🎸 Black Bear Fest, Chester Fair & Clinton Summer Nights

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Hey there! 👋 Summer isn’t slowing down, and neither should you. This week, we’ve rounded up the hottest local events to make your weekend unforgettable. From toe-tapping tunes to dazzling fireworks and classic fair fun, there’s something for everyone.

Here’s what’s inside:

🎸 3 days of live music, camping, and community vibes
🎆 Spectacular fireworks and family-friendly fun
🌾 Classic agricultural fair with animals, games, and tasty treats
📗 This Month in CT History: The Flood of 1955
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

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🎸 BLACK BEAR MUSIC FEST 2025 ROCKS HARWINTON

Three days of music, camping, and community vibes this August

Black Bear Music Fest returns for its 7th year at the scenic Harwinton Fairgrounds this weekend from August 22–24! Over 50 live acts will perform across 4 stages, from soulful blues and gritty rock to folk, roots, and foot-stomping bluegrass.

Catch Grammy-nominated Shawn Mullins (“Lullaby”) and Howie Day (“Collide”), alongside local favorites like The Alpaca Gnomes and The Dreadnoughts. Enjoy food trucks, artisan vendors, workshops, and family-friendly fun throughout the weekend. Whether you’re coming for the day or camping under the stars, there’s something for everyone.

Click here to learn more.

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🎆 DON’T MISS CLINTON SUMMERFEST & FIREWORKS

An evening of food, fun, and dazzling fireworks

Mark your calendar for Saturday, August 23! Clinton Summerfest kicks off at Pierson School and continues at Clinton Town Beach with live music, kids’ activities, and a variety of food trucks.

The evening ends with one of Connecticut’s most spectacular fireworks displays at dusk—perfect for family and friends to gather and celebrate.

Click here for more details.

🌾 CHESTER FAIR 2025 IS THIS WEEKEND

Classic fair fun with animals, games, and local treats

Head to the Chester Fairgrounds from Friday to Sunday for a major agricultural fair full of excitement.

Enjoy livestock shows, garden tractor pulls, arts and crafts, baking contests, and live music.

With plenty of food, kids’ games, and family-friendly activities, it’s a quintessential Connecticut fair experience that everyone can enjoy.

You can learn more at this link.

☀️ FINAL WEEKS OF SUMMER = FAMILY FUN ON SALE

Looking for one last adventure before summer is officially over? Groupon is packed with end-of-summer, family-friendly deals across Connecticut—from theme parks to play zones and everything in between.

Some of our favorites right now include:

🎢 Lake Compounce – Up to 45% off admission
🎳 Bowlero – Save up to 73% on bowling (shoes included!)
🎥 AMC Theatres – Big-screen fun with discounted tickets and snacks
🎮 Dave & Buster’s – $40 worth of game chips for just $20
🧁 Kids cooking kits, dance classes, scavenger hunts, and more!

⏳ These deals won’t last long, so grab them now and make the most of summer’s final stretch.

👉 Click here to explore all the family fun deals near you

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💦 SPLASH INTO FUN AT GREAT WOLF LODGE CONNECTICUT

Hotel stay + water park access for the whole family

Looking for the ultimate family getaway? The brand-new Great Wolf Lodge Connecticut in Mashantucket is now open—and you can grab an exclusive deal on your stay with this Groupon offer. With themed suites, daily water park wristbands, and family-friendly activities, it’s the perfect escape for kids and parents alike.

The 84-degree indoor water park features thrilling slides, wave pools, a lazy river, and a racer ride you won’t find at other Great Wolf locations. After a day of adventure, retreat to your cozy suite—options include the Family Suite, Wolf Den, Kid Cabin, or the spacious Great Wolf Geyser Suite, sleeping up to eight guests. Each stay includes wristbands for the entire group, plus easy access to dining options like Dunkin’, pizza, burgers, and sweet treats.

Located just steps away from Foxwoods Resort Casino, parents can sneak in a little extra fun once the kids are asleep—think shows, shopping, fine dining, or even go-kart racing. Whether you stay for one night or two, this deal offers big savings on an unforgettable family experience.

🎟 Book your Great Wolf Lodge stay now

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

• Yoga on the Terrace at Mattatuck Museum (Waterbury) - Start your day with an all-levels rooftop yoga class.

• Storytime Tuesdays at Shore Line Trolley Museum (East Haven) - Join Miss Phyllis for a magical storytelling experience followed by a trolley ride.

• Member Perk: Hollister House Gardens at Hollister House Gardens (Washington) - Embark on an exclusive guided tour with the head gardener.

• In Our Nation's Defense: Historical Boat Tour at Nautilus Pier (Groton) - Discover military history aboard a scenic boat tour on the Thames River.

• Celestial Garden (Yale) at Yale Schwarzman Center (New Haven) - Experience a dynamic light and sound exhibition in The Dome.

• Concert: Music in the Galleries at Wadsworth Atheneum (Hartford) - Listen to a cellist perform works responding to the American landscape.

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HAVE YOU TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THIS YET?

WANT TO CATCH SOME LIVE MUSIC THIS WEEK?👇

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

THIS MONTH IN CT HISTORY: BACK-TO-BACK HURRICANES DEVASTATE CONNECTICUT

In August 1955, Connecticut was hit by two hurricanes in less than a week—Hurricane Connie followed by Hurricane Diane. The back-to-back storms dumped nearly two feet of rain across the state, overwhelming rivers and streams. In the early morning hours, walls of water surged through neighborhoods, sweeping away homes, cars, and even iron bridges. Entire downtowns in towns like Putnam, Torrington, and Waterbury were submerged, leaving behind destruction on a scale rarely seen in New England.

Nearly 100 lives were lost, thousands of families were displaced, and more than 80,000 jobs vanished overnight as factories along the riverbanks were destroyed. President Eisenhower declared Connecticut a major disaster area, and rescue efforts by the National Guard and Coast Guard saved hundreds trapped by rising waters. Temporary military bridges were flown in to restore vital connections after so much infrastructure had been wiped out.

The disaster spurred massive reforms in flood control, river monitoring, and dam safety, but the human and financial toll was staggering. Damages totaled over $170 million—more than $1.5 billion in today’s dollars—leaving an indelible mark on Connecticut’s history.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

Stop & Shop Closing Two Distribution Centers
Stop & Shop confirmed it will shut down its Norwalk and Windsor distribution facilities this fall. The company says all affected employees will be offered new roles and that grocery pickup and delivery services in Connecticut will continue uninterrupted.

Hot Chicken Chain Expands Into Danbury
The Red Chickz, known for its Nashville-style chicken with a California twist, is bringing its first Connecticut locations to Danbury, Southbury, and West Hartford. The fast-growing chain’s menu includes spicy chicken sandwiches, tacos, and cauliflower bites.

First-Ever Indoor Padel Court at a U.S. Mall Opens in Stamford
Stamford Town Center just debuted the nation’s first indoor mall-based padel court. The sport—popular in Europe and Latin America—mixes tennis and squash and is quickly gaining traction in the U.S. Officials say the new venue doubles as a community hub for fitness and recreation.

Fairfield Man Wins $100K Powerball Prize
A Fairfield resident is the latest lucky winner of a $100,000 Powerball prize, thanks to the Power Play multiplier. The ticket was purchased in Norwalk, and the winner says at first he thought the clerk was joking. The jackpot now sits at over half a billion dollars.

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