🌸 Mother’s Day Festival, Zoo Fun & Hot Dogs – This Week in CT!

May 07, 2025

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Hello, Connecticut! Spring is in full swing, and this week’s newsletter is packed with reasons to get outside, try something new, and soak up the sunshine. Whether you’re hunting for the perfect Mother’s Day outing, craving an old-school hot dog, or just want to stay in the loop on local headlines, we’ve got you covered.

In today’s issue:

🌸 A can’t-miss Mother’s Day craft and food festival in Uncasville
🐾 Spring events blooming at Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport
🌭 A legendary Cheshire hot dog stand that’s stood the test of time
📗 This Month in CT History: The Start of the Pequot Conflict
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

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🌸 MAKE MOM’S WEEKEND UNFORGETTABLE

New England Spring Craft Festival Returns This May

Treat mom (and yourself) to an artisan adventure at Mohegan Sun.

Looking for a unique way to spend Mother's Day weekend? The New England Spring Craft Festival (Uncasville) is the ultimate blend of creativity, flavor, and fun. Happening May 10–11 at the Earth Expo & Convention Center, this event brings together over 250 artisans and specialty food vendors for two days of shopping and sampling.

Beyond the booths, explore the Interactive Surprise Zone, where you can enjoy mini facials, makeup makeovers, sushi-rolling demos, and more. It’s the perfect place to find a thoughtful gift or simply enjoy the spring vibes.

Whether you're celebrating a mom, becoming one, or just love boutique-style experiences—this is your weekend.

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Beardsley Zoo Unveils Full Spring Event Lineup


From frog calls to wine tastings, it’s all happening in Bridgeport.

Beardsley Zoo (Bridgeport) is going full throttle this season with a packed spring calendar the whole family will love. From Mother’s Day at the Zoo and Zoo Tots to World Turtle Day, there's something happening almost every week.

Don’t miss special celebrations like World Otter Day, International Leopard Day, and the Wild Wine, Beer & Food Safari in June (yes, it's as fun as it sounds—and it's a fundraiser too). There’s even a chance to make seed balls and create art from natural materials while learning about conservation.

With hands-on experiences, animal encounters, and stunning springtime scenery, this is a perfect time to (re)discover why the zoo is one of CT’s crown jewels.

Blackie’s Hot Dog Stand is Still Sizzlin’


One of Connecticut’s oldest eateries is still doing it their way—and we’re here for it.

Hungry for a bit of history with your meal? Blackie’s Hot Dog Stand (Cheshire) has been a roadside icon since 1928. Known for its simple menu (no fries here!) and legendary pepper relish, this family-run joint has stayed true to its roots for nearly 100 years.

Forget the frills—Blackie’s offers boiled dogs, Utz chips, birch beer, and a heavy dose of nostalgia. The secret pepper relish? It’s so famous it’s even been to space. And while the vibe is old-school, the flavors are timeless.

Stop by and find out why generations keep coming back for “two and a cheese.”

👉 Read the full story here

Mother’s Day is this weekend — and if you’re still trying to find the perfect gift, Groupon is the place to look!

From spa days and manicures to massages, wine tastings, horseback riding adventures, and so much more, you’ll find incredible experiences (and major savings) that Mom will love.

Make her day unforgettable with a gift that’s as special as she is.

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Your ticket to Connecticut’s most epic amusement park is half off — but not for long!

Ready to ride the #1 wooden coaster in the world and splash your way through the state’s largest water park? Lake Compounce in Bristol is back with a flash sale on single-day admission — and it’s the perfect excuse to start summer early.

This isn’t just any amusement park. Open since 1846, Lake Compounce is the oldest continuously operating amusement park in North America — and still one of the best. From the legendary Boulder Dash and the newly re-tracked Wildcat coaster to beachside concerts and weekend DJ bashes, there’s more to do than you can fit into one day (but hey, no one's stopping you from trying).

🎟️ Choose from:

  • $33 tickets (50% off) valid through June 1

  • $39 tickets (41% off) valid through July 6

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

📚 Short Attention Span Literary Club with the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History (Virtual Event 1:00 PM) - Discussing Haruki Murakami's story “The Seventh Man” in a casual online setting.

🖊️ A Book Reading & Signing at Garde Arts Center (New London, 6:00 PM) - Local author Judy Benson shares her newly released novel.

🃏 Setback at 1741 Pub & Grill (Middlefield, 6:00 PM) - An evening of playing the card game Setback for a good cause.

🎻 Old Crow Medicine Show at Ridgefield Playhouse (Ridgefield, 8:00 PM) - Celebrated roots music band performing their energetic hits.

CHECK OUT THIS FESTIVAL THIS WEEKEND

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 START OF THE PEQUOT CONFLICT


A violent clash over territory, trade, and survival reshaped New England forever.

In May 1637, tensions between English settlers and the Pequot people exploded into one of the most devastating wars in early American history. For years, uneasy relations simmered in the Connecticut River Valley, fueled by territorial disputes and fierce competition over trade routes. Skirmishes and raids escalated throughout 1636, but it was a deadly attack on the town of Wethersfield that pushed the colonists past the breaking point.

A joint force of Pequot and Wangunk warriors descended on the struggling settlement during a critical planting season, killing nine settlers and seizing two young girls. Livestock was slaughtered, crops destroyed—the message was clear: the colonists were not welcome. With survival at stake, Connecticut’s leaders responded by officially declaring war.

What followed was a brutal campaign marked by the infamous Mistick Massacre, where hundreds of Pequot men, women, and children were killed. Though the war formally ended the next year with the Treaty of Hartford, the legacy of violence and displacement endured. The Pequot War marked a grim turning point in colonial-Native relations and forever altered the balance of power in the region.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

🌟 Laskara Restaurant Closes After 26 Years in Wallingford
Laskara, a beloved Mediterranean spot in Wallingford, is closing its doors after 26 years due to building age and health concerns.

🛠️ 3,000 Pratt & Whitney Workers Strike Over Wages & Benefits
Union machinists at Pratt & Whitney have gone on strike, demanding better wages, retirement benefits, and job security after failed contract negotiations.

🍕 Modern Apizza Tops Connecticut's Pizza Capital Trail
New Haven's Modern Apizza has been named the best pizzeria in Connecticut, surpassing local favorites like Frank Pepe and Sally's Apizza.

📱 Greenwich Schools Limit YouTube Access on Student Devices
Greenwich Public Schools have restricted YouTube access on elementary students’ devices to better control content, aligning with a state trend.

🍝 Connecticut Firm Buys Chef Boyardee from Conagra for $600 Million
Greenwich-based Brynwood Partners is purchasing the Chef Boyardee brand for $600 million, making it their best-selling label alongside Pillsbury, Marie's, and Uno.

Thanks!

Thanks for checking out today’s newsletter! If you enjoyed it, don’t keep all the fun to yourself—share it with friends and family so they can join in on the action too!

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