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- š Bridgewater Fair, Wigwam Festival & Fair on the Half Shell
š Bridgewater Fair, Wigwam Festival & Fair on the Half Shell
Hey hey! Ready to make the most of your Wednesday? Weāve got the scoop on some awesome local events thatāll spice up your weekend and give you major summer vibes. From good eats and fire trucks to cultural celebrations and artisan fairs, thereās something here for everyone to enjoy!
Inside todayās newsletter:
š„ Food, parades, and family fun
šŖ¶ Celebrate Native American culture with dance and crafts
š A coastal festival packed with music, food trucks, and local artisans
š This Month in CT History: A Prehistoric Discovery in Farmington
š° Local headlines you mightāve missed

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With strong open rates and a loyal reader base, our readers are always looking for great local places to shop, eat, and exploreāand your business could be next on their list.
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Food, Fire Trucks & Festivities ā Support Your Local Heroes
Get ready for three days of mouthwatering eats and good old-fashioned fun at the Bridgewater Country Fair, happening August 15ā17. From roast beef sandwiches to fried Oreos, the food tents are run by volunteer firefighters who keep this historic self-sustaining fire department alive without tax dollars.
Kick off the weekend with the iconic parade featuring antique and modern fire trucks, marching bands, and plenty of hometown pride. Itās a weekend full of community spirit and delicious eats ā donāt miss it!
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Celebrate Mohegan Culture with Dance, Crafts & Community
Step into a vibrant celebration of Native American heritage on August 16ā17 at Fort Shantok. The Mohegan Wigwam Festival brings together dancers, artisans, and families from across the nation for two days of traditional crafts, foods, and dance competitions in a beautiful outdoor setting. Enjoy free admission, easy shuttle service, and a welcoming atmosphere that honors the Mohegan Tribeās rich culture and history.
Itās a cultural experience you donāt want to miss!

Local Artisans, Live Music & Food Trucks Take Over Downtown
Milfordās beloved summer festival returns on August 16 with over 300 artisan vendors, live music, and delicious food trucks, all set against the stunning coastal backdrop of Milford Green. This free, family-friendly event is packed with crafts, entertainment, and community vibes that make it a must-visit for locals and visitors alike. Whether youāre shopping, jamming, or just soaking in the coastal charm, Fair on the Half Shell has you covered for a perfect summer day.

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Get Ready to Play Harder and Spend Smarter

Level up your fun with this unbeatable deal: a $50 arcade game card for just $25 at AMF and Bowlero locations nationwide! Whether youāre into classic favorites like Mario Kart and Jurassic Park Arcade or ready to challenge friends on NBA Hoops Basketball and King Kong VR, this offer packs serious playtime without breaking the bank.
But itās not just games ā experience the electric atmosphere with black lights, booming music, billiards, laser tag, and giant HD screens. When hunger hits, dive into epic eats like towering nachos, juicy burgers, and creamy milkshakes to keep you fueled for hours.
Grab your voucher, check your nearest locationās hours, and get ready to dominate the lanes and the arcade.

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DONāT WANT TO MISS
ManyOtters: Using Big Team Science to Study Otter Problem Solving and Memory at Beardsley Zoo (Bridgeport) - A lecture on the collaborative project studying otters' cognitive abilities.
Miss Tutti & The Fruity Band :: Childrenās Series at Levitt Pavilion (Westport) - A musical celebration promoting confidence and inclusivity for children.
Mary Chapin Carpenter and Brandy Clark at Ridgefield Playhouse (Ridgefield) - A second night featuring the acclaimed duo of singer-songwriters.
Museum Tours & Trolley Rides at Shore Line Trolley Museum (East Haven) - A chance to explore historical trolley experiences with unlimited rides.
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HAVE YOU BEEN HERE YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY
Unearthing the āPope Mastodonā ā A Prehistoric Discovery in Farmington
Back in 1913, deep beneath the soil of Farmingtonās Hill-Stead estate, workmen stumbled upon an incredible prehistoric find. While digging drainage trenches on the farm of Alfred A. Pope, they uncovered massive bones that initially looked like tree roots but turned out to be part of an American mastodon skeleton ā a giant relative of todayās elephants.
Yale paleontology experts quickly stepped in to carefully excavate the site, revealing almost the entire skeleton except for some tusks and smaller bones. A few months later, a huge tusk measuring nearly 9 feet long was found just yards away from the skullās location. This massive creature, now nicknamed the āPope Mastodon,ā likely stood about 9 feet tall and weighed several tons, offering a rare glimpse into Connecticutās distant prehistoric past.
Today, some of these bones, including a fossilized femur, remain preserved at the Connecticut Museum of Natural History at UConn, connecting us to an ancient world beneath our feet.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE
š Bakery & Cafe Household Favorite Opens New Stafford Location
LuAnn's Bakery & Cafe, a beloved name in Tolland County, is launching its third spot in Stafford at 42 Main St. Opening Tuesday with a ribbon-cutting at 1 p.m., the new location promises the same fresh, wholesome baked goods and family recipes fans love. Plus, the first 100 guests get a special āI was in the First 100ā pinācollectors, rejoice!
š£ Connecticut Anglers May Have Landed Record 700-Pound Thresher Shark
Two local fishermen spent six intense hours reeling in a massive 16-foot thresher shark estimated to weigh around 700 pounds, potentially breaking the state record. The shark snapped a bolt on the winch during unloading, underscoring just how monstrous this catch was. Officials are now reviewing the catch to confirm if it sets a new Connecticut record.
š„ Connecticut Pushes Forward with Expanded Low-Income Energy Assistance Despite Federal Uncertainty
The stateās LIHEAP program plans to serve over 100,000 households this winter with increased benefits and faster vendor paymentsāeven as federal oversight remains shaky due to staffing cuts in Washington. New pricing reforms and a streamlined online application portal aim to make heating assistance more efficient and fair for vulnerable residents.
š New London Schools Lead Connecticutās Experiment with Year-Round Education
While most districts wrap up summer break, New London Public Schools are already back in session under a year-round schooling model that replaces the traditional long summer vacation with shorter, frequent breaks. Superintendent Cynthia Ritchie advocates for modernizing the calendar, and education experts say other districts may soon follow this innovative approach.

Thanks!
Thanks for sticking with us through todayās newsletter! If you enjoyed it, go ahead and share the good vibesābecause great news is better when itās shared.
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