Liza Janssen Petra

New Haven County

Richard Kaufman

Hartford Metropolitan Area

Guilford

Connecticut

Alfred Branch

Madison

Rich Kirby

North Branford

Ellyn Santiago

Branford

East Haven

Vincent Salzo

North Haven

Middlesex County

Clinton

Wallingford

Durham-Middlefield

Essex-Chester-Deep River

New Haven

Pine Orchard Nursery School

Come support our annual fall festival!&nbsp; Raffle prizes, bounce house, food, games, and so much more!!!

Local Event: Annual PONS Fall Festival 

Annual PONS Fall Festival 

Come support our annual fall festival!  Raffle prizes, bounce house, food, games, and so much more!!! 

Join the <a href="https://guilfordpreservation.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Guilford Preservation Alliance</a> and <a href="https://guilfordfoundation.org/news/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">The Guilford Foundation</a> for a community celebration honoring Shirley Girioni and her extraordinary contributions to Guilford.
For more than five decades, Shirley has helped shape Guilford through her leadership in historic preservation, conservation, beautification, town planning, and community service.
The gathering will celebrate the completion of enhancements to the Welcome Center and its rededication in Shirley's honor.
The program will feature remarks by First Selectman Matt Hoey, representatives of the Guilford Preservation Alliance, and The Guilford Foundation Executive Director Liza Janssen Petra. A short reception will follow.
Everyone is welcome!
Event details: The celebration will take place rain or shine, with the Guilford Community Center serving as the indoor backup location. Street parking is encouraged due to another event at the Community Center.
Shop for a cause: In celebration of the event, Erica Azarigian, owner of <a href="https://shopwhitfield.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Whitfield &amp; Company</a> and <a href="https://ellawheresheshops.com/?srsltid=AU7gw4VFEKDNq_mezcxBdpQ0oO7p4hwarybgGRiHDvLB19odYWteXIsz" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">Ella, Where She Shops</a>, will donate 10% of the day's store sales to the Shirley Girioni Fund at The Guilford Foundation. The fund was established by the Guilford Preservation Alliance to honor Shirley's lasting impact on the community.

Local Event: Shirley Girioni Welcome Center Rededication

Shirley Girioni Welcome Center Rededication

Join the Guilford Preservation Alliance and The Guilford Foundation for a community celebration honoring Shirley Girioni and...

Scranton Library

Gather. Write. Repeat.Join these free weekly writing meetups to build consistent writing habits in a distraction-free, supportive community environment. These sessions are open to all writers and focus on dedicated time to work on your own projects without the pressure of sharing or critiquing work.

Local Event: Shut Up & Write! 

Shut Up & Write! 

Gather. Write. Repeat.Join these free weekly writing meetups to build consistent writing habits in a distraction-free,...

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!...

Brightpath Wallingford

Join us for a free, fun-filled family event featuring crafts, snacks, a pumpkin contest, and Ali the Balloon Artist! Guests are invited to wear costumes while touring our center, meeting our teachers, and learning about our curriculum; new families can also take advantage of free registration.

Local Event: Brightpath Wallingford Not-So-Spooky Open House Night!

Brightpath Wallingford Not-So-Spooky Open House...

Join us for a free, fun-filled family event featuring crafts, snacks, a pumpkin contest, and Ali the Balloon Artist! Guests are...

Brightpath Wallingford Not-So-Spooky Open House Night!

Trumbull Library: Main Branch

Meet Connecticut author Ethan Rutherford for an afternoon of conversation about writing, publishing, and his acclaimed novel, North Sun, a 2025 National Book Award Finalist and one of Barack Obama’s favorite books of 2025.
Set in 1878, North Sun follows a whaling ship’s crew from New Bedford toward the remote arctic waters. This strange, haunting adventure explores obsession, survival, and the human cost of pursuing a dangerous ambition.
John Mulaney called it “[a] must must must read” and “funny, bizarre, reckless, and very moving.”
Hear how Rutherford brought this unusual story to life, learn about his career as a working writer, and bring your questions for the audience Q&amp;A.
A reception and book signing will follow, with books available for purchase from Black Rock Books. Sponsored by the Friends of the Trumbull Library.
Registration is encouraged.

Local Event: Author Event:  Ethan Rutherford at Trumbull Library

Fairfield County

Trumbull

Author Event:  Ethan Rutherford at Trumbull...

Meet Connecticut author Ethan Rutherford for an afternoon of conversation about writing, publishing, and his acclaimed novel,...

Nearby Communities

State Edition

National Edition

Liza Janssen Petra, Neighbor

Posting Activity

Annual PONS Fall Festival

Shirley Girioni Welcome Center Rededication

Shut Up & Write!

Jay Day - Fall Family Festival

Brightpath Wallingford Not-So-Spooky Open House Night!

Author Event: Ethan Rutherford at Trumbull Library