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Events for August 16, 2026

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Copy of Copy of EBOT Photo contest 88 (2)

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

Help Pick the Winning Photo!  The Essex Board of Trade Photo Contest entries are in, and now it’s time to vote! We asked photographers to capture The Essex Experience, and the results are incredible. Now we need your help to choose which photo deserves to be professionally framed and featured at the Essex Art Association Gallery. 🗓️ Voting is open August 15-22 🔗 Vote here: https://essexct.com/the-essex-experience-america-250-photo-contest-vote/ Browse the entries and vote by liking your favorites. The top 5 vote-getters will move on to our judging panel for final selection. Celebrate Essex through the lens and cast your vote today!

Brooms

Broom-Making Workshop

Pratt House Barn 19 West Ave, Essex

Join artisan broom-maker Brenda Vynalek for a hands-on workshop teaching and exploring the heritage craft of hand-tied brooms. Join us for an immersive, learning experience where you will leave the workshop with your very own hand-tied whisk broom! Under Brenda’s expert guidance, you will learn the traditional techniques of sorting, prepping, and binding broomcorn. Whisk brooms are perfect for small messes, used as a hearth broom, whisking pet hair off furniture and rugs, or as a wall or door decocration. I will provide broomcorn, and assorted wrapping twine. Charms, ribbons and decorations will also be provided to personalize each one. This class is perfect for beginners, and will prepare you for an upcoming full-size, woven, sweeper broom class, date TBA! Register Your registration supports Essex Historical Society’s mission to share our town’s history through educational programs and community events. No prior experience needed—just curiosity and a willingness to work with your hands.

$75

Birds-and-Beasts-Postcard-2026_01-6front-1

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