šŸŽ” PorchFest, Terryville Fair & Bluefish Tournament in CT

August 20, 2025

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Hey there, Connecticut adventurers! šŸŒŸ Summer isnā€™t slowing down, and neither are the events around the state. This week, weā€™re serving up live music, fairground fun, and a fishing challenge you wonā€™t want to miss. Hereā€™s whatā€™s happening:

šŸŽ¶ Music, vendors, yoga, and more in historic Wethersfield
šŸŽ” Classic rides, games, and family fun for all ages
šŸŽ£ Cast your line and compete for big prizes
šŸ“— This Month in CT History: John Fitch and Americaā€™s First Steamboat Make Waves
šŸ“° Local headlines you mightā€™ve missed

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šŸŽø PORCHFEST 2025: A FULL DAY OF MUSIC AND COMMUNITY IN WETHERSFIELD

Music, vendors, and summer fun all on one walkable street

Mark your calendars for PorchFest 2025 on August 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.! Presented by the Old Wethersfield Shopkeepers Association, this free event brings live music, shopping, food, drinks, and family activities to the heart of Wethersfieldā€™s historic district.

Stroll or bike along Main Street as you enjoy performances from local bands, visit charming colonial homes, and browse unique vendors. Itā€™s a day to soak up the summer, make memories with friends, and celebrate community spirit.

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Connecticutā€™s beloved fair celebrates its 77th year

The Terryville Lions Country Fair returns August 22ā€“24 at the Terryville Fairgrounds, offering rides, games, live entertainment, and delicious food. Admission ranges from $10ā€“$12 for adults, with children 10 and under entering free when accompanied by a parent. Ride bracelets are available Saturday and Sunday for $30/day.

This long-running fair is the biggest fundraiser for the Terryville Lions Club and promises fun for the whole family. Donā€™t miss this quintessential Connecticut summer experience!

Cast your line in Long Island Sound for a chance to win $25,000

Now in its 43rd year, The Greatest Bluefish Tournament on Earth takes place August 23ā€“24 across Long Island Sound. Participants compete to land the heaviest bluefish, with a grand prize of $25,000 and additional cash prizes, including $1,000 for the heaviest bluefish caught by anglers 18 and under.

Whether youā€™re competing or just joining for the fun, this tournament is a Connecticut summer tradition that brings anglers and families together for a weekend on the water.

Marcelloā€™s in Monroe is flipping the script on Italian dining. This family-run gem is doling out $10 off to new email subscribersā€”just scroll to the bottom of their homepage and sign up.

While youā€™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.

This deal is perfect for some of the really cool things theyā€™re cooking up for the fall, including a Nonnaā€™s Sunday Supper served family style, a new take on brunch, and new weekend lunch hours.

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

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Feel the thrill of high-performance cars across multiple East Coast tracks

Buckle up for heart-pounding excitement with Velocity Drivingā€™s multi-lap driving and ride-along experiences! Whether youā€™re a car enthusiast or just looking for a unique adventure, you can get behind the wheel of top-tier sports cars like Lamborghinis and Ferrarisā€”or ride along for the ultimate adrenaline rush.

Choose from a variety of experiences: 2-lap ride-alongs suitable for all ages, or 4- and 8-lap driving experiences for licensed drivers 18 and older. Some packages even include a Velocity Driving shirt to commemorate the day. Locations span the East Coast, including Lime Rock Park in Lakeville, CT, MetLife Stadium in NJ, and Xfinity Center in Mansfield, MA, so thereā€™s an option close to you.

With limited availability and big discounts of up to 66% off, now is the perfect time to grab this thrilling experience. Click here to book your laps and feel the speed for yourself!

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DONā€™T WANT TO MISS

HAVE YOU BEEN HERE YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

John Fitch and Americaā€™s First Steamboat Make Waves

Connecticut native John Fitch, born in Windsor in 1743, was a true tinkerer from the startā€”dabbling as a clockmaker, sailor, silversmith, and brass-maker before turning his attention to steam-powered travel. By the mid-1780s, he had designed a functional steamboat featuring oar-like paddles inspired by the canoes he once saw while captured in Kentucky.

In 1787, Fitch unveiled his 45-foot craft, the Perseverance, sailing it up the Delaware River before delegates attending the Constitutional Convention. The steamboat moved at a modest four miles per hour, but the sight of steam-powered navigation amazed onlookers. Despite praise, Fitch struggled to secure meaningful financial backing.

Though he eventually received a patent in 1791, legal complications and competing claims drained his resources. Fitch spent the rest of his life refining his designs but died in 1798 largely unrecognized for his pioneering contributions to American steamboat technology.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

Connecticut Ranks Low on ā€˜Most Fun Statesā€™ List
Connecticut landed 43rd out of 50 states in WalletHubā€™s 2025 ā€œMost Fun States in Americaā€ report. Despite the stateā€™s claims as the Pizza and Basketball Capital, researchers cited low rankings in entertainment, recreation, and nightlifeā€”Connecticut came in last for nightlife.

Man Rescued After Getting Stuck in Vernon Playground Slide
Firefighters in Vernon helped a 40-year-old man who became wedged in a tube slide at Northeast Elementary School. The rescue took about 30 minutes, and the man refused further medical treatment.

New Program Helps Unhoused Residents with Addiction
Connecticut launched the Housing Empowering Recovery Opportunity (HERO) program, connecting unhoused residents struggling with addiction to housing, treatment, and employment support. The initiative provides case management and rental assistance vouchers to help participants stabilize their lives.

Connecticut Artistā€™s Painting Featured on Jimmy Carter Stamp
Herbert E. Abrams, a Connecticut-based painter, created the portrait of Jimmy Carter that will appear on a commemorative Forever stamp this October. Abrams traveled to Georgia multiple times to capture the former president in a life study.

Vernon Pet Pantry Seeks Donations
The Vernon Pet Pantry is hosting a food collection event on August 30 at Saxony Dog Park. Organizers are asking for wet and dry dog food to replenish supplies for pets in need across the community.

Thanks!

Thanks for catching up with us today! If you enjoyed this newsletter, share it with friends and family so they donā€™t miss out on all the latest Connecticut happenings.

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