Celebrate Mansfield Festival lands in Downtown Storrs on Saturday, Sept 27 (2–8pm), a one-day mashup of music, makers, and kid-friendly fun centered on Betsy Paterson Square.

Quick hits & schedule:

All afternoon: hands-on booths from local orgs + UConn groups along Dog Lane, Royce Circle, Wilbur Cross Way, crafters in the Craft Corner, and the Storrs Farmers Market (3–5pm) for a picnic-worthy haul. Eat your way through food booths on Royce Circle & Bolton Rd Ext. or hit more than 20 nearby restaurants.

New: Hops 44 Beer Garden (2–8pm) with craft pours and pretzels.

Free, walkable, all ages. Bring a blanket and settle in.

Full details at downtownstorrsfestival.org.

This Saturday the Rockville Elks (9 North Park St.) is holding another great concert from 5-8pm, featuring the band Murphy’s Law. They’ve been gracious enough to offer two free tickets to a lucky TCB reader, if you want to go hit the link below and we’ll follow up with the lucky winner.

Cheddar–Chive Biscuit Top

CT twists: add sweet corn in summer, swap turkey after Thanksgiving, or a splash more cider for extra orchard vibes.

Put your news where neighbors actually look. Reach 9,000+ locals across Hartford, Tolland & Windham Counties with a sponsored spotlight.

If you spotted “Daniel Benton Homestead” in last week’s word scramble, here’s the backstory: this sturdy 1720 house in Tolland is the oldest in town, built when Connecticut was still very much frontier country. Benton wasn’t a big general or politician, he was a farmer and patriot whose family lived here for six generations. The homestead itself has Revolutionary War cred: it sheltered French soldiers during Rochambeau’s march and later became a gathering place for veterans.

Daniel Benton (1707–1781) lived through the Colony-to-Revolution transition, and his name stuck to the property because of his role in town life and family roots. The homestead isn’t just a relic, it’s a slice of early New England domestic history, with original beams, wide-plank floors, and the kind of fireplaces that remind you how people actually survived those winters. Today, the Tolland Historical Society keeps the place alive, so when you walk through, you’re stepping right into the 18th century.

Somers | Cruise Night | 4:30-7:30pm - Enjoy a classic car cruise night at Joannas (145 Main St). Door prizes, music, and more.

Mansfield | Songs From The American Revolution | 7:30pm - Mansfield Public Library (54 Warrenville Rd) and the Mansfield Historical Society are getting a jump on the 250th anniversary of America. Come check out songs from around the American Revolution, that will entertain and educate.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Georgina’s - Bolton | Brian Thomas | 5:30-8:30pm

TRIVIA

Bond 124 - Somers | 7-8:30pm

Somers | Protein Bites Workshop | 5:30pm $ - Learn how to make your own protein bites at Fortune Fuel (11 South Rd). Register

Storrs | Talking About Clouds | 4:30-6:30pm - Come learn all about how clouds sit at the intersection of art (watch Bob Ross paint them, it’s mesmerizing), science, and engineering. The program is free, but they do ask that you RSVP

Tolland | Paint & Sip | 6pm $ - Tolland Red and White (46 Tolland Grn) is holding a festive paint and sip. Shoot them a message for more details.

Tolland | RAGE Tryouts | 7-8:30pm - If you have a high schooler looking for something productive to get into, robotics can be a great way to make new friends, and find a new passion. Open to students from all around, not just Tolland High School (1 Eagle Hill Dr).

Vernon | Job Fair | 3:30-7:30pm - Looking for a new job? The Tolland County Chamber of Commerce has organized a job fair at Vernon Center Middle School (777 Hartford Tpke). Get a sneak peek of who is going to be there, riiiiiiiight here.

Vernon | Casual-la | 5:30-9pm $ - No, that’s not a typo. This is a casual gala charity event, with the proceeds benefitting The Village (which supports children and families throughout the state). Live entertainment, raffle & silent auction, food, drink, networking, and a chance to make a difference. The event takes place at Modern Style Events (400 Talcottville Rd). More info

TRIVIA

Rocking Horse - Vernon | 7-9pm

Andover | Beginner Stained Glass Class | 5:30pm $ - No experience needed in learning how to make a gorgeous stained glass leaf at the Andover Community & Senior Center (25 School Rd). Tix

Coventry | Wood Flower Arrangement | 6:30-8pm $ - This is one of your last chances to take advantage of $5 off your first wood flower arrangement/order at Words & Wood Blooms (21 Bread & Milk St) with code: TCBUZZ5. Tix

Hebron | Main St With Scarecrows $ - Here’s your chance to compete in the super popular Scarecrows Along Main! 9/26-28 will be the set up days, with the displays staying up until November. If you have an original idea (remember to keep it clean) and want to share it with the town, you can register here. If you have questions, email [email protected]

Somers | 5K Trail Running | 5:30-6:15pm - Take a scenic run around the Worthington Vineyards (359 Mountain Rd) property. Sign Up

Vernon | Food Tasting | 4-7pm $ - Toby’s Restobar (295 Hartford Tpke) is running a special Wok food tasting — combining Peruvian and Chinese flavors.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Greenleaf Cafe - Hebron | Jack Hammer | 9pm
⬢ Rough Cut Cider House - Tolland | Aaron Spearin | 6-9pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Trailer Trash | 7pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Sticky Sweet | 8:30-11pm
⬢ Hilltop Restaurant - Willington | Good Vibes | 6:30-9:30pm

TRIVIA

Stafford Cidery - Stafford | 6:30pm

Bolton | Craft and Harvest Fair | 9am-3pm - This is the 49th Annual Craft and Harvest Fair at St. George’s Episcopal Church (1150 Boston Tpke). Come check out all the vendors!

Ellington | The Waiting Room | 3pm - Check out a free performance of a dramedy called The Waiting Room at Ellington Baptist Church (264 Pinney St).

Ellington | Edible Animals Contest | 9am-12pm - This week at the Ellington Farmers Market (72 Maple St), people are encouraged to bring entries made entirely from food to be judged. Top three will win market gift certificates!

Ellington | Blood Drive | 6:30am - Help save lives with a blood donation at the Fayette Lodge (141 Orchard St). Sign Up

Ellington | Fall Festival | 9am - The Nellie McKnight Museum (70 Main St) is holding a free event for everyone. Bring some old clothes and make a scarecrow (they provide the stuffing), check out a Monster Truck, face painting, games, activities, and explore the 1812 house museum.

Hebron | Trunk ‘n’ Treasure Tag Sale | 9am - This is the perfect opportunity to buy things out of a strangers car without having to worry about the police. Browse around at what everyone has to offer at Gilead Congregational Church (672 Gilead St).

Mansfield | GameDevCT Mixer | 1-4pm - If you, or anyone you know, is interested in video game design, Mansfield Public Library (54 Warrenville Rd) is holding a mixer with like-minded people. If you’re going, please RSVP

Somers | Yoga & Sound Bath | 10-11:30am $ - Get in a yoga session and sound bath at Worthington Vineyards (359 Mountain Rd). You’ll also get a beverage token for after class included with your tix.

Stafford | Spaghetti Dinner | 5pm $ - The Reddington Rock Riding Club (93 Handel Rd) is holding a spaghetti dinner fundraiser and game night. Raffles and food. Reach out to Holly at (860) 336-1083 with questions or to RSVP.

Stafford Springs | Farmers Market | 10am-12pm - Check out the fresh eats and goodies at the Stafford Farmers Market (5 Old Springfield Rd).

Storrs | Invincible: Michael Jackson Tribute | 8pm $ - If you’re a fan of the King of Pop, this is a show you can’t miss at Jorgensen (2132 Hillside Rd). Choreography, music, and stunning visuals. Tix

Tolland | Integrated Energy Therapy Training | 10am-5:30pm $ - Step into the world of spiritual healing at Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke). More info

Willington | BYOTO and a Movie | 6:30pm - Pick up a pizza from your favorite spot, and head to Willington Public Library (7 Ruby Rd) to watch a scary movie (with added interesting facts). This week’s movie is The Brides of Dracula.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Change-Up | 8-11pm
⬢ The Packing House - Willington | The Greg Abate Quartet | 7:30pm $
⬢ Stafford Motor Speedway - Stafford | Bulletproof | 7:30pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Stix-n-Lix | 1pm
⬢ Rockville Elks - Vernon | Murphy’s Law | 5-8pm $

Columbia | Music on the Vine | 3pm $ - Help make a difference in someone’s life affected by Huntington’s disease. Live music, kid’s activities, raffles & auctions, a food truck, and more. If you have any questions, email Sue at [email protected]

Columbia | Scarecrow Walk Set Up | Mid-morning - The Columbia Rec Department is celebrating the community of Columbia, with a fun Scarecrow display on the Town Green. Show off your creativity, and enjoy seeing your creation up for the entirety of October. If you’re interested, contact the Rec Dept at (860) 228-8513 or email [email protected]

Coventry | CT Cheese Day | 10am-1pm - Check out an un-brie-lievable day at the Coventry Farmers Market (2299 South St), where the main theme is cheese. Pack the lact-aid and get ready to find gooey treasures.

Hebron | Pack Walk | 10-11am - Adventure Paws is holding a pack walk at Gay City State Park (435 North St). Bring your furry friend and get some exercise with other dog-lovers.

Mansfield | Grist Mill Guided Tour | 1-5pm - Take a guided tour of the Gurleyville Grist Mill (Stone Rd), provided by Joshua’s Trust.

Stafford | 5K Road Race & Kids’ Fun Run | 9am-2pm $ - The Rotary Club of Stafford is putting on the 3rd Annual Bosco Fowler Memorial 5K at Stafford High School (145 Orcuttville Rd). Sign Up

Vernon | Harvest & Handmade Market | 1-5pm - Check out local vendors & artisans, food, a DJ, and fun, at Above All Collective (100 Franklin St).

Vernon | Wicked Skate Night | 5-7pm $ - The South Windsor Girl Scouts are holding a Wicked (the movie/musical, not the slang) roller skate night. Wear pink or green, and head down to Ron-a-Roll (85 S Frontage Rd).

Willington | Nutcracker Auditions | 3pm - Fisher Ballet is looking for dancers ages 5-10 for a production of the Nutcracker. Auditions and rehearsals will take place in Willington (11 Phelps Way). If you’re interested, email [email protected]

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Mill Pond Country Story - Stafford Springs | Zach Andersen | 2-4pm
⬢ Four Seasons by the Lake - Stafford Spring | Shovelhead | 2-6pm

Ellington | Sound Playground | 6pm - Hall Memorial Library (93 Main St) is inviting kids ages 9-12 to make some noise! They’ll learn how to make a bowl sing, a gong call like a whale, mimic a wave with an ocean drum, and more. Register