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Events for August 6, 2026

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EBOT Photo contest 88 (3) (1)

Essex Board of Trade’s 2nd Annual Photo Contest!

In celebration of America’s 250th Anniversary, the Essex Board of Trade invites photographers of all ages to capture the people, places, traditions, and moments that make Essex, Centerbrook, and Ivoryton uniquely American. Theme: The Essex Experience America 250 Prize: The winning photograph will be professionally framed and exhibited at the historic Essex Art Association Gallery. Contest Timeline Photo Submission Period: August 1–15 Public Voting on EssexCT.com: August 15–22 The five photographs receiving the most public votes will advance to a final judging panel. How to Enter Capture a photograph that reflects the spirit, history, character, or community of Essex, Centerbrook, or Ivoryton. Submit up to five high-quality photographs between August 1 and August 15 through EssexCT.com using this link: https://essexct.com/the-essex-experience-america-250-photo-contest-submissions/ Encourage friends and family to vote during the public voting period. The top five vote-getters will be reviewed by a judging panel, which will select the winning image. Whether it’s a historic landmark, a local tradition, waterfront beauty, community gathering, or everyday village life, show us what makes The Essex Experience special as we celebrate America 250.

Storytime

Storytime w/ Sugar!

Ivoryton Library Association 106 Main St, Ivoryton

Join us for a special Storytime with Sugar the therapy dog!

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Grove Street Story Time

Recurring
Grove Street Park 16 Grove Street, Essex

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.

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Summer Sensory Play (Ages Birth – 5)

Recurring
Essex Library Association 33 West Avenue, Essex, CT, Essex

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!

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Birds & Beasts

Recurring
Spectrum Art Gallery/Arts Center Killingworth 61 Main Street, Centerbrook

Celebrate the beauty, uniqueness, and power of the animal kingdom with Spectrum Art Gallery’s Birds & Beasts, a seven-week exhibition featuring paintings, photography, and sculpture inspired by birds, other wildlife, and the natural world. The show explores the many ways artists interpret creatures large and small, from birds in flight and animals in their natural habitats to symbolic, imaginative, and sculptural representations of the animal kingdom. The exhibition opened Friday, July 17, and Birds & Beasts runs through Saturday, September 5. Spectrum Gallery also offers an Artisans Store filled with pottery, glass, home décor, children’s toys, jewelry, and other handcrafted accessories created by regional artists. Spectrum Art Gallery is located at 61 Main St., Centerbrook, CT. Gallery hours: Wed–Sat (12–6pm) and Sun (12–5pm). For more information about gallery exhibits, artist opportunities, summer camps, and classes and workshops for children and adults, call (860) 767-0742 and visit Spectrumartgallery.org. Shop online at Spectrumanytime.com with shipping available throughout the US. Follow Spectrum social media at facebook.com/spectrumartgallery, instagram.com/spectrumartgallery, x.com/spectrum_ct, and youtube.com/@spectrumgallery6211.

Copy of EBOT Scarecrow Contest Flyer 2026 (5) copy

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

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Thursdays on the Dock

Recurring
Connecticut River Museum 67 Main St, Essex

Thursdays on the Dock at the Connecticut River Museum Thursdays on the Dock has been a shoreline staple for 17 years and remains the premier destination for waterfront music. Swing by each Thursday evening in July and August, bring a chair or blanket, listen to a free concert, and watch the sun go down over the river. July 30- Not Sorry August 6- 102D Army Band August 13- Cherry Pie August 20- The Italics August 27- Local Honey Click here for more details: https://ctrivermuseum.org/thursdays-on-the-dock-2026/