✨ Explore Parks, Hocus Pocus LIVE & Yale Powwow!

October 29, 2025

Happy Wednesday, Connecticut! Ready to get out, explore, and soak up the best our state has to offer? From the great outdoors to magical Halloween fun and vibrant cultural celebrations, we’ve rounded up a few can’t-miss experiences for you this week. Here’s what’s inside:

🌲 Discover top spots for hiking, picnicking, camping, and waterfront adventures
🧙‍♀️ A spellbinding Halloween parody musical featuring hilarious comedy
🪶 Celebrate Native American culture with dance, drumming, and artisan vendors
📗 This Month in CT History: The Killingworth Farmer Who Carved His Way into American Folk Art
📰 Local headlines you might’ve missed

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Discover Scenic Trails, Beaches, and Hidden Outdoor Gems

Connecticut may be small, but its state parks are packed with natural beauty. From the expansive beaches at Hammonasset Beach State Park to the rocky shoreline and wooded trails of Rocky Neck, there’s an outdoor adventure for everyone. Sherwood Island offers coastal vistas perfect for picnics and bird-watching, while Devil’s Hopyard amazes visitors with its legendary waterfalls and unique potholes. Don’t miss the historic Gillette Castle State Park, combining scenic trails with a touch of eccentric architecture.

Whether you’re hiking, camping, fishing, or just enjoying a stroll, these parks offer something for every nature lover. Grab your gear and plan your next outdoor adventure!

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A Spellbinding Halloween Musical Adventure for All Ages

Get ready for a magical night at Hocus Pocus LIVE!!!, a full-length theatrical parody of the cult Disney classic. Experience hilarious comedy, live singing, special effects, and appearances by New England’s top Winifred Sanderson impersonator, Summer Orlando. Fans are encouraged to dress as their favorite Sanderson sister for a chance to win prizes!

With over eight years of sold-out performances and approval from the original cast, this Halloween show is perfect for kids, families, and fans of all ages. Prepare for a fun, unforgettable theatrical experience.

Celebrate Native American Culture Through Dance, Drumming, and Community

Join the Yale Powwow of Light for an annual celebration honoring Native American heritage. Experience traditional and contemporary dance, live drumming, indigenous foods, and artisan vendors. This family-friendly event brings together dancers, artists, and community members from across the region to foster cross-cultural understanding.

Open to all, the Powwow is a great way to connect with vibrant traditions and learn more about Native communities in a fun, interactive setting.

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Hotel Stay + Indoor Water Park Adventure for the Whole Family!

Looking for a getaway that thrills kids and relaxes parents? Great Wolf Lodge in Mashantucket, Connecticut, has you covered! With family-friendly suites, an indoor water park, and endless activities, this resort turns any ordinary weekend into a memorable adventure. From thrilling slides to wave pools and nightly storytime with costumed characters, it’s fun for all ages—rain or shine.

Why You’ll Love It:

  • Stay in themed suites: Family Suite, Wolf Den, Kid Cabin, or Great Wolf Geyser Suite.

  • Daily water park passes included for everyone in your party.

  • Indoor fun all year round: slides, pools, arcade, and more!

  • Perfect location in Ledyard, near scenic parks, historic sites, and the Mashantucket Pequot Museum.

Deals You Can’t Miss:

  • 1-night Family Suite from $147.34 (up to 48% off).

  • 2-night Wolf Den Suite from $129.32/night (50% off).

  • 1-night Kid Cabin Suite from $152.64 (47% off).

Whether it’s a quick weekend escape or a mini-vacation, this Groupon deal makes family fun affordable and stress-free.

Don’t wait—these deals are selling fast and rooms fill up quickly!

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

HAVE YOU BEEN HERE YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

The Killingworth Farmer Who Carved His Way into American Folk Art

For much of his life, Clark Coe was a hardworking farmer in Killingworth, Connecticut, tending to a rocky 100-acre plot while supplementing his income by crafting baskets and axe handles. Around 1900, he began a new venture—transforming scraps of wood, cloth, metal, and paint into animated folk-art figures known as the “Killingworth Images.” What started as playful creations for his grandchildren soon attracted visitors from across the region.

Coe’s water-powered figures included preachers, musicians, wrestlers, and even tiny Ferris wheel riders, all set in a whimsical, endlessly moving miniature world. Visitors arrived on horseback and in carriages, signing a guest book and leaving voluntary contributions to support the attraction. His inventive display drew nationwide attention, and even a newspaper in Utah reported on the “snug sum” Coe earned from curious travelers.

Despite personal tragedies—the loss of his wife, son, and daughter—Coe continued creating until his death in 1919. Today, his surviving works are celebrated as extraordinary examples of American folk art, with pieces displayed at the Smithsonian Museum of American Art, the Museum of American Folk Art in New York, the Killingworth Historical Society, and other collections. His legacy endures as a testament to creativity, humor, and the enduring appeal of hands-on artistry.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

Capture Your Family’s Story at Waterbury Museum
The Mattatuck Museum is offering limited professional portrait sessions for the upcoming “Families of Waterbury” exhibit. Sign up to share your family’s story and secure a time slot—admission is free, but registration and a signed waiver are required.

Electric Boat Expands Into Crystal Mall
Submarine manufacturer General Dynamics Electric Boat has purchased the struggling Crystal Mall in Waterford. Plans include refurbishing the space for engineering, training, and software development, creating a future hub for 4,000–5,000 employees by 2027.

Glow Wild Lantern Festival Returns to Beardsley Zoo
Beardsley Zoo will light up the fall and winter evenings with the Glow Wild Lantern Festival, featuring more than 50 illuminated sculptures, Glow Igloos, and a Glow Café. The festival runs Thursday through Sunday evenings from Sept. 25 to Dec. 14, with timed-entry tickets available online.

CT Native Lauren Celentano Joins Broadway’s Hamilton
Cheshire native Lauren Celentano, who studied “Hamilton” in college, is set to debut in the Broadway production on Nov. 21. She joins the ensemble and understudies key roles, fulfilling a dream she first imagined in 2017.

Char & Lemon Pizzeria Opens in Downtown Guilford
After more than a year of anticipation, Char & Lemon has opened its new Guilford location on Water Street. The restaurant serves Neapolitan-style pizzas, homemade pastas, and Italian-inspired entrees, with an extensive drink menu and a bright, contemporary space.

Thanks!

Thanks for checking out today’s newsletter! We hope it inspired you to get out, explore, and enjoy all the great experiences Connecticut has to offer this week.

If you enjoyed today’s email, share it with a friend and help them discover the best things happening around the state too!

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!