🍩 Where to Find Apple Cider Donuts, Garlic Fest Returns, & More Local Fun

🍁 Hey Connecticut friends! Fall is in full swing — crisp air, cozy vibes, and (of course) all things apple and spice. Whether you’re craving a cinnamon-sugar donut, planning your next foodie fest, or sipping your way through a wine trail, this weekend’s lineup is packed with flavor and fun. Grab your scarf and let’s make the most of this beautiful Connecticut season!

Here’s what’s inside:
🍎 Where to Find the Best Apple Cider Donuts in Connecticut
🧄 Two days of garlicky goodness at one of New England’s biggest food fests
🍷 Sip, shop, and stroll your way through Milford at this community-loved fall tradition
📗 This Month in CT History: The Day the Hindenburg Cast Its Shadow Over Connecticut
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

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🍎 BITE INTO FALL: DISCOVER CONNECTICUT’S BEST APPLE CIDER DONUTS

A sugary, cinnamon-swirled tour of Connecticut’s sweetest fall tradition

If you’re in Connecticut, you know it’s not really fall until you’ve had a warm, sugar-dusted apple cider donut. From the country’s oldest steam-powered cider mill to family-run orchards and scenic farms, these spots are baking up the best fall flavors around. Whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect weekend road trip or just craving a cozy treat with your cider, this list has every donut lover covered.

👉 Find your new favorite cider donut spot in our 2025 guide.

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🧄FOLLOW YOUR NOSE TO THE CONNECTICUT GARLIC & HARVEST FESTIVAL

Two days of garlic, good food, and great vibes in Bethlehem, CT

Get ready for one of New England’s biggest (and most delicious) fall celebrations — the Connecticut Garlic & Harvest Festival! With 200+ vendors, garlic-themed food courts, cooking demos, live music, and plenty of flavor-packed fun, this weekend event is a foodie’s dream. Don’t miss your chance to sample, shop, and savor the season — just remember, it’s cash only!

📍 Bethlehem Fairgrounds – October 11–12, 9AM–6PM
🎟️ Adults $10 | Kids under 12 $1

Click here for more info.

🍷 SIP, SHOP & STROLL: MILFORD’S WINE TRAIL RETURNS

An evening of local flavor, fine wine, and community cheer

Raise a glass — the 16th Annual Downtown Milford Wine Trail is back! On October 11, sip your way through charming boutiques, local eateries, and live music as you celebrate the season in style. Each ticket supports Milford Junior Major League Baseball, making it the perfect blend of taste and good cause.

📅 Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 5PM–9PM
🎟️ $50 per person (includes commemorative wine glass + map)

Click here to learn more.

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🎮 DOUBLE YOUR FUN: SCORE $40 IN GAME CHIPS FOR JUST $20 AT DAVE & BUSTER’S MILFORD!

Half the price, double the play — your ultimate game night deal is here!

Ready to level up your night out? Dave & Buster’s in Milford is serving serious fun with a limited-time offer you don’t want to miss — get $40 worth of game chips for just $20! From classic arcade favorites to high-tech games, this spot is the go-to for date nights, family fun, or friendly competition that lasts all night long.

This deal is trending fast (30+ people already grabbed it today!) — and at 50% off, it’s easy to see why. Don’t wait too long to snag yours — it’s the perfect way to add some excitement to your week without breaking the bank.

📍 Dave & Buster’s Milford
1201 Boston Post Road, Milford, CT

🎯 Deal: $20 for $40 in game chips
⚡ Limited time only — while supplies last!

👉 Grab the deal before it’s gone! 

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

• Art in Focus: Johannes Adam Simon Oertel (Fairfield) - Kick off the Art in Focus series with an exploration of a significant artwork.

• Eva Ayllon 55 Years w/special guest Daniela Darcourt (Hartford) - Celebrate 55 years of Eva Ayllon’s musical journey!

• Hispanic Folktales (Hartford) - Enjoy a vibrant bilingual performance celebrating Hispanic folktales!

• October 9, Zoo Tots: Noteworthy Nocturnals! (Bridgeport) - Discover the fascinating world of nocturnal animals during this engaging program!

• Educators’ Open House (New Haven) - Join us for an afternoon with art and fellow educators.

• Four Scholars, Four Paintings (New Haven) - Explore four South Asian paintings and their rich histories with expert presentations.

• Buckcherry / Michael Monroe (New Haven) - Rock out with Buckcherry and Michael Monroe in this electrifying concert!

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HAVE YOU BEEN HERE YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

The Day the Hindenburg Cast Its Shadow Over Connecticut

In the fall of 1936, Connecticut residents looked up in awe as a colossal silver airship glided low across the sky. It was the Hindenburg — an 800-foot-long symbol of German engineering and luxury, famed for its smooth transatlantic voyages. On its farewell tour of the northeastern United States, the airship made a special flight over Danbury, Waterbury, New Britain, and Hartford — a gesture of goodwill to the country that had welcomed it so warmly.

The spectacle brought Connecticut to a standstill. Schools paused lessons, office workers crowded rooftops, and children pointed skyward as the Hindenburg passed so close it seemed to brush the city skyline — even soaring by Hartford’s Travelers Tower, then the state’s tallest building.

Dubbed the “millionaire’s flight,” the journey carried notable passengers including Rockefeller family members, Chase Bank’s CEO, aviation hero Eddie Rickenbacker, and Connecticut’s own Mary Goodrich Jensen — the first woman in the state to earn a pilot’s license.

Just months later, the wonder turned to tragedy. In May 1937, the Hindenburg burst into flames while landing in New Jersey, killing 36 people and ending the era of passenger airships. The last known photo of the vessel intact was taken by a Connecticut resident, moments before history changed forever.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

Hollywood Star Spotted at Hidden New Haven Pizza Gem
Batman himself made a surprise stop in New Haven! Ben Affleck was seen dining at Zeneli Pizzeria e Cucina Napoletana while visiting his daughter at Yale. The Wooster Street spot—long overshadowed by New Haven’s pizza legends—is now getting national attention (and a superhero stamp of approval).

New Traffic Cameras Set to Transform Hartford Commute
Starting October 13, the DOT will begin upgrading highway cameras and communication systems across I-84 and I-384. The $18.6 million project, spanning six towns, aims to boost safety and traffic flow—with new cameras, sensors, and fiber-optic lines installed through 2027.

Connecticut Ends Fiscal Year With $410 Million Surplus
The state’s finances are looking strong as Comptroller Sean Scanlon reports a $410 million surplus—well above projections. Officials caution, though, that potential federal cuts and economic uncertainty could challenge the positive momentum.

UConn Marching Band Earns Spot in 2026 Macy’s Parade
Big news for the Pride of Connecticut! UConn’s marching band was surprised live on the Today Show with an invitation to perform in the 2026 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade—marking the band’s first-ever appearance at the iconic New York event.

VR Theme Park to Bring High-Tech Thrills to Foxwoods
A new virtual reality theme park, Bee VR, is set to open at Tanger Outlets Foxwoods before Christmas. Visitors can expect immersive rides, laser tag, escape rooms, and a 15-seat VR roller coaster that promises a full-motion experience for all ages.

Encore by Goodfellas Expands With New Branford Location
Beloved New Haven restaurant Encore by Goodfellas is opening a new, more casual location in Branford—taking over the former Oxford Restaurant site. Fans are already buzzing online, eager for the brand’s signature blend of fine dining, live entertainment, and Italian flair.

Thanks!

Thanks for joining us today! We hope this newsletter sparked a few ideas to get out, explore, and make the most of everything Connecticut has to offer this week.

If you enjoyed it, share it with a friend — and help them discover the best events and hidden gems around the state, too!

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