Today Calendar 2026 • CT Farmington Valley and Beyond
- Today Magazine Online
- May 9
- 11 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Farmington Valley and Beyond • Connecticut • USA
• Today Magazine Online: Digital News Site • Today Magazine: 2018-2024
• Info is accurate to our knowledge, but confirm with organizers to be sure
• Repeat Honor – Today tops CT mags again in SPJ awards
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Open Mic Night
LaSalle Market & Deli • Collinsville – Fridays • 6:00-9:00 pm
Free to play and listen
• Advance sign-up – Info: 860-693-8010
• Same-day sign-up at LaSalle – limited spots
Enjoy some first-class musicians, singers and songwriters in an amazing newly renovated space
Kala Farnham • Concert Schedule
Connecticut State Troubadour • 2022-2025 – Award-Winning Songwriter
Free – some shows • Tickets-Info > click Tour menu: top left
• Kala has opened for Don McLean, Tony Bennett and other notables – she has performed across Connecticut and the East Coast
• Songs on YouTube > David • Connecticut Grown • A Little Ghost Story •
Music on Main
Summer Concerts
Collinsville Green – Main Street – next to LaSalle Market
• Saturdays – 6:00-9:00 pm – 5/23 thru 9/6
Free • Host – Canton Main Street
Destination event features live band – plus local dining and Farmington River hiking, biking and canoeing options – rain cancels
• Today Magazine cover story – Quick Class on Greens and Grass •
Simsbury Memorial Day Parades
Tariffville – Winthrop Street to the Cemetery • 9:00 am
Simsbury – Hopmeadow Street to Veterans Memorial • 12:30 pm
• Monday 5/25 – 9:00 am • 12:30 pm
Enjoy the day with your family while honoring our fallen veterans
Carillon Concert
Bring-Your-Own Picnic
Avon Congregational Church
• Sunday 5/31 – 12:00 noon
Free • Info – 860-678-0488
Picnickers will enjoy recorded bell music from steeple's carillon – drinks and popsicles provided – church meetinghouse is on National Register of Historic Places
Scholarship • Avon Dollars for Scholars
• Deadline – Monday 6/1
• Info-Apply – class of 2026 or 2027
$2,500 Commemorative Avon 250 Scholarship – Avon High grads or Avon
residents – in conjunction with Avon 250 and America 250 celebrations
Simsbury Land Trust
50th Anniversary Dinner
Rosedale Farms & Vineyards – Simsbury
• Thursday 6/4 – 5:30 pm
$100-$110 • Tickets-Info
Celebrating 50 years of preserving the scenic vistas, geological features and farmland that reflect Simsbury's character
Gallery on the Green
Art Exhibits
Canton Green Road – Canton • between Dowd Avenue and Route 44
• Gallery hours – Fridays-Saturdays-Sundays – 1:00-5:00 pm
Current Shows – Vernal Vibes: Members Exhibit • Two Solo Exhibits
• Thru Saturday 5/23
Upcoming Shows – Marcia Marsted Retrospective • Two Solo Exhibits
• Friday 5/29 thru Saturday 6/27
• Opening Reception – Saturday 6/6 – 6:00-8:00 pm • free refreshments
Free • Info – Farmington Valley artists and beyond – Canton Artists’ Guild hosts Gallery on the Green • 860-693-4102 • cantonartistsguild@gmail. com
Gallery on the Green • Kate Emery
Scholarship • Free Tuition
CT State Community College
• Thousands of students statewide have received free tuition
“It sounds too good to be true, but this is real" – CT State rep
Concert – Fleetwood Mac cover band Little Lies
US Horse Welfare & Rescue – Avon
• Saturday 6/13 – 5:30 pm
$60-$125 • Register-Info – 860-593-4298 • USHorseWelfare@gmail. com
Annual fundraiser for nonprofit dedicated to equine safety and well-being
Farmers Market
Canton Main Street
Town Hall parking lot – Collinsville • next to LaSalle Market
• Sundays – 10:00am-1:00pm – 6/14 thru 10/11
• Live Music – 11:00am-1:00pm
Free to attend • Info – Main Street • Facebook
Family-friendly with nearby Farmington River hiking, biking and canoeing options plus historic Collins Company – 21 full-season vendors
Habitat Ambassador Workshop
• Thursday 6/25 – 12:00 noon
• Wednesday 8/5 – 12:00 noon
Free • Register • Info – 860-541-2208 – volunteer@hfhncc.org
Learn about Habitat's mission, impact and volunteer opportunities
• Today Magazine cover story – Homegrown Hope: Making Dreams Reality
• Today Online news story – Habitat for Humanity keeps home fires burning
• Today Magazine news story – Local Habitat Celebrates 35th Birthday •
Blood Sugar Clinic
Blood Pressure Clinic
Canton Senior Center – 40 Dyer Avenue
• Weekly – each Wednesday – 11:30-1:00 pm
Free • Info – 860-693-5811
For residents of all towns, not just Canton – no appointment needed – managed by Farmington Valley VNA
• Today Magazine cover story:
Avon History Museum
Avon – 8 East Main Street
• Sundays year-round – 1:00-4:00 pm – or by appointment
Free • Info – 860-678-7621 – info@avonhistoricalsociety. org
Renovated one-room schoolhouse transformed into modern museum — additional parking at the Avon Post Office
• Today Magazine Online story: Reborn museum preps for America 250 •
Walkie Talkies
Crown & Hammer Restaurant – Collinsville
• Monthly – fourth Tuesday – 1:00 pm
Free • usually hosted by Dr. Brian Magna • Info – Magna PT website
15-minute health-based talk followed by 45-minute walk
Roaring Brook Nature Center
Summer Discovery Days
RBNC – Canton
$270-$315 • Register-Info – 860-693-0263
Weeklong programs for preschool age thru grade 5 – 6/22 thru 8/22
• Today Magazine cover story – Nature and Nurture •
CT Freedom Trail Program • Online
Three Firsts – Pvt. Leverett Holden – Civil War veteran
Free • On-Demand Video
Holden's gravesite is on the Connecticut Freedom Trail – a first for Avon – he was in CT's 29th Regiment Volunteer Infantry: Colored
• Presented by Avon Historical Society president Terri Wilson
• Award-winning Today news story:
Inspire Arts
Support Meetings
Supported Living Group – Avon and Bethany sites
• Monthly – third Wednesday – 1:00 pm
Free • Info – 860-382-3020 • inspirearts@slg-ct. com
TBI survivors gather for artistic expression and camaraderie – co-hosted by Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut
• Today Magazine Online stories:
• Inspire Arts – Offering creative hope to brain injury survivors
• Tale of 2+2 Artists – Inspire Arts foursome add creativity to injury
• Inspiration Association – on TBIs, Inspire Arts and the Fall •
Pine Grove Schoolhouse
Avon – corner of Harris Road and West Avon Road: Route 167
• Sundays • 1:00-4:00 pm – May-June • September-October
Free • Listed on National Register of Historic Places – built in 1865
• Info – Avon Historical Society • 860-678-7621
Intergalactic Beets Project
• Special Exhibit
Avon Public Library
• November – entire month
Free • Info – contact@intergalacticbeetsproject. com
Join the Intergalactic Beets Project on our musical mission as we bring our tastiest beats from across the universe to your neighborhood
VFW Post 3272
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Regular Meetings
• Monthly – fourth Wednesday
• Prince Thomas of Savoy Italian Club – Avon
5:30 pm • Social – 6:00 pm • $10 Dinner – 6:30 pm • Meeting
• Weekly – each Thursday
• BeanZ & Co. – Avon – 8:30-11:00 am
Free • Info – Veterans from all towns invited for conversation and support
• Today Magazine cover story:
• Today Magazine Online news stories:
• Military Milestone – VFW post celebrates 80th birthday
• Service Salute – Afghan refugee project is flagship VFW feat •
American Parkinson Disease Association • Connecticut Chapter
CT Support Groups – CT Exercise Classes
Free • Various locations – ongoing
• Today Magazine cover story – Parkinson Puzzle •
Kalaveshi Arts
Kalaveshi Arts Gallery
• The physical studio location has closed — the online gallery is open
Info – Kalaveshi website • kalaveshiarts@gmail. com
• Award-winning Today cover story – From War-Torn To Art Reborn
• Today news story – Kosovo genocide history sets stage for art gallery •
Veterans Coffee Hour
Farmington Senior Center
• Weekly – each Friday – 9:00 am
All veterans welcome – co-hosts: Farmington Veterans Committee and Daughters of the American Revolution (Ruth Wyllys Chapter DAR)
Canton Café • Dine-In Lunch Program
Canton Community Center – 40 Dyer Avenue
• Weekly – each Wednesday and Friday – 12:00-1:00 pm
$5 – senior citizens • $7 – town employees
Reservations required two days in advance – call 860-693-5811
Red Cross
Blood Drives
Numerous locations in the Farmington Valley and across Connecticut
• Various days and times
Free to give • Info •
Photo Exhibit • Wendy Rosenberg
Roaring Brook Nature Center – Canton
$7-$9 • free for members • Info – 860-693-0263
View wildlife images by a multi-award-winning photographer
• Rosenberg-focused Today Publishing cover stories:
This is one of Wendy's SPJ-award-winning Today Magazine photos:
Antique Appraisals
ANTIQ’S – Farmington
• Weekly – each Saturday – 11:00am-4:00pm
Free • Info – 860-676-2670 • info@antiqs.com
• Free-of-charge appraisal of your antiques
Coping with Grief and Loss during the Holidays • Online
• On-Demand Video – Joe Colletti • author • bereavement consultant
• Hosts – Carmon Community Funeral Homes – Avon
Free • Info – visit above websites • 860-688-2200 • 860-673-8610
• Nine Carmon locations – Avon • Granby • Hartford • Rockville • South Windsor • Suffield • Vernon • Windsor • Poquonock: also in Windsor
MLK in CT Memorial
Simsbury Free Library
Free • On-Demand Video – Unveiling Ceremony
Ceremony occurred on MLK Day 2021 – at Simsbury Free Library
• Award-winning Today Publishing coverage:
– Today Online news story • Unique memorial honors MLK's time in Valley
– Today Magazine cover story • Their Dream: MLK Memorial
• Award-winning documentary – produced by Simsbury High students:
Simsbury Public Library
Recurring Events • Programs
Free • Register-Info • 860-658-7663
Online: Poetry Group
• Monthly – third Tuesday – 6:30 pm
• Write and share poems for constructive feedback
Spanish Conversation Group
• Wednesdays – 11:00 am • Practice speaking Spanish with others
English Conversation Club
• Fridays – 10:30 am • Practice your English with others
• Today Magazine cover story – Burning Book Passion •
Autism Programs
Autism Families CONNECTicut
• Today Magazine cover story:
• Today Magazine Online news story:
Open Mic Night
• Talcott Mountain Collective • Simsbury – Tuesdays • 6:30-9:00 pm
Free to play and listen
We Are Very Likely To Die
Incredible True Story of Sinking of Sea Surveyor
Free • On-Demand Video
Talk by survivor Walter Banzhaf, longtime Simsbury resident – presented at Simsbury Senior Center, Simsbury Library and elsewhere in CT
Unearthing History
2024 History Series • Online
• Internationally significant find in Connecticut's Farmington Valley
Discovery in Avon of 12,500-year-old Paleo-Indian Site
Free • Five Webinars
– Sponsors – Avon Historical Society • Avon Library • Avon Senior Center
• Today Magazine cover story – by Dr. David Leslie:
• David was senior archaeologist for the Avon site discovered in 2019
Unearthing History
2023 History Series • Online
• Internationally significant find in Connecticut's Farmington Valley
Discovery in Avon of 12,500-year-old Paleo-Indian Site
Free • Five Webinars
• Big Importance of Small Things:
Unearthing History
2022 History Series • Online
• Internationally significant find in Connecticut's Farmington Valley
Discovery in Avon of 12,500-year-old Paleo-Indian Site
Free • Five Webinars
• Update on Scientific Analysis of Brian D. Jones Site in Avon CT
Unearthing History
2021 History Series • Online
• Internationally significant find in Connecticut's Farmington Valley
Discovery in Avon of 12,500-year-old Paleo-Indian Site
Free • Five Webinars
• Dr. David Leslie – senior archaeologist • Avon CT site
• Dr. Zachary Singer – research archaeologist
BoardGamers Event
Christ Community Church – Collinsville
• Sunday – second and fourth of month – 1:00-5:00 pm
Free • Facebook page • Info: organizer Kevin Salch – 860-597-6894
Bring your own games or play ours – check Facebook to confirm the usual second-and-fourth Sunday meeting is on due to occasional reschedules
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Valley Town Sites – Avon • Canton • Farmington • Granby • Simsbury
Valley Libraries – Avon • Canton • Farmington • Granby • Simsbury
Valley Chambers of Commerce – Avon-Canton • Granby-Simsbury
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PAST EVENTS – events below were listed previously in Calendar above
Mary’s Place – 13th Annual Memory Walk
Walk in remembrance of loved ones to support nonprofit grief center
• 860-688-9621 • info@marysplacect. org
Mary's Place – A Center for Grieving Children and Families •
Unite In Love Luncheon
Mary’s Place aims to support children and families grieving a death – attendees will be asked to donate if they are willing and able to do so
Confident Embrace • Art Exhibit
Kalaveshi Arts Studio-Gallery – Avon
• Today news story – Inspire Arts: Offering hope to brain injury survivors •
CT Artists • Art Exhibit • Online
Gallery For Good – Summer In New England
Free to browse • Purchase art – proceeds benefit Farmington Land Trust •
• Today Magazine cover story:
Monument Dedication Ceremony – honoring historic black family
Peter and Esther Jackson Memorial • Simsbury Cemetery
• Juneteenth • Info – Alex Breanne website • Simsbury Historical Society
Connecticut Freedom Trail • Dedication
East Avon Cemetery – Avon Congregational Church
• Info – Avon Historical Society
• Dedication of memorial stone for Leverett Holden, Avon resident and Civil War veteran of 29th Connecticut Infantry Regiment: Colored
• Award-winning Today news story:
Cruising the Rivers of Europe
Presented by Jean Foisie of TravelVision • AMA Waterways cruise line
• Info – 860-693-2515 • jeanfoisie@yahoo. com
PAST EVENTS – events below were listed previously in Calendar above
Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast
Senior Conference and Resource Fair • SCARF • New Season in Life
National Day of Prayer • All welcome – initiated by Continental Congress in 1775, this tradition predates founding of U.S.
Theater – Playhouse 44
• New theater venture – join email list • Facebook page •
Fundraiser – House of Changes
• Nonprofit for mental health, substance abuse, incarceration challenges
HarttWorks – Dance-Music Performance • Hartt School Community Division
Diabetes Plus with Dave Oliver
Magna Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine – Avon
• 860-679-0430 • Hosted by Magna PT and The Longevity Zone •
Have A Heart – benefit campaign
• This nonprofit aims to support children and families grieving a death
Avon Historical Society – 50th Anniversary Exhibit
Saturday Night Dinner and Movie – Sound of Hope
Valley Community Baptist Church – Avon
• Film based on true foster-care-and-adoption story
• Today Magazine award-winning cover story:
PAST EVENTS – events below were listed previously in Calendar above
Open House
Art Exhibit – Rhythms in Time
Solo Show – Edith Skiba LaMonica
Free • LaMonica's work has been featured in Philadelphia Museum of Art, New Britain Museum of American Art, Canton-based Gallery on the Green
• Today Magazine news story – Nature draws and beckons artist •
Casino Night to End Alzheimer's – Anthology of Simsbury •
TableScapes – Fundraiser – Avon Historical Society
• Info – 860-678-7621 – info@avonhistoricalsociety. org
Warehouse Tag Sale – Journey Home
• Info – 860-808-0336 – volunteer@journeyhomect. org
• Journey Home seeks to end homelessness
Red Stone Pub – Simsbury
Habitat Youth Advocacy & Engagement Conference
Habitat – Winter Warrior Public Build Days
Free • Register-Info • 860-541-2208 – volunteer@hfhncc. org
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• PAST EVENTS – Today Calendar 2024-25 •
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