Callie Barkley 

Hartford County

Chris Dehnel

Hartford Metropolitan Area

Glastonbury

Connecticut

Manchester

Rich Kirby

Wethersfield

Rocky Hill

Middlesex County

East Hampton-Portland

Michael Lemanski

Greater Hartford

Newington

Jay Kenney

South Windsor

Tolland County

Vernon

Middletown

West Hartford

Lutz Children's Museum

Join us dressed in your favorite costume. Some of our Animal Ambassadors will be dressed up too! 
$5 per child includes: • Trick-or-treating experience indoors with our Animal Ambassadors! (This is a nut-free and allergen friendly event.) • Crafts (indoors) • Face painting (outdoors, donations appreciated) • Lawn games &amp; bounce house (for children 5 years and under)
Add on pumpkin painting for only $2!
Donate for chances to win exciting prizes including: 50" Vizio TV, round of 9 hole golf for 4 people at Minnechaug Golf Course, $50 Sisterly Twist gift card, 20" Trek Precaliber Youth Bike (with XR1 tires) with a Bontiger Tyro Youth Helmet. $5 per ticket, or $50 for 12 tickets. No cash value. Winners must claim prizes at the museum within 7 days.&nbsp;
Shop outdoors with vendors: Bling Barrettes,&nbsp;Bob's Jerky for a Cause (indoors), Brittany's Custom Creations (tumblers, bookmarks, and more), Emaly's Crystals,&nbsp;Rande Goodwin (author of YA books),&nbsp;Flower Seasons (arrangements, Halloween decor, gnomes),&nbsp;Jojo’s Cookies and Canelés, Lucy’s Pet Pantry (dog treats), Lutz Lagoon Blue Raspberry Soda (indoors). Pop's Hot Diggity Hot Dogs 
Thank you to our Sponsors: ShopRite, Foster Family Farm of South Windsor

Local Event: Lutz Spooktacular!

Lutz Spooktacular!

Join us dressed in your favorite costume. Some of our Animal Ambassadors will be dressed up too! 
$5 per child includes: •...

Jay Estate

<img src="https://jayheritagecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Balloon-300x200.jpg">Jay Day is our classic fall family festival held annually at the 23-acre award-winning Jay Estate with offerings for everyone! Join us on Sunday, October 25 from 11am - 3pm. New this year in honor of the Montgolfier Brothers invention of the hot-air balloon in 1783 - you guessed it - learn all about the thermodynamics of these beautiful aircrafts from <a href="https://www.libertyballoon.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Liberty Balloon Company</a>. Enjoy outdoor activities and old-fashioned entertainment as we commemorate America 250 with a very special chance to see authentic centuries-old artifacts of the Revolutionary War at the historic first home of patriot and peacemaker John Jay. <a href="https://youtu.be/1-5rBwbfv08?si=7Y61Jf0fiNcaNAr2" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Watch a video from last year's festival here.&nbsp;</a>&nbsp;
<a href="https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/b5a7d988-48ca-4a56-bb9b-28da36e2bc0e" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">REGISTER HERE TO AVOID THE LINES.</a>
<img src="https://jayheritagecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Revisit-the-Rev-300x300.jpg">
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
* Silhouette artist <a href="https://www.sweet-silhouette.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Varin Acevado</a> will create heirloom portraits. * Stilt walkers &amp; jugglers ensure super photo ops for the whole family! * Professional facepainters from <a href="https://www.jamesdaniel.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">James Daniel Entertainment </a>will create butterflies and dragons with deft dabs of paint and glitter! * Join the <a href="https://www.ryetroop2.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Rye Boy Scouts Troop 2</a> for boat racing in the reflecting pool * Create your own take-home origami animals with talented volunteers from our Japanese community partners in Harrison. * Try your hand at special geocaching activities in honor of America at 250 highlighting John Jay's role as spymaster during the Revolutionary War. * Make a self-portrait with artist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ellenjingxu/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Jing (Ellen) Xu </a>and ColorWorld. * Learn about robotics and STEAM with <a href="https://www.makeinspires.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">MakeInspires.</a> * Don't miss the rocket show with <a href="https://newyorkcity.madscience.org/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Mad Science!</a> * Pony rides and the petting zoo are family favorites!

ALL AGES
* Self-guided tours of<a href="https://parks.ny.gov/history/rev-war?utm_campaign=NYSOGS+Parks-RevWar250&amp;utm_source=Google&amp;utm_medium=Search&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23972741403&amp;gbraid=0AAAABD-CRbX_77SLGE4f5AlYAwtMckwIS&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwlsfWBhD4ARIsACL7p1GnNW59-3sZb1eG8wDrPXmniU0OpY52GakfKQTDy-DZfXtRno0_JBwaAnZYEALw_wcB" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank"> Revisit the Revolution Exhibit</a> at the Jay Mansion. * Self-guided tours of the award-winning Jay Estate Gardens (2022 NYS Nonprofit Excellence, 2023 ICAA Landscape Design, 2026 GCA Historic Preservation). * Nibble on savories from food trucks and local favorites like Cousins Lobster Roll, Jimmy's Soft Serve, Crazy Taco Mex, Food Truck Refinery, Westchester Burger and Mangones Market. * LIVE Music from <a href="https://www.brooklynbluegrass.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Brooklyn Bluegrass Collective</a>. * Horse-drawn Carriage Rides by Pelham Bit Carriages. * Shop for the holidays early or for any occasion - explore gorgeous jewelry, sweaters, fine art photographs, handcrafted Japanese pottery from <a href="https://nslifestyles.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">NS Lifestyles</a>, <a href="https://shopthebeehive.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Beehive</a>, <a href="https://www.crichlowfineart.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Crichlow Fine Art</a>, <a href="https://hirokosceramics.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Hiroko's Ceramics</a> and many more bespoke offerings from our vendors * Learn about 10,000 years of archaeology beneath our feet with Dr. Eugene Boesch.
More activities being added every day! Admission is $50 per family and $20 individual.
Thank you to our Jay Day Co-Chairs Lindsay Bello Martin, Claire Weschler, Jennifer Soliman and Julia Thalhammer and 2026 RCDS Community Engagement Fellow Ellora Shah.&nbsp;
More volunteers welcome! Contact us at <a href="mailto:jayheritagecenter@gmail.com">jayheritagecenter@gmail.com</a> to sign up for a shift.
The Jay Heritage Center (JHC) is a dynamic nonprofit which manages the Jay Estate in Rye, New York. The 23-acre park that they have preserved and interpreted since 1992 is an award-winning culture hub and wildlife refuge on Long Island Sound. Located in the heart of Westchester’s only National Historic Landmark District, the site welcomes visitors April through November to learn about our nation’s flawed yet precious democracy through indoor and outdoor public programs. Offerings about American History feature prominent writers and educators. Free horticulture and birding workshops teach guests about native plants and wildlife. Family-friendly concerts draw hundreds for old-fashioned fun and unplugged enjoyment. The site is a member of NY State's Path Through History and Westchester County's African American Heritage Trail. Sign up to volunteer or access all they offer at <a href="https://jayheritagecenter.org" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">www.jayheritagecenter.org</a>
<img src="https://jayheritagecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/Vendors-300x300.jpg">

Local Event: Jay Day - Fall Family Festival

Westchester County

New York

Jay Day - Fall Family Festival

Jay Day is our classic fall family festival held annually at the 23-acre award-winning Jay Estate with offerings for everyone!...

Rocky Hill Congregational Church

Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove at Rocky Hill Congregational Church November 1 (new date): FREE 
Nationally known author and activist Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove will speak Sunday Nov. 1 on the ways religion has been manipulated to support an authoritarian political movement in the U.S. The speech is at Rocky Hill Congregational Church, sponsor of the event.
All are welcome at this free event. No tickets are needed.
Wilson-Hartgrove, a prominent voice in today’s moral movements for justice and democracy, will address how communities can strengthen democracy rather than undermine it. 
Wilson-Hartgrove is co-author of the Substack “<a href="https://ourmoralmoment.substack.com/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Our Moral Moment</a>” with <a href="https://www.theologyandpolicy.yale.edu/bishop-william-j-barber-ii" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Bishop William Barber</a>, author of 15 books, and is a highly sought-after speaker.
“We’re living through a moment when people are searching for clarity and courage,” said Rev. David Figliuzzi, RHCC’s pastor. “Jonathan’s work helps communities understand what’s happening and how we can respond in ways that build connection rather than deepen division.”
“This talk is for anyone – religious or non-religious – who is concerned that the U.S. is becoming more authoritarian, that democratic norms are eroding, and who want to know what they can do about it,” Figliuzzi said. 
Rocky Hill Congregational Church, which celebrates its 300th
anniversary in 2027, is a progressive United Church of Christ. The event reflects its ongoing commitment to actively working for justice in the community and beyond. 
Event Details Date: Sunday, November 1&nbsp;Time:
4:00 PM Location: Rocky Hill Congregational Church, 805 Old Main St., Rocky Hill Cost: Free and open to the public

Local Event: Renowned speaker to address authoritarianism and religion

Renowned speaker to address authoritarianism...

Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove at Rocky Hill Congregational Church November 1 (new date): FREE 
Nationally known author and activist...

Renowned speaker to address authoritarianism and religion

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Callie Barkley , Neighbor

Posting Activity

Lutz Spooktacular!

Jay Day - Fall Family Festival

Renowned speaker to address authoritarianism and religion