Tuesday Lowdown- Wednesday edition

🌼Spring Craft and Plant Sale🌱

Plant Sale this Saturday at Bickford Health Center on Main Street in Windsor Locks! A wide assortment of outdoor plants from Vinnie's Little Acre will be available. All proceeds from the plants and raffle will go to the recreation department. The Four A’s food truck will be on site along with some live music. Let me know how the Loaded Empanadilla tastes!

🪑Townwide Tag Sale🏷️

Several homeowners are coordinating a town wide tag sale this Saturday May 17th. The following locations will be open from 8:00-2:00 pm.

🎭More Local Events🎤

The Story of Chocolate

Date & Time: Thursday, May 15, 2025, 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Location: Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, 1 Elizabeth St, Hartford, CT
Description: Food historian Sarah Lohman explores chocolate’s journey from sacred Mesoamerican drink to modern mass-market treat, revealing how this tropical fruit became a cultural and culinary powerhousehartford.com. A chocolate tasting is included to sweeten this deep dive into history. This talk is indoors and suitable for adults and curious older kids.
Admission: Free (registration recommended)hartford.com
More Info: CONNECTICUTMUSEUM.ORG/EVENTS

Creative Cocktail Hour

Date & Time: Thursday, May 15, 2025, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location: Real Art Ways, 56 Arbor St, Hartford, CT
Description: Every third Thursday, Real Art Ways throws an eclectic art party mixing gallery exhibits, live music, and a cash bar in a fun, come-as-you-are atmospherehartford.com. It’s a unique social gathering that welcomes all ages and backgrounds to mingle, enjoy contemporary art, and groove to local music. This month features a live performance (Miss Olithea & J Bubble) and an opening reception for a new solo exhibition, making it a lively indoor-outdoor celebration of art and communityrealartways.org.
Admission: Free (21+ to drink; refreshments available for purchase)
More Info: REALARTWAYS.ORG

Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet (Hartford Stage)

Date & Time: Friday, May 16, 2025, 7:30 pm (performances run Apr 17 – May 18)
Location: Hartford Stage, 50 Church St, Hartford, CT
Description: Hartford Stage’s acclaimed new production of Romeo & Juliet brings fresh energy and a vivid touch of Latin American culture to Shakespeare’s classic tragedypatch.com. Directed by Artistic Director Melia Bensussen, this passionate tale of star-crossed lovers is rendered with lush romanticism, thrilling swordplay, and live music, making it accessible for newcomers and exciting for seasoned Bard fanspatch.compatch.com. The final performances are this week, in the comfort of an indoor theater.
Admission: Tickets start at about $30nhregister.com
More Info: HARTFORDSTAGE.ORG

Hartford Yard Goats vs. Binghamton Rumble Ponies

Date & Time: Friday, May 16, 2025, 7:10 pm
Location: Dunkin’ Park, 1214 Main St, Hartford, CT
Description: Enjoy an evening of minor league baseball as the Hartford Yard Goats (Double-A affiliate of the Rockies) take on the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Mets affiliate) during a six-game homestand May 13–18findingconnecticut.com. Dunkin’ Park offers a family-friendly atmosphere with ballpark treats and between-innings entertainment. It’s a fun outdoor event (with an option to retreat to covered areas if needed) – a great way to experience affordable baseball excitement under the lights.
Admission: Tickets from around $8–$10vividseats.com (general seating)
More Info: MILB.COM/HARTFORD

ROAR Comedy Club: Aaron Chen

Date & Time: Friday, May 16, 2025, 8:00 pm
Location: The Armory at MGM Springfield, One MGM Way, Springfield, MA
Description: Australian comedian Aaron Chen brings his award-winning stand-up to MGM Springfield’s ROAR Comedy Club for one weekend only. Chen has quickly risen in the international comedy scene, earning honors like Best Newcomer and playing to sold-out crowds at top festivalsmgmspringfield.mgmresorts.com. Expect a night of sharp wit and deadpan humor from this critically acclaimed comic, in an intimate indoor venue (located inside a restored Armory on the casino campus). (Note: 18+ recommended due to content.)
Admission: ~$40 (general admission ticket)
More Info: MGMSPRINGFIELD.MGMRESORTS.COM

World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast

Date & Time: Saturday, May 17, 2025, 8:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: Main Street (between State St. and Bridge St.), Downtown Springfield, MA
Description: Join a beloved Springfield tradition as the community gathers at one gigantic breakfast table to celebrate the city’s 1636 foundingspiritofspringfield.orgspiritofspringfield.org. Thousands of free pancakes are served hot off the griddles, accompanied by bacon, coffee, juice and plenty of local talent performing along Main Street. It’s a festive outdoor block party for all ages – come early to snag a seat and enjoy live music and entertainment while you feast. (Held rain or shine under tents if needed.)
Admission: Free entryspiritofspringfield.org (pancake breakfast $3 per adult, $1 per child)
More Info: SPIRITOFSPRINGFIELD.ORG

Witch Panic! Massachusetts Before Salem (Exhibit Opening)

Date & Time: Saturday, May 17, 2025, 10:00 am (museum hours 10am–5pm)
Location: Wood Museum of Springfield History, 21 Edwards St, Springfield, MA
Description: This new exhibit delves into New England’s witch trial history decades before the infamous Salem trials. Witch Panic! uncovers how accusations of witchcraft in 17th-century Springfield shaped the community and how those events still resonate 375 years laterspringfieldmuseums.org. Opening day will feature authentic artifacts, historical accounts, and interactive displays that bring to life the fear and intrigue of a “witch panic” on the Connecticut River. It’s an indoor, family-friendly educational experience (part of the Springfield Museums complex).
Admission: Included with museum admission (General: $25 adults, $13 youth 3–17springfieldmuseums.org; under 3 free)
More Info: SPRINGFIELDMUSEUMS.ORG