Sponsored Events

Celebrate fall in full festive spirit at the 25th Annual Ivoryton Pumpkin Festival on Saturday, October 25, 2025! This beloved community event draws over 1,500 visitors to the Ivoryton Village Green for a fun-filled day of FREE activities for all ages. From autumn traditions to Halloween fun, the Pumpkin Festival has something for everyone, so come in costume and get into the spirit! Returning this year is the ever-popular Costume Parade, open to all but geared toward children 12 and under. Parade kicks off at 4:30 PM from the corner of Walnut and Main Street and travels through the heart of the village. --- Pre-Festival Fun Start your day early with a Pumpkin Carving Party hosted by Bushy Hill Nature Center from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at 253 Bushy Hill Rd., Ivoryton, CT. All ages and skill levels are welcome to carve a pumpkin that will be featured in the festival's evening Pumpkin Stroll. Special thanks to the Essex Police Union and Bushy Hill Nature Center at Incarnation Center for providing pumpkins. --- Festival Highlights (Starting at 5:00 PM): · Live Music by The FEDERATION (5:00 – 7:00 PM) · Face Painting by The Painted Smile at Brickside Pizza’s […]

Join the Essex Board of Trade for our next Business After Hours — a relaxed time with light refreshments, great conversation, and the chance to explore one of our local member businesses. Date: November 4thTime: 5:30 to 7 pmPlace: Grace and Haven, 23B Main St, Essex, CT  https://graceandhaven.co/ This event is a special perk for EBOT members — but if you're curious about joining, this is the perfect time to learn more! Membership connects you with our vibrant local business community, gives you a voice in town events, and offers valuable networking opportunities.  Learn how to become a member: https:// essexct.com/membership-2/

On Wednesday, November 12th at 5pm, Girl's Night Out (GNO) with The-E-List will mark the official launch of the holiday season in Essex, sponsored by Essex Bank and the Essex Board of Trade, The event includes Essex Board of Trade (EBOT) merchants in Essex Village on Main Street and North Main Street, plus DRIFT in Safe Harbor Dauntless Marina. This year, GNO will have 2 check-in locations, from 5:00pm - 6:30pm, where attendees can pick up a sticker and qualify for 20% discount off merchandise: Meet your friends at The Wine Bar at The Griswold Inn for 1/2 price wine! PLUS, The Wine Bar is the perfect spot to unwind after shopping and enjoy dinner with your girlfriends. Reservations are a must: 860.767.1776. If you prefer to start shopping at the top of Main Street, Prive-Swiss Wellness MedSpa, will also be issuing 20%-off stickers between 5pm and 6:30pm. Many thanks to the Essex Garden Club and EBOT who'll be decorating with greenery, lights and ribbon to create a festive streetscape for GNO and the 2025 holiday season. Participants: Bluegill Home Connecticut River Museum Cortland Park Drift Emmy's on Main Essex Art Association, presenting "Double Visions" by Brian McClear & Peter Christ FLOW Essex Goods & Curiosities - The Griswold Inn Store […]

Join us for a magical afternoon in downtown Essex filled with festive fun for the whole family on Small Business Saturday!  From pop-ups throughout town, music galore, a tree lighting, and SANTA! Check out the incredible list of participating merchants for Small Business Saturday: Brickside Pizza: Purchase a $50 gift card and receive an additional $10. One day ONLY! Cortland Park: 20% Off All Sweaters CT River Artisans: Stop by from 3pm - 7pm to make your own glass ornament to take home! Many unique gift items will be found here. Looking forward to seeing you! Drift: stay tuned for details! Emmy's on Main: Say "Holiday Stroll" for 10% off your purchase! Grace & Haven: Gift with Purchase Griswold Inn Store: In-Store Raffle, Ticket with Every Purchase! Homeward Collective: stay tuned for details! Hosting Company: 10% Off Retail Items House of the Triple Moon: Tiered Gift with Purchase; Spend $33 or more- crystal and herb infused candle, $66 or more - $10 gift card, $111 or more - hottm tote bag. J. McLaughlin: $100 off when you spend $400! In-Store Raffle, No purchase necessary! Pop-up with Mimosa Floristry - meet Owner Jennifer Gross and see her beautiful displays! JOY Chocolate […]

Join us at the Museum for a full day of holiday fun. Together with the Essex Historical Society, the Connecticut River Museum is pleased to present this classic event. Crafts and treats will be provided — additional details to come! Don’t miss Steve Cryan’s 32nd Annual Train Show on the 3rd floor. Later, you can also celebrate the season by participating in a traditional, lantern-lit carol stroll from Essex Town Hall to the Connecticut River Museum, where spectators are invited to bring their own lanterns or flashlights. Finally, don’t miss the dazzling displays created by local boaters during the Boat Parade.

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!

Essex Park & Rec is so excited to announce that the Essex Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt is on March 28th. Join us for story time with the Easter Bunny at 9:15 at the Essex Town Hall Auditorium – take pics with the Easter Bunny and then the egg hunt at Grove Street Park starting promptly at 10am. The Egg hunt is geared toward younger children birth to grade 3 and we ask that you pre register for this event. Pre-register here!

The Essex Garden Club is delighted to announce its annual fundraiser, May Market, scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Essex Town Park on Main Street. This much-anticipated event not only supports the club's mission, but also offers local residents and visitors the opportunity to purchase a wide variety of beautiful plants and creative, hand-made items produced by club members.

To all Corps who were to attend the Burning of the Ships Commemoration that was scheduled for this Saturday May 9th. It is with deep regret that we have decided to cancel the Commemoration parade and lunch this Saturday due to the forecast of rain throughout the day. We will not be meeting at the town hall as mentioned in previous email. As you all know there is a lot of time, effort and money that goes into running an event like this and we are very sorry we will not be holding it. Thank you all for your willingness to make this event special to the Town of Essex. We appreciate you and look forward to seeing you at the musters this year and at next year’s Burning of the Ships. I ask that you please get back to us to let us know you have received this email. We want to make sure the word gets to all of you before Saturday. Please respond to this email or at business@sailingmasters.org Best Wishes for a Great Season, Bob

Join us for a meaningful community moment as we come together to plant a Valley Forge Elm Tree in honor of America’s 250th anniversary.  Ivoryton Village Green Wednesday, May 13, 2026 4:00 PM This special ceremony is more than just planting a tree—it’s about celebrating our shared history, our community, and the legacy we leave for future generations.  The tree was made possible through a generous donation from the Essex Board of Trade, with additional support from the Essex Tree Committee, in coordination with Essex Tree Warden Augie Pampel. As part of our Essex Celebrates America 250 events, this is a wonderful opportunity to gather with friends and neighbors and be part of something lasting right here in Essex. We hope you’ll join us! #EssexCT #Essex250 #Community #TreePlanting #ValleyForgeElm #America250

Join Us for the Rotary Club of Essex Shad Bake 2026 Click HERE to purchase tickets! Click HERE to become a sponsor! Get ready for an unforgettable afternoon at this annual culinary tradition, dating back to 1958, that is a quintessential Spring ritual of the Connecticut River. Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026 Time: 3:00 – 6:00 PM Location: Essex Island Marina, 11 Ferry Street, Essex, CT Getting There: Park in Essex and take the ferry at the corner of Pratt and Ferry Streets. What’s on the Menu? New England clam chowder, oyster & clam appetizers start at 3:00 PM (available at an additional cost) Cash bar with beer, wine, and soda open from 3:00 – 6:00 PM Shad Bake Dinner served between 4:30 – 6:00 PM Live Entertainment by As Time Goes By Swing Band! Tickets: $50 Online (available until June 5) $60 at the event