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Events for August 11, 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.

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Wiggle Worms Story Time (Ages Birth-3)

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

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.

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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

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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

Play-in-the-Sand

Play in the Sand Day

Ivoryton Library Association 106 Main St, Ivoryton

Join the Ivoryton Library to celebrate Play in the Sand Day! We will use sand to make crafts, create art, and enjoy all things sand!

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Plant the Seed Learning Series: Geocache Adventure (Ages 5-18)

The Millrace Ivory Street, Ivoryton

Program open to families with children and teens ages 5+. The Summer Reading theme this year is “Plant a Seed, Read!” Each week, join Essex Library for a hands-on workshop where we’ll explore a different hobby, skill, or craft. Our last session is all about Geocaching! In this session, families will join Essex Land Trust to explore The Millrace property and learn how to use the free Geocache app to join the world’s largest treasure hunt by using a GPS-enabled device or smartphone to search for hidden geocaches! This program will be held at The Millrace, Ivory St, Ivoryton. In the event of rain, this program will not be held. This program is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.

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Tuesday Night Trivia

Recurring
Essex Indoor Golf 23 Saybrook Road, Essex

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

Free