This February, we’re celebrating Love Your Local by spotlighting Essex Board of Trade members and their Valentine’s Day–themed specials. From thoughtful gifts to local experiences, this feature is all about showcasing the heart of our membership with promotion of the businesses that make Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton thrive. Stay tuned for details!
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
Due to extreme cold, strong winds, and the potential for icy road and staging conditions, we’ve made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Essex Ed Parade. While snowfall totals have decreased, safety for our participants, spectators, and Ed must come first. Thank you for your understanding and continued community support.Â