New: Lunch and Learn! Please join us for "At the Table", a Lunch and Learn Feature with special host Rachel Lenda, Director of Tourism at the State of Connecticut Tourism Office. Thursday, September 24, 2026 at Brickside Pizza in Ivoryton starting at noon with speaker at 12:30 pm Reserve your spot HERE. Members are $20 and Non-Members are $30
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. This year’s theme is "Haunted History"! Scarecrow drop-off is September 29th and 30th at Essex Plaza Laundry. The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites! Voting to start Saturday, October 3rd online at essexct.com
FestiFall is on Saturday, October 3rd from 1 to 4 pm. This years theme: Haunted History! FestiFall is proudly sponsored by The Essex Board of Trade, Blissful Beauty, Brickside Pizza, Edward Jones - Essex, Essex Financial, Essex Historical Society, and The Hosting Company. Fun free activities include: Pencil & Wool – “Faces of Essex” canvas – in front of post office (rain plan inside) Blissful Beauty – face painting, temporary tattoos, and hair tinsel CT River Museum – RiverTales crafts outside, and music by Ben Grosgrove inside Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt Free crafts throughout town Dirty Soda food truck Lawn games Free caricatures Petting Zoo Free photos at the gazebo Music by The Saltines We will also have free pumpkins available; donations are welcome. Get yours to carve for the Ivoryton Pumpkin Festival! Click here for the activities map: EBOT Scarecrow Festifal Flyer Oct 2026 8.5x11