All Day

Daffodil Days

Celebrate Daffodil Days! Come experience the vibrant beauty of Daffodil Days in the three villages of Essex now through April 21st, proudly sponsored by the Essex Board of Trade! Join us for a delightful stroll to see the golden daffodils and explore our charming town’s merchant specials. Discover unique treasures, savor local flavors, and immerse yourself in the warmth of community spirit. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate springtime and see the 45,000+ daffodils planted from Ivoryton to Centerbrook to Essex! Daffodil Days Specials & Discounts: Brickside Pizza: Daffodil Pie, Limited time only! A white pie with fresh mozzarella, fontinella, ricotta, shallots, fresh thyme, garlic, parmesan, basil, honey, and a lemon zest! Connecticut River Museum: offering free take-home seed packets for Museum visitors. Each packet contains a mix of 20+ wildflowers that are perfect for attracting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, great for supporting native pollinators, and easy to grow and maintain. Essex Preschool:  mention daffodil days when you register for any Essex Preschool program during the month of April and your annual registration fee will be waived. (A $150-$250 value) house of the triple moon: the shop is giving out mugwort (an herb used for protection) with any purchase over $35 […]

Essex Go Bragh Parade

Essex Village

We’re officially thinking GREEN here at Essex Park and Recreation, and that can only mean one thing… the Essex Go Bragh Irish Parade is just under two months away! 📅 Saturday, March 21, 2026 ⏰ Step-off at 11:00 AM 📍 Starting at Essex Town Hall, right through Essex Village This beloved, family-friendly tradition is one of our favorite days of the year, and we truly hope you’ll join us for a morning filled with Irish spirit, community pride, and plenty of smiles. It’s been wonderful to hear from many past participants and a bunch of new ones already—thank you for the excitement and enthusiasm! ✨ Please let us know as soon as possible if your group can participate this year. The more marchers, the merrier! 🎉 Announcing Our 2026 Grand Marshal 🎉 Essex Park and Recreation is proud to announce that the America 250 Semi-Quincentennial Committee has been selected as the Grand Marshal of the 2026 Essex Go Bragh Parade! This honor recognizes the committee’s incredible work in planning and coordinating local initiatives for America 250, the nationwide commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States in 2026. Their efforts highlight Essex’s rich history while creating inclusive, educational, and community-focused opportunities for residents of all ages. Members of the Essex America 250 Semi-Quincentennial Committee include: • Stacia Libby • […]

“The Wonderland Conundrum” – An Ivoryton Library Escape Room

Recurring
Ivoryton Library 106 Main Street, Ivoryton

The "Wonderland Conundrum" Escape Room, running Friday, March 13th through Sunday, March 29th, invites teams to tumble down the Rabbit Hole for a whimsical event. The challenge is clear but daunting: teams must work together to capture the elusive White Rabbit and escape the Rabbit Hole before time runs out. The stakes are high, as failing to solve the puzzles in time risks the wrath of the Queen of Hearts and her infamous decree, "Off with their heads!" Designed for groups of friends, families, or colleagues, the experience accommodates teams of three to six people. Each group has exactly one hour to decipher clues, solve intricate puzzles, and unlock the secrets necessary to make their escape. It is an opportunity for participants to test their wits, teamwork, and problem-solving skills and have fun! Space is limited for this special two-week engagement, so early reservations are highly recommended. Secure your spot and view available time slots by visiting Ivoryton Library's Eventbrite page. The cost per team is $180, with a special weekday discount available for sessions on Monday through Thursday at 2:00 PM or 4:00 PM. Don’t miss your chance to take on the Queen of Hearts—reserve your escape today!

$180

Volunteer Expo 2026

Essex Library 33 West Ave, Essex

Are you looking for volunteer opportunities in the community? Join us at Essex Library from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for our second annual Non-Profit Volunteer Expo to meet and connect with representatives from local non-profits. Discover what local organizations are doing for the community and learn how you might join them, including: Connecticut River Museum Essex Art Association Essex Board of Trade Essex Fire Department Essex Garden Club Essex Historical Society Essex Library Essex Veterans Memorial Hall Ivoryton Library Sister Cities Essex Haiti Tri-Town Youth Services The 2026 Essex Library Non-Profit Volunteer Expo is FREE and open to the public at 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT. No registration necessary, drop-in!

Free

Scarecrow Contest sponsored by The Essex Board of Trade

Recurring
Essex Village

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

Free