🛡️ Renaissance Faire, Strawberry Festival & Dog Days Await

June 24, 2026

Happy Wednesday, Connecticut! Summer is in full swing, and this weekend is packed with reasons to get out and explore. Whether you're looking for family-friendly fun, delicious seasonal treats, or a chance to step into a world of fantasy and adventure, there’s no shortage of memorable experiences happening around the state.

Inside today’s newsletter:

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One of the biggest perks? You can stay in your car while certified technicians handle the service. In about 15 minutes, they'll replace your oil, install a new filter, and perform a maintenance check that includes important vehicle systems and fluids. No appointment is necessary, making it an easy stop for busy schedules.

Valvoline's highly trained technicians complete extensive professional training and have earned a reputation for fast, transparent service without the pressure of unnecessary upsells. Plus, customers receive 15% off select preventive maintenance services during their visit.

Whether you're getting ready for a summer road trip or simply checking an important task off your to-do list, this deal offers an easy way to keep your vehicle running smoothly while saving money.

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👑 The 15th Annual Midsummer Fantasy Renaissance Faire

Step back in time at Ansonia's Warsaw Park for a milestone season of old-world magic, live combat, and immersive fantasy. Running Saturdays and Sundays from June 27 through July 12, this rain-or-shine festival features unique themed weekends including Summerween, Warrior, and Celtic celebrations.

Visitors can enjoy axe throwing, shop handmade artisan goods, and feast on tavern favorites. A special Saturday night concert and fire show takes place on July 11. Tickets are twenty dollars for adults and ten dollars for youth, with children under four admitted free.

🍓 CT Strawberry Festival & Craft Show

Kick off summer with a sweet weekend at Central Connecticut's premier strawberry celebration, taking over Priam Vineyards in Colchester on June 27 and 28. This free-admission event features delicious strawberry shortcakes, fresh lemonade in souvenir cups, and an array of creative fruit-infused foods.

Visitors can browse more than sixty artisan vendors, enjoy live entertainment, and sample local food trucks, wine, and beer against a beautiful vineyard backdrop.

🐾 The 5th Annual Fairfield Dog Days

Bring your favorite four-legged friends to the Old Town Hall Green on Sunday, June 28, for Fairfield County's premier pet-friendly community tradition. This free outdoor festival features a lure-coursing track, a canine exploration course, a doggy splash park, and an ice cream pawlour alongside more than sixty pet and lifestyle vendors.

The event runs rain or shine, with proceeds and awareness directly benefiting local animal rescues and shelters.

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Take On an Indoor 18-Hole Mini Golf Adventure in Plainville

Looking for a fun family outing, unique date night, or an easy way to keep the kids entertained? Lessard Lanes in Plainville offers a year-round indoor mini golf experience that's perfect no matter what Connecticut weather has in store.

This 18-hole indoor course goes beyond your typical mini golf setup, featuring natural landscaping, waterfalls, streams, and creative obstacles that make every hole feel like a new adventure. Designed for players of all ages and skill levels, it's the kind of attraction where kids, parents, friends, and even grandparents can all join in on the fun.

With options for either two or four players, this Groupon deal makes it an affordable way to enjoy a memorable day out. The family-friendly atmosphere, well-maintained course, and glowing reviews from past visitors have helped make Lessard Lanes a local favorite for everything from casual outings to birthday celebrations.

Whether you're planning a rainy-day activity, searching for a fun weekend adventure, or simply looking for a reason to challenge friends and family to a little friendly competition, this indoor mini golf experience checks all the boxes.

TOP EVENTS TODAY YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

🎨 Senior Mornings at Mattatuck Museum (Waterbury): Enjoy a peaceful early-morning opportunity to explore the museum’s art, history, and special exhibitions before regular public hours.

🎤 Open Mic Night at The Stress Factory Bridgeport (Bridgeport): Discover rising comedy talent and unexpected laughs as new and experienced performers take the stage for a lively stand-up showcase.

🖌️ Artist-2-Artist at Firehouse Gallery (Milford): Connect with fellow creatives, exchange ideas, and gain inspiration during this welcoming monthly gathering for artists of all experience levels.

🇺🇸 Revolutionary Roots: Generations of Change at Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum (Norwalk): Explore fascinating Revolutionary War stories through artifacts, research, and exhibits that bring America’s founding era to life.

⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026™ Public Screenings at Pitkin Plaza (New Haven): Join soccer fans from around the world for free World Cup match screenings, local food specials, and a festive downtown atmosphere.

🚂 Member Perk: June at Mattatuck Museum (Waterbury): Museum members can enjoy a rare behind-the-scenes tour of the Railroad Museum of New England and see historic rail restoration work up close.

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS YET?

THIS MONTH IN CONNECTICUT HISTORY

Connecticut Finally Ratifies the Bill of Rights (April 1939)

In April 1939, Connecticut made history — by finally ratifying the U.S. Constitution’s Bill of Rights, a full 150 years after the amendments were first proposed.

The delay wasn’t due to a lack of support for individual freedoms. In fact, Connecticut’s early colonial government had already codified one of America’s earliest sets of personal rights back in 1650, protecting citizens against crimes like murder, slander, forgery, and theft. When the Bill of Rights was introduced in 1789, Connecticut’s General Assembly voted to approve it — but a procedural inconsistency between the state’s two legislative houses kept the ratification from becoming official.

Fortunately, Connecticut’s oversight didn’t prevent the Bill of Rights from becoming national law. Enough states ratified the amendments for them to be adopted without Connecticut’s formal vote.

Finally, on April 19, 1939The Connecticut-Born Preacher Who Captivated a Nation

Long before the age of radio, television, or social media, few Americans commanded public attention like Henry Ward Beecher. Born in Litchfield in 1813, Beecher rose to become one of the most influential ministers and public speakers of the 19th century, earning a reputation that extended far beyond the pulpit.

Beecher came from one of Connecticut’s most remarkable families. His father, Lyman Beecher, was a prominent preacher, while his sister Harriet Beecher Stowe became world-famous for writing Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Other members of the Beecher family helped shape national conversations about education, women's rights, and social reform.

After discovering a talent for public speaking as a student, Beecher entered the ministry and eventually became pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church in Brooklyn, New York. His engaging speaking style drew large crowds and transformed him into a national celebrity. As debates over slavery intensified, Beecher became one of the country's most outspoken abolitionists, using his sermons and writings to criticize slavery and rally support for the anti-slavery movement.

His influence grew even further during the Civil War. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln sent Beecher to Europe to help build international support for the Union cause. His speeches attracted widespread attention and helped strengthen his standing as one of America's most recognizable public figures.

Though later years brought controversy that complicated his legacy, Henry Ward Beecher remains one of Connecticut’s most notable historical figures—a preacher, reformer, and public speaker whose words helped shape some of the most important debates of his era.

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HEADLINES AROUND THE STATE

🎶 Connecticut River Museum Expands Summer Concert Series

The Connecticut River Museum is turning its waterfront into a live music destination this summer with two popular concert programs. Sea shanty performances continue through the end of June with Shanties & Sails, while the museum's free Thursdays on the Dock series returns in July, featuring everything from jazz and folk to classic rock and swing along the Essex shoreline.

📈 Connecticut Adds Jobs as Economy Remains Steady

Connecticut employers added an estimated 500 jobs in May, bringing total job growth for the year to 7,400 positions. State officials say the economy remains resilient despite slower hiring activity, while payroll employment reached a new all-time high even as the unemployment rate ticked up slightly to 5.1%.

🚗 Tesla Ends Up in Connecticut Swimming Pool

A routine day at a New Canaan public pool turned unforgettable when a driver accidentally accelerated through a fence and into the water. Lifeguards and police quickly worked together to rescue the driver, who was not seriously injured. Officials later praised the quick-thinking staff members who helped bring the unusual incident to a safe conclusion.

🌿 Connecticut and Mashantucket Pequot Tribe Sign Historic Cannabis Agreement

Connecticut and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe have reached the state's first tribal-state cannabis compact. The agreement creates a framework for the tribe to regulate cannabis businesses on tribal land while also participating in Connecticut's broader adult-use cannabis marketplace, marking a significant milestone in state-tribal relations and future economic development.

Thanks!

Thanks for joining us for today’s edition! We hope you found a few new adventures, local events, and hidden gems to add to your calendar this week.

Enjoyed what you read? Share this newsletter with a friend and help spread the word about all the great things happening across Connecticut. There’s always something new to discover!

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!