage. Instead of that waste entering local waters\, boaters can use the pumpout service to have it removed. \nThe program operates during boating season\, with service continuing beyond Labor Day on a reduced weekend schedule. \nIt’s one of those environmental programs that isn’t particularly glamorous but produces an easily understood result: \nWaste removed from a boat is waste that doesn’t end up in the estuary. \nSo there is something fitting about Save the River-Save the Hills bringing people together for another event that can only be experienced from boats. \nThe Hills Above the River Matter Too\nThe organization’s other major focus is visible from its name. \nSave the River-Save the Hills has worked alongside Friends of the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve and other conservation advocates to protect undeveloped land in the Oswegatchie Hills. \nMore than 450 acres are already protected within the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve. \nAdditional land has remained the subject of a long-running conservation effort. \nThe reason is both scenic and ecological. \nForested hills absorb rainfall\, provide wildlife habitat and help reduce the amount and speed of runoff moving toward waterways. \nProtecting the forest above the Niantic River therefore becomes part of protecting the river itself. \nIt’s watershed conservation in its most literal form. \nEarlier Saturday\, People Will Be Running Through Those Hills\nSeptember 5 happens to put both halves of the organization’s mission on display\, although the events are separate. \nAt 9 a.m.\, the fifth annual Run for the Hills 5K takes place at the Oswegatchie Hills Nature Preserve. \nThat event is a roughly 3.3-mile trail race and hike raising money for maintenance of the preserve. \nEight hours later\, Red Lion begins playing on the Niantic River. \nSomeone could conceivably spend the morning running through the hills and the evening listening to reggae from a boat\, but neither event depends upon attending the other. \nFor the evening crowd\, the river itself is the venue. \nWhat We Know — and What We Don’t\nThis is one event where it’s important not to fill in missing details. \nThe promotional flyer confirms a 5 p.m. performance Saturday\, September 5\, on the Niantic River with Red Lion Reggae Band. \nIt also explicitly says there is no parking and access is by boat only. \nWhat isn’t stated is equally important. \nThe flyer doesn’t provide a conventional street address for the concert. It doesn’t advertise a ticket price. It doesn’t identify a public shoreline viewing area. And it doesn’t tell attendees to park somewhere and walk to the performance. \nIt also doesn’t establish whether the musicians will be performing aboard a vessel\, from a dock\, float or waterfront property. \nUntil organizers provide more specific instructions\, those details shouldn’t be assumed. \nThe important instruction for anyone interested in attending is the simplest one on the flyer: \nBy boat only. \nA Different Kind of Labor Day Weekend Concert\nThere will be plenty of places around southeastern Connecticut to hear live music over Labor Day weekend. \nVery few require arriving by water. \nThat gives Red Lion’s September 5 performance a character of its own before the first note is played. \nBoats on the Niantic River. \nA regional reggae band playing conscious music. \nAnd an organization using the water it’s spent years trying to protect as the setting for the gathering. \nSometimes the venue tells most of the story. \nThis time\, the venue is the river. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Red Lion Reggae Band on the Niantic River\nDate: Saturday\, September 5\, 2026\nTime: 5 p.m.\nLocation: Golden Spur\, Niantic River\nFeaturing: The Red Lion Reggae Band\nMusic: Roots and conscious reggae\nPresented in Support of: Save the River-Save the Hills\nAccess: By boat\, canoe\, kayak\, or float. No landing or docking.\nParking: None\nAdmission: No admission charge is stated on the promotional flyer \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/red-lion-reggae-band-on-the-niantic-river/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Red-Lion-Reggae-Band-on-the-Niantic-River.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260828T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260828T200000
DTSTAMP:20260825T020601Z
CREATED:20260825T020138Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260825T020601Z
UID:10007267-1787943600-1787947200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Full Sturgeon Moon Cruise Lights Up the Thames River
DESCRIPTION:Full Sturgeon Moon Cruise Lights Up the Thames River on Thursday\, August 27\, setting the scene for a special evening cruise departing from City Pier in New London. \nPresented by Thames River Heritage Park\, the one-hour cruise leaves at 7:15 p.m.\, just as daylight begins fading from the river. Instead of exploring the Thames primarily for its history\, this trip turns the attention upward\, with the late-summer full moon becoming part of the landscape. \nThe cruise is open to all ages\, and guests can bring their own snacks and beverages aboard. \nWhy Is It Called the Sturgeon Moon?\nLong before calendars hung on kitchen walls\, seasonal changes could be marked by what was happening in the natural world. \nTraditional names associated with full moons reflected those rhythms. \nThe August full moon became known as the Sturgeon Moon because late summer was historically associated with plentiful catches of lake sturgeon\, the enormous freshwater fish native to North America. \nIt’s a fitting name for a full moon viewed from the water. \nSee the Thames After Dark\nThe Thames River looks very different once the sun disappears. \nNew London’s waterfront gives way to a river lined with maritime landmarks\, working waterfronts and generations of naval history. As darkness settles in\, lights along the shoreline begin reflecting across the water while the moon rises above the river. \nThat’s the experience this cruise is built around. \nRather than a traditional daytime sightseeing trip\, the Sturgeon Moon Cruise combines the maritime setting with the changing evening sky. \nThe result depends a little on nature cooperating. \nEvening cruises are weather dependent\, and guests should check for updated information before heading to City Pier if conditions are questionable. \nA River Filled With History\nThe moon may be the attraction overhead\, but there’s plenty surrounding the boat. \nThe Thames passes through one of the most historically significant maritime corridors in Connecticut. \nNew London developed into an important colonial seaport and later became closely associated with whaling. Across the river\, Groton’s identity became increasingly connected to shipbuilding\, submarines and the U.S. Navy. \nToday\, Thames River Heritage Park connects many of those stories through historic sites and experiences on both sides of the river. \nThe organization also operates seasonal boat tours that allow visitors to experience the region from the perspective that shaped so much of its history: the water. \nBring Something for the Ride\nThis is a casual evening excursion. \nGuests are welcome to pack a cooler with their favorite beverages and snacks and bring them aboard for the cruise. \nThat makes the hour less like a formal narrated tour and more like an opportunity to settle in\, watch the shoreline pass and enjoy the full moon from the river. \nFamilies are welcome\, too. \nTickets are $50 for adults 18 and older and $35 for children ages 4 through 17. Infants and children age 3 and younger ride free. \nTwo Nights Under the Sturgeon Moon\nThere are actually two opportunities to take the cruise. \nThames River Heritage Park has scheduled Sturgeon Moon cruises for Thursday\, August 27\, and Friday\, August 28\, both departing at 7:15 p.m. \nEach excursion lasts approximately one hour. \nThe Thursday cruise departs from City Pier at 1 Waterfront Park in downtown New London. \nWith August nearing its end\, the timing catches one of those brief stretches when summer evenings are still warm but darkness is beginning to arrive a little earlier. \nAdd a full moon over the Thames\, and the river gets to put on the show. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Full Sturgeon Moon Cruise\nDates: Thursday\, August 27 and Friday\, August 28\, 2026\nTime: 7:15–8:15 p.m.\nDeparture: City Pier\nAddress: 1 Waterfront Park\, New London\, CT 06320\nPresented by: Thames River Heritage Park\nAdults 18+: $50\nChildren ages 4–17: $35\nChildren ages 0–3: Free\nAges: All ages\nFood and Beverages: Guests may bring a cooler with snacks and beverages\nWeather: Evening cruises are weather dependent \nThe Full Sturgeon Moon Cruise offers a one-hour evening trip along the historic Thames River as the August full moon rises over the water. \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.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/full-sturgeon-moon-cruise-lights-up-the-thames-river/2026-08-28/
LOCATION:New London City Pier\, 1 Waterfront Park\, New London\, CT\, 06320\, United States
CATEGORIES:New London City Pier
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Full-Sturgeon-Moon-Cruise-Lights-Up-the-Thames-River.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260827T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260827T200000
DTSTAMP:20260825T020601Z
CREATED:20260825T020138Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260825T020601Z
UID:10007266-1787857200-1787860800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Full Sturgeon Moon Cruise Lights Up the Thames River
DESCRIPTION:Full Sturgeon Moon Cruise Lights Up the Thames River on Thursday\, August 27\, setting the scene for a special evening cruise departing from City Pier in New London. \nPresented by Thames River Heritage Park\, the one-hour cruise leaves at 7:15 p.m.\, just as daylight begins fading from the river. Instead of exploring the Thames primarily for its history\, this trip turns the attention upward\, with the late-summer full moon becoming part of the landscape. \nThe cruise is open to all ages\, and guests can bring their own snacks and beverages aboard. \nWhy Is It Called the Sturgeon Moon?\nLong before calendars hung on kitchen walls\, seasonal changes could be marked by what was happening in the natural world. \nTraditional names associated with full moons reflected those rhythms. \nThe August full moon became known as the Sturgeon Moon because late summer was historically associated with plentiful catches of lake sturgeon\, the enormous freshwater fish native to North America. \nIt’s a fitting name for a full moon viewed from the water. \nSee the Thames After Dark\nThe Thames River looks very different once the sun disappears. \nNew London’s waterfront gives way to a river lined with maritime landmarks\, working waterfronts and generations of naval history. As darkness settles in\, lights along the shoreline begin reflecting across the water while the moon rises above the river. \nThat’s the experience this cruise is built around. \nRather than a traditional daytime sightseeing trip\, the Sturgeon Moon Cruise combines the maritime setting with the changing evening sky. \nThe result depends a little on nature cooperating. \nEvening cruises are weather dependent\, and guests should check for updated information before heading to City Pier if conditions are questionable. \nA River Filled With History\nThe moon may be the attraction overhead\, but there’s plenty surrounding the boat. \nThe Thames passes through one of the most historically significant maritime corridors in Connecticut. \nNew London developed into an important colonial seaport and later became closely associated with whaling. Across the river\, Groton’s identity became increasingly connected to shipbuilding\, submarines and the U.S. Navy. \nToday\, Thames River Heritage Park connects many of those stories through historic sites and experiences on both sides of the river. \nThe organization also operates seasonal boat tours that allow visitors to experience the region from the perspective that shaped so much of its history: the water. \nBring Something for the Ride\nThis is a casual evening excursion. \nGuests are welcome to pack a cooler with their favorite beverages and snacks and bring them aboard for the cruise. \nThat makes the hour less like a formal narrated tour and more like an opportunity to settle in\, watch the shoreline pass and enjoy the full moon from the river. \nFamilies are welcome\, too. \nTickets are $50 for adults 18 and older and $35 for children ages 4 through 17. Infants and children age 3 and younger ride free. \nTwo Nights Under the Sturgeon Moon\nThere are actually two opportunities to take the cruise. \nThames River Heritage Park has scheduled Sturgeon Moon cruises for Thursday\, August 27\, and Friday\, August 28\, both departing at 7:15 p.m. \nEach excursion lasts approximately one hour. \nThe Thursday cruise departs from City Pier at 1 Waterfront Park in downtown New London. \nWith August nearing its end\, the timing catches one of those brief stretches when summer evenings are still warm but darkness is beginning to arrive a little earlier. \nAdd a full moon over the Thames\, and the river gets to put on the show. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Full Sturgeon Moon Cruise\nDates: Thursday\, August 27 and Friday\, August 28\, 2026\nTime: 7:15–8:15 p.m.\nDeparture: City Pier\nAddress: 1 Waterfront Park\, New London\, CT 06320\nPresented by: Thames River Heritage Park\nAdults 18+: $50\nChildren ages 4–17: $35\nChildren ages 0–3: Free\nAges: All ages\nFood and Beverages: Guests may bring a cooler with snacks and beverages\nWeather: Evening cruises are weather dependent \nThe Full Sturgeon Moon Cruise offers a one-hour evening trip along the historic Thames River as the August full moon rises over the water. \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.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/full-sturgeon-moon-cruise-lights-up-the-thames-river/2026-08-27/
LOCATION:New London City Pier\, 1 Waterfront Park\, New London\, CT\, 06320\, United States
CATEGORIES:New London City Pier
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Full-Sturgeon-Moon-Cruise-Lights-Up-the-Thames-River.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260712T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260712T130000
DTSTAMP:20260707T214214Z
CREATED:20260707T214214Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260707T214214Z
UID:10006541-1783855800-1783861200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Black Heritage Along the Thames: The Half That's Never Been Told
DESCRIPTION:Black Heritage Along the Thames: The Half That’s Never Been Told explores the often-overlooked stories of the Black men and women who helped shape New London’s history. Presented by Thames River Heritage Park on Sunday\, July 12\, this narrated boat tour examines more than 400 years of local history\, highlighting the struggles\, achievements\, and lasting contributions of the region’s Black community while cruising the historic Thames River. \nLed by local historians Nicole Thomas and Tom Schuch\, the tour connects landmarks along the river with stories of abolition\, education\, resilience\, and community leadership. As passengers travel the Thames\, they’ll gain a deeper understanding of how southeastern Connecticut’s Black residents influenced the region’s development and the broader American story in the ongoing pursuit of equality and justice. \nDeparting from Fort Trumbull State Park Dock\, the excursion welcomes visitors of all ages and combines history with scenic views of the Thames River. Guests are encouraged to bring snacks and beverages while enjoying an educational cruise that sheds light on an important chapter of local and national history. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: Black Heritage Along the Thames: The Half That’s Never Been Told\nDate: Sunday\, July 12\, 2026\nTime: 11:45 a.m.-1:00 p.m.\nDeparture Location: Fort Trumbull State Park Dock\nAddress: 90 Walbach St.\, New London\, CT 06320\n\nAdmission\n\nAdults (18+): $35\nChildren (4-17): $5\nInfants (0-3): Free\n\nTour Highlights\nThe narrated cruise explores: \n\nBlack history in New London\nMore than 400 years of local history\nAbolition and the fight for freedom\nEducation and community leadership\nStories of resilience and perseverance\nThe Thames River’s role in local history\n\nTour Guides\nThe tour is led by local historians: \n\nNicole Thomas\nTom Schuch\n\nWhat to Bring\nGuests are welcome to bring: \n\nSnacks\nBeverages\nA cooler\n\nImportant Information\n\nTours depart from Fort Trumbull State Park Dock.\nHistoric Boat Tours operate Friday through Sunday.\nTours are weather dependent.\nCheck the organizer’s website or social media for the latest schedule updates before traveling.\nAdvance tickets are recommended.\n\nContact Information\nThames River Heritage Park Foundation \n\nPhone: (860) 333-6706\nEmail: info@thamesriverheritagepark.org\n\nWhy Take the Tour?\nThis narrated cruise offers a unique opportunity to explore New London’s Black heritage from the water while learning about the individuals and communities whose contributions have helped shape southeastern Connecticut for generations. By combining local history with the scenic beauty of the Thames River\, the tour provides a meaningful perspective on the region’s past and its continuing legacy. \n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/black-heritage-along-the-thames-the-half-thats-never-been-told/
LOCATION:Fort Trumbull State Park\, 90 Walbach Street\, New London\, CT\, 06320\, United States
CATEGORIES:Fort Trumbull State Park
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Black-Heritage-Along-the-Thames-The-Half-Thats-Never-Been-Told-Sunday-July-12-at-1145-am.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260704T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260704T150000
DTSTAMP:20260702T002326Z
CREATED:20260702T002326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260702T002326Z
UID:10006512-1783166400-1783177200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Independence Day Celebration at the Connecticut River Museum
DESCRIPTION:Independence Day Celebration at the Connecticut River Museum offers families a chance to celebrate America’s birthday along the banks of the Connecticut River with history\, maritime traditions\, and hands-on activities. Taking place on Saturday\, July 4\, in Essex\, the afternoon event features museum exhibits\, a children’s activity\, an Independence Day boat parade\, and the thunderous sound of ceremonial cannon fire in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary. \nVisitors can explore the museum’s exhibits before heading outside to watch a parade of decorated boats make their way along the Connecticut River. Throughout the afternoon\, cannon demonstrations add to the patriotic atmosphere\, while children can participate in a special activity designed for younger visitors. To commemorate America’s semi-quincentennial\, museum admission will be discounted by $2.50 for the day. \nLocated on historic Steamboat Dock\, the Connecticut River Museum preserves and shares the stories of one of New England’s most significant waterways. Since opening in 1974\, the museum has collected artifacts\, documents\, and artwork that tell the story of the Connecticut River and the communities that have depended on it for centuries. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: Independence Day Celebration at the Connecticut River Museum\nDate: Saturday\, July 4\, 2026\nTime: Noon-3:00 p.m.\nVenue: Connecticut River Museum\nLocation: Essex\, CT\n\nEvent Schedule\n\nNoon: Museum opens\n2:00 p.m.: Independence Day Boat Parade begins\n3:00 p.m.: Museum closes\n\nActivities\nVisitors can enjoy: \n\nIndependence Day boat parade\nCannon fire demonstrations\nMuseum exhibits\nChildren’s activity\nWaterfront views of the Connecticut River\n\nAdmission\nIn celebration of America’s 250th anniversary: \n\nMuseum admission is discounted by $2.50.\n\nAbout the Connecticut River Museum\nFounded in 1974\, the Connecticut River Museum is a private\, nonprofit educational institution dedicated to preserving the history of the Connecticut River and the people who have lived and worked along its shores. The museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and is a member of both the Council of American Maritime Museums and the International Congress of Maritime Museums. \nLocated on historic Steamboat Dock in Essex\, the museum occupies the restored 1878 Steamboat Warehouse and neighboring Samuel Lay House. Its collections include regional manuscripts\, books\, artwork\, and artifacts\, while its educational programs introduce thousands of students and visitors each year to the river’s rich maritime and cultural history. \nWhy Attend\n\nCelebrate America’s 250th anniversary on the Connecticut River\nWatch an Independence Day boat parade\nExperience ceremonial cannon fire\nExplore maritime history exhibits\nEnjoy family-friendly activities in a historic waterfront setting\n\n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/independence-day-celebration-at-the-connecticut-river-museum/
LOCATION:Connecticut River Museum\, 67 Main Street\, Essex\, 06426\, United States
CATEGORIES:Connecticut River Museum
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Independence-Day-Celebration-at-the-Connecticut-River-Museum-July-4-12pm-3pm.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260629T203000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260629T220000
DTSTAMP:20260626T234156Z
CREATED:20260625T184834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T234156Z
UID:10006296-1782765000-1782770400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Full Moon Cruise on the Thames River
DESCRIPTION:NOTE: Purchase tickets by going to the Thames River Heritage Park tour page. Look for the Full Moon tours and book your tickets. \nCelebrate the beauty of the June full moon with a relaxing evening aboard the Full Moon Cruise on the Thames. Hosted by Thames River Heritage Park\, this special “Strawberry Moon” cruise offers passengers the chance to experience sunset and moonrise from the calm waters of the Thames River while taking in panoramic views of southeastern Connecticut’s historic waterfront. \nAs daylight fades and the full moon rises above the river\, guests will enjoy a peaceful cruise past historic landmarks and scenic shorelines\, creating an unforgettable setting for photography\, romance\, or simply unwinding on the water. The June Strawberry Moon\, traditionally named for the season’s ripening berries\, provides a fitting backdrop for an evening celebrating the beauty of early summer. \nWhether you’re planning a unique date night\, looking for an evening with friends\, or hoping to capture stunning waterfront photographs\, the Full Moon Cruise on the Thames offers a memorable way to experience one of nature’s most beautiful monthly events. \nCruise Details\nDates: \n\nSunday\, June 28\nMonday\, June 29\n\nDeparture Time: \n\n8:30 PM\n\nLocation:\nCity Pier\nNew London\, CT \nPerfect For\n\nDate Night\nPhotography\nMoonrise Viewing\nScenic River Cruise\nSummer Evening on the Water
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/full-moon-cruise-on-the-thames-river/2026-06-29/
LOCATION:New London City Pier\, 1 Waterfront Park\, New London\, CT\, 06320\, United States
CATEGORIES:New London City Pier
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Full-Moon-Cruise-on-the-Thames-Sunday-Monday-June-28-and-29-830-pm-at-the-New-London-City-Pier.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260628T203000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260628T220000
DTSTAMP:20260626T234156Z
CREATED:20260625T184834Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260626T234156Z
UID:10006295-1782678600-1782684000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Full Moon Cruise on the Thames River
DESCRIPTION:NOTE: Purchase tickets by going to the Thames River Heritage Park tour page. Look for the Full Moon tours and book your tickets. \nCelebrate the beauty of the June full moon with a relaxing evening aboard the Full Moon Cruise on the Thames. Hosted by Thames River Heritage Park\, this special “Strawberry Moon” cruise offers passengers the chance to experience sunset and moonrise from the calm waters of the Thames River while taking in panoramic views of southeastern Connecticut’s historic waterfront. \nAs daylight fades and the full moon rises above the river\, guests will enjoy a peaceful cruise past historic landmarks and scenic shorelines\, creating an unforgettable setting for photography\, romance\, or simply unwinding on the water. The June Strawberry Moon\, traditionally named for the season’s ripening berries\, provides a fitting backdrop for an evening celebrating the beauty of early summer. \nWhether you’re planning a unique date night\, looking for an evening with friends\, or hoping to capture stunning waterfront photographs\, the Full Moon Cruise on the Thames offers a memorable way to experience one of nature’s most beautiful monthly events. \nCruise Details\nDates: \n\nSunday\, June 28\nMonday\, June 29\n\nDeparture Time: \n\n8:30 PM\n\nLocation:\nCity Pier\nNew London\, CT \nPerfect For\n\nDate Night\nPhotography\nMoonrise Viewing\nScenic River Cruise\nSummer Evening on the Water
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/full-moon-cruise-on-the-thames-river/2026-06-28/
LOCATION:New London City Pier\, 1 Waterfront Park\, New London\, CT\, 06320\, United States
CATEGORIES:New London City Pier
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260531T203000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260531T220000
DTSTAMP:20260528T150814Z
CREATED:20260526T223532Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260528T150814Z
UID:10002593-1780259400-1780264800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Thames River Heritage Park Blue Moon Cruise
DESCRIPTION:Thames River Heritage Park Blue Moon Cruise sets sail from City Pier in New London on Sunday\, May 31\, offering passengers a rare chance to experience a full Blue Moon rising over the Thames River aboard a historic vessel. The nighttime cruise marks the unofficial start of the summer boating season along the southeastern Connecticut shoreline\, pairing waterfront views\, cool evening breezes\, and moonlit scenery with one of the sky’s more unusual lunar events. As the moon rises above the river and casts silver reflections across the water\, the cruise promises one of the weekend’s more atmospheric experiences on the shoreline. \nDeparting at 8:45 p.m.\, the evening excursion gives guests an opportunity to see New London’s waterfront from the water while taking in panoramic nighttime views of the harbor\, lighthouse\, and surrounding coastline. Organizers describe the cruise as a relaxing and visually striking experience designed around the calm pace of an evening on the river\, making it especially appealing for couples\, photographers\, boating enthusiasts\, and anyone looking for a quieter way to spend part of the holiday weekend. \nThe event is hosted by Thames River Heritage Park\, an organization known for highlighting the maritime history\, culture\, and waterfront character of the Thames River region through seasonal cruises and heritage programming. With the combination of a historic vessel\, a rare Blue Moon\, and late-spring shoreline weather\, the cruise offers a distinctly New England atmosphere that blends local history with the natural beauty of the Connecticut coast. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/thames-river-heritage-park-blue-moon-cruise/
LOCATION:New London City Pier\, 1 Waterfront Park\, New London\, CT\, 06320\, United States
CATEGORIES:New London City Pier
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260529T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260529T170000
DTSTAMP:20260527T233255Z
CREATED:20260527T233255Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260527T233255Z
UID:10002605-1780045200-1780074000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Sound Sails 2026 Season Opens
DESCRIPTION:Sound Sails 2026 Season Opens on May 29 as private sailing charters return to the waters around Mystic\, Noank\, and Fishers Island Sound for another summer along the southeastern Connecticut shoreline. Departing from Noank\, Sound Sails Mystic offers private experiences designed for couples\, families\, and small groups looking to spend time on the water without the crowded feeling of larger public cruises. The charters move through the Mystic River and out into Fishers Island Sound with views of Watch Hill\, Fishers Island\, and Groton Long Point along the way. \nWhat makes the experience stand out is the slower pace and quieter atmosphere once the boat reaches open water. On many charters\, the engine can be shut off completely so the boat moves only by wind power\, creating the kind of calm that’s increasingly hard to find during a busy New England summer weekend. Whether guests are longtime sailors or stepping aboard for the first time\, the trips are built around flexibility and comfort rather than rigid tour schedules. \nSound Sails Mystic says every charter is customized around the group’s preferred pace\, making the experience feel more personal and relaxed than traditional sightseeing cruises. With the summer boating season beginning to ramp up around Mystic and Noank\, the opening of the 2026 charter season marks another sign that shoreline life is shifting fully into warm-weather mode. \nHighlights: \n\nPrivate sailing charters\nDepartures from Noank\nMystic River and Fishers Island Sound routes\nViews of Watch Hill\, Fishers Island\, and Groton Long Point\nWind-powered sailing experience on many charters\nDesigned for couples\, families\, and small groups\nCustomized private experiences\nSuitable for all ages and experience levels\n\n  \nSound Sails\n(860) 451-9333 \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/sound-sails-2026-season-opens/
LOCATION:Maxwell’s Boat Yard\, 135 Pearl Street\, Noank\, 06340\, United States
CATEGORIES:Maxwell's Boat Yard
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Sound-Sails-2026-Season-Opens-May-29.jpeg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260526T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260526T170000
DTSTAMP:20260527T005757Z
CREATED:20260527T005757Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260527T005757Z
UID:10002595-1779782400-1779814800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Mystic Boat Adventures 2026
DESCRIPTION:Mystic Boat Adventures 2026 returns to the Mystic shoreline on June 1\, kicking off another season of self-guided boating tours through one of coastal Connecticut’s most recognizable waterfront destinations. Based in Noank\, the experience allows visitors to captain their own mini motor boat along the Mystic River and Fishers Island Sound while passing landmarks including Mystic Drawbridge\, Mystic Seaport\, local lighthouses\, and some of the region’s most scenic waterfront homes and harbors. \nDesigned for couples\, families\, small groups\, and visitors looking for a more hands-on way to experience the shoreline\, the tours combine sightseeing with the freedom of operating your own small boat without requiring a boating license. Guided routes lead participants through calm coastal waters while offering a perspective of Mystic that most visitors only see from shore. Sunset tours are also available throughout the season\, adding another layer of classic New England waterfront atmosphere to the experience. \nThe seasonal attraction has grown into a popular warm-weather activity for tourists and locals alike\, especially during the busy summer months when Mystic’s boating culture becomes part of everyday life along the river. Organizers describe the tours as both beginner-friendly and scenic\, making them appealing for first-time boaters\, vacationers\, and anyone looking to spend a few hours out on the water exploring southeastern Connecticut’s coastal landscape. \nFeatures & Details: \n\nDrive your own mini motor boat\nGuided tours through Mystic River and Fishers Island Sound\n1-hour and 3-hour guided tour options\nSunset tours available\nNo boating license required\nCooler and bottled water included\nDrivers must be 18+ with valid driver’s license\nPassengers ages 8+ welcome\nTours run weather permitting\nFree parking available\n\n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/mystic-boat-adventures-2026/
LOCATION:Mystic Boat Adventures\, 145 Pearl Street\, Noank\, 06340\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mystic Boat Adventures
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mystic-Boat-Adventures-2026-Opens-June-1.jpeg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260510T093000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260510T113000
DTSTAMP:20260507T053111Z
CREATED:20260507T001802Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260507T053111Z
UID:10000304-1778405400-1778412600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Mother's Day Sail aboard ARGIA in Mystic CT
DESCRIPTION:Mother’s Day Sail aboard ARGIA offers a coastal experience out of Mystic on Sunday\, May 10 from 9:30 to 11:30 AM\, giving guests the chance to celebrate the holiday on the water. The sail provides a quieter alternative to traditional plans\, focusing on scenery\, fresh air\, and time spent together aboard a classic sailing vessel. The setting moves through the Mystic area with open views and a relaxed pace that emphasizes the experience rather than a fixed itinerary. \nPassengers can enjoy complimentary mimosas for those 21 and over\, adding to the laid-back atmosphere while the sail unfolds. Guests are also welcome to bring a picnic or arrange snacks during booking\, making it easy to customize the outing. The combination of light refreshments\, coastal views\, and time on the water creates a simple but memorable way to mark the occasion. \nReservations are required\, and availability is limited. To book\, visit ArgiaMystic.com\, click “Buy Tickets Now\,” and select your preferred date and time. As of publication\, one of the Mother’s Day sail times is already sold out\, with limited spots remaining on the other\, making early booking important for those planning ahead. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/mothers-day-sail-aboard-argia-in-mystic-ct/
LOCATION:Argia Mystic Cruises\, Steamboat Wharf\, Mystic\, CT\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Argia Mystic Cruises
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Mothers-Day-Sail-Aboard-the-Argia-in-Mystic.jpeg
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