Xen’s Critters @ Ivoryton Library
Join the Ivoryton Library and Xen’s Critters to meet lots of new friends!
Join the Ivoryton Library and Xen’s Critters to meet lots of new friends!
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
Program designed around The Food Group book series by Jory John, written for an audience age 4-8. Kids ages 4-12 are welcome to join! Today we will be reading The Good Egg! Meet the good egg. He’s a verrrrrry good egg indeed. But trying to be so good is hard when everyone else is plain ol’ rotten. As the other eggs in the dozen behave badly, the good egg starts to crack from all the pressure of feeling like he has to be perfect. So, he decides enough is enough! It’s time for him to make a change… Cook, read, and explore with us in this deliciously fun program inspired by Jory John’s Food Group series, one of our featured authors in our “Plant a Seed, Read!” Summer Reading theme. This program will combine stories with simple snack-making. We’ll kick things off by washing hands and learning a few basic food safety tips, because every great chef starts with good habits. Then, we’ll introduce the day’s featured book, and participants will create a themed snack inspired by the story. While our creations bake, chill, or come together, we’ll gather for an interactive read-aloud of the book. Once everything is ready, participants can enjoy their snack or […]
Every Friday, 8:30pm - 12:00am Psychedelic ’60’s, a power trio that pays tribute to the ground-breaking musical super groups of the sixties, plays the Tap Room at The Griswold Inn every Friday night. Take this nostalgic trip and listen to the music of the Kinks, the Beatles, the Animals, Creedence Clearwater Revival... ROCK N' ROLL!
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages birth - 3) This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us! No registration required. Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
Program for kids ages 5-12. Join Miss Nicole to build, engineer, and code with LEGO® WeDo! Create exciting projects like a light-up snail, a spinning fan, and Milo the moving Mars rover while exploring the basics of engineering, robotics, and coding. With endless possibilities to build and discover, LEGO® WeDo is a great introduction to coding!Registration is required. Click here to register. Registration is required. Click here to register.
What’s better than “Taco Tuesday?” Tuesday Nite Trivia at Essex Indoor Golf Center! Join us in our clean, family-friendly atmosphere, against the backdrop of golfers playing courses from around the globe. And yes, you can even combine golf (or mini golf) AND trivia at the same time! Free admission, as well as prizes every week for the ‘smartest smarty pants’ might be enough to get you off the couch on a Tuesday night. Then, declare Tuesdays as a No-Cooking Nite when you order from our fantastic Grumpy Caddy menu, along with our extensive selection of beer, cocktails, and wine from our 35-foot custom bar…Tuesdays might just become your favorite day of the week. So, bring your friends, bring your family, bring your friends’ families! Call (959) 265-8979 or visit essexindoorgolf.com
Program for kids ages birth-5. Join us for a hands-on, child-led play session designed to engage the senses! Sensory Playtime encourages exploration, creativity, and early learning through touch, sound, and movement. Kids are invited to move from station to station, at their own pace, to scoop, squish, pour, and play with a variety of textures and materials in a safe, supportive space alongside their caregivers. This program supports sensory development, fine motor skills, and social interaction—come play, learn, and make a (little) mess with us! Program funded in part by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, and made possible by the GSB Grant Making Fund, and the Whelen Family Fund. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. No registration required. Drop in!
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
Register HERE or call the library at 860-767-1560. Noted storyteller and journalist Mike Allen, former host of the popular podcast Amazing Tales About History, will provide a lecture at Essex Library on the key people and events in Connecticut during the nation’s tumultuous march to independence, 250 years ago. Prominent historical figures contributed to the formation of the new country, while Connecticut earned the nickname “the provision state” because of its supplies of food and ammunition to the Continental Army. Space is limited. Registration is suggested. This program is free and open to the public at Essex Library Association, 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. About Mike Allen Mike Allen specializes in bringing history to life, through his background in journalism, radio broadcasting, podcasting and public speaking. Mike hosted the podcast Amazing Tales About History for four years, producing 200 episodes about Connecticut history. For 10 years, Mike was a radio news director in Connecticut before becoming Press Secretary to the Mayor of Danbury. During a subsequent, 25-year corporate career, he worked and lived internationally, specializing in marketing and communications. Mike has lived in Connecticut for more than 50 years.
Join the Ivoryton Library and Ms. Jessica from the Community Music School for fun songs and jam sessions!
Program for kids ages birth-5. Join us for a hands-on, child-led play session designed to engage the senses! Sensory Playtime encourages exploration, creativity, and early learning through touch, sound, and movement. Kids are invited to move from station to station, at their own pace, to scoop, squish, pour, and play with a variety of textures and materials in a safe, supportive space alongside their caregivers. This program supports sensory development, fine motor skills, and social interaction—come play, learn, and make a (little) mess with us! Program funded in part by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, and made possible by the GSB Grant Making Fund, and the Whelen Family Fund. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. No registration required. Drop in!
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
Kids can join the Ivoryton Library in celebrating National Vanilla Ice Cream Day by making their own ice cream using just 3 ingredients, ice, and our arms!
Join the Essex Board of Trade for our next Business After Hours, a relaxed time with light refreshments, great conversation, and the chance to explore one of our local member businesses. Date: July 23Time: 5 to 7 pmPlace: The Marshmallow Factory This event is a special perk for EBOT members, but if you're curious about joining, this is the perfect time to learn more! Membership connects you with our vibrant local business community, gives you a voice in town events, and offers valuable networking opportunities. Learn how to become a member: https://essexct.com/join-now-contact-form/
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
Program designed around The Food Group book series by Jory John, written for an audience age 4-8. Kids ages 4-12 are welcome to join! Today we will be reading The Smart Cookie! This cookie has never felt like a smart cookie no matter how hard she tries, especially in comparison to all the clever cupcakes and brilliant rolls in the bakery. Will a dash of creativity and a sprinkle of confidence be enough to help her learn that perfect scores and having all the answers aren’t the only ingredients for intelligence? Cook, read, and explore with us in this deliciously fun program inspired by Jory John’s Food Group series, one of our featured authors in our “Plant a Seed, Read!” Summer Reading theme. This program will combine stories with simple snack-making. We’ll kick things off by washing hands and learning a few basic food safety tips, because every great chef starts with good habits. Then, we’ll introduce the day’s featured book, and participants will create a themed snack inspired by the story. While our creations bake, chill, or come together, we’ll gather for an interactive read-aloud of the book. Once everything is ready, participants can enjoy their snack or take it to go, along with a […]
Every Friday, 8:30pm - 12:00am Psychedelic ’60’s, a power trio that pays tribute to the ground-breaking musical super groups of the sixties, plays the Tap Room at The Griswold Inn every Friday night. Take this nostalgic trip and listen to the music of the Kinks, the Beatles, the Animals, Creedence Clearwater Revival... ROCK N' ROLL!
Stroll through the village and shop for seasonal savings from your favorite local businesses, discovering hidden gems along the way. Participating businesses in downtown Essex will be exploding with specials and sales. Don't miss out on the good finds at this annual sidewalk sale event!
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
Take a trip down Main Street in Essex Village to capture the rich maritime history of 18th century “Potapaug,” its working waterfront and ship-building prominence in the early 19th century as well as its development as a beautiful visitor destination of today. Our tours meet at the "Foot of Main Street" in front of the CT River Museum and start at 5:00pm. Walking tours are open to the public but we encourage pre-registration. We ask for a $10 donation per person and tours are FREE to active EHS 2026 members. Our walks last about an hour and are on mostly flat ground covering a little less than a mile. We try to adapt our tours a bit based on our audience of the day, but if you would like a fully customized tour, please contact our staff 860-767-0681 to arrange, giving us at least 3 weeks to arrange our guide scheduling. NEW DAY THIS YEAR! Summer 2026 walks will be on Saturdays: June 27, July 25, August 29 and September 26.
Stroll through the village and shop for seasonal savings from your favorite local businesses, discovering hidden gems along the way. Participating businesses in downtown Essex will be exploding with specials and sales. Don't miss out on the good finds at this annual sidewalk sale event!
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages birth - 3) This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us! No registration required. Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
Program for kids ages 5-11. If possible, participants are asked to bring their own yoga mat, as we will have limited mats available. Also, bring a water bottle! The Summer Reading theme this year is “Plant a Seed, Read!” Each week, join us for a hands-on workshop where we’ll explore a different hobby, skill, or craft. Enjoy a fun hour-long Intro to Yoga class led by instructor Amie Meacham! Kids will listen to a story, play a game involving yoga, learn breathing exercises, and follow along with age-appropriate yoga instruction and short meditation, with each participant receiving a small giveaway favor! Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required as space is limited. Click here to register.
What’s better than “Taco Tuesday?” Tuesday Nite Trivia at Essex Indoor Golf Center! Join us in our clean, family-friendly atmosphere, against the backdrop of golfers playing courses from around the globe. And yes, you can even combine golf (or mini golf) AND trivia at the same time! Free admission, as well as prizes every week for the ‘smartest smarty pants’ might be enough to get you off the couch on a Tuesday night. Then, declare Tuesdays as a No-Cooking Nite when you order from our fantastic Grumpy Caddy menu, along with our extensive selection of beer, cocktails, and wine from our 35-foot custom bar…Tuesdays might just become your favorite day of the week. So, bring your friends, bring your family, bring your friends’ families! Call (959) 265-8979 or visit essexindoorgolf.com
Program for kids ages birth-5. Join us for a hands-on, child-led play session designed to engage the senses! Sensory Playtime encourages exploration, creativity, and early learning through touch, sound, and movement. Kids are invited to move from station to station, at their own pace, to scoop, squish, pour, and play with a variety of textures and materials in a safe, supportive space alongside their caregivers. This program supports sensory development, fine motor skills, and social interaction—come play, learn, and make a (little) mess with us! Program funded in part by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, and made possible by the GSB Grant Making Fund, and the Whelen Family Fund. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. No registration required. Drop in!
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
The Summer Reading theme this year is “Plant a Seed, Read!” Beat the afternoon heat, soak up the air conditioning, and join us for family-friendly movies that connect us with food, farms, & nature. Popcorn provided. See the Essex Library Website for movie titles, descriptions, & age ratings.
Program open to children of all ages and their caregivers. Bring a blanket to sit on, and a snack to enjoy, while we read books, dance around, and sing songs in the park! This program will be held at Grove Street Park, 16 Grove St, Essex, CT. In the event of rain, story time will not be held. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. No registration is required.
Program for kids ages birth-5. Join us for a hands-on, child-led play session designed to engage the senses! Sensory Playtime encourages exploration, creativity, and early learning through touch, sound, and movement. Kids are invited to move from station to station, at their own pace, to scoop, squish, pour, and play with a variety of textures and materials in a safe, supportive space alongside their caregivers. This program supports sensory development, fine motor skills, and social interaction—come play, learn, and make a (little) mess with us! Program funded in part by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, and made possible by the GSB Grant Making Fund, and the Whelen Family Fund. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. No registration required. Drop in!
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
Program designed around The Food Group book series by Jory John, written for an audience age 4-8. Kids ages 4-12 are welcome to join! Today we will be reading The Cool Bean! Everyone knows the cool beans. They’re sooooo cool. And then there’s the uncool has-bean . . . Always on the sidelines, one bean unsuccessfully tries everything he can to fit in with the crowd—until one day the cool beans show him how it’s done. Cook, read, and explore with us in this deliciously fun program inspired by Jory John’s Food Group series, one of our featured authors in our “Plant a Seed, Read!” Summer Reading theme. This program will combine stories with simple snack-making. We’ll kick things off by washing hands and learning a few basic food safety tips, because every great chef starts with good habits. Then, we’ll introduce the day’s featured book, and participants will create a themed snack inspired by the story. While our creations bake, chill, or come together, we’ll gather for an interactive read-aloud of the book. Once everything is ready, participants can enjoy their snack or take it to go, along with a recipe card to try again at home. This program blends literacy, hands-on learning, and healthy […]
Every Friday, 8:30pm - 12:00am Psychedelic ’60’s, a power trio that pays tribute to the ground-breaking musical super groups of the sixties, plays the Tap Room at The Griswold Inn every Friday night. Take this nostalgic trip and listen to the music of the Kinks, the Beatles, the Animals, Creedence Clearwater Revival... ROCK N' ROLL!
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
A play-based music and movement story time for children and their caregivers! (Ages birth - 3) This story time will take place every Tuesday morning. Join us! No registration required. Due to space, Please choose 1 session to attend.
The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall! Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start online on Saturday, October 3rd at https://essexct.com/scarecrow-contest-2026/ Questions? Email ebotpresident@gmail.com
Kids and families are invited to join Ivoryton Library and celebrate National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day by making our own mug recipes for chocolate chip cookies!
Program for kids and teens ages 7-18. The Summer Reading theme this year is “Plant a Seed, Read!” Each week, join us for a hands-on workshop where we’ll explore a different hobby, skill, or craft. This week, join calligraphy artist Debby Reelitz to bring the alphabet to life! We’ll look at the rules about letters and then break all of them! Step by step, you will learn more than 20 techniques to alter your handwriting, add color with a basic set of supplies and build in decorative elements. We'll be playing with highlighters, pencils, colored pencils, gel pens and markers. Plus, we'll create a mini-project with the techniques we'll learn. Debby Reelitz’s 5th grade teacher introduced her to calligraphy and she loves to share her passion for handwritten letters with young people. Kids are taught the practical side of the alphabet with spelling and writing sentences and taking tests. Debby loves to help kids discover the joy in being creative with those oh-so-useful-26-symbols. Debby lives in North Granby, Connecticut. Information can be found at her website: https://letteringdesign.com Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. Registration is required as space is limited. Click here to register!
What’s better than “Taco Tuesday?” Tuesday Nite Trivia at Essex Indoor Golf Center! Join us in our clean, family-friendly atmosphere, against the backdrop of golfers playing courses from around the globe. And yes, you can even combine golf (or mini golf) AND trivia at the same time! Free admission, as well as prizes every week for the ‘smartest smarty pants’ might be enough to get you off the couch on a Tuesday night. Then, declare Tuesdays as a No-Cooking Nite when you order from our fantastic Grumpy Caddy menu, along with our extensive selection of beer, cocktails, and wine from our 35-foot custom bar…Tuesdays might just become your favorite day of the week. So, bring your friends, bring your family, bring your friends’ families! Call (959) 265-8979 or visit essexindoorgolf.com
Program for kids ages birth-5. Join us for a hands-on, child-led play session designed to engage the senses! Sensory Playtime encourages exploration, creativity, and early learning through touch, sound, and movement. Kids are invited to move from station to station, at their own pace, to scoop, squish, pour, and play with a variety of textures and materials in a safe, supportive space alongside their caregivers. This program supports sensory development, fine motor skills, and social interaction—come play, learn, and make a (little) mess with us! Program funded in part by the Community Foundation of Middlesex County, and made possible by the GSB Grant Making Fund, and the Whelen Family Fund. Essex Library programs are free and open to the public. No registration required. Drop in!