šŸ” Bridgewater Fair, Wigwam Festival & Fair on the Half Shell

Hey hey! Ready to make the most of your Wednesday? We’ve got the scoop on some awesome local events that’ll spice up your weekend and give you major summer vibes. From good eats and fire trucks to cultural celebrations and artisan fairs, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy!

Inside today’s newsletter:

šŸ”„ Food, parades, and family fun
🪶 Celebrate Native American culture with dance and crafts
🐚 A coastal festival packed with music, food trucks, and local artisans
šŸ“— This Month in CT History: A Prehistoric Discovery in Farmington
šŸ“° Local headlines you might’ve 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 explore—and your business could be next on their list.

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Food, Fire Trucks & Festivities — Support Your Local Heroes

Get ready for three days of mouthwatering eats and good old-fashioned fun at the Bridgewater Country Fair, happening August 15–17. 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. It’s a weekend full of community spirit and delicious eats — don’t miss it!

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Celebrate Mohegan Culture with Dance, Crafts & Community

Step into a vibrant celebration of Native American heritage on August 16–17 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 Tribe’s rich culture and history.

It’s a cultural experience you don’t want to miss!

Local Artisans, Live Music & Food Trucks Take Over Downtown

Milford’s 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 you’re 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 you’re 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 it’s not just games — 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 location’s hours, and get ready to dominate the lanes and the arcade.

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

HAVE YOU BEEN HERE YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

Unearthing the ā€œPope Mastodonā€ — A Prehistoric Discovery in Farmington

Back in 1913, deep beneath the soil of Farmington’s 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 — a giant relative of today’s 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 skull’s location. This massive creature, now nicknamed the ā€œPope Mastodon,ā€ likely stood about 9 feet tall and weighed several tons, offering a rare glimpse into Connecticut’s 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

šŸž 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 ā€œI was in the First 100ā€ pin—collectors, rejoice!

šŸŽ£ 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.

šŸ”„ Connecticut Pushes Forward with Expanded Low-Income Energy Assistance Despite Federal Uncertainty
The state’s LIHEAP program plans to serve over 100,000 households this winter with increased benefits and faster vendor payments—even 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.

šŸ“š New London Schools Lead Connecticut’s 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 today’s newsletter! If you enjoyed it, go ahead and share the good vibes—because great news is better when it’s shared.

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