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Good morning from the shoreline.
First full weekend of June and we're finally getting the summer heat! There's tons going on this weekend, but keep an eye out on Sunday, it looks like it may be a washout.
Two things I want to flag up top. First: the Tour de Noank 5K winds through Noank's village streets Saturday morning, and even if you're not running, it's a good morning to be at Esker Point. Second: two Mystic names are headed to Chicago next week as James Beard Award finalists — the whole town is seeing them off Tuesday. More on both below.
Here's what I've surfaced this week.
In today’s issue: Tour de Noank 5K Saturday · Mystic's James Beard finalists get a send-off · Pride night at the aquarium · Stonington Vineyards kicks off summer · Pass The Guitar at the Hygienic Art Park
Tour de Noank 5K & Fun Run — Saturday Morning
Saturday, June 6 · Fun run 9:30am, 5K 10am (day-of registration 8:30am) · Esker Point Beach · Groton
The 5K winds through Noank's village streets and finishes at Esker Point. $25 if you register ahead, $30 race day, $5 for the kids' fun run. Proceeds go to Groton Parks & Rec's Adaptive Programs, walkers are welcome! Register →
Two Mystic Names Are Going to Chicago — Send-Off Tuesday
Tuesday, June 9 · 11am · Mystic River Park · Mystic
David Standridge of The Shipwright's Daughter is a 2026 James Beard finalist for Outstanding Chef. The Port of Call is a finalist for Outstanding Wine & Other Beverages Program. The awards, basically the Oscars of food, are June 15th in Chicago. Mystic is giving both a proper send-off at the park Tuesday morning. Show up and clap. They earned it. Details →
Party with Pride at Mystic Aquarium — Saturday Night
Saturday, June 6 · 7–10pm · Mystic Aquarium · Mystic
The aquarium after hours, 18+, with a drag performance by the Trailer Park Girls, beluga viewing, penguin and reptile meet-and-greets, and refreshments included. Tickets →
Kick-Off to Summer Party — Stonington Vineyards, Saturday
Saturday, June 6 · 11am–7pm · Stonington Vineyards · Stonington
Eight hours of summer kickoff at the vineyard: Luke Gabordi plays noon to 3, the Dave Alves Band takes 4 to 7, with vendors and food in between. $30 at the door, rain or shine, and outside food is allowed (outside alcohol is not, they sell that part). Details →
Waterford Turns 250 — Scavenger Hunt Kickoff Saturday
Saturday, June 6 · 10am–noon · Arnold Holm Park (Duck Pond) · Waterford
Waterford's 250th anniversary committee is launching a town-wide history scavenger hunt — 11 historic sites, trackable by app or paper map, running through Labor Day. Saturday's kickoff has a photo booth, crafts, and donuts and coffee, which is a strong opening argument. Free. Details →
Opening a restaurant? Launching a new menu? Reply to this email and let us share it with the community!
Celebrity Bartenders at A.Y.T. — Tonight, 7pm
Thursday, June 4 · 7–9pm · A.Y.T. Bar & Bonbons · 3 Water Street · Mystic
Tonight: Stonington Free Library librarians Micayla Hall and Millie Donovan trade the circulation desk for the bar at A.Y.T., with 100% of net proceeds going back to the library. Tip generously — these are the people who know what you actually read. Details →
Brunch in the Barnyard — Waterford Country School
Saturday, June 6 · 10am–1pm · Waterford Country School · 78 Huntsbrook Road, Quaker Hill · Waterford
A farm-to-table brunch fundraiser on the school's working farm, with animal demonstrations and a keynote from Dr. Tracy Espy, president of Mitchell College. $65 a seat and expected to sell out — book today if you want in. Reserve →
Want to share a Featured Event ? Reach out and let’s talk.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
Friends Fair Book Sale: Preview Party — Mystic & Noank Library · 5–7pm · Mystic ($5 gets you first pick and 50% off)
Enslaved Musicians in Colonial Connecticut — Mystic & Noank Library · 6pm · Mystic (Yale music historian Markus Rathey on Cuff, Jack, and Cato — enslaved violinists who escaped with their fiddles)
Mystic Schooners Home Opener vs Vermont Mountaineers — Fitch Senior High School · 6:30pm · Groton (the NECBL season starts tonight)
MISFIT Karaoke — The Misfit Club · 7:30pm · Mystic
FRIDAY, JUNE 5
La Grua Center Summer Soirée — La Grua Center · 6–9pm · Stonington (annual fundraiser — Dog Watch catering, Cove Ledge pours, live auction)
Friday Flickers: "42" — Hygienic Art Park · 8pm (dusk) · New London (free outdoor screening of the Jackie Robinson story — bring a chair)
Groton Submarine Slam Pickleball Tournament — Bassi Pickleball Courts · Fri 5pm mixed doubles, Sat & Sun 8am brackets · Groton ($50/team)
United for Ukraine: A Night of Music & Hope — Thrive 55 Center · 6:30pm · Groton
Newsies Jr. — Granite Theatre · 6pm · Westerly
SATURDAY, JUNE 6
Stonington Village Farmers Market — The Velvet Mill · 9am–noon · Stonington
Friends of the MNL Annual Spring Fair — Mystic & Noank Library · 9am–2pm · Mystic (books, plants, White Elephant, silent auction)
Tour de Noank 5K & Fun Run — Esker Point Beach · 9:30am fun run, 10am 5K · Groton
Hike the Historic Pequot Trail — Pequot Woods Park · 10am · Mystic (3-mile loop with the Mystic River Historical Society — arrive 20 minutes early, parking is tight)
Make a Mug Workshop (Ages 16+) — Stonington COMO Pottery Studio · 10am · Stonington
Waterford 250 Scavenger Hunt Kickoff — Arnold Holm Park · 10am · Waterford
Fort Griswold Battlefield Walking Tour — Fort Griswold, meet at Monument House Museum · 11am · Groton (free — see Ship's Log below)
Free First Saturday: Collection Connections — Lyman Allyn Art Museum · 11am · New London (free admission all day)
A Walk Through Time: Historic Groton Heights — meet at Park Ave & Monument St · 12pm · Groton
An Artist's Journey Extended — Tyler Allyn — Studio 33 Art & Frame Gallery, 140 Bank St · 4–8pm reception · New London
Pass The Guitar — Hygienic Art Park · 6pm · New London
Mystic Schooners vs Bristol Blues — Fitch Senior High School · 6:30pm · Groton (NECBL wood-bat ball — the summer college league is back)
Party with Pride at Mystic Aquarium — Mystic Aquarium · 7–10pm · Mystic (18+)
Dance Saturday at The Misfit Club — The Misfit Club · 7:30pm · Mystic
SUNDAY, JUNE 7
Denison Farmers Market — Season Opener — Denison Homestead Museum · 12–3pm · Mystic (Sundays through October 25)
Relief Printing 101 — Spark Makerspace · 1–4pm · New London
Mystic Schooners vs Danbury Westerners — Fitch Senior High School · 6:30pm · Groton
MONDAY, JUNE 8
Friends Weeklong Book Sale — Mystic & Noank Library · 10am–2pm daily through June 13 · Mystic
"We, the Farmers..." — Waterford Public Library · doors 6:30pm, talk 7pm · Waterford (Waterford was literally named "West Farms" until 1801 — this talk covers the farming history that built the town)
Trivia Night at Friar Tuck's Tavern — Friar Tuck's · 6:30pm · Mystic
TUESDAY, JUNE 9
James Beard Finalists Send-Off — Mystic River Park · 11am · Mystic
Red Cross Blood Drive at the COMO — Stonington COMO · 9am–2pm · Stonington
Sutton Park Groundbreaking — 185 Fort Hill Rd · 11:30am · Groton (expanded skate park, new playground, multi-use path — public invited)
Trivia Night at The Jealous Monk — The Jealous Monk · 7pm · Mystic
| Jason Ingriselli @ Saltwater Farm Vineyard |
Thu 5pm
Stonington
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| Azalea Drive @ Par 4 Restaurant |
Fri 5pm
Groton
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| Dave Alves @ Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyard |
Fri 5pm
Stonington
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| Burden Of Proof @ Lighthouse Inn & 1902 Tavern |
Fri 6pm
New London
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| Kristina & Mace @ Angie's Pizza & Pier 27 Lounge |
Fri 6:30pm
Mystic
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| Village Jammers @ Steak Loft |
Fri 7pm
Mystic
|
| Phil Smith @ Kingdom of the Hawk Vineyard |
Sat 3pm
Stonington
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| Ken Barber @ Lighthouse Inn & 1902 Tavern |
Sat 6pm
New London
|
| Roosevelt Drive / Always Morning / Venus Teal @ Oasis Pub |
Sat 8:30pm
New London
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| Nick Bosse @ Saltwater Farm Vineyard |
Sun 3pm
Stonington
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| Mystic Dead @ Social Bar & Kitchen |
Sun 4:30pm
New London
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| Tish Rabe @ Steak Loft |
Sun 5pm
Mystic
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| Tyler Seton @ Angie's Pizza & Pier 27 Lounge |
Sun 6pm
Mystic
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| Concert- Azelea Drive @ Arnold Holm Park/Duck Pond |
Mon 6pm
Waterford
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Visit wailingcity.com for complete live music list and venue updates
A few things worth putting on your calendar now:
THURSDAY, JUNE 18
Patiopalooza 2026 — Official Start of Patio Season — River Bar Westerly · Westerly
SATURDAY, JULY 11
Celebrate New London — The Largest Firework Show in CT · 12pm · New London
SATURDAY, JULY 18
Floatswella — Music on the Water — Mystic River · Mystic
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That's your week. Enjoy and talk Thursday!
