News:

A FestiFall of Family Fun!

 ‘Tis the season to scare up some scarecrows and head to Essex for a festival of family fun this October. The Essex Board of Trade has announced plans for the fourth annual Scarecrow FestiFall, with an expanded schedule of events and locations for this extremely popular Columbus Day weekend celebration. Once again, creatively-themed scarecrows made by individuals and businesses will fill lamp posts, lawns, and benches along the village streets of Essex, Centerbrook, and Ivoryton during the month of October while an outdoor movie, art show, live music, games, food, pie contest and scarecrow judging will take place on October 5 and 6.              On Friday, October 5 at 6:30 pm, the Ivoryton Library and Community Music School, located at 90 Main Street in Centerbrook Village, will present an outdoor screening of short films by Valley Regional High School students and the feature movie Monsters, Inc. Staged in the parking area of the Spencer’s Corner location, the showing is free of charge with complimentary popcorn provided by the Visiting Nurses of the Lower Valley. Please bring lawn chairs or other appropriate seating for use on the hard top surface.    The FestiFall continues on Saturday, October 6 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm with a diverse mix of food, entertainment and contests happening at the Main Street Park in Essex Village. The Community Music School will keep the kids busy with pumpkin painting, an instrument “petting” zoo and arts & crafts. Live music will round out the entertainment while the Essex Lions Club will serve up food and drinks.   Throughout the afternoon, the public can cast their vote for their favorite scarecrows and browse an art show presented by the Essex Art Association. For those who prefer to get creative in the kitchen, the annual pie-contest will also be held in the afternoon with judging in two categories, Apple and Other.  Pie contest entries will be accepted between 1:00 and 1:30 pm at the designated contest table and awards announced later in the day.   Sponsored by Essex Savings Bank, Page Taft, William Pitt Sotheby\'s International Realty, and Trendowski & Allen, P.C.; admission to all FestiFall events and activities is free; events are weather-permitting.