Celebrate Mansfield Festival lands in Downtown Storrs on Saturday, Sept 27 (2–8pm), a one-day mashup of music, makers, and kid-friendly fun centered on Betsy Paterson Square.

Quick hits & schedule:

All afternoon: hands-on booths from local orgs + UConn groups along Dog Lane, Royce Circle, Wilbur Cross Way, crafters in the Craft Corner, and the Storrs Farmers Market (3–5pm) for a picnic-worthy haul. Eat your way through food booths on Royce Circle & Bolton Rd Ext. or hit more than 20 nearby restaurants.

New: Hops 44 Beer Garden (2–8pm) with craft pours and pretzels.

Free, walkable, all ages. Bring a blanket and settle in.

Full details at downtownstorrsfestival.org.

🚜 Brooklyn just got a whole lot handier, Tractor Supply’s brand-new 21,000+ sq. ft. store is open, with the grand opening party set for Oct. 4th!

Cheddar–Chive Biscuit Top

CT twists: add sweet corn in summer, swap turkey after Thanksgiving, or a splash more cider for extra orchard vibes.

Put your news where neighbors actually look. Reach 9,000+ locals across Hartford, Tolland & Windham Counties with a sponsored spotlight.

SATURDAY 9/27

Canterbury | Old Home Day | 11am-4pm - Celebrate everything great about Canterbury, with this annual extravaganza on the Town Green (Corner of Rt 169 and Rt 14). Free parking at Baldwin School, with shuttles transporting all day. 30+ local nonprofits & vendors, food trucks, historical re-enactors/demonstrators, historical maritime music (who doesn’t love a sea shanty?), woodcarving demonstration, open fire cooking demo, the very fun Scarecrow contest, plenty of kids activities, and the very popular pies for sale (including some pot pies!).

You don’t have to be a Canterbury resident to enjoy this fantastic event! Thank you to Kelcey for bringing this to my attention!

If you were puzzling over “Cargill Falls” in last week’s word scramble, here’s the scoop: tucked right in the middle of Putnam, this 40-foot drop on the Quinebaug River has been powering industry since the late 1700s. The falls were the reason Danielson brothers and other early manufacturers planted textile mills here, turning what was once a sleepy stretch of river into one of Connecticut’s busiest mill villages. You can still see the old brick shells of the mills lining the banks, a reminder that water was the original electricity.

Cargill Falls isn’t just an industrial relic, it’s woven into the town’s identity. The Quinebaug roars through with a kind of rugged energy, the same current that built Putnam’s reputation as a manufacturing hub in the 19th century. Today, the falls are a scenic backdrop for anyone strolling downtown or grabbing a coffee nearby, a place where you can stand and picture the noise, steam, and hustle that once made this little corner of Windham County tick.

Thompson | Make-and-Take Craft | 5:30pm - Thompson Public Library (934 Riverside Dr) is inviting you to make a fun seasonal craft. Registration is required.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Pete Vendettuoli | 8-11pm

Canterbury | RUTW Walking Club | 8:30-9:15am - The Rise Up To Wellness Walking club is meeting on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Fridays of this month for a group walk at Robert Manship Park (49 Lovell Ln). It’s a great place to get some exercise and work on positive mental health.

Danielson | Fall Pumpkin Decorating | 5:30-7:30pm $ - Grab a cup of coffee and turn mini-pumpkins into major masterpieces at Two Dogs Coffee Shop (155 Main St). Tix

Danielson | Redefining Happy Hour | 6:30-7:30pm $ - This is a different kind of happy hour. One with mocktails, meaningful conversation, and creative activities, that won’t leave you with a hangover. More deets

Pomfret | Invasive Knotweed Workshop | 6:30pm - Jane Seymour (no, not that one) is going to teach you all about knotweed, including how to effectively manage it, at the Pomfret Senior Center (207 Mashamoquet Rd). If you have questions, email Beth at [email protected]

Putnam | Sept Book Club | 5pm - Wolperdinger Bookends (112 Main St) is holding their monthly book club. This month is Small Gods by Sir Terry Pratchett (truth be told, one of my favorite authors, the Discworld series is very silly, and a lot of fun). Show up in person, or check it out on Zoom.

Thompson | Cruise Night | 4-9pm - Get your fill of classic cars, music, and food at the Thompson Rod and Gun Club (93 Brandy Hill Rd). Food is cash only.

Willimantic | Tavern Night | 5pm $ - Take a trip through time and spend an evening with Amelia Earhart at the Windham Historical Society (627 Main St). Learn all about her life and enjoy some of her favorite food and drink! Tix

TRIVIA

Stomping Ground - Putnam | 7pm
Hank’s - Brooklyn | 6:30pm
Bear Hands Brewing - Putnam | 6pm
Mill Town Grill - Thompson | 6:30pm

Ashford | Car Cruise | 5-8pm - Join the Ashford Volunteer Fire Dept (46 Westford Rd) for their monthly car cruise. Food, music, classic cars, and fun.

Willimantic | Dial M For Murder | 7:30-9:30pm $ - Check out the Windham Theatre Guild’s (779 Main St) adaptation of Dial M For Murder. Support the arts and grab some tix!

Windham | Situational Awareness Workshop | 12pm - It’s never been more vital to be cognizant of your surroundings when you’re out and about. The Windham Chamber (47 Crescent St) is holding a free seminar with security expert Keith James, about what to look for to keep yourself and others safe in public. As a bonus, lunch is free! Sign Up

Woodstock | Paint & Sip Wind Chime | 6-8pm $ - Make an upcycled wine bottle wind chime at Taylor Brooke Brewery (818 Rt 171). Price includes your first drink. Tix

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Straight Up Jazz Series | 5:30-7:30pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Lucky Losers | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

Trolley Pub - Willimantic | 7:30pm
Midway Restaurant - Ashford | 7pm

Ashford | Crookes Night Pick | 6:30-9pm - Pick apples by candlelight at Crookes Apple Orchard (317 Bebbington Rd). Not gonna lie, that actually sounds pretty fun.

Plainfield | Plainfield’s Black Soldiers | 6pm - Learn all about the black soldiers of the revolutionary war from Plainfield, with genealogist and historian Pauline C. Merrick at the Plainfield Senior Center (482 Norwich Rd).

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Willimantic Elks Lodge - Willimantic | Peet Trio | 7-10pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Chris Stovall Brown | 8-11pm

TRIVIA

Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | 6:30pm

Danielson | Mardi Gras Celebration | 5-10pm $ - Traditional New Orleans food, live music, a silent auction, and a special door prize at the Danielson Lodge of Elks (13 Center St). Proceeds support Wreathes Across America. Tix

Danielson | Needle Felted Jack-O-Lanterns | 11am-1pm $ - Learn how to create an adorable little jack-o-lantern, no scooping of pumpkin guts required. You can buy tix for this fun class at Mountain Laurel Floral Designs (98 Main St).

Dayville | Cherry Coke BBQ Pulled Pork Dinner | 4:30-6:30pm $ - Killingly Grange (801 Hartford Tpke) is holding a BBQ dinner. You can call/text Terry (860) 884-1813 to reserve a meal, or pre-order here.

Dayville | Craft & Vendor Fair | 11am-3pm - 4G’s Restaurant (305 Hartford Pike) is holding a craft and vendor fair, which will help support Neighbors Against Cancer. They are also accepting non-perishables that will go to cancer patients for Xmas dinner this year.

Putnam | Bravofest 2025 | 2-11:30pm $ - Spend the evening rocking out at Charlee Bravo’s (9 Grove St), and help support the underappreciated Homes For Our Troops (a nonprofit you should check out). Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. All veterans, first responders, and active-duty personnel get in free. More info

Putnam | Local Comic Shop Day | 10am-6pm - Wonderland Comics (160 Main St) is celebrating Local Comic Shop Day with exclusive deals and products.

South Windham | BBQ Chicken Dinner | 12-7pm $ - Help support the South Windham Fire Dept (41 Machine Shop Hill Rd) with their take-out BBQ chicken dinner. They tend to sell out, so if you’re interested, Venmo $20, and they’ll have your name at the door.

Thompson | Learn To Braise | 5-8pm $ - Learn how to braise beef and other deliciousness at New Boston Beef (17 Fabyan Woodstock Rd). Tix

Willimantic | Flea Market | 8am-12pm - WAIM (866 Main St) is holding a flea market, with proceeds going toward the WAIM general fund. Search around and find some buried treasure.

Willimantic | Grupo Boriken | 8-10pm $ - If you’re itching to hear the sounds and rhythms of Puerto Rico, swing by The River Room (50 Riverside Dr) to catch this 7-piece ensemble. I can almost guarantee you’ll be grooving in your seat. Tix

Willimantic | Farmers Market | 8am-12pm - The weather is still nice enough to go grab some fresh produce and other goodies at the Willimantic Farmers Market (28 Bridge St).

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Triple Raven Brewing - Thompson | Fox and the Dragon | 2-5pm
⬢ Hank’s Dairy Bar - Plainfield | Roc-Kin’-On | 5-8pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Mark Milloff | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Nate Staub Trio | 8-11pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | JT Horne | 2-5pm
⬢ Broken Crust - Putnam | JC Hill | 5:30-7:30pm

Moosup | Breakfast Fundraiser | 8-11am $ - Brooklyn Cares Community Center is teaming up with the Moosup Lodge 113 (69 Prospect St) for a breakfast fundraiser with the proceeds being split between both entities. $15/adult, $10/6-12 year olds, free for children under 5.

Plainfield | Moosup Valley 5K/10K | 10:15am $ - Get your run on at Moosup Valley State Park Trail (Withey Hill Rd) with their 5K and 10K runs. There are also free kids fun runs at 9:30am. Runners can enjoy free food and beer after the race. Sign Up

Putnam | Chicken BBQ | 5-6:30pm $ - This chicken BBQ at Knights of Columbus (27 Powhatten St) benefits Paws Cat Shelter. Buy tickets at Paws Cat Shelter, KoC, or Joseph Jewelers.

Putnam | Card Show | 8am-1pm $ - Collectible cards have exploded in popularity the past several years, and Roy’s Cards wants to bring the hobby to the Quiet Corner at the Putnam Elks (64 Edmond St). Whether you’re looking to buy, trade, or sell sports, Pokémon, or any other kind of card, it’s worth popping in. Tix

Putnam | Sugar Cookie Decorating Class | 11am-2pm $ - Bring your little one for a cookie decorating class at Bear Hands Brewing (75 Main St). Learn some decorating techniques, enjoy some treats, and help support Parent’s Corner Non-Profit. Tix

Willimantic | Chaos & Joy | 12-5pm - BLISS Marketplace (34 North St) is holding a free event. Live music, vendors, food trucks, activities, local artists, and a whole lot more await!

Woodstock | Harvest Tour & Tasting | 2-4pm $ - Here’s your chance to peek behind the curtain at Taylor Brooke Winery (818 Rt 171). Learn all about what it takes to go from the vine to your glass, directly from the winemaker’s mouth. Sign Up

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | The Kenn Morr Band | 1-4pm
⬢ Stomping Ground - Putnam | Open Mic | 7-11:30pm
⬢ Taylor Brooke - Woodstock | Wayfaring Strangers | 2-5pm
⬢ 4G’s Restaurant - Dayville | Bryan Titus | 2-5pm

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Music Lady Cafe - Central Village | Brandt Taylor | 5:30-7:30pm