🐸 Outdoor Art, Community Festivals & Frog and Toad Adventures Await

May 19, 2026

Hey there, Connecticut explorers!

We’ve got another fun mix of events, local happenings, and things to do around the state this week. Whether you’re planning ahead for the weekend or just looking for something new to check out, we’ve got you covered.

Here's what you’ll find inside today’s email:

🎨 An outdoor festival filled with paintings, sculptures, jewelry, and handmade art
🎶 Summer street festivals packed with music, culture, and community fun
🐸 A charming musical adventure starring Frog and Toad for all ages
📗 This Month in CT History: The World War I Flying Ace With Ties to Connecticut
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

Costco is offering a one-year Gold Star or Executive Membership through Groupon, plus a free digital Costco Shop Card worth up to $40. New members can get a Gold Star Membership with a $20 Shop Card starting at $65, or upgrade to an Executive Membership with a $40 Shop Card and added perks like 2% annual rewards, early shopping hours, and monthly Instacart credits.

The membership includes access to more than 900 Costco warehouses worldwide, member-only gas pricing, Costco Travel perks, pharmacy services, optical centers, and more. The offer is valid for new members or anyone whose Costco membership expired more than 18 months ago.

This is an advertisement. Looking to partner with Connecticut Lifestyles? Just reply to this email or click here to learn how we can promote your brand to thousands of interested locals!

Paintings, sculptures, photography, jewelry, and more from artists across the region

The Voice of Art’s annual Fine Art Festival returns Memorial Day weekend on May 23–24, bringing a large outdoor juried art show filled with artists from Connecticut and surrounding states. Visitors can browse a wide variety of fine art and functional art, including painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, glasswork, jewelry, mixed media, woodwork, and more during the two-day event.

The festival is free and open to the public, making it an easy weekend outing for art lovers, families, and anyone looking to explore creative local talent. Organizers say the event continues to grow each year as a destination for collectors and visitors from across the Tri-State region and New England.

A community festival series kicks off this month

The “Meet on the Street” festival series returns this summer with events scheduled for May 21, June 18, and July 16 from 6:00 PM–9:00 PM. The free community gatherings will feature local artists, cultural organizations, businesses, and entertainment designed to celebrate creativity and bring residents together throughout the summer season.

Hosted by the Vernon Cultural District Advisory Board, the festivals aim to support local arts and culture while creating a lively downtown atmosphere filled with music, activities, and community spirit. All are welcome to attend.

Frog and Toad’s adventures come to life in this family musical

A Year With Frog and Toad arrives on stage this spring with a family-friendly musical based on Arnold Lobel’s classic children’s books. The production follows Frog and Toad through fun seasonal adventures filled with friendship, humor, and heartwarming life lessons as the two best friends navigate everything from gardening and swimming to sledding and baking cookies.

The show runs May 23 through June 6 with performances designed for young audiences while still offering fun for all ages. Special sensory-friendly performances will also be available, creating a more accessible theater experience for guests with sensory sensitivities.

Scheduling weeks out, taking time off work, sitting in a waiting room for an hour, just to get a prescription you've already had. It's slow, it's tedious, and it's entirely on someone else's timeline.

RefillGenie, rated 4.8 stars on Google, cuts out the appointment entirely. Same-day refills, on your schedule, without ever setting foot in a waiting room.

Because your health shouldn't have to wait weeks for a 5-minute conversation.

This is an advertisement.

Bowl, snack, and glow bowl for up to 63% off

Johnson’s Duckpin Lanes is offering discounted bowling packages for groups of two, four, or six people, with prices starting at just $16 with code FUN. Each package includes 90 minutes of duckpin bowling, shoe rentals, plus soda and chips for everyone in your group. Guests can choose between traditional open bowling or Glow Bowl sessions for an extra fun night out.

Unlike traditional bowling, duckpin bowling uses smaller balls and shorter pins, creating a unique and nostalgic experience that’s been popular in Connecticut for decades. Johnson’s Duckpin Lanes has been serving bowlers since 1955 and continues to be a favorite for families, friend groups, and casual date nights looking for something different.

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS YET?

Gerard Way Concert GIF by My Chemical Romance

There’s no shortage of live music happening all around the state. Check out the upcoming show calendar below:

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

The World War I Flying Ace With Ties to Connecticut

Raoul Lufbery lived an adventurous life long before becoming one of World War I’s most celebrated flying aces. Born in France to a French mother and American father, Lufbery eventually settled in Wallingford for a period in his early adulthood, working in a local silver factory before continuing his travels around the world. Though he only spent a few years in Connecticut, Wallingford later embraced him as a hometown hero, naming streets, parks, and local organizations in his honor.

Lufbery’s path to aviation began after meeting French pilot Marc Pourpe while traveling through Asia. He trained as an aircraft mechanic before eventually becoming a pilot himself after Pourpe’s death during World War I. Lufbery later joined the famous Lafayette Escadrille, a squadron of American volunteer fighter pilots serving France, where he quickly gained recognition for his skill and bravery in aerial combat.

After the United States entered the war, Lufbery joined the U.S. Army Air Service and helped train future American fighter pilots, including legendary ace Eddie Rickenbacker. His remarkable military career ended in 1918 during an aerial battle over France when his plane caught fire mid-flight. Though his life was cut short, Lufbery remains one of Connecticut’s most fascinating military figures and an enduring symbol of early aviation heroism.

Microsoft Office 2024 is available through Groupon for up to 91% off, with lifetime licenses starting at just $17.49 for Windows and $31.49 for Mac using code MAYSALE. The Windows Professional Plus version includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, and Access, while the Mac version includes the core Office apps optimized for Apple Silicon devices.

Unlike Microsoft 365, this is a one-time purchase with no monthly fees or subscription renewals. The software includes lifetime activation for one device plus Microsoft security updates through 2029, making it a budget-friendly option for students, remote workers, small businesses, and anyone tired of recurring software costs.

This is an advertisement.

HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

Massive Cockfighting Operation Busted in Tolland

Between 50 and 100 people were charged after authorities uncovered a large-scale cockfighting operation at a dormant quarry in Tolland. State police used helicopters, drones, tactical teams, and K-9 units during the raid, which town officials described as one of the biggest law enforcement operations the area has ever seen.

Organic Ice Cream Recalled Over Possible Metal Fragments

Straus Family Creamery recalled several flavors of its organic ice cream sold in Connecticut and other states due to possible metal contamination. The recall includes select pints and quarts of flavors like Vanilla Bean, Strawberry, Cookie Dough, Dutch Chocolate, and Mint Chip with specific best-by dates. Customers are being told not to consume the products.

Connecticut Distillery Gearing Up for Busy Summer Season

Litchfield Distillery is preparing for another busy tourism season with tours, tastings, seasonal events, and new small-batch spirits. The family-owned business has grown significantly since opening in 2014 and now offers dozens of bourbons, whiskeys, vodkas, cocktail mixers, and even bourbon-barrel maple syrup made with local ingredients.

Beloved Connecticut Ice Cream Brand Opens Second Parlour

The Big Dipper Ice Cream has expanded with a second location in Seymour after nearly 40 years in business. Known for its handcrafted flavors and ingredient-folding process done by hand, the longtime Connecticut favorite celebrated a packed opening weekend while serving signature flavors like its famous toasted almond ice cream.

Thanks!

Thanks for reading along today, Connecticut! There’s always something new happening around the state, and we love helping you stay connected to the people, places, and events that make it special.

P.S. Looking to partner with Connecticut Lifestyles? Just reply to this email or click here to learn how we can promote your brand to thousands of interested locals!