Good morning, Quiet Corner Swarm!
I hope you had a great Labor Day weekend and got a chance to squeeze in one last little taste of summer. ☀️
Today is September 8th, National Ampersand Day, and honestly, there might not be a better symbol for this time of year because September around the Quiet Corner is all about fairs & festivals, cider & donuts, live music & local food. 🍎🎡
Fall is starting to show up in a big way, so this week I rounded up some of the best festivals and events coming our way. Time to get a few on the calendar before September disappears on us.
In Today’s Quiet Corner Buzz:
Fall Festivals
Get In The Game
Hebron Harvest
Local Events
Let’s dive in!
-Tyler DiGiovanni
FALL FESTIVALS
Fall is here, and around here that means one thing: fair and festival season is officially on. I’m a sucker for this time of year, so I rounded up some of the best ones coming up and put together a handy calendar so you can mark your favorites now and have a few fun fall weekends already on the books.
HAVE YOU PLAYED BUZZ GAMES YET?
Consider this your weekly reminder to put your Connecticut knowledge to the test. Players from 50 Connecticut towns have already joined the fun, with Buzzle waiting every weekday and Buzzword and Buzzeye dropping Tuesday mornings. Play a round, rack up some points, and help get your town onto the leaderboard.
Leaderboard shoutout: LEOGRRL of Meriden grabbed the top spot last week, followed by KOR2026 of Farmington and LMDIWW of Hartford.
🍂 Your Roof Has a Fall To-Do List, Too
Before the leaves start dropping and Connecticut gets into its usual stretch of cold rain, wind, and eventually snow, give your roof a little attention. Start with the gutters: clear leaves and debris so water can get where it’s supposed to go. Take a look for cracked, curled, or missing shingles, and check roof valleys where leaves love to pile up and trap moisture.
Flashing around chimneys, vents, and skylights is another spot worth watching, since small gaps can become very annoying leaks. And don’t forget attic ventilation. Good airflow helps control moisture and can reduce problems when temperatures drop.
You don’t need to climb around up there yourself, either. If anything looks questionable, fall is a smart time to get it checked before winter weather arrives.
Not sure if your roof is ready for winter? Schedule a complimentary roof estimate with McClintock Roofing and have their team catch potential trouble before the cold sets in.
QUIET CORNER TRIVIA🤔
Mid-September is peak migration season in Connecticut for which hawk, sometimes seen traveling in groups of hundreds or even thousands?
BUZZWORTHY ACTIVITY: HEBRON HARVEST FAIR
The Hebron Harvest Fair is back September 10–13, and this one is always a sign that fall has officially arrived. Expect four days of fair food, midway rides, agriculture, livestock, motorized events and live music, including Better Than Ezra on Sunday. Parking is FREE all weekend, kids 10 and under get in free, and Thursday is $5 Hebron Night at the gate. This is one of those classic CT fairs worth making time for.
🏡 EXPERT CORNER: ASK KIM
Reader-submitted question: “I’m thinking about buying this fall. What should I be doing now?”
Kim says: Start before you find the house. Get pre-approved, check your credit for errors and avoid taking on new debt while you’re shopping. Getting your finances and documents organized early can help uncover potential issues before you’re ready to make an offer.
Thinking about buying this fall? Contact Kimberly Joy to talk through your options.
BUZZ & TELL
🐶Adopt-a-pal: Meet Carl has the ears, the brains, and the adventurous spirit; this 3-year-old Carolina Dog/Shepherd mix gets along with other dogs.
🏡House of the week: An 1850 Georgian Colonial with a front porch made for slow mornings and a detached carriage house? You have my attention. This 3-bedroom, 2-bath home packs 2,430 square feet onto 1.2 acres, pairing hardwood floors and historic charm with a granite kitchen and central air. Take a peek.
🔭Sky report: A good week to look up! The September ε-Perseids peak Wednesday, with your best chance to spot a few meteors Wednesday night into early Thursday. A New Moon arrives late Thursday night, bringing beautifully dark skies. 🌑 Then Monday, look low in the western sky after sunset for a thin crescent Moon cozying up to brilliant Venus. ✨
BEE LINE EVENTS
TUESDAY (9/8)
Mansfield | Raise a Glass to Fermentation | Tue. 6–7:30 PM – Learn to make kombucha, ginger beer, shrubs and other fermented drinks with Mark Gostkiewicz at Mansfield Public Library. Fizzy
WEDNESDAY (9/9)
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THURSDAY (9/10)
Coventry | CLCC's Cruise Night & Car Shows 2026 | 5 PM - Classic cars and hot rods line up for the weekly cruise night (2645 Boston Tpke). Rev Up
Putnam | Stained Glass Workshop | 6–8 PM – Make a pothos-inspired stained glass piece while hanging out at Bear Hands Brewing Company. Creative
Putnam | The Wall That Heals – Visit the traveling three-quarter-scale Vietnam Veterans Memorial replica and Education Center at Murphy Park, open around the clock. Meaningful (9/10-9/13)
Willington | WRAC Members Art Show & Reception | 6:30–7:30 PM – See work from Windham Regional Arts Council members at Willington Public Library, with the exhibit continuing through Sept. 26.
FRIDAY (9/11)
Dayville | Next Stop Comedy at Black Pond Brews | 8 PM | ($) - Stand-up comedy night with laughs on tap at Black Pond Brews (1001 Hartford Pike). Laugh Out Loud
Putnam | Fox and the Dragon | 7:30 PM - Folk duo brings acoustic vibes to Sawdust Coffee House & Dessert Bar (91 Main St). Hear It Live
Willimantic | Connecticut Women Artists Reception | 4–9 PM – Check out the opening reception for the national juried exhibition at Eastern Connecticut State University's Art Gallery. Artsy
SATURDAY (9/12)
Danielson | Logee's Rare Plant Day | Sat. 9 AM–5 PM | Free – Explore six tropical greenhouses plus rare plants, artisans, food trucks, live music and botanical cocktails at Logee's. Botanical
Ellington | Old School Block Party | Sat. 11 AM–3 PM | Free – Live music from King Kuel, Backroads BBQ, vendors and plenty of motorcycles take over Old School Harley-Davidson. Rowdy
Plainfield | 2026 Festival of Hope | 11 AM - Community festival with vendors, food trucks, and family activities (8 Community Ave). Join the Fun
Plainfield | Giving Back Community Program | 9 AM - Earn community service hours while helping neighbors in need (169 Black Hill Rd). Pitch In
Putnam | Paint Your Own Pot | Sat. 5–7 PM | $50 – Paint a terracotta pot, take home a plant and BYOB for a laid-back night at Two Gold Moons. Crafty
Putnam | Makers Market at Montana Nights | 12 PM - Local artisans and crafters showcase handmade goods at Montana Nights. Shop Local
Putnam | The Island Farm Ceilie Band | 1 PM - Traditional Irish ceili music fills The Stomping Ground (130 Main St). Hear It Live
Stafford Springs | Jesse James And The Peacemakers | 6 PM - Country rock hits the stage at Stillwater Grill. Catch the Show
Thompson | Fox and The Dragon | 3 PM - Folk duo performs live acoustic sets (27 Main St). Listen Up
Woodstock | Botanicals and Brews | 12 PM - Shop rare plants while sipping wine at Taylor Brooke Winery. Browse Around
SUNDAY (8/13)
Coventry | The Buzz About Honey | Sun. 10 AM–1 PM | Free – Coventry Farmers' Market gets extra sweet with a honey-themed Sunday at the Nathan Hale Homestead. Sweet
Danielson | Pancake Sundae | 10 AM - Breakfast meets dessert with pancakes topped your way (210 Main St). Dig In
Ellington | Rock This Town Benefit Concert | 11 AM | ($) - Rockabilly and oldies benefit for Connecticut Valley Chorale (72 Maple St). Rock Out
Mansfield Center | The Flea Market | 8 AM | ($) - Treasure hunt through vendors at the weekly Mansfield flea market, $3 entry (228 Stafford Rd). Browse Around
Putnam | Open Mic Night | 7 PM - Grab the mic and share your talent at The Stomping Ground (132 Main St). Take the Mic
Putnam | Savor the Flavor | Sun. Noon–2 PM | $25 – Taste your way through downtown as local restaurants create lemon-inspired dishes, desserts and drinks benefiting Daily Bread Food Pantry. Zesty
Stafford Springs | Save the Lake Concert | 1 PM - Live music fundraiser for local lake conservation at Stafford Fish & Game (52 Rockwell Rd). Support the Cause
Stafford Springs | Acoustic Sundays with Tequila Jim | 2 PM - Lakeside acoustic tunes at Mill Pond Country Store (220 East St). Tune In
Storrs | Rustic Wedding Expo | 11 AM | ($) - Meet vendors and tour the venue at Holiday Hill Barn (33 Chaffeeville Rd). Plan Ahead
Thompson | Honda Fest CT 2026 | 10 AM | ($) - Honda and Acura enthusiasts gather at Thompson Speedway for a massive car show (205 E Thompson Rd). Rev Up
Willimantic | Homecoming Block Party | 10 AM – Outdoor worship at First Congregational Church, UCC followed by an afternoon of food, games and community fun at 199 Valley Street. Rain date Sept. 20.
MONDAY (8/14)
Windham | Self-Guided Historic Tour Maps | Anytime - Explore Windham Center’s old homes, cemeteries, landmarks, and Revolutionary War routes with free self-guided tour maps. Grab them here
That’s it for this week’s Quiet Corner Buzz. If you got something out of it, please share it with someone who loves fairs!
See ya next week,
Tyler
