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- ✨ A Wicked Brunch, Pirate Night, and CT Arts & Eats
✨ A Wicked Brunch, Pirate Night, and CT Arts & Eats
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Hey there! 👋 We’ve got another jam-packed week of local happenings lined up for you—perfect for making the most of these last summer weekends. From a Wickedly fun brunch to swashbuckling pirate adventures and artisan eats, there’s something for every vibe. Here’s what’s inside:
🎶 Wicked Themed DJ Brunch at 1741 Pub & Grill
🏴☠️ New London Pirate Night
🍴 CT Arts & Eats – Artisan Wares & Fares
📗 This Month in CT History: The Charter Oak Falls
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed
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✨ A WICKED BRUNCH YOU WON’T FORGET
A Magical Brunch Buffet with a Twist of Oz
This is the one the Wizard has been waiting for! ✨ On Sunday, August 24th, join the fun under the tent at 1741 Pub & Grill for a Wicked-themed DJ brunch buffet. Whether you’re rooting for Elphaba or Glinda, you’ll enjoy themed dishes, a live DJ spinning the soundtrack, and even a chance to decorate your own wand.
The menu is full of enchanted bites—Elphaba’s Fruit Salad, Munchkinland Snacks, Monkey Wings, Popular Pancake Bar, and more. Plus, Oz-inspired attire is encouraged (but not required).
📍 Location: 72 Lyman Road, Middlefield CT
💲 Pricing: Adults $34.99 | Kids (2–11) $24.99 | Under 2 Free
📅 Time: Sunday, Aug. 24 | 10 AM & 12 PM
This is not an advertisement.
🏴☠️ NEW LONDON PIRATE NIGHT
Ahoy, mateys—get ready to set sail on adventure!
Grab your pirate hat and head to Parade Plaza in New London for an evening of sea shanties, swashbuckling fun, and treasure-worthy memories. With contests, live music, and a pirate pageant, this free community event is a must for both little buccaneers and seasoned sailors.
📅 Date & Time: Saturday, August 23 | 5 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Location: Parade Plaza, 50 State St, New London, CT
💲 Admission: Free
🎶 CT ARTS & EATS – A DAY OF ARTISAN WARES AND FARES
Shop, eat, and enjoy live music in Southbury!
Spend your Saturday at Southbury Town Hall for CT Arts & Eats—a day-long celebration of local artisans, food trucks, and live performances. Families will love the free kids’ activities, while the Southbury Women’s Club raises funds through raffles and handmade goods. It’s community fun with a cause.
📅 Date & Time: Saturday, August 23 | 10 AM – 4 PM
📍 Location: 501 Main Street S, Southbury, CT
💲 Admission & Parking: Free
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Zip, climb, and explore treetop trails with this Groupon deal
Ready to trade screen time for tree time? The Adventure Park at Storrs is the ultimate outdoor playground, featuring 9 color-coded aerial trails designed for every skill level. From ziplines to rope courses, this self-guided treetop adventure lets you move at your own pace while safely harnessed in and supported by staff. Whether you’re bringing the kids (ages 7+) or rallying a group of friends, it’s a full day of climbing, laughing, and making memories under the canopy.
🌟 Options are available for 1, 2, 4, or 6 people—making it perfect for solo adventurers, date days, or family outings. Plus, Groupon is running an extra-limited discount, so you can snag your passes for less (but hurry—this deal ends soon ⏰).
📍 Location: The Adventure Park at Storrs, 2007 Storrs Road, Mansfield, CT
💲 Pricing: Deeply discounted on Groupon for individuals, pairs, families, or groups
👉 Grab your Adventure Park passes now before the deal disappears!
TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS
Thursdays on the Dock: Local Honey at Connecticut River Museum (Essex) - Enjoy a free concert at the waterfront as the sun sets.
Pirate Day at Mystic Aquarium (Mystic) - Dress as a pirate and join fun activities and a treasure hunt.
Art Happy Hour | Aedan Madden Quartet at NBMAA (New Britain) - Enjoy live music and refreshments in a beautiful setting.
Tiger Shark Tank 2025 at Ridgefield Playhouse (Ridgefield) - Watch local entrepreneurs pitch their ideas at this live event.
The Best of the 70s with Dizzyfish & The Legendary Uptown Horns at Ridgefield Playhouse (Ridgefield) - Celebrate the iconic music of the 70s with this energetic show.
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HAVE YOU BEEN HERE YET?
THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY
The Charter Oak Falls
In the summer of 1856, a violent storm brought down Hartford’s legendary Charter Oak—a towering white oak that had stood for centuries as both a natural wonder and a cultural landmark. According to legend, the hollow trunk once safeguarded Connecticut’s royal charter in 1687, hiding it from British authorities intent on revoking the colony’s rights.
But the tree’s story began long before colonial times. Native Americans gathered under its sprawling branches for councils, and early Dutch explorers even recorded its majesty in their voyage logs. When Hartford settler Stephen Wyllys purchased the land in the 1600s, he was urged by local tribes to spare the oak, and he agreed—ensuring the tree endured nearly two more centuries.
When the oak finally fell on August 21, 1856, the state collectively mourned. Craftsmen fashioned chairs, frames, and other keepsakes from its wood—many of which remain at the Connecticut State Capitol and Historical Society today. A monument now marks the site at Charter Oak Avenue in Hartford, reminding future generations of the tree’s enduring legacy.
Even now, descendants of the Charter Oak grow across Connecticut, living testaments to the resilience and independence the tree has come to symbolize.
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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE
Three More Walgreens Locations Closing in CT
Walgreens is shutting down three stores in Hamden, Meriden, and Torrington this fall as part of its nationwide downsizing plan. Prescriptions will transfer to nearby locations, and the company says customers won’t need to take any action.
End of an Era: Bertucci’s Leaves Connecticut
The last Bertucci’s in the state — the Glastonbury location — has officially closed, marking the chain’s exit from Connecticut. After multiple bankruptcy filings in recent years, the closest Bertucci’s spots are now in Massachusetts.
Anna Kendrick Grabs a Slice at Frank Pepe’s
Actress Anna Kendrick was spotted at New Haven’s iconic Frank Pepe Pizzeria, where she ordered three of their famous pies, including the White Clam Pizza. Fans on social media loved her choice, calling her “a true Apizza pro.”
Field Hockey Scrimmage Honors Amy Romano’s Legacy
Enfield will host the 15th annual Amy Romano Memorial Field Hockey Scrimmage this Sunday, bringing together teams from four states. The event honors Romano’s life and athletic legacy, with proceeds supporting a scholarship in her name.
Ellington’s Iconic “Mailbox Bug” Retires
After nearly two decades, a colorful iron bug sculpture that hovered over a Jobs Hill Road mailbox has been removed due to wear and tear. In its place: a brand-new iron cactus, though locals say it’ll take some getting used to.
Thanks!
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