🫧 Foam Parties, Sea Glass, and Christmas in July

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Hey there! 👋 Ready for another round of Connecticut's best happenings? Whether you're looking for retro throwbacks, artsy adventures, or a surprise visit from Santa himself (yep, in July), we’ve got you covered. Here’s what’s inside:

🎸 A music festival honoring the one that never happened
🐚 20 years of sea glass, art, and beachy treasures in Mystic
🎄 A midsummer Christmas celebration with a foam party
📗 This Month in CT History: The Founding Father Who Signed Everything
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

School’s Out, but Stress Isn’t. Parents Deserve Support Too

Summer break might be fun for the kids, but for parents, it often means more on your plate. BetterHelp offers flexible online therapy that fits into even the busiest family schedule, so you can take care of your mental health, too.

BetterHelp connects parents with licensed therapists who understand what it means to be overwhelmed and still show up every day. You can talk by phone, video, or chat on your terms, from home, during nap time, or whenever you get a minute.

93% of clients are matched with a therapist who fits their needs, and you can get started in as little as 24 hours. For a limited time, your first month is 25% off.

Start Therapy and Save 25%.

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!

🎤 THE FESTIVAL THAT NEVER HAPPENED IS HAPPENING

A ONE-NIGHT TRIBUTE TO POWDER RIDGE’S LEGENDARY PAST

On July 26, Powder Ridge Mountain Park in Middlefield is throwing a nostalgic bash to honor the infamous 1970 music festival that never came to be. "The Festival That Never Happened" promises a full evening of live music with Righteous Continental and Audacity, lift rides, zip lining, family games, and a vendor village—all with retro, festival vibes.

This tribute turns a near-miss into a can’t-miss. Tickets are $28 for adults, $10 for kids 4–12, and free for the littlest ones. Lift rides and adventure activities are extra—but worth it for the view and fun.

👉 Get tickets here

This is not an advertisement.

🌊 INTERNATIONAL SEA GLASS FESTIVAL TURNS 20

SHOP, LEARN, AND CELEBRATE COASTAL TREASURES IN MYSTIC

The International Sea Glass Festival celebrates two decades at Mystic Seaport Museum from July 26–27, and it's packed with charm. Shop handcrafted jewelry and art from 50+ sea glass artists, attend expert talks, and explore the museum—all included in your ticket.

Admission is $35 for adults, $22 for youth, and free for museum members. It’s the perfect beachcomber-meets-art-lover weekend.

Click here for more info.

🎅 CHRISTMAS IN JULY IN TORRINGTON

SANTA, A FOAM PARTY, AND HOLIDAY CHEER—IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER

This Friday night is getting a dash of December at Torrington’s Christmas Village.

“Christmas in July” runs from 5:30–8:00PM and includes foam party fun, food trucks, crafts, games, face painting, and selfies with Mr. & Mrs. Claus. There’s even a Hawaiian shirt contest and tree lighting ceremony.

It’s totally free, family-friendly, and 100% festive. Donations are welcome to support Christmas Village year-round.

Click here to learn more.

🛡️ 5 SMART WAYS TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM IDENTITY THEFT

Identity theft is on the rise, with U.S. adults losing over $43 billion last year alone. Here are a few simple but powerful ways to reduce your risk:

✅ Freeze your credit – This stops thieves from opening new accounts in your name.
✅ Use multi-factor authentication – Add an extra layer of protection beyond just passwords.
✅ Set alerts on credit cards – Get notified of any charge over a small amount (even $1).
✅ Avoid carrying sensitive info – Leave your Social Security card at home and limit what’s in your wallet.
✅ Be cautious with requests for personal info – Especially if it’s over the phone, email, or text.

If you or someone you love has been targeted, you’re not alone—and help is available.

That’s where AARP’s Fraud Watch Network™ comes in. It offers:
📞 A free helpline at 877-908-3360 staffed by trained fraud specialists
📍 A Scam-Tracking Map showing threats near you
📩 Watchdog Alerts to stay one step ahead
🤝 Emotional support groups for fraud victims

And with an AARP membership, you get even more:

• Trusted financial tools and tips

• Exclusive discounts on everything from travel to fraud protection

• Advocacy fighting to protect your Social Security, Medicare, and digital safety

• A bonus gift when you join—either an insulated trunk organizer or a portable power bank

Right now, it's just $15 for your first year with automatic renewal.

🔗 Click here to join AARP and protect what matters most

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!

🧠 A MUSEUM WHERE CURIOSITY RUNS WILD

Save up to 43% on admission to EverWonder Children’s Museum

If your little ones love to ask “why?” every five seconds, this spot is totally their vibe. At EverWonder Children’s Museum in Newtown, kids ages 0–10 can dig for dinosaur bones, play vet in a pretend animal clinic, splash around in an augmented reality sandbox, and even hang out with live animals—all while secretly learning STEAM skills (science, tech, engineering, art, and math).

Just use promo code SUMMERFUN at checkout—valid for one more day!

Whether you’re rounding up the kids for a rainy day adventure or looking for an affordable weekend activity, this is an easy win. Bonus: preschool programming is free on Thursdays and Fridays during the school year!

🕘 Open Wednesday–Sunday | Reservation required

👉 Click here to grab the deal before it’s gone!

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

• 7th Annual Photography Exhibition at Beardsley Zoo (Bridgeport) - Join the exhibition and celebrate photographers with awards and refreshments.

• Art Colony Camp 2025: Session #3 at Florence Griswold Museum (Old Lyme) - Creative summer camp for kids exploring art and history.

• Dead Serious: An Evening with Travis Holp at Hartford Funny Bone (Manchester) - A night of laughter and connections with psychic medium Travis Holp.

• « MRS DALLOWAY: BIOGRAPHY OF A NOVEL (In-Person) at Mark Twain House (Hartford) - Join author Gary Shteyngart for insights into his latest book.

• Leonid & Friends at Ridgefield Playhouse (Ridgefield) - Experience Prince’s iconic album "Purple Rain" performed live.

Want to have your event listed above? Click here to learn how we can promote your event to thousands of interested locals!

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

Roger Sherman helped shape the U.S. government—from local politics in New Haven to the halls of Congress.

Roger Sherman wore more hats than most—surveyor, storekeeper, judge, mayor, and revolutionary thinker. After moving to Connecticut as a young man, he carved a legacy in public service, rising from local clerk to New Haven’s first mayor and eventually a respected national figure.

What truly sets Sherman apart? He’s the only person to have signed all four of America’s founding documents: the Continental Association, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and U.S. Constitution. His biggest contribution came at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, where he helped broker the “Great Compromise,” setting up the two-house structure of Congress we still use today.

Sherman continued to serve in Congress until his death from typhoid fever in 1793. Originally buried in the New Haven Green, his remains were later moved to Grove Street Cemetery—where one of Connecticut’s most influential sons still rests today.

🍝 GET $10 OFF DINNER AT MARCELLO’S ITALIAN EATERY IN MONROE

Marcello’s in Monroe is flipping the script on Italian dining. This family-run gem is doling out $10 off to new email subscribers—just scroll to the bottom of their homepage and sign up.

While you’re there, prepare for pasta lit on fire in a cheese wheel (yes, tableside!), happy hour deals that slap, and a full menu packed with flavor and flair.

Craving a little drama with your dinner? Grab the deal and explore the menu.

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!

HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

🔥 Haven Hot Chicken Voted a Top U.S. Small Biz
Connecticut’s own Haven Hot Chicken was named the state’s “most investable” business and ranked No. 8 nationwide in a MarketBeat survey. The Nashville-style chicken joint has exploded with over 2,000% growth since 2019—proof that heat really does rise.

📚 Manchester Library Hits a Major Milestone
Construction on the new Manchester Public Library just topped off—literally. A final steel beam was set in place this week, marking the end of structural work on the $50 million project that’s been decades in the making.

👨‍🔬 Guinness Record for CT Science Teacher
Ken Savage of Westbrook High School officially holds the Guinness World Record for the longest career as a male science teacher—logging over 54 years in the classroom (and his living room during the pandemic). He started in 1970 and just retired with a standing ovation.

🏫 CT Ranked #2 for Public Schools—But Not Without Issues
A new WalletHub study ranks Connecticut’s school system second-best in the U.S., citing high test scores and strong safety measures. Still, achievement gaps and low English proficiency for many students point to work left to do.

🩸 Blood Emergency Declared in Connecticut
The Connecticut Blood Center is calling on residents to help with a critical blood shortage—especially for types O-negative and O-positive. The state’s supply is down to just two days. Want to help? Head to CT Blood and roll up your sleeve.

Thanks!

Thanks for reading today’s newsletter! If you enjoyed it, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with a friend or two who’d love to stay in the know about Connecticut.

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!