🏛️🚂 Vernon’s New England Civil War Museum just landed on the Connecticut Freedom Trail after a two-year revamp that puts the spotlight on the state’s Black Civil War soldiers and their fight for freedom.

Blueberry season just hit its sweet spot, and the bushes are so heavy they’re practically begging for buckets. Grab your sun hat, channel your inner forager, and let’s hit the PYO trifecta before the birds beat us to breakfast. Because nothing says “Connecticut summer flex” like purple-stained fingers and a freezer full of future pancakes.

WEDNESDAY 7/9

Vernon | July In The Sky | 5pm - Come enjoy a massive fireworks show in the skies of Vernon. There are two venues that will have great spots to watch - Downtown Rockville and Henry Park (there is a fee to get into Henry Park, just a heads up). Vendors will be in both locations, fireworks will start once it’s dark enough.

🐶Adopt-a-pal: Paws Rescue League’s July’s (7/12) adoption bash is packed with pups of every size—get pre-approved now so you can meet, greet, and take home your new best friend in one tail-wagging swoop!

🏡House of the week: Coventry’s 1750-built, 4,514-sq-ft multi-family showcases colonial beams, Main St frontage, and centuries-old character make it a dream buy for history lovers with entrepreneurial flair. Check it out!

🥾Trail of the week: Park at 300 Valley Falls Rd, Vernon and lap the 1.3-mile Valley Falls Pond Loop—flat, shady, and selfie-ready with a legit waterfall and a fern-lined railbed. It’s stroller-plus-pup approved, so clock a breezy 40-minute nature pit-stop before rolling back to town for ice cream.

🔭Sky report: About an hour before sunrise on July 15, Tolland County’s pre-dawn sky puts on a simple show: look south to see the big, almost-full Moon cozied up next to a bright yellow “star” (that’s Saturn), while another bright dot, Jupiter, peeks over the northeast horizon. Think of it as a two-planet, one-Moon breakfast special before the sun comes up.

Ellington | Family Bracelet Making | 4-5pm $ - Bring the whole family down to Ellington Youth Services (31 Arbor Way) for a little bracelet making. One price for the whole family. Register

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | Karaoke | 7-10pm

Andover | Ice Cream Making | 3-4pm - Learn to make vanilla ice cream at Andover Public Library (355 Rt 6). Sign up is required - call (860) 742-7428.

Hebron | Platter Painting | 6-7:30pm $ - Paint a beach wave platter at The Flour Girl (14 Main St). Light refreshments will be served. Deets

Somers | Yappy Hour | 5:30-7:30pm - Help support Paws CT by stopping into Bond 124 and trying the new Lucky One Lemonade. Pups welcome!

Vernon | July in the Sky | 6pm - Come down to Henry Park for an evening of celebration. Fireworks start after 9:15pm. (Rain date July 10th)

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Columbia Rec Park - Columbia | Nightshift | 6:30-8:30pm
⬢ Bolton Green - Bolton | Eastview Drive | 6:30pm
⬢ River Road Athletic Complex - Willington | Savage Brothers Band | 6:30-8:30pm

TRIVIA

Bond 124 - Somers | 7pm

Columbia | Fire Dept Recruitment | 5-7pm - The Main Moose (94 Rt 66 E) is holding a recruitment event for Columbia Volunteer Fire Dept. Live entertainment will also be there from 4:30-7:30pm.

Coventry | Cruise Night | 5-8pm - The CLCC Farmstand (2645 Boston Tpke) is inviting everyone to enjoy some good music and classic cars. The Hops 44 Food Truck will also be in attendance.

Hebron | Garden Party Fundraiser | 6:30-8:30pm $ - Help support the wonderful House of Bread at The Flour Girl (14 Main St), with some apps, sangria, and socialization in the patio area of TFG. Rain date is 7/11. Tix

Somers | Summer 5K Running Series | 5:30-7pm - This kicks off the weekly 5K race through the beautiful grounds of Worthington Vineyards (359 Mountain Rd). Register

Stafford Springs | Sound Healing | 6:15-7:15pm $ - Take a much needed break from stress with a sound healing journey at Let’s Get Wired (64 Main St). Tix

Storrs | Foodshare | 11:30am-12pm - Those in need are welcome to Mansfield Human Service’s (303 Maple Rd) foodshare. Make sure to bring a box or bag to carry your food.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Main Moose - Columbia | Rick Lavallo | 4:30-7:30pm
⬢ Summer Concerts on the Square - Storrs | COPILOT | 6:30-8pm
⬢ Bond 124 - Somers | Dean Cardinale | 7:30-10:30pm
⬢ Cedar Knob - Somers | Tom-n-Lici | 6-9pm

Stafford Springs | Arts On Main | 6-8pm - Stafford Springs is holding their monthly celebration of the arts on Main St. Stop into the local businesses and see why this is one of the most enjoyed monthly events in the area!

Stafford Springs | Artist Showcase | 6-8pm - Stafford Cidery (68 Main St) is showcasing the artwork from Adam Harvey. Stop in, grab a pint, and appreciate some art!

Stafford Springs | Middle River Gallery | 6pm - Join ESP Pottery (Main St) with the launch of Middle River Gallery and a showing of Laura Kinlock’s vibrant paintings.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Green Leaf Cafe - Hebron | The Syndicate | 8:45pm
⬢ Century 21 Lawn - Hebron | Kinship Trio | 6-8pm
⬢ Cassidy Hill - Coventry | Acoustic Fever Trio | 6-8pm
⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Aquanett | 7:30pm
⬢ Bond 124 - Somers | Alex Rohan | 7:30-10:30pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Shameless | 8-11pm
⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | UnionJack | 6:30-9:30pm
⬢ Main Moose - Columbia | Mack Truck Mary Band | 5-8pm

Coventry | Summer Dinner | 5:30pm $ - Creative Living Community of Connecticut (2645 Boston Tpke) is celebrating their 12th year with an annual dinner under the stars. Apps, mains, and desserts by Bear’s Smokehouse, open bar, live music, and more. Tix

Ellington | Bugs & Bees Farmers Market | 9am-12pm - Celebrate the creepy crawlies and fuzzy fliers at this week’s Ellington Farmers Market (72 Maple St). Dr. Bugman will be in attendance for some hands-on experiences too!

Mansfield | July Donation Day | 9am-12pm - If you have gently used books, CDs, DVDs, and puzzles/games you want to donate to Mansfield Library (54 Warrenville Rd), today is the day to bring them down. Limit of two bank box size boxes (not my policy, not sure why either).

Rockville | The Poop Museum | 10:30-11:30am - The Poop Museum is making an appearance at Rockville Public Library (52 Union St). Expect some toilet humor, and I have no idea what else.

Somers | CT BBQ Challenge | 12am - Calling all pitmaster hopefuls, New England BBQ is holding a two-day competition at Four Town Fairgrounds (56 Egypt Rd). If you think you have what it takes, sign up here.

Stafford Springs | Comedy Show | 7pm $ - Stillwater Grill (328 East St) is hosting clean comic Andy Gunnin. Get some family-friendly laughs in.

Storrs | Clown Show | 11am - To be clear, this is a clown’s show at the Ballard Institute/Museum of Puppetry (9 Dog Ln). Stunts, tricks, juggling, and puppetry await you. Bring your open chairs/blankets to sit on.

Tolland | Intro To Ancestral Lineage Healing | 10-11:30am $ - Connect to your spiritual lineages at Resonance Healing Arts (60 Hartford Tpke). More deets

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ The Hidden Still - Ellington | Aaron Spearin | 8:30-11:30pm
⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | The Wonder Yearz | 6:30-9:30pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Two Free Spirits | 1-4pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | Raise Your Hands | 8-11pm $

Columbia | $5 Bag Sale | 10am-6pm - If you love odds and ends, head to By The Pond (187 Rt 66 E) for a fill-a-brown-paper-grocery-bag for $5 on all items outside.

Coventry | Wellness Market | 10am-1pm - Celebrate health and all things good for you at this week’s Coventry Farmers Market (2299 South St).

Mansfield | Grist Mill Guided Tour | 1-5pm - Learn all about the Gurleyville Grist Mill (Stone Mill Rd) with the wonderful people from Joshua’s Trust. Once you’ve leveled up your mill knowledge, take a walk around the beautiful property.

Vernon | Barnyard Olympics | 10am-2pm - Head to Strong Family Farm (274 West St) for some barnyard Olympic games like: corn hole, bean bag toss, egg relay races, herd the sheep, and more. Bring the kids to meet some kids (I’m talking about goats).

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Rocking Horse - Vernon | Back in Black/Wildside | 4pm $
⬢ Mill Pond Country Store | Backwoods Acoustic | 2-4pm
⬢ Sonny’s Place - Somers | PrideFalls | 3-6pm
⬢ Worthington Vineyards - Somers | Nick Bosse | 2-5pm
⬢ Joanna’s - Somers | Rockoustic | 5:30-8:30pm

Vernon | Art Explorers | 9am $ - Arts Center East (709 Hartford Tpke) is starting another one of their Art Explorers sessions for young aspiring artists. This week, the focus is nature. Find out more and sign-up here.