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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-2/
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260901T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260901T140000
DTSTAMP:20260708T202300Z
CREATED:20260708T201136Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T202300Z
UID:10006667-1788264000-1788271200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Teen Café: Summer Edition
DESCRIPTION:Teen Café: Summer Edition offers teens a welcoming place to relax\, recharge\, and connect with friends during the summer. Held daily in the Teen Space\, the casual drop-in program provides a comfortable environment where teens can enjoy refreshments\, conversation\, and a break from the summer heat. \nWhether stopping by for lunch\, a quick snack\, or simply to spend time with friends\, Teen Café creates a laid-back atmosphere designed just for teens. With friendly conversations and a dedicated gathering space\, it’s an easy way to meet new people\, catch up with familiar faces\, or unwind between summer activities. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: Teen Café: Summer Edition\nSchedule: Daily\nDate Featured: Thursday\, July 9\, 2026\nTime: Noon-2:00 p.m.\nLocation: Teen Space\n\nWhat’s Included\nTeens can enjoy: \n\nCold drinks\nLight lunch\nTasty snacks\nFriendly conversation\nA welcoming space to relax and socialize\n\nWho Can Attend\nTeen Café is designed for teens looking for a fun\, informal place to spend part of their summer day. \n  \nContact:\n\nLynn Dougan401 596-2877 x301 \n\n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/teen-cafe-summer-edition/2026-09-01/
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/2026/07/Teen-Cafe-at-the-Westerly-Public-Library-in-the-Teen-Space-daily-this-summer-12pm-to-2pm.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260901T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260901T230000
DTSTAMP:20260512T032734Z
CREATED:20260512T032734Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T032734Z
UID:10001475-1788278400-1788303600@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/2026-09-01/
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260901T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260901T220000
DTSTAMP:20260512T031029Z
CREATED:20260512T030939Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260512T031029Z
UID:10001405-1788282000-1788300000@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/2026-09-01/
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:20260902T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260902T180000
DTSTAMP:20260901T212201Z
CREATED:20260901T212201Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T212201Z
UID:10007304-1788339600-1788372000@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/2026-09-02/
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:20260902T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260902T210000
DTSTAMP:20260722T230353Z
CREATED:20260722T230353Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260722T230353Z
UID:10006985-1788370200-1788382800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Raw Bar Wednesdays at Mystic Fish Camp
DESCRIPTION:Raw Bar Wednesdays at Mystic Fish Camp brings a rotating selection of the freshest local seafood to downtown Mystic every Wednesday from 5:30 p.m. until close through September 2. Held at the new Mystic Fish Camp\, the weekly event transforms the restaurant into a destination for raw bar favorites\, featuring local oysters\, seafood towers\, crudos\, tartares\, marinated shellfish\, caviar\, and other seasonal specialties that change from week to week. (mysticfishcamp.com) \nGuests can pair their seafood with frosé\, Aperol spritz slushies topped with champagne\, or other refreshing beverages while enjoying the lively atmosphere just steps from the Mystic River Bascule Bridge. Led by James Beard Award-winning chef David Standridge\, Mystic Fish Camp celebrates sustainable\, locally sourced seafood with a fun\, summer camp-inspired twist\, making Raw Bar Wednesdays a perfect midweek outing for seafood lovers and visitors exploring downtown Mystic. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Raw Bar Wednesdays at Mystic Fish Camp \nDates: Every Wednesday through September 2\, 2026 \nTime: 5:30 p.m. until close \nLocation: Mystic Fish Camp\n4 E. Main Street\nMystic\, CT 06355 \nPhone: (860) 984-6545 \nAdmission: No tickets required. \n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/raw-bar-wednesdays-at-mystic-fish-camp/2026-09-02/
LOCATION:Mystic Fish Camp\, 4 East Main Street\, Mystic\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mystic Fish Camp
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Raw-Bar-Wednesdays-at-Mystic-Fish-Camp-Wednesdays-this-summer.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260902T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260902T200000
DTSTAMP:20260708T212229Z
CREATED:20260708T212229Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T212229Z
UID:10006744-1788372000-1788379200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Pop Over Mystic Wednesday Supper Club
DESCRIPTION:Pop Over Mystic Wednesday Supper Club transforms dinner into a shared culinary experience every Wednesday evening in downtown Mystic. Rather than ordering from the regular menu\, guests enjoy a chef-curated\, six-course tapas-style dinner designed to introduce new flavors\, encourage conversation\, and showcase the creativity of the kitchen in a relaxed\, social setting. \nEach week\, the chefs prepare a completely new menu that is released on Sunday evening\, giving returning guests a different experience every visit. Every supper includes six chef-selected courses\, dessert\, and beverages including wine\, beer\, and non-alcoholic drinks\, making it an all-inclusive evening centered around great food and community. \nHeld as a single seating from 6 to 8 p.m.\, the Wednesday Supper Club is ideal for adventurous diners\, date nights\, or anyone looking to discover new dishes without having to choose from a menu. Seating is limited and advance reservations are required. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: Pop Over Wednesday Supper Club\nSchedule: Every Wednesday\nTime: 6:00-8:00 p.m.\nVenue: Pop Over Eatery\nAddress: 24 E. Main St.\, Mystic\, CT\nPrice: $65 per person\n\nWhat’s Included\nEach Supper Club includes: \n\nOne seating from 6:00-8:00 p.m.\nSix chef-selected tapas-style courses\nDessert\nWine\nBeer\nNon-alcoholic beverages\n\nWeekly Menu\nThe chef-selected menu changes every week and is released each Sunday evening. \nWhy Attend\nGuests can enjoy: \n\nA new menu every week\nChef-curated small plates\nAn opportunity to discover new dishes\nA relaxed\, social dining experience\nAn all-inclusive meal with beverages\n\nReservations\nAdvance reservations are required. \nTo reserve a table\, send a direct message to Pop Over on Facebook or Instagram\, (@popovermystic)\, or email: \npopovermystic@gmail.com \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/pop-over-mystic-wednesday-supper-club/2026-09-02/
LOCATION:Pop Over Mystic\, 24 East Main Street\, Mystic\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Pop Over Mystic
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Pop-Over-Mystic-Wednesday-Supper-Club-6pm-to-8pm.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260903T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260903T180000
DTSTAMP:20260901T212201Z
CREATED:20260901T212201Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T212201Z
UID:10007305-1788426000-1788458400@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/2026-09-03/
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:20260903T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260903T170000
DTSTAMP:20260708T031351Z
CREATED:20260708T005652Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T031351Z
UID:10006587-1788435000-1788454800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Middle of the Vines Vineyard Tour
DESCRIPTION:Middle of the Vines Vineyard Tour offers a relaxing\, all-inclusive way to explore the Connecticut Wine Trail without worrying about driving\, reservations\, or planning the day’s itinerary. Operating Thursday through Sunday during the summer\, Friday through Sunday in the fall\, and Saturday through Sunday during the winter\, the guided experience departs from Mystic and visits three carefully selected vineyards across southeastern Connecticut. \nGuests travel in a comfortable 15-passenger van to scenic wineries in communities including Stonington\, North Stonington\, Preston\, and Ledyard. Each stop allows about an hour to enjoy the vineyard\, sample local wines or other beverages\, and take in Connecticut’s picturesque wine country. Every tour includes lunch from Sift Bake Shop\, one beverage at each winery\, bottled water\, and snacks\, creating a stress-free day designed for both visitors and local wine enthusiasts. \nBecause winery availability changes throughout the season\, destinations vary from tour to tour\, giving returning guests the opportunity to experience different vineyards throughout the year. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a unique day trip\, Middle of the Vines handles the transportation and planning so guests can relax and enjoy the journey. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: Middle of the Vines Vineyard Tour\nSchedule:\n\nSummer: Thursday-Sunday\nFall: Friday-Sunday\nWinter: Saturday-Sunday\n\n\nTour Length: Approximately 5 hours\nDeparture: Mystic\, CT\nTransportation: Included**\nAge Requirement: 21+\nMeetup at Sift Bake Shop Mystic (see Venue at the bottom of the page)\n\nTour Highlights\nEach tour includes: \n\nGuided transportation aboard a 15-passenger van\nVisits to three Connecticut vineyards\nApproximately one hour at each winery\nScenic drives through southeastern Connecticut wine country\n\nTours may visit wineries in: \n\nStonington\nNorth Stonington\nPreston\nLedyard\n\nDestinations vary based on vineyard availability. \nWhat’s Included\nEvery ticket includes: \n\nRound-trip transportation\nVisits to three vineyards\nLunch from Sift Bake Shop\nOne beverage at each winery (wine\, beer\, cider\, or another available option)\nBottled water\nSnacks\n\nA Zero Proof ticket is also available for guests who prefer non-alcoholic beverages. \nReservations\nAdvance reservations are required. \nBecause lunch is prepared fresh by Sift Bake Shop\, bookings close at 6:00 p.m. the day before each tour. \nThe online booking system displays real-time availability\, allowing guests to see how many seats remain on each tour. \nTickets\nTickets are $165 per person. \nTo check availability and reserve your seat\, click the Event Ticketing link at the bottom of this page. \n  \n** You must provide your own transportation home. Have a designated driver or use Uber/Lyft. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/middle-of-the-vines-vineyard-tour/2026-09-03/
LOCATION:Sift Bake Shop Mystic\, 5 Water Street\, Mystic\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Sift Bake Shop Mystic
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260903T143000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260903T173000
DTSTAMP:20260606T215009Z
CREATED:20260606T215009Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260606T215009Z
UID:10005307-1788445800-1788456600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Mystic Food Tours: 6 Stops in 3 Hours
DESCRIPTION:Did you know that Mystic has quietly become one of New England’s hottest culinary destinations? If not\, Mystic Food Tours is here to fill you in. This food and history walking tour showcases what brings locals and visitors alike to downtown Mystic. Loaded with local lore\, delectable food tastings\, and three hours of exploration around historic downtown Mystic guided by a resident who has lived in town for years. This food tour takes guests to six restaurants and samples some of the cuisine responsible for putting Mystic on the map. \nGuests will sample everything from fresh caught seafood and oysters\, to house-made pasta\, smoked brisket\, and locally family recipes. Throughout the tour guests will enjoy food and history about how Mystic became a premier seaside town\, how the restaurant landscape has changed over the years\, and will meet some of the locals who work in downtown Mystic’s most loved kitchens. Walking approximately 1.8 miles through downtown Mystic. \nPerfect for tourists and locals alike who want to see Mystic through a new lens. Food tour guests are sure to leave with a happy belly\, new favorite restaurants\, cocktails\, desserts and even some locally owned shops that they can visit the next time they find themselves hungering for something new in Connecticut. \nEvent Details \n\nEvent: Mystic Food Tours: 6 Stops in 3 Hours\nWhen: Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. (times may vary; check event link for current availability)\nLocation: Downtown Mystic\, CT\nDuration: Approximately 3 hours\nWalking Distance: About 1.8 miles\nRestaurant Stops: 6\nIncludes: Sit-down tastings\, food history\, local storytelling\, and personalized recommendations\nFood Highlights: Oysters\, lobster\, brisket\, bolognese\, pasta\, and other local specialties\nGood to Know: Tour includes uneven terrain\, cobblestones\, gravel\, and stairs; comfortable shoes recommended\n\nMeta Description:\nExplore downtown Mystic through six restaurant stops in three hours. Mystic Food Tours combines local food\, history\, seafood\, pasta\, and storytelling in a guided culinary adventure.
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/mystic-food-tours-6-stops-in-3-hours/2026-09-03/
LOCATION:Downtown Mystic\, West Main Street\, Mystic\, CT\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Downtown Mystic
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Mystic-Food-Tours-6-Stops-in-3-Hours-Thursdays-at-230-pm.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260903T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260903T230000
DTSTAMP:20260903T151855Z
CREATED:20260903T151855Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T151855Z
UID:10007457-1788451200-1788476400@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/2026-09-03/
LOCATION:Woodstock Fairgrounds\, 281 Route 169\, South Woodstock\, 06267\, United States
CATEGORIES:Woodstock Fairgrounds
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260903T170000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260903T230000
DTSTAMP:20260609T181949Z
CREATED:20260609T181949Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260609T181949Z
UID:10005659-1788454800-1788476400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Ladies' Night with Tito's at Milestone
DESCRIPTION:Ladies’ Night with Tito’s at Milestone offers a weekly excuse to gather friends\, share a meal\, and unwind with cocktails after a busy day. Held every Thursday from 5 p.m. until close\, the promotion combines drinks and food into a package designed for a casual night out in a relaxed setting. \nGuests can choose between two Tito’s martinis or two classic margaritas\, paired with a Caesar salad and a pizza to share. The combination creates an easy option for catching up with friends\, enjoying a date night\, or simply taking a break from cooking at home. The weekly special is designed to encourage guests to linger\, socialize\, and enjoy an evening out together. \nWhether you’re meeting coworkers after work\, planning a girls’ night out\, or looking for a low-key evening with friends\, Ladies’ Night with Tito’s provides an affordable way to enjoy cocktails and dinner. The shareable format and straightforward menu make it an easy choice for a Thursday night gathering. \nAdditional Details\n\nSchedule: Every Thursday\nTime: 5 p.m. to close\nLocation: Milestone\n\nSpecial Offer – $38 \nIncludes: \n\nTwo Tito’s Martinis or\nTwo Classic Margaritas\nCaesar Salad\nPizza to Share\nWeekly dining and cocktail special\nIdeal for groups\, friends\, and casual nights out\nFood and beverage selections subject to change\nAvailable during promotion hours only\nTax and gratuity not included unless specified by the venue
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/ladies-night-with-titos-at-milestone/2026-09-03/
LOCATION:Milestone\, 12 Water Street\, Mystic\, CT\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Milestone
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260904T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260904T180000
DTSTAMP:20260901T212201Z
CREATED:20260901T212201Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T212201Z
UID:10007306-1788512400-1788544800@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/2026-09-04/
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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UID:10006588-1788521400-1788541200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Middle of the Vines Vineyard Tour
DESCRIPTION:Middle of the Vines Vineyard Tour offers a relaxing\, all-inclusive way to explore the Connecticut Wine Trail without worrying about driving\, reservations\, or planning the day’s itinerary. Operating Thursday through Sunday during the summer\, Friday through Sunday in the fall\, and Saturday through Sunday during the winter\, the guided experience departs from Mystic and visits three carefully selected vineyards across southeastern Connecticut. \nGuests travel in a comfortable 15-passenger van to scenic wineries in communities including Stonington\, North Stonington\, Preston\, and Ledyard. Each stop allows about an hour to enjoy the vineyard\, sample local wines or other beverages\, and take in Connecticut’s picturesque wine country. Every tour includes lunch from Sift Bake Shop\, one beverage at each winery\, bottled water\, and snacks\, creating a stress-free day designed for both visitors and local wine enthusiasts. \nBecause winery availability changes throughout the season\, destinations vary from tour to tour\, giving returning guests the opportunity to experience different vineyards throughout the year. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a unique day trip\, Middle of the Vines handles the transportation and planning so guests can relax and enjoy the journey. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: Middle of the Vines Vineyard Tour\nSchedule:\n\nSummer: Thursday-Sunday\nFall: Friday-Sunday\nWinter: Saturday-Sunday\n\n\nTour Length: Approximately 5 hours\nDeparture: Mystic\, CT\nTransportation: Included**\nAge Requirement: 21+\nMeetup at Sift Bake Shop Mystic (see Venue at the bottom of the page)\n\nTour Highlights\nEach tour includes: \n\nGuided transportation aboard a 15-passenger van\nVisits to three Connecticut vineyards\nApproximately one hour at each winery\nScenic drives through southeastern Connecticut wine country\n\nTours may visit wineries in: \n\nStonington\nNorth Stonington\nPreston\nLedyard\n\nDestinations vary based on vineyard availability. \nWhat’s Included\nEvery ticket includes: \n\nRound-trip transportation\nVisits to three vineyards\nLunch from Sift Bake Shop\nOne beverage at each winery (wine\, beer\, cider\, or another available option)\nBottled water\nSnacks\n\nA Zero Proof ticket is also available for guests who prefer non-alcoholic beverages. \nReservations\nAdvance reservations are required. \nBecause lunch is prepared fresh by Sift Bake Shop\, bookings close at 6:00 p.m. the day before each tour. \nThe online booking system displays real-time availability\, allowing guests to see how many seats remain on each tour. \nTickets\nTickets are $165 per person. \nTo check availability and reserve your seat\, click the Event Ticketing link at the bottom of this page. \n  \n** You must provide your own transportation home. Have a designated driver or use Uber/Lyft. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/middle-of-the-vines-vineyard-tour/2026-09-04/
LOCATION:Sift Bake Shop Mystic\, 5 Water Street\, Mystic\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Sift Bake Shop Mystic
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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/2026-09-04/
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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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260904T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260904T230000
DTSTAMP:20260911T012605Z
CREATED:20260831T212419Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T012605Z
UID:10007292-1788552000-1788562800@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Mystic Dead at the Charlestown Rathskeller
DESCRIPTION:Mystic Dead at the Charlestown Rathskeller brings the music of the Grateful Dead to the woods of Charlestown on Friday\, September 4\, with three hours of extended jams\, improvisation\, and songs drawn from one of rock’s deepest catalogs. \nThe southeastern Connecticut-based six-piece performs from 8 to 11 p.m. at the Rathskeller\, continuing a relationship with the venue that has already brought Mystic Dead to Charlestown multiple times in 2026. \nTickets are $15 in advance\, plus fees\, and $20 at the door. \nFor a band that began with a once-a-month Dead night in Mystic\, it’s another stop in what has become a much bigger trip. \nIt Started With a Dead Night in Mystic\nMystic Dead wasn’t created as a touring tribute act with a business plan. \nIn 2018\, a group of local musicians began getting together once a month to play Grateful Dead music at the Captain Daniel Packer Inne in Mystic. \nIt was supposed to be a Dead night. \nThen people kept coming. \nThe musicians kept playing. \nAnd Mystic Dead was born. \nThe six-piece band has since moved well beyond its Mystic beginnings\, playing clubs\, theaters\, breweries\, festivals and outdoor venues throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island. \nBut the approach established during those early nights remains central to the band. \nMystic Dead doesn’t simply reproduce a list of Grateful Dead songs. \nIt uses them as somewhere to go. \nYou Can’t Really Tribute the Dead Note for Note\nThere is a fundamental problem with trying to recreate a Grateful Dead concert. \nThe Grateful Dead didn’t recreate Grateful Dead concerts. \nSongs changed from night to night. Set lists changed. Tempos shifted. One song could dissolve into another without a clean break. A familiar piece of music might suddenly become the launching point for a long improvisation that had never happened before and would never happen exactly the same way again. \nThat unpredictability became one of the defining characteristics of the band. \nIt also helped create Deadheads. \nFans didn’t simply want to hear “Truckin’\,” “Sugaree\,” “Scarlet Begonias” or “Eyes of the World” again. They wanted to hear what those songs might become tonight. \nMystic Dead takes that philosophy seriously. \nThe band describes its approach as a deep dive into the Grateful Dead catalog while allowing all six musicians the freedom to maintain their own creative individuality. \nThat’s an important distinction. \nThe goal isn’t to make every note sound exactly like a record made 50 years ago. \nIt’s to recreate the possibility that something unexpected can happen between the notes. \nThe Grateful Dead Built a Catalog Made for Exploration\nThe source material gives Mystic Dead plenty of room. \nThe Grateful Dead formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1965 and became inseparable from the counterculture developing around Haight-Ashbury. \nBut trying to assign the band a single genre has never worked particularly well. \nRock was there. \nSo were blues\, folk\, country\, bluegrass\, psychedelia\, jazz and traditional American music. \nJerry Garcia\, Bob Weir\, Phil Lesh\, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan and Bill Kreutzmann formed the original core\, with Mickey Hart joining soon afterward. Personnel would change over the band’s 30-year run\, but musical exploration remained constant. \nA song could be tightly constructed one night and stretched far beyond its original boundaries on another. \nThat created a catalog particularly well suited to musicians who want to improvise rather than simply imitate. \nThe Set List Is Only the Beginning\nA conventional tribute concert can work like a jukebox. \nRecognize the opening notes. \nSing the chorus. \nWait for the next hit. \nGrateful Dead music invites something different. \n“Dark Star” became famous partly because its relatively simple structure could open into enormous stretches of improvisation. \n“China Cat Sunflower” and “I Know You Rider” became so closely associated in concert that the transition between them became part of the experience. \n“Scarlet Begonias” could flow into “Fire on the Mountain.” \n“Help on the Way” could lead into “Slipknot!” and then “Franklin’s Tower.” \nThe space between songs could matter as much as the songs themselves. \nThat’s the territory a band like Mystic Dead gets to explore. \nThe destination may be familiar. \nThe route doesn’t have to be. \nThe Deadheads Changed Concert Culture Too\nThe Grateful Dead’s influence goes far beyond its recordings. \nA traveling community grew around the band\, with fans following tours from city to city and trading recordings of performances. \nThe Dead famously allowed fans to record concerts from designated taping areas\, helping create an enormous archive of live performances that circulated among listeners. \nThat culture reinforced an idea that seems obvious now but was unusual at the time: \nA concert didn’t have to be disposable. \nOne night’s version of a song could become something worth seeking out years later. \nFans compared performances\, traded tapes and debated particular versions of songs. \nThe Grateful Dead became a band whose live history could be explored almost endlessly. \nWhen Garcia died in 1995 and the Grateful Dead’s 30-year run ended\, the music didn’t disappear with it. \nFormer members continued performing in different configurations. New generations discovered the recordings. Tribute bands emerged everywhere. \nAnd eventually\, six musicians started playing a monthly Dead night in Mystic. \nMystic Dead Doesn’t Stay in Mystic Anymore\nBy 2026\, Mystic Dead’s calendar stretches well beyond its hometown. \nThe band has played throughout Connecticut and Rhode Island\, with appearances this year at venues ranging from breweries and taverns to Infinity Music Hall in Norfolk. \nSeptember alone includes the Rathskeller show followed by appearances at StageOne in Fairfield\, Mitchell Farm in Salem and Arch Street Tavern in Hartford. \nThat growth makes the band’s name a little deceptive. \nMystic is where it started. \nIt isn’t where it stayed. \nThree Hours Down Back\nThe Charlestown Rathskeller is particularly well suited to this kind of show. \nThe historic tavern dates to 1933 and sits tucked into the woods along Old Coach Road\, away from the busier coastal strips of South County. \nBehind the restaurant is the Rathskeller’s seasonal outdoor entertainment area known as Down Back. \nIt’s a casual setting built for lingering rather than sitting silently through a performance. The grounds include outdoor seating\, lawn games and a large fire pit\, with live music running through the warmer months. \nFor Friday’s show\, that means Mystic Dead has three hours to work with. \nAnd three hours changes what a Grateful Dead tribute can do. \nThere’s room for the familiar songs. \nThere’s also room to let one wander. \nThe Song Doesn’t Have to End Where It Started\nThat’s ultimately the appeal of Mystic Dead. \nThe songs may have been written decades ago. \nThe performance isn’t. \nA good Dead show has always depended on the musicians listening to one another\, recognizing when something interesting is happening and being willing to follow it. \nSometimes the experiment lands. \nSometimes it wanders. \nAnd sometimes a song everybody in the audience has heard hundreds of times suddenly finds a place none of them expected. \nThat’s why\, nearly three decades after six musicians gathered for a monthly Dead night in Mystic\, the Grateful Dead’s music still provides enough territory for another six musicians to explore. \nOn September 4\, they’ll have three hours in the woods of Charlestown to see where it takes them. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Mystic Dead – Grateful Dead Tribute\nDate: Friday\, September 4\, 2026\nTime: 8–11 p.m.\nLocation: The Charlestown Rathskeller\nAddress: 489A Old Coach Road\, Charlestown\, RI 02813\nBand: Mystic Dead\nMusic: Grateful Dead tribute / jam band\nAdvance Tickets: $15 plus Eventbrite fees\nDoor Tickets: $20\nVenue: Outdoor live music at the Charlestown Rathskeller \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. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/mystic-dead-at-the-charlestown-rathskeller-2/
LOCATION:Rathskeller\, 489A Old Coach Rd\, Charlestown\, RI\, 02813\, United States
CATEGORIES:Rathskeller
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260904T220000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T010000
DTSTAMP:20260826T022503Z
CREATED:20260826T022503Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260826T022503Z
UID:10007272-1788559200-1788570000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Comedy Roast at the Comix Roadhouse
DESCRIPTION:Comedy Roast at the Comix Roadhouse Friday\, September 4\, when Roast Battle League CT presents Roast at the Roadhouse. \nThe 10 p.m. show replaces the usual stand-up format with head-to-head comedy battles. Instead of comics telling jokes about their own lives\, each competitor comes armed with material written specifically to tear apart the person standing across from them. \nTen comedians. Five matchups. Three judges. \nAnd presumably very few hurt feelings… at least officially. \nFive Head-to-Head Battles\nThe night’s card features five comedy matchups: \nChadd Lennon vs. Mansa Musa \nVictoria Caira vs. Pat McKinstry \nEmily Siero vs. Kevin Boyd \nNick Kochis vs. Dillon Rakowski \nAli vs. Jeff Poirier \nSarah Carroll vs. Dustin Fiore \nBrittany Roarge vs. Zaire Hunt \nActually\, that’s seven battles\, giving the night an even larger lineup than the promotional description initially suggests. \nEach pairing puts two comedians directly against one another\, with insults\, personal jokes and prepared attacks replacing a conventional stand-up set. \nWhat Is a Roast Battle?\nRoast comedy has always depended on a strange agreement. \nSay something absolutely terrible about another person. \nMake it funny enough\, and everybody laughs. \nRoast battles turn that idea into a competition. Two comedians alternate jokes aimed directly at each other\, often digging into appearance\, personality\, career\, relationships or anything else they can turn into a punchline. \nThe point isn’t simply to be mean. \nAnyone can insult somebody. \nThe skill is constructing an insult so unexpected\, specific and well-written that even the person being roasted has to laugh. \nThe Judges Decide Who Survives\nThree judges will oversee the battles at Comix Roadhouse. \nThe announced panel includes Charity Gregory\, Dan Wilkes and Mike Eaton. \nCliff Mula is serving as host\, while Ish Gupta is listed as the show’s booker. \nTheir job is to keep seven battles moving while deciding which comics land the hardest shots. \nAnd unlike an ordinary stand-up show\, somebody gets to win. \nRoast Battle League Comes to Uncasville\nFriday’s show is presented by Roast Battle League CT in partnership with Comix Roadhouse. \nRoast Battle League is built around competitive insult comedy\, with comedians facing one another in organized battles rather than performing unrelated sets. \nThat changes the energy in the room. \nThe person waiting for you to finish a joke isn’t another comic waiting politely for their turn. \nThey’re listening. \nBecause they’re about to answer. \nLate Night at Comix Roadhouse\nComix Roadhouse combines a comedy club with a restaurant\, bar and country-themed entertainment venue inside Mohegan Sun. \nThe September 4 roast begins at 10 p.m.\, making this a late-night show rather than an early-evening comedy performance. \nTickets start at $15 for general admission\, with $25 VIP seating and $35 booth seating. \nTickets are available online and will also be available at the door. \nAnd with seven pairs of comics spending the night trying to find each other’s weakest spots\, sitting close to the stage may come with its own occupational hazard. \nJust don’t make eye contact. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Roast at the Roadhouse\nDate: Friday\, September 4\, 2026\nTime: 10 p.m.\nLocation: Comix Roadhouse at Mohegan Sun\nAddress: 1 Mohegan Sun Boulevard\, Uncasville\, CT 06382\nPresented by: Roast Battle League CT and Comix Roadhouse\nHost: Cliff Mula\nBooker: Ish Gupta\nJudges: Charity Gregory\, Dan Wilkes and Mike Eaton\nFormat: Seven head-to-head comedy roast battles\nGeneral Admission: $15\nVIP: $25\nBooths: $35\nTickets: Available online and at the door \nRoast at the Roadhouse pits Connecticut comedians against one another in seven head-to-head insult-comedy battles at Comix Roadhouse. \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/comedy-roast-at-the-comix-roadhouse/
LOCATION:COMIX Roadhouse\, 1 Mohegan Sun Blvd\, Uncasville\, 06382\, United States
CATEGORIES:Mohegan Sun
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Comedy-Roast-at-the-Comix-Roadhouse.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T180000
DTSTAMP:20260901T212201Z
CREATED:20260901T212201Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T212201Z
UID:10007307-1788598800-1788631200@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/2026-09-05/
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T230000
DTSTAMP:20260911T012545Z
CREATED:20260905T213707Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T012545Z
UID:10007459-1788598800-1788649200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:The 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-2/
LOCATION:Woodstock Fairgrounds\, 281 Route 169\, South Woodstock\, 06267\, United States
CATEGORIES:Woodstock Fairgrounds
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T180000
DTSTAMP:20260911T012517Z
CREATED:20260905T213852Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T012517Z
UID:10007439-1788604200-1788631200@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-2/
LOCATION:Lebanon Fair Grounds\, 122 Mack Road\, Lebanon\, 06249\, United States
CATEGORIES:Lebanon Fairgrounds
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T113000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T170000
DTSTAMP:20260708T031351Z
CREATED:20260708T005652Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260708T031351Z
UID:10006589-1788607800-1788627600@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Middle of the Vines Vineyard Tour
DESCRIPTION:Middle of the Vines Vineyard Tour offers a relaxing\, all-inclusive way to explore the Connecticut Wine Trail without worrying about driving\, reservations\, or planning the day’s itinerary. Operating Thursday through Sunday during the summer\, Friday through Sunday in the fall\, and Saturday through Sunday during the winter\, the guided experience departs from Mystic and visits three carefully selected vineyards across southeastern Connecticut. \nGuests travel in a comfortable 15-passenger van to scenic wineries in communities including Stonington\, North Stonington\, Preston\, and Ledyard. Each stop allows about an hour to enjoy the vineyard\, sample local wines or other beverages\, and take in Connecticut’s picturesque wine country. Every tour includes lunch from Sift Bake Shop\, one beverage at each winery\, bottled water\, and snacks\, creating a stress-free day designed for both visitors and local wine enthusiasts. \nBecause winery availability changes throughout the season\, destinations vary from tour to tour\, giving returning guests the opportunity to experience different vineyards throughout the year. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking for a unique day trip\, Middle of the Vines handles the transportation and planning so guests can relax and enjoy the journey. \nEvent Details\n\nEvent: Middle of the Vines Vineyard Tour\nSchedule:\n\nSummer: Thursday-Sunday\nFall: Friday-Sunday\nWinter: Saturday-Sunday\n\n\nTour Length: Approximately 5 hours\nDeparture: Mystic\, CT\nTransportation: Included**\nAge Requirement: 21+\nMeetup at Sift Bake Shop Mystic (see Venue at the bottom of the page)\n\nTour Highlights\nEach tour includes: \n\nGuided transportation aboard a 15-passenger van\nVisits to three Connecticut vineyards\nApproximately one hour at each winery\nScenic drives through southeastern Connecticut wine country\n\nTours may visit wineries in: \n\nStonington\nNorth Stonington\nPreston\nLedyard\n\nDestinations vary based on vineyard availability. \nWhat’s Included\nEvery ticket includes: \n\nRound-trip transportation\nVisits to three vineyards\nLunch from Sift Bake Shop\nOne beverage at each winery (wine\, beer\, cider\, or another available option)\nBottled water\nSnacks\n\nA Zero Proof ticket is also available for guests who prefer non-alcoholic beverages. \nReservations\nAdvance reservations are required. \nBecause lunch is prepared fresh by Sift Bake Shop\, bookings close at 6:00 p.m. the day before each tour. \nThe online booking system displays real-time availability\, allowing guests to see how many seats remain on each tour. \nTickets\nTickets are $165 per person. \nTo check availability and reserve your seat\, click the Event Ticketing link at the bottom of this page. \n  \n** You must provide your own transportation home. Have a designated driver or use Uber/Lyft. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/middle-of-the-vines-vineyard-tour/2026-09-05/
LOCATION:Sift Bake Shop Mystic\, 5 Water Street\, Mystic\, 06355\, United States
CATEGORIES:Sift Bake Shop Mystic
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T210000
DTSTAMP:20260903T030756Z
CREATED:20260903T030550Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T030756Z
UID:10007437-1788609600-1788642000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Beer’d Brewing Märzen Release Party
DESCRIPTION:Beer’d Brewing Märzen Release Party brings a full day of beer\, food\, and Oktoberfest-inspired fun to The Velvet Mill in Stonington on Saturday\, September 5. \nThe Labor Day weekend release party runs from noon to 9 p.m. at Beer’d Brewing Co.’s original Stonington taproom at 22 Bayview Avenue. The brewery will introduce its Märzen while adding food from three fellow Velvet Mill businesses and a stein-holding competition to the celebration. \nThe event gives Beer’d a chance to welcome the approaching Oktoberfest season with a style of beer that has deep roots in German brewing tradition. \nBeer’d Releases Its Märzen\nThe centerpiece of the September 5 party is the release of Beer’d Brewing’s Märzen. \nMärzen is a traditional German lager style historically associated with Bavaria and Oktoberfest. The name translates to “March\,” a reference to the time of year when the beer was traditionally brewed before the warmer months made lager production more difficult. \nThe beer would then be stored\, or lagered\, through the summer. By fall\, those remaining Märzen supplies were ready to be consumed\, helping create the style’s lasting association with Oktoberfest. \nModern Märzens are generally known for their amber-to-copper color and malt-forward character\, with toasted and bread-like flavors balanced by enough hops to keep the beer from becoming overly sweet. \nBeer’d has not packed the announcement with tasting notes or technical specifications for its version. Instead\, the September 5 party is centered on giving people their first opportunity to try the brewery’s Märzen at the source. \nA Different Kind of Beer’d Release\nBeer’d Brewing has become particularly well known for hop-forward beers\, making a traditional German-inspired lager an interesting change of pace for the Stonington brewery. \nBeer’d was founded in 2012 and began brewing at The Velvet Mill\, the sprawling former textile complex in Stonington Borough that has since become home to artists\, makers\, restaurants\, food businesses and other independent operations. \nThe brewery later expanded with The Silo\, its production brewery and second taproom in Groton. \nThe Stonington location\, however\, remains the original Beer’d. \nThat makes The Mill an appropriate setting for a release party built around one beer and the community of businesses surrounding the brewery. \nFood From Around The Velvet Mill\nBeer’d doesn’t operate a conventional restaurant kitchen at its Stonington taproom\, but that isn’t much of an obstacle inside The Velvet Mill. \nFor the Märzen party\, Beer’d is bringing in food from Dock 9\, Meryl + Masa and Zest Fresh Pastry\, all of which are located within the same 22 Bayview Avenue complex. \nDock 9 operates as a restaurant and cocktail bar inside the mill. \nMeryl + Masa combines a sourdough bakery with Latin-inspired food\, while Zest Fresh Pastry has been a longtime destination inside The Velvet Mill for pastries\, baked goods and sweets. \nHaving all three participate makes the release party as much a Velvet Mill collaboration as a brewery event. \nIt also fits the unusual nature of the building itself. Visitors can move among studios\, shops\, restaurants and food businesses without leaving the former mill complex\, making Beer’d part of a larger destination rather than an isolated taproom. \nTest Your Grip in the Stein-Holding Competition\nThe party also includes a stein-holding competition\, borrowing another tradition closely associated with Oktoberfest celebrations. \nThe challenge looks deceptively simple. \nCompetitors hold a filled beer stein straight out in front of them\, keeping the arm extended without bending the elbow or lowering the glass. As the seconds turn into minutes\, the weight becomes considerably less forgiving. \nThe last competitor maintaining the required position wins. \nBeer’d hasn’t announced additional competition details in its event promotion\, so anyone hoping to participate can get the specific rules and signup information at the brewery during the event. \nThe Velvet Mill Adds to the Day\nA Saturday event at Beer’d also comes with something that isn’t technically part of the release party. \nThe Stonington Village Farmers’ Market takes place at The Velvet Mill every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. \nDuring the warmer months\, the market operates outside at the mill and brings together area farmers\, food producers and other vendors. \nThat means September 5 has the potential to turn into a much longer Velvet Mill visit. \nThe farmers market runs through noon. \nBeer’d’s Märzen party begins at noon. \nFrom there\, the brewery keeps the celebration going until 9 p.m. \nThe building itself dates to the late 19th century\, when Stonington became an important center for velvet manufacturing. Today\, the former industrial property has been repurposed as a mixed-use community of small businesses\, artists\, food producers and makers. \nBeer’d has become one of its best-known tenants. \nA September Beer With a Long History\nThe timing of the release isn’t accidental. \nAlthough Oktoberfest is associated with October by name\, Munich’s modern Oktoberfest actually begins in September. The original celebration was held in October 1810\, but the festival gradually moved earlier to take advantage of warmer weather and longer days. \nBeer changed along with it. \nThe darker Märzen that became synonymous with Oktoberfest eventually gave way at the official Munich festival to the lighter Festbier commonly served there today. \nOutside Germany\, however\, Märzen remains strongly associated with American Oktoberfest season. \nThat makes early September prime time for breweries to begin tapping their fall lagers. \nAt Beer’d\, that season begins September 5 in Stonington. \nAn All-Day Release Party\nThis isn’t a short ceremonial tapping followed by business as usual. \nBeer’d is promoting the Märzen release as an all-day party running from noon until 9 p.m. \nThere will be the new beer\, food from Dock 9\, Meryl + Masa and Zest\, and the stein-holding competition. \nAnd because it’s happening inside The Velvet Mill on a Saturday\, visitors can also make the brewery one part of a larger trip through the complex. \nFor Beer’d fans\, though\, the reason for the party is right there in the name. \nA new beer is ready. \nThis time\, it’s a Märzen. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Beer’d Brewing Märzen Release Party\nDate: Saturday\, September 5\, 2026\nTime: Noon–9 p.m.\nVenue: Beer’d Brewing Co. – The Mill\nLocation: The Velvet Mill\nAddress: 22 Bayview Avenue\, Stonington\, CT 06378\nFeatured Release: Beer’d Brewing Märzen\nFood: Dock 9\, Meryl + Masa and Zest Fresh Pastry\nActivity: Stein-holding competition \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/beerd-brewing-marzen-release-party/
LOCATION:Beer’d Brewing\, 22 Bayview Ave\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Beer'd Brewing
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DTSTAMP:20260911T012455Z
CREATED:20260905T213350Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T012455Z
UID:10007476-1788609600-1788645600@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-2/
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
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T230000
DTSTAMP:20260816T022849Z
CREATED:20260816T022849Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260816T022849Z
UID:10007201-1788609600-1788649200@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Rhythm & Roots Festival 2026 Guide: Music\, Schedule\, Food\, Camping & More
DESCRIPTION:Rhythm & Roots Festival 2026 returns to Ninigret Park in Charlestown for three full days of roots music over Labor Day weekend\, September 4–6\, with more than 40 performances spread across three stages\, on-site camping\, dancing\, workshops\, food vendors\, a swimming pond and activities for families. \nThis year’s headliners include St. Paul & The Broken Bones\, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives\, Tower of Power\, Margo Price\, The Devil Makes Three and Preservation Hall Jazz Band\, backed by a lineup that stretches from blues and Americana to Cajun\, zydeco\, bluegrass\, soul\, country and New Orleans jazz. \nBut Rhythm & Roots has never really been a festival where you show up for one headliner and leave. \nMusic begins at 1 p.m. each day and continues until 11 p.m.\, with performances moving among the Rhythm Stage\, Roots Stage and Dance Stage. There are workshops during the afternoon\, plenty of room to dance\, food from more than a dozen vendors\, craft shopping and an entire campground that becomes its own little community for the weekend. \nAnd yes\, bring the kids. Children 12 and younger are admitted free. Ninigret Park has a playground and Little Nini Pond for swimming\, giving families something unusually valuable at a three-day music festival: somewhere for the kids to burn off energy between sets. \nHere’s what you need to know before heading to Charlestown. \nRhythm & Roots Festival 2026 Dates and Hours\nThe 28th annual Rhythm & Roots Festival takes place Friday through Sunday\, September 4–6\, 2026\, at Ninigret Park in Charlestown. \nFestival gates are open: \nFriday\, September 4: Noon–11 p.m.\nSaturday\, September 5: Noon–11 p.m.\nSunday\, September 6: Noon–11 p.m. \nCampers can make a considerably longer weekend of it. The campground opens Thursday morning for campers holding the appropriate early-access camping ticket\, and all campsites must be cleared by noon Monday. \nFriday: St. Paul & The Broken Bones and Marty Stuart\nFriday doesn’t function as a shortened opening night. Rhythm & Roots launches with a full day of music beginning at 1 p.m. \nThe Rhythm Stage builds toward a particularly strong evening pairing. Futurebirds perform from 5 to 6:20 p.m.\, followed by Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives from 6:40 to 8:10 p.m. \nThen St. Paul & The Broken Bones closes the stage from 8:30 to 10:15 p.m. \nFriday Rhythm Stage\n1:00–2:00 p.m. — Paul Gabriel Blues Band\n2:15–3:15 p.m. — Adam Ezra Group\n3:30–4:45 p.m. — Donna The Buffalo\n5:00–6:20 p.m. — Futurebirds\n6:40–8:10 p.m. — Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives\n8:30–10:15 p.m. — St. Paul & The Broken Bones \nThe Roots Stage takes a different route through the day\, moving heavily into zydeco and Louisiana music. \nFriday Roots Stage\n2:15–3:15 p.m. — Los Texmaniacs Workshop\n3:30–4:30 p.m. — Sons of Levin\n5:00–6:00 p.m. — Los Texmaniacs\n6:30–8:00 p.m. — Kindred Valley\n8:30–10:15 p.m. — The Mallett Brothers Band \nAnd then there’s the Dance Stage. This is where Rhythm & Roots begins showing why calling it simply a “concert festival” doesn’t quite capture the weekend. \nFriday Dance Stage\n1:00–2:30 p.m. — Planet Zydeco\n3:00–4:30 p.m. — Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys\n5:00–6:30 p.m. — Old-Fashioned Aces\n7:00–8:30 p.m. — Ruben Moreno\n9:00–11:00 p.m. — Pine Leaf Boys \nYou could spend the entire first day at one stage and hear a coherent afternoon of music. Or bounce among all three and make it something completely different. \nThat’s basically the Rhythm & Roots formula. \nSaturday: Tower of Power and Margo Price\nSaturday puts Tower of Power at the top of the bill\, closing the Rhythm Stage from 8:30 to 10:15 p.m. \nImmediately before them is Margo Price\, performing from 6:40 to 8:10 p.m.\, while Big Bad Voodoo Daddy takes the 5 p.m. slot. \nSaturday Rhythm Stage\n1:00–2:00 p.m. — Knickerbocker All-Stars\n2:15–3:15 p.m. — Johnny Mullenax\n3:30–4:45 p.m. — Los Texmaniacs\n5:00–6:20 p.m. — Big Bad Voodoo Daddy\n6:40–8:10 p.m. — Margo Price\n8:30–10:15 p.m. — Tower of Power \nSaturday Roots Stage\nThe Roots Stage opens with two workshops before moving into a full afternoon and evening of performances. \n1:00–2:00 p.m. — Acoustic Jam Workshop\n2:15–3:15 p.m. — Workshop\n3:30–4:30 p.m. — The Alpaca Gnomes\n5:00–6:00 p.m. — The Quahogs\n6:30–8:00 p.m. — Ward Hayden & The Outliers\n8:30–10:15 p.m. — Donna The Buffalo \nSaturday Dance Stage\n1:00–2:30 p.m. — Old-Fashioned Aces\n3:00–4:30 p.m. — Ruben Moreno\n5:00–6:30 p.m. — Pine Leaf Boys\n7:00–8:30 p.m. — Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble\n9:00–11:00 p.m. — Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys \nIf dancing is your reason for coming\, Saturday night is probably the night to circle. Curley Taylor leads directly into a two-hour closing set from Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys. \nSunday: The Devil Makes Three and Preservation Hall Jazz Band\nSunday doesn’t wind the festival down gently. \nThe Devil Makes Three gets the final 8:30 p.m. Rhythm Stage slot\, preceded by Preservation Hall Jazz Band\, Yonder Mountain String Band and Roomful of Blues. \nSunday Rhythm Stage\n1:00–2:00 p.m. — The Moonrise Cartel\n2:15–3:15 p.m. — Canyon Lights\n3:30–4:45 p.m. — Roomful of Blues\n5:00–6:20 p.m. — Yonder Mountain String Band\n6:40–8:10 p.m. — Preservation Hall Jazz Band\n8:30–10:15 p.m. — The Devil Makes Three \nSunday Roots Stage\n1:00–2:00 p.m. — Sunday School with Christine Ohlman\n2:15–3:15 p.m. — Accordion Workshop\n3:30–4:30 p.m. — Blues Jam Workshop\n5:00–6:00 p.m. — Jason Ingriselli & The Miles North\n6:30–8:00 p.m. — The Suitcase Junket\n8:30–10:15 p.m. — Quinn Sullivan \nSunday Dance Stage\n1:00–2:30 p.m. — Pine Leaf Boys\n3:00–4:30 p.m. — Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble\n5:00–6:30 p.m. — Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys\n7:00–8:30 p.m. — Ruben Moreno\n9:00–11:00 p.m. — Old-Fashioned Aces \nOne thing worth noticing in that schedule is how frequently musicians return on different days or stages. \nThat’s intentional. Rhythm & Roots isn’t built like a typical rock festival where every band gets 45 minutes and disappears. The festival grew from Cajun\, zydeco\, bluegrass and other roots traditions where workshops\, dancing\, collaborations and repeat performances are part of the experience. \nMore Than 40 Performances Across Three Stages\nThe breadth of the lineup is probably the festival’s biggest strength. \nThere’s southern soul from St. Paul & The Broken Bones\, country and bluegrass history with Marty Stuart\, the horn-powered funk and soul of Tower of Power\, Americana from Margo Price\, traditional New Orleans jazz from Preservation Hall Jazz Band\, progressive bluegrass from Yonder Mountain String Band and the genre-blurring acoustic sound of The Devil Makes Three. \nThen follow the schedule deeper. \nYou’ll find Rhode Island’s own Roomful of Blues and Knickerbocker All-Stars\, Texas conjunto from Los Texmaniacs\, Louisiana zydeco from the Pine Leaf Boys and Curley Taylor\, Cajun music from Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys\, plus blues\, country\, folk and regional artists throughout the weekend. \nThat’s been part of Rhythm & Roots’ identity from the beginning. The festival describes its musical territory broadly\, encompassing Cajun\, zydeco\, blues\, country\, bluegrass and Americana\, rather than forcing everything under one genre. \nRhythm & Roots Has Been Doing This Since 1998\nThere’s some real Rhode Island music history behind the weekend. \nFestival founder Chuck Wentworth spent decades immersed in roots music\, including 37 years hosting Traditions on WRIU. He became involved with Rhode Island’s Cajun & Bluegrass Festival in 1981 and eventually took responsibility for booking its performers. \nIn 1998\, Wentworth and festival producer Mary Doub revived the struggling event as Rhythm & Roots. After its first year in Escoheag\, they moved it to Ninigret Park\, where the flatter and considerably larger property offered room for multiple stages\, camping and parking. \nThe Wentworth family operated Rhythm & Roots as an independent family festival for more than two decades. \nIt very nearly ended in 2022. \nWentworth announced that health problems were forcing him to shut down Lagniappe Productions and cancel the festival. Instead\, Connecticut-based GoodWorks Entertainment acquired Rhythm & Roots and brought it back that same Labor Day weekend\, promising to preserve the community and family atmosphere Wentworth had built. \nThe 2026 festival is the 28th annual Rhythm & Roots. \nBring the Kids\nThis deserves considerably more attention than the usual “family friendly” label buried near the bottom of a festival page. \nChildren 12 and under get into Rhythm & Roots free. \nNinigret Park also has a large playground and Little Nini Pond\, a freshwater swimming area inside the park. The festival promotes the weekend as something that can work for everyone from toddlers to grandparents. \nThat changes the equation for families considering an all-day festival. \nKids don’t have to spend ten hours being told to sit quietly next to a folding chair while Mom and Dad watch bands. Break up the music with the playground or swimming\, grab something to eat\, and then head back toward the stages. \nThe festival grounds also include a Kids Tent and other activities as part of the weekend. \nFood at Rhythm & Roots\nYou could also make a pretty respectable weekend out of eating your way through the festival. \nThe announced food lineup includes: \nNewport Chowder — seafood\nAlaina’s Mobile — American\nGood Karma Cafe — coffee and beverages\nThai Jasmine — Thai\nGinger Love Cafe — Filipino street food\nThe Potato Caboose — loaded baked potatoes\nSunset Farm — hamburgers and barbecue\nThe Breachway Grill — tacos and more\nAtomic Blonde — ice cream\nDel’s Lemonade — frozen lemonade\nTimi’s Greek Food — Greek and Middle Eastern food\nKettle Korn Express — freshly made kettle corn\nTing Ting Dumplings — Asian cuisine\nChili Brothers — Cajun and Creole\nVetrano’s — pizza \nThat range isn’t accidental. Food has long been treated as another part of the Rhythm & Roots experience\, with the festival specifically seeking a mix that reflects some of the same cultural variety found on its stages. \nThere are also craft vendors selling handmade clothing\, jewelry\, artwork\, musical items and other goods\, plus official Rhythm & Roots merchandise. The festival says it generally features about 25 artisans. \nCamping at Ninigret Park\nFor some longtime attendees\, camping isn’t simply somewhere to sleep after the music. \nIt’s part of Rhythm & Roots. \nNinigret Park becomes a temporary campground exclusively for the festival\, accommodating tents\, cars\, pop-up campers and RVs on its flat grassy grounds. Festival organizers even note that performers sometimes stay in the campground\, which can lead to informal music and late-night jams after the stages shut down. \nCamping runs from Thursday at 9 a.m. through noon Monday for those holding the appropriate passes. \nThere are no utility hookups. The campground provides potable water\, portable toilets and hand-washing stations\, while showers require a separate shower pass. \nEveryone older than 12 staying in the campground needs a full festival camping ticket\, and every vehicle entering the campground requires an additional vehicle pass. \nOne important update for anyone reading this guide while considering a camping weekend: regular 2026 three-day camping passes are currently sold out through the festival’s primary ticket seller. The ticketing page directs buyers to its fan exchange for resale availability. \n  \nWhat Tickets Cost\nAs of August 15\, standard non-camping tickets remain available. \nSingle-day admission: $102\nTwo-day pass: $185\nThree-day non-camping pass: $269 \nThose prices are listed as all-in pricing\, with fees included. \nChildren 12 and younger are free. \nThree-day non-camping admission includes access to all three stages\, food and craft vendor areas\, Little Nini Pond\, the playground and other festival grounds\, along with free daily on-site parking. \nThere is also a paid Lagniappe Lounge upgrade offering early entry\, a covered area\, private bar\, air-conditioned flush toilets and a viewing platform. A regular general admission ticket is still required. \n  \nWhat You Can Bring\nFestival-goers may bring food and water in a small soft-sided cooler no larger than 18 by 12 by 12 inches. \nHard coolers and coolers on wheels aren’t allowed. \nNeither are outside alcohol or glass bottles. Potable water is available on the festival grounds for refilling bottles. \nThat’s particularly useful if you’re bringing children and planning to stay for most of the day. You don’t have to buy every snack or bottle of water inside the festival. \nParking and Getting There\nNinigret Park is in Charlestown\, just off Route 1. \nThe festival address is: \n4890A Old Post Road\nCharlestown\, RI 02813 \nStandard three-day non-camping admission includes free daily parking. Preferred parking is separately ticketed when available. \nFestival organizers specifically ask drivers not to stage or line up on Route 1 before entering the park. \nRain or Shine\nRhythm & Roots takes place rain or shine\, and tickets are non-refundable. The artist lineup is also subject to change. \nGiven that this is three days outdoors in Rhode Island at the end of summer\, checking the forecast before packing isn’t a bad idea. \nThen again\, neither is packing for two different seasons. It’s New England. \nRhythm & Roots Festival 2026 at a Glance\nDates: Friday–Sunday\, September 4–6\, 2026 \nHours: Noon–11 p.m. daily \nMusic Begins: 1 p.m. daily \nLocation: Ninigret Park \nAddress: 4890A Old Post Road\, Charlestown\, RI 02813 \nStages: Rhythm Stage\, Roots Stage and Dance Stage \nHeadliners and Featured Artists: St. Paul & The Broken Bones\, Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives\, Tower of Power\, Margo Price\, The Devil Makes Three\, Preservation Hall Jazz Band\, Yonder Mountain String Band\, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy\, Donna The Buffalo\, Roomful of Blues and more \nSingle-Day Tickets: $102 \nTwo-Day Tickets: $185 \nThree-Day Non-Camping Pass: $269 \nChildren: Ages 12 and under admitted free \nParking: Free daily parking included with non-camping festival admission \nCamping: On-site camping available only with appropriate camping passes; primary 2026 camping passes are currently sold out \nFood: More than a dozen food vendors offering seafood\, barbecue\, Cajun and Creole\, Thai\, Filipino\, Greek and Middle Eastern food\, pizza\, tacos\, desserts and more \nFamily Activities: Playground\, Little Nini Pond swimming area and Kids Tent \nWeather: Rain or shine \nRefunds: No refunds \nMore Information\nComplete festival information\, including schedules\, policies\, camping details and updates\, is available on the Rhythm & Roots Festival website. \nTo purchase admission\, click the Event Ticketing link. \n\n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/rhythm-roots-festival-2026-guide-music-schedule-food-camping-more/2026-09-05/
LOCATION:Ninigret Park\, 5 Park Lane\, Charlestown\, RI\, 02813\, United States
CATEGORIES:Ninigret Park
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://thectbeacon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Rhythm-and-Roots-Festival-2026-Guide-Music-Schedule-Food-Camping-and-More.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T140000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T210000
DTSTAMP:20260817T212025Z
CREATED:20260817T212025Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260817T212025Z
UID:10007213-1788616800-1788642000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Next Up Festival 2026 Brings Seven Hours of Live Music to Wilcox Park
DESCRIPTION:Next Up Festival 2026 returns to Wilcox Park in downtown Westerly on Saturday\, September 5\, with seven hours of live music celebrating young and emerging performers alongside established local artists. \nThe free\, all-ages festival runs from 2 to 9 p.m. and combines live bands with food\, art\, activities for children and adults\, and an afternoon and evening built around Westerly’s growing community of young musicians. \nVisitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and settle in around the park’s historic gazebo for the performances. \n \nGiving the Next Generation a Stage\nThere’s a bigger purpose behind the festival than filling Wilcox Park with music for an afternoon. \nNext Up Music Inc. is a Westerly-based nonprofit created to support the next generation of musicians and music professionals. Its work emphasizes mentorship\, collaboration and opportunities that can help developing artists take the next steps in their careers. \nThe organization offers artists opportunities that can include mentorship\, live performances\, scholarships or financial assistance\, studio time\, photography and video production. \nThe festival is where much of that mission becomes visible. \nRather than limiting the stage to established acts\, Next Up is designed to put emerging musicians in front of a real audience and give the community a chance to discover artists who may still be at the beginning of their careers. \nThat’s where the name comes from: who’s next up? \nFive Years of Next Up in Westerly\nThe festival has grown substantially since its early years. \nNext Up organizers described the 2023 edition as drawing hundreds of people\, while subsequent festivals expanded beyond music to include activities\, art and other attractions. By 2025\, the event was being promoted as a showcase for young musicians\, student bands and local artists. \nThe 2026 festival marks its fifth year in Westerly. \nThis year’s event again stretches across seven hours\, from 2 to 9 p.m.\, making it considerably more than a concert in the park. \nExpect multiple musical performances along with food\, art and activities for both children and adults throughout the day. \nThe complete 2026 performance schedule has not yet been released publicly. We’ll update this guide as additional performers and set times are announced. \nA Festival in the Heart of Westerly\nThe location is a pretty good match for what Next Up is trying to do. \nWilcox Park is the 14-acre Victorian strolling park and arboretum beside Westerly Library in the center of downtown Westerly. \nIts gazebo has long served as a gathering place for outdoor concerts and community events\, and the park hosts everything from theatre performances to the Chorus of Westerly’s Summer Pops. \nFor Next Up\, that means young performers aren’t tucked away in a club or private venue. They’re playing in one of the community’s most recognizable public spaces. \nThe downtown location also makes it easy to turn the festival into a longer Westerly outing\, with restaurants\, shops and other businesses within walking distance of the park. \nBring a Chair and Stay Awhile\nThis isn’t an event where you need to arrive at 2 p.m. and remain planted in one spot until 9. \nTreat it more like a festival. \nBring a blanket or lawn chair\, find a place on the grass and come and go as different artists take the stage. Food will be available\, along with activities and other attractions around the park. \nAnd because admission is free\, families can stop by for part of the afternoon or make a full day of it without buying festival tickets. \nCommunity Support Keeps the Festival Free\nKeeping a seven-hour music festival free requires considerable community backing. \nThe Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce is again partnering with the festival\, while Next Up has also relied on businesses\, organizations and individual donors to support its programming. \nPrevious festival supporters have included Westerly Library & Wilcox Park and Westerly’s UNITED Theatre and UNITED Music School. \nThat support allows Next Up to maintain one of the event’s central ideas: giving developing performers a legitimate festival stage while allowing the community to hear them without putting admission behind a paywall. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Next Up Festival 2026\nDate: Saturday\, September 5\, 2026\nTime: 2–9 p.m.\nLocation: Wilcox Park\nAddress: 44 Broad Street\, Westerly\, RI 02891\nAdmission: Free\nAges: All ages\nWhat to Bring: Lawn chairs or blankets\nFeaturing: Live music\, food\, art and activities for children and adults. \nMore information is available at the Event Website link below. \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/next-up-festival-2026-brings-seven-hours-of-live-music-to-wilcox-park/
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/2026/08/Next-Up-Festival-2026-Brings-Seven-Hours-of-Live-Music-to-Wilcox-Park.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T180000
DTSTAMP:20260903T000248Z
CREATED:20260903T000248Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T000248Z
UID:10007434-1788620400-1788631200@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/2026-09-05/
LOCATION:Stonington Vineyards\, 523 Taugwonk Rd\, Stonington\, CT\, 06378\, United States
CATEGORIES:Stonnington Vineyards
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T223000
DTSTAMP:20260830T235637Z
CREATED:20260830T235637Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260830T235637Z
UID:10007283-1788629400-1788647400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Los Lobos with GA-20 at Jonathan Edwards Winery
DESCRIPTION:Los Lobos with GA-20 at Jonathan Edwards Winery brings more than half a century of American roots music to North Stonington on Saturday\, September 5. The outdoor vineyard concert pairs one of the most enduring bands to emerge from East Los Angeles with a younger group carrying the raw sound of electric blues into a new generation. \nGates open at 5:30 p.m.\, with music beginning at 7 p.m. Tickets are $80 plus fees\, and the concert is for guests 21 and older. \nFor anyone who knows Los Lobos primarily from “La Bamba\,” Saturday night is an opportunity to discover just how much music exists on either side of that enormous hit. \nMore Than 50 Years of Los Lobos\nThere aren’t many bands that can look back more than 50 years and still find most of the musicians who started the journey standing beside them onstage. \nLos Lobos can. \nDavid Hidalgo\, Louie Pérez\, Cesar Rosas and Conrad Lozano came together in East Los Angeles in 1973. Saxophonist and keyboardist Steve Berlin joined the group in the early 1980s\, creating a lineup that has remained remarkably stable across the decades. \nThat longevity is even more impressive considering how unwilling Los Lobos has been to stay in one musical lane. \nRock and roll is there. So are blues\, R&B\, soul\, country and traditional Mexican music. Accordion can sit beside electric guitar. A song rooted in Mexican folk tradition can give way to a hard-driving rocker. \nThe common thread is Los Angeles. \nLos Lobos took the sounds surrounding them in East L.A.\, including Mexican and Mexican-American traditions and the American rock\, blues and soul coming through the radio\, and treated all of it as part of the same musical vocabulary. \nHow Will the Wolf Survive?\nBy the early 1980s\, Los Lobos had spent years playing clubs\, weddings and neighborhood gatherings before reaching a much larger audience. \nTheir 1984 album How Will the Wolf Survive? became the breakthrough. \nThe record helped establish Los Lobos nationally without sanding away the band’s cultural identity or the mixture of musical traditions that made it distinctive. Songs such as “Will the Wolf Survive?” and “Don’t Worry Baby” introduced listeners far beyond Southern California to a band that could move naturally between roots music and contemporary rock. \nThen Hollywood called. \nThe Song That Changed Everything\nIn 1987\, Los Lobos recorded “La Bamba” for the film about pioneering Chicano rock-and-roll star Ritchie Valens. \nIt exploded. \nTheir version reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100\, turning a band that had spent well over a decade building its audience into an international success. \nFor many musicians\, a hit that large becomes the rest of the career. \nLos Lobos went somewhere else. \nInstead of trying to manufacture another “La Bamba\,” the band followed it with La Pistola y El Corazón\, an album steeped in traditional Mexican music. \nIt was a striking move after sudden pop stardom and an important statement about what kind of band Los Lobos intended to remain. \nThe album won a Grammy. \nGrammys\, Movie Soundtracks and Musical Detours\n“La Bamba” may remain their most recognizable recording\, but the band’s Grammy history stretches considerably further. \nLos Lobos earned their first Grammy for “Anselma” in the 1980s and another for La Pistola y El Corazón. “Mariachi Suite\,” recorded for Robert Rodriguez’s Desperado\, brought them another. \nDecades later\, they were still collecting them. \nNative Sons\, the band’s 2021 collection interpreting songs associated with Los Angeles artists\, won the Grammy for Best Americana Album in 2022. \nThe album was almost a musical map of the city that made them. Los Lobos tackled material associated with artists ranging from The Beach Boys and Buffalo Springfield to War and Jackson Browne while adding a title track of their own. \nBy then\, Los Lobos had long since reached the point where their influences and the musicians they influenced had begun folding into one another. \nIn 2021\, the National Endowment for the Arts named Los Lobos National Heritage Fellows\, its highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. \nAnd They’re Still Making Music\nThis isn’t a nostalgia act assembled to recreate a few hits from the 1980s. \nLos Lobos remain a working band. \nMore than five decades after their formation\, Hidalgo\, Pérez\, Rosas\, Lozano and Berlin continue performing together\, drawing from a catalog that can shift from Mexican folk music to blues\, Tex-Mex\, rock\, soul and Americana over the course of a set. \nThat makes predicting a Los Lobos concert considerably harder than predicting the ending. \n“La Bamba” may be the song nearly everyone recognizes. \nIt’s everything surrounding it that explains why Los Lobos are still here. \nGA-20 Starts With the Blues\nThe choice of GA-20 as the opening act makes this a particularly well-matched bill. \nThe Boston-based band has built its identity around the stripped-down power of traditional electric blues. \nRather than smoothing the genre into contemporary blues-rock\, GA-20 reaches backward toward the sounds of the 1950s and 1960s\, when small combos\, tube amplifiers and overdriven guitars could produce records that sounded both rough and immediate. \nTheir music draws from blues\, early rock and roll and country\, with an intentionally lean approach. \nThat makes GA-20 and Los Lobos different generations of a similar idea. \nBoth start with older American musical traditions without treating them as museum pieces. \nGA-20 digs into electric blues. \nLos Lobos pulls together blues\, rock\, Mexican folk music\, R&B and the sounds of East Los Angeles. \nOn Saturday night\, those paths meet in a Connecticut vineyard. \nA Concert Among the Vines\nJonathan Edwards Winery changes the atmosphere of the show considerably. \nThis isn’t an arena or traditional concert hall. \nThe winery sits on a hilltop property in North Stonington surrounded by approximately 20 acres of vineyards. Its outdoor grounds have become a regular setting for summer concerts\, allowing audiences to spread out with blankets and chairs rather than file into rows of fixed seats. \nJonathan Edwards opened to the public in 2001\, but its winemaking story stretches from Connecticut to California. \nThe Edwards family’s early interest in the developing Northeast wine industry eventually led west to Napa Valley. Today\, the winery describes itself as bi-coastal\, producing wines from both Connecticut estate-grown fruit and grapes sourced from California vineyards. \nFor a Los Lobos concert\, the vineyard becomes the venue. \nGuests can bring lawn chairs\, blankets and pop-up canopies and settle onto the grounds for the evening. \nOutside food is allowed\, making a picnic part of the experience\, and food will also be available from a food truck. \nOutside alcohol and other liquids aren’t permitted. Wine and other permitted beverages are available through the winery. \nThe concert takes place rain or shine\, so watching the forecast and dressing for an outdoor September evening is part of the plan. \nFrom East L.A. to North Stonington\nLos Lobos began by playing music rooted in a particular place. \nEast Los Angeles shaped the band\, but it never confined it. \nOver the next five decades\, those musicians carried that sound through clubs and neighborhood parties\, onto major-label albums\, movie soundtracks\, Grammy stages and concert venues around the world. \nSaturday brings the journey somewhere considerably different. \nThere will be vineyard rows instead of city streets and picnic blankets instead of theater seats. \nBut once the guitars\, accordion\, saxophone and voices start\, more than 50 years of Los Lobos history come with them. \nAnd yes\, there’s a pretty good chance everyone will recognize at least one song. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Los Lobos with GA-20 at Jonathan Edwards Winery\nDate: Saturday\, September 5\, 2026\nGates Open: 5:30 p.m.\nMusic Begins: 7 p.m.\nScheduled End: 10:30 p.m.\nHeadliner: Los Lobos\nOpening Act: GA-20\nLocation: Jonathan Edwards Winery\nAddress: 74 Chester Main Road\, North Stonington\, CT 06359\nAdmission: $80 plus fees\nAge Requirement: 21+\nSetting: Outdoor vineyard concert\nWeather: Rain or shine\nSeating: Bring lawn chairs or blankets\nCanopies: Pop-up canopies permitted\nFood: Outside food permitted; food truck also available\nBeverages: Outside alcohol and other liquids prohibited\nDogs: Not permitted for the concert \nLos Lobos with GA-20 at Jonathan Edwards Winery brings together two generations of American roots music for an outdoor concert among the vines in North Stonington. \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  \nJonathan Edwards Winery\nhttps://jedwardswinery.com/ \nLos Lobos\nhttps://www.loslobos.org/
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/los-lobos-with-ga-20-at-jonathan-edwards-winery/
LOCATION:Jonathan Edwards Winery\, 74 Chester Maine Rd\, North Stonington\, 06359\, United States
CATEGORIES:Jonathan Edwards Winery
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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T233000
DTSTAMP:20260911T012427Z
CREATED:20260901T161953Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260911T012427Z
UID:10007426-1788642000-1788651000@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:Badfish – A Tribute to Sublime at Paddy’s
DESCRIPTION:Badfish – A Tribute to Sublime at Paddy’s Beach Club brings one of the country’s longest-running Sublime tribute bands back to Rhode Island for an end-of-summer beach show Saturday\, September 5. Doors open at 8 p.m.\, with music beginning at 9 p.m. at the oceanfront Misquamicut venue. \nThe show lands on Labor Day weekend\, making it one of Paddy’s final big beach concerts of the summer. Rhode Island ska-punk band TJ & The Campers joins Badfish for the night\, with the concert presented by Coastal Productions and PMG. \nIt’s also something of a homecoming. \nBadfish didn’t emerge from Southern California. \nIt started here in Rhode Island. \nBadfish Started in Rhode Island\nThe idea behind Badfish goes back more than 25 years\, when a group of Rhode Island musicians began playing the music of Sublime. \nThat might sound unremarkable now. Tribute bands fill theaters and clubs across the country. \nBut Sublime was a different proposition. \nThe original band had become enormously popular just as its story abruptly ended. \nSinger\, guitarist and songwriter Bradley Nowell died from a heroin overdose on May 25\, 1996. He was 28. \nTwo months later\, Sublime’s self-titled album was released. \nIt became the band’s breakthrough. \nSuddenly “What I Got\,” “Santeria\,” “Wrong Way” and “Doin’ Time” were everywhere\, but the band responsible for them could no longer tour behind the record. \nSublime had become one of the defining alternative bands of the 1990s without ever getting to experience its biggest success onstage. \nThat left an unusual void. \nBadfish eventually stepped into it. \nMore Than a Typical Tribute Band\nBadfish takes its name from “Badfish\,” a song on Sublime’s 1992 debut album\, 40oz. to Freedom. \nBut the band has spent decades trying to do something more difficult than simply reproduce Sublime recordings. \nSublime’s music depended heavily on feel. \nPunk could collide with reggae. Ska could give way to hip-hop. Dub\, rock\, dancehall and acoustic music could appear within the same set. \nBradley Nowell could move from singing to rapping to a loose reggae delivery without making the shifts feel forced. \nBadfish built its following by treating that musical mixture as something to perform rather than impersonate. \nThe result has taken the Rhode Island-born band far beyond the local tribute circuit. \nBadfish has toured nationally for years\, developing the kind of dedicated audience usually associated with bands playing their own catalogs. \nWhy Sublime Still Sounds Like Summer\nThere may be no better setting for Sublime’s music than a beach. \nThe original band formed in Long Beach\, California\, in 1988 around Nowell\, bassist Eric Wilson and drummer Bud Gaugh. \nIts sound absorbed the environment around it. \nReggae and dub. \nSouthern California punk. \nSka. \nHip-hop. \nSurf and skate culture. \nThe songs could be sunny and relaxed one minute\, frantic the next and unexpectedly dark underneath both. \nThat contradiction became part of Sublime’s identity. \n“Santeria” sounds almost effortlessly laid-back until you pay attention to the story. \n“What I Got” turns a simple acoustic progression into an anthem. \n“Wrong Way” pairs an upbeat ska rhythm with decidedly darker subject matter. \n“Garden Grove” feels like a hazy drive through Southern California. \nAnd “Badfish” slows everything down into reggae. \nThe catalog became so closely connected to summer\, beaches and outdoor parties that hearing it with the Atlantic Ocean just beyond the stage almost feels like the East Coast version of its natural habitat. \nThe Album That Arrived Too Late\nSublime had already built a following before 1996. \n40oz. to Freedom\, originally released independently in 1992\, spread through Southern California and the underground music scene. Robbin’ the Hood followed in 1994. \nBut the band’s third album changed everything. \nSublime was released July 30\, 1996. \nNowell had been dead for two months. \n“What I Got” became a major alternative-radio hit. “Santeria\,” “Wrong Way” and “Doin’ Time” followed. The album eventually sold millions of copies. \nSublime had crossed into the mainstream after the original band was already gone. \nThat strange chronology helps explain why the music developed such an unusual afterlife. \nMillions of listeners discovered Sublime knowing from the beginning that they would never get to see that version of the band. \nBadfish Filled a Space That Never Really Went Away\nThat’s the environment in which Badfish grew. \nThere was an audience that knew the records\, loved the songs and had never had an opportunity to experience them performed by Sublime during its commercial peak. \nBadfish began building its own live following around that catalog. \nYears became decades. \nThe venues became larger. \nAnd what could have remained a regional tribute project turned into a national touring act. \nThe current lineup includes Pat Downes on guitar\, Joel Hanks on bass and Scott Begin on drums. \nMore than 25 years after Badfish began\, the group continues touring across the country. \nBut something else has changed. \nBadfish has started making music of its own. \nBadfish Is Moving Beyond the Tribute Label\nThe Paddy’s show isn’t exclusively about looking backward. \nBadfish has been developing original music while continuing to perform the Sublime catalog that built its audience. \nThe group released “High With You\,” featuring Little Stranger\, in 2023 and followed it with additional originals including “F You Pay Me\,” “Surf Party Lord” and “Bad Things.” \nIn 2026\, the band released “WAY UP” and “Topanga\,” the latter featuring SunDub. \nBadfish is now preparing its debut album through Ineffable Records\, and the Paddy’s concert is being promoted as including select original songs alongside the Sublime material. \nIt’s an interesting turn for a band that spent decades becoming successful by interpreting somebody else’s music. \nBadfish has developed an audience of its own. \nNow it’s giving that audience its own songs. \nTJ & The Campers Bring Rhode Island Ska-Punk to the Beach\nThe opening act keeps the night connected to Rhode Island. \nTJ & The Campers comes from the Providence music scene and draws heavily from the ska-punk of the 1990s and early 2000s. \nThe band grew out of friendships that stretch back to high school. Its members had spent more than a decade playing in different projects and jamming together before forming TJ & The Campers. \nThe current lineup includes Matt Lombardi\, Izzy Tonelli-Sippel\, Mark Depot\, Christopher Depot\, Sean Marran and Tim Marran. \nThe band’s sound combines ska rhythms\, punk energy and the kind of hooks that flourished during the third-wave ska era. \nThat makes TJ & The Campers a particularly logical pairing with Badfish. \nThe younger Rhode Island band draws inspiration from a musical period that Sublime helped define. \nBadfish has spent more than a quarter-century keeping that music onstage. \nOne More Saturday Night at Paddy’s\nThe setting completes the equation. \nPaddy’s Beach Club sits directly on Misquamicut Beach at 159 Atlantic Avenue\, with the sand and Atlantic Ocean immediately beyond the venue. \nDuring the summer\, Paddy’s operates as a beach restaurant and bar by day before live bands\, DJs and special events take over at night. \nOn September 5\, the summer calendar is nearly finished. \nLabor Day weekend has arrived. \nThe beach season is winding down. \nAnd Badfish is bringing music born out of Southern California’s beach culture to a stage sitting on the Rhode Island shoreline. \nIt’s hard to imagine “Santeria\,” “What I Got\,” “Wrong Way” and “Garden Grove” getting a more appropriate East Coast backdrop. \nEvent Details\nEvent: Badfish – A Tribute to Sublime at Paddy’s Beach Club\nDate: Saturday\, September 5\, 2026\nDoors: 8 p.m.\nShow: 9 p.m.\nLocation: Paddy’s Beach Club\nAddress: 159 Atlantic Avenue\, Westerly\, RI 02891\nHeadliner: Badfish – A Tribute to Sublime\nSpecial Guest: TJ & The Campers\nPresented By: Coastal Productions and PMG\nAge Restriction: 21+\nSetting: Oceanfront concert at Misquamicut Beach\nWeather Policy: Rain or shine\nRefund Policy: No refunds unless the performance is canceled or postponed beyond a reasonable period \nSongs to Know\nBadfish’s Sublime repertoire includes favorites such as: \n\n“Santeria”\n“What I Got”\n“Wrong Way”\n“Garden Grove”\n“Badfish”\n“Doin’ Time”\n“40oz. to Freedom”\n\nThe band is also expected to mix select original Badfish material into the show. \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/badfish-a-tribute-to-sublime-at-paddys-beach-club/
LOCATION:Paddy’s Beach Club\, 159 Atlantic Ave\, Westerly\, RI\, 02891\, United States
CATEGORIES:Paddy's Beach Club
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260905T210000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260906T010000
DTSTAMP:20260903T185623Z
CREATED:20260903T185623Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260903T185623Z
UID:10007467-1788642000-1788656400@thectbeacon.com
SUMMARY:ROMXN With Mutter & The Knife Kickers at The Oasis Pub
DESCRIPTION:ROMXN With Mutter & The Knife Kickers at The Oasis Pub on Saturday\, September 5. \nThe 21-and-over show starts at 9 p.m. and moves across several corners of independent music rather than sticking to a single sound. ROMXN brings hook-driven alternative pop and indie rock\, Mutter pushes into emotionally charged indie rock with jazz influences\, and The Knife Kickers approach the night from the rawer acoustic emo and indie-folk side. \nFor The Oasis\, it’s exactly the kind of bill the small Bank Street room is built for: regional musicians playing close enough to the audience that there’s little separation between the show and the crowd. \nROMXN Brings Providence Alt-Pop to New London\nROMXN is the project of Providence singer\, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jack Zornado. \nHis music occupies the space between alternative pop and indie rock\, pairing introspective songwriting with melodic hooks and arrangements built from guitar\, bass and keyboards. \nZornado has also taken a hands-on approach to creating ROMXN’s music\, handling multiple instruments as the songs are constructed rather than treating the project strictly as a conventional singer-fronted band. \nThe project gained attention within the Providence independent scene with releases including Letters of Love in late 2023 and songs such as “My Boys” and “Loverboy.” \nThat melodic side of the Providence scene makes ROMXN an interesting anchor for a bill that gets progressively rougher around the edges. \nMutter Mixes Indie Rock With Jazz Accents\nProvidence’s Mutter brings a different sound to the takeover. \nThe band’s core lineup consists of Molly Halpin on vocals and guitar\, Tyler Faria on drums\, Dante Krystman on bass and Riley Wicks on guitar and vocals. \nMutter combines indie and alternative rock with emotionally direct songwriting and occasional jazz influences. The group has also worked with tenor saxophone\, adding another texture to a sound that can move between quieter passages and considerably more forceful live arrangements. \nThe band’s first album\, Imitation Crab\, arrived in 2021. \nSingles including “Jaundice” and “Play it Off” followed as Mutter continued building its place within Providence’s DIY music community. \nIn early 2026\, the band released its second full-length album\, I’ll Wait and Pray\, giving Saturday’s Oasis audience a chance to hear a group arriving in New London with a substantial new collection of music behind it. \nThe Knife Kickers Take the Acoustic Route\nThe Knife Kickers bring the most stripped-down and folk-influenced component of the three-band lineup. \nThe project has roots in both Connecticut and Providence’s independent music communities and began as a lo-fi bedroom recording project before expanding into different live configurations. \nEarly releases included 2018’s scratch and 2019’s catching up\, eating shit. \nThe music leans heavily on acoustic guitar\, vulnerable vocals and personal songwriting\, pulling together elements of indie folk\, emo and alternative rock. \nDepending on the setting\, The Knife Kickers can operate as a solo project or expand into a full-band arrangement. \nThe timing of the Oasis performance is particularly good for anyone who hasn’t kept up with the project. \nIn August\, The Knife Kickers teamed with Connecticut independent record store and label Redscroll Records for the release of the 12-track an acoustic album on limited-run bio-vinyl. \nThat puts the September 5 show just weeks after the new record’s arrival. \nThree Different Sides of the Regional DIY Scene\nCalling the night a “PVD Takeover” makes sense geographically\, but the lineup also demonstrates how broad the independent Providence music community has become. \nThere isn’t one standardized Providence sound represented here. \nROMXN can lean toward polished hooks and alternative pop. \nMutter sits deeper in indie rock while allowing jazz elements into the arrangements. \nThe Knife Kickers can reduce everything to acoustic guitar and emotionally exposed songwriting. \nWhat connects the three is the DIY ecosystem around them. \nProvidence has long supported a network of small clubs\, unconventional performance spaces\, independent promoters and musicians whose audiences often overlap even when the music doesn’t. \nNew London has its own version of that ecosystem\, which makes The Oasis a natural landing point for a Providence-focused night. \nThe Oasis Keeps the Show Small\nThe Oasis Pub has become one of downtown New London’s reliable rooms for independent and underground music. \nLocated at 16 Bank Street\, the bar is deliberately small\, putting bands and audiences into the same tight space rather than trying to reproduce the experience of a larger concert venue. \nIts booking regularly moves through indie rock\, punk\, metal\, alternative music\, DJs and touring underground acts. \nThe bar itself emphasizes craft beer alongside the music\, with a rotating selection that frequently includes Connecticut and regional breweries. \nFor PVD Takeover\, the size of the room should work in the show’s favor. \nROMXN\, Mutter and The Knife Kickers are coming from a music community built around small-room performances. Moving that lineup about 50 miles down Interstate 95 doesn’t require changing the format. \nIt just brings the Providence scene to Bank Street for a night. \nEvent Details\nEvent: PVD Takeover: ROMXN with Mutter & The Knife Kickers\nDate: Saturday\, September 5\, 2026\nTime: 9 p.m.\nVenue: The Oasis Pub\nAddress: 16 Bank Street\, New London\, CT 06320\nPerformers: ROMXN\, Mutter and The Knife Kickers\nMusic: Alternative pop\, indie rock\, indie folk and emo\nAge: 21+ \nMore information is available at the Event Website 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. \n  \n 
URL:https://thectbeacon.com/event/romxn-with-mutter-the-knife-kickers-at-the-oasis-pub/
LOCATION:Oasis Pub\, 16 Bank Street\, New London\, CT\, 06320\, United States
CATEGORIES:Oasis Pub
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CREATED:20260901T212201Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260901T212201Z
UID:10007308-1788685200-1788717600@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/2026-09-06/
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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