🤫 Secret CT Gems, Art in the Wild, & Digger Playground

August 07, 2025

Hey hey, trailblazers 👋 This week’s newsletter is packed with adventure, art, and a little construction chaos. Whether you're itching to wander through forest installations, operate a kid-sized excavator, or uncover haunted museums and hidden castles, we’ve got the goods. Let’s make your August unforgettable.

Inside this issue:

🌿 Art in the wild, live acoustic sets, and family-friendly fun
🚧 Diggers, bubbles, and bounce pads galore
🔍 Spooky sites, quirky diners, and nature spots you didn’t know existed
đź“— This Month in CT History: The Last Public Hanging
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

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Explore forest trails dotted with outdoor art, live acoustic music, and hands-on fun.

Head to East Haddam this Sunday, August 11 for I-Park’s free Open Trails & Music event — part outdoor gallery, part chill music fest. You’ll hike 1–2 miles of lush trails where art installations blend right into nature, then vibe out to acoustic sets by local musicians.

There’ll also be family crafts, self-guided activities, and even live art demos. Pack your water bottle and a curious spirit.

đź“Ť I-Park Foundation, East Haddam
🕒 Sunday, Aug. 11 | 2PM–6PM
🎟️ Free (RSVP recommended)

This is not an advertisement.

A massive sandbox, real mini-excavators, and bounce houses take over Bishop’s Orchards.

From August 10–11, Bishop’s Orchards is bringing back its “Construction Tyme” weekend — and it’s a kid’s dream. Picture a construction-themed village with bounce pads, bubbles, tractors, AND a chance to operate a digger.

There’s also a corn cannon, family hayrides, food trucks, and wine slushies for the grown-ups. Go early — it gets packed.

📍 Bishop’s Orchards, Guilford
📅 Saturday–Sunday, Aug. 10–11
đź’µ $5 admission (ages 2+), activities priced individually

From haunted museums to secret castles, these spots are anything but ordinary.

Need an August adventure? We rounded up five of the most bizarre, underrated, and delightfully offbeat places in Connecticut. Think: a vintage diner in a train car, a ghostly seaport museum, and a Japanese-style garden tucked behind a law firm.

Whether you're road-tripping or just bored on a Sunday, these spots are worth the detour.

👉 Click here to open the full list

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Treetop thrills in Fairfield — now deeply discounted on Groupon.

Ready to level up your summer plans? Grab an all-day pass to The Adventure Park at the Discovery Museum in Fairfield, where ziplining and climbing through the trees is the whole point. The aerial forest features 15 self-guided rope and zip trails, from beginner-friendly to full-send expert.

Even better? Groupon’s running deals up to 50% off, including an extra promo code (KIDSFUN) that drops prices today only. No experience needed, just closed-toe shoes and a little courage.

🎟️ Starting at $56.93 with code
đź“Ť 4450 Park Ave, Fairfield
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Ages 5+ welcome

đź”— Snag your discounted passes here

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

HAVE YOU BEEN HERE YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

When Executions Were a Community Event

In 1831, a murder trial in Brooklyn, CT, drew more than just a verdict — it pulled in a crowd. Thousands gathered to witness the execution of Oliver Watkins, convicted of strangling his wife Roxana after rumors swirled about his affair with a local widow. Though Watkins claimed innocence, the scandalous details were enough to seal his fate.

Public hangings like this weren’t just legal proceedings — they were social gatherings. Taverns cashed in, spectators packed the streets, and the post-execution “festivities” lasted long into the night. But the tide was turning. The rise of prison reform, growing religious influence, and changing moral attitudes gradually made the whole grim spectacle feel outdated.

Watkins’ death marked the end of fully public executions in Connecticut. While hangings continued behind closed prison walls for years, the days of turning executions into community entertainment were officially over.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

đź’° Waterbury Lottery Ticket Scores $25K a Year for Life
A “Lucky for Life” ticket sold at Don’t Quit Smoke in Waterbury is living up to its name — it matched five numbers to win $25,000 a year for life. The winning numbers were 8-10-16-18-36, with the Lucky Ball 8.

🏗 Bridgeport & Hartford Lead in Housing Growth
While Connecticut saw an overall dip in housing permits last year, Bridgeport and Hartford bucked the trend — approving more new units than they have in decades. Together with New Haven, they’re now leading the state’s housing boom.

🦖 Dino Mini Golf Is Roaring in Vernon
Fossil Falls Mini Golf is now open in Vernon, where players can putt alongside towering dino statues like T-Rex and Triceratops. It’s the latest revival move at Connecticut Golf Land, with more attractions — like go-karts — still to come.

🌬 Berlin Plant Invests Big to Silence Complaints
After months of noise and odor complaints, Bright Feeds in Berlin installed a $1M+ regenerative thermal oxidizer. The result? No more stink, no more sleepless nights — and the company is now eyeing future expansion across the Northeast.

Thanks!

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