🎡 Festival Strolls, Quirky Contests & Comedy Gold

August 14, 2025

We’ve officially hit the sweet spot of summer, the kind of week where you can wander through an open-air market, cheer on a quirky fair competition, and wrap it all up with a night of laughs and music from two TV icons.

Here’s what’s inside:

🏛 Shop, snack, and stroll through a gorgeous historic estate
🎡 Homegrown veggies, homemade pies, and the debut of the Hobby Horse Challenge
🎤 Comedy, cabaret, and a night of cheeky charm
đź“— This Month in CT History: Gustave Whitehead Takes Flight
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

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A Sunday stroll through history, music, and local flavor

Sunday, August 18 | 10 AM – 4 PM | Wadsworth Mansion, Middletown

Stroll the manicured grounds of this stunning 1911 estate while browsing local artisan goods, farm-fresh produce, and handmade treasures. Enjoy live music, food trucks, and lawn games — the perfect way to spend a lazy Sunday in style. Bonus: admission is free, so your wallet can relax too.

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Small-town charm with a dash of quirky competition

Saturday, August 17 | 10 AM – 2 PM | Riverton Grange Hall, Barkhamsted

This charming small-town fair has all the wholesome vibes — prize-winning veggies, homemade pies, and family-friendly games. But this year, they’re upping the fun with the Hobby Horse Challenge, where adults and kids alike compete for glory… and probably a little dignity. Admission is free; bring cash for food and contests.

A comedy cabaret that’s equal parts classy and cheeky

Friday, August 16 | 8 PM | Mohegan Sun Cabaret Theatre, Uncasville

Glee’s Jane Lynch and The Office’s Kate Flannery bring their hilarious, high-energy cabaret show to Mohegan Sun. Expect snappy banter, musical comedy, and a night that’s equal parts classy and cheeky. A perfect excuse for a night out and a reminder that TV favorites can still surprise you on stage.

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TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

  • Thursdays on the Dock: Parker’s Tangent at Connecticut River Museum (Essex) - Free waterfront concert series showcasing local rock music.

  • Ben Brainard at Hartford Funny Bone (Manchester) - A comedic showcase with laughter inspired by Ben's life and quirky stories.

  • Benjamin Gibbard at Ridgefield Playhouse (Ridgefield) - An evening with the multi-talented singer-songwriter known for his work with Death Cab for Cutie.

  • Museum Tours & Trolley Rides at Shore Line Trolley Museum (East Haven) - The museum offers immersive trolley rides and captivating tours.

  • Steve Byrne at Stress Factory Comedy Club (Bridgeport) - A night of comedy with the versatile entertainer known for his engaging performances.

HAVE YOU BEEN HERE YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

The Fairfield inventor who may have beaten the Wright Brothers to the skies

In the summer of 1901, a German-born mechanic named Gustave Whitehead piloted his “Number 21” flying machine for a half-mile at an altitude of about 50 feet in Fairfield — more than two years before the Wright Brothers’ famous Kitty Hawk flight. The Bridgeport Herald later ran a story on the event, complete with a sketch of Whitehead’s motorized glider soaring over the ground.

Whitehead’s fascination with flight began with kites and gliders, leading him to design and build a range of experimental aircraft after moving to Bridgeport in 1899. His “Number 21” featured bat-like wings and dual engines — one for its propeller, the other to power its wheels during takeoff. While multiple eyewitnesses and contemporary news accounts supported his achievement, the absence of a verified flight photograph has left aviation historians divided.

Some believe institutional politics also played a role in his obscurity, citing a Smithsonian agreement with the Wright estate to credit only the Wright Brothers with the first powered, controlled flight. Still, Connecticut has proudly honored its local pioneer — even passing legislation in 2013 officially naming Whitehead as the first to fly. More than a century later, the debate continues to stir both historians and hometown pride.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

đź’§ Hot Weather Turns New Haven Water Rusty
City officials say the recent heat wave has stirred up naturally occurring minerals in New Haven’s water system, giving tap water a cloudy or rusty tint. It’s safe to use, but residents are advised to flush pipes to help clear it.

🛍️ Sales Tax-Free Week Starts August 17
From Aug. 17–23, clothing and footwear items under $100 will be exempt from sales tax across Connecticut. State leaders are urging shoppers to use the savings to stock up for back-to-school and support local businesses.

🌪️ CT Officials Warn of Busy Hurricane Season
With forecasts predicting “above-normal” Atlantic storm activity, state emergency managers are urging residents to sign up for CT Alert for real-time warnings. The push comes after severe flooding and extreme weather across the U.S. this summer.

🚌 CT Transit Turns 50, Looks to the Future
Marking five decades of service, CT Transit announced plans for 750 new bus shelters and a full transition to battery-powered buses by 2035. A retro Whalers-style bus design is also rolling out as a nod to the system’s history.

🏀 WNBA Blocks Hartford Bid for Connecticut Sun
A Connecticut group has matched Boston’s $325M offer for the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, hoping to move games to Hartford. But league officials are resisting the relocation despite strong local ties and state support for a new practice facility.

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