The Abner Hotel
15 West St.
Once the historic Litchfield County Courthouse, The Abner features 20 guest rooms, The Courtroom restaurant, and Verdict: a vibrant rooftop bar.
Doug Clement
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Bantam Lake Ski Club Show is Aug. 3 & 4 at 2 p.m
This year’s Bantam Lake Ski Club show is this weekend, Aug. 3 & 4 at 2 p.m. each day. The theme is Skiing for Gold: The Ultimate Olympic Water Show.You’ll see pyramids, ballet lines, boat O’s, jumping, mixed doubles, barefooting, trick skiing, wake boarding, surfing, kids lines and more, according to the ski club’s website.
Guests watch the 2-hour show from Sandy Beach, (407 E Shore Road, Morris, CT, 06763) There will be a food truck and ice cream at the 
beach for lunch, as well as swimming before and after the show.
beach for lunch, as well as swimming before and after the show.There is a $25 donation suggested per car and cash or Venmo are accepted. The ski club suggests arriving by 1:30 to make sure you have plenty of time to park and find a great spot on the beach.
Lost Fox Inn
571 Torrington Rd. | 860-222-0855
The historic boutique hotel and wedding venue just outside of Litchfield center opened in July 2024. The
on-site tavern and restaurant offers a sophisticated dining experience featuring locally-sourced ingredients and seasonal menus.
Lost Fox Tavern & Restaurant
571 Torrington Rd. | 860-222-0855
The on-site tavern and restaurant at the Lost Fox Inn, a historic boutique hotel and wedding venue, offers a sophisticated dining experience featuring locally-sourced ingredients and seasonal menus.
NKVY Rituals
7 North St., Unit 5 | 203-509-0872
Nicky is an expert hair extensionist and skincare professional with more than 16 years in the beauty industry. She cares for clients in Los Angeles, New York, and Litchfield County.
Inaugural Plein Air Litchfield Painting Festival Set for Oct. 5
The Town of Litchfield’s Economic Development Commission, the Litchfield Historical Society, and the local arts nonprofit Art Tripping have joined forces to sponsor and present the inaugural Plein Air Litchfield, a one-day painting festival on Oct. 5 featuring some of the finest landscape artists in the Northeast.
Plein air painting, or en plein air in France where the practice originated in the 19th century, is the act of painting outdoors in the landscape, rather than in the studio. Plein air festivals that draw top landscape artists have become very popular around the country.
Twelve distinguished artists are confirmed as participants thus far in Plein Air Litchfield. The first event is invitation-only and will not have an entry fee.
Jennifer Terzian of Jennifer Terzian Gallery and Craig Connelly of Alofft Gallery, both in Litchfield center, have agreed to serve as judges for Plein Air Litchfield and will be joined on the judging panel by Michael Bucci, an Art & Design lecturer at Central Connecticut State University.
The judges will hand out first, second, and third place awards, as well a People’s Choice Award and a series of themed awards, including Best Wild Spaces and best Farmscape awards. All awards will come with monetary prizes, and Golden Artist Colors is sponsoring swag bags for participating artists.
Judging will take place in Milton Hall in the Milton section of Litchfield, where the artworks will be displayed and available for sale to guests who purchase tickets to a reception. (Details to follow.)
Award-winning Litchfield plein air landscape painter Jim Laurino, represented locally by Gregory James Gallery in New Milford, has been instrumental in assisting the planning process for Plein Air Litchfield.
Meanwhile, plein air painter Zufar Bikbov is helping to ensure the long-term success of Plein Air Litchfield by arranging an internship for an event organizer at Plein Air Easton to facilitate research about the best practices of successful festivals.
The goal of Plein Air Litchfield is to introduce the painting festival concept to Litchfield and prepare the community for future annual festivals.
“We intend for Plein Air Litchfield to grow and expand into a multi-day festival with activities, competitions and talks, receptions and strong sales, attracting the best plein air artists around the country and beyond,” the outreach letter to invited artists explained.
Stay tuned for further details as they are finalized. Questions or communications about Plein Air Litchfield may be emailed to arttripping.art@gmail.com.
Below: A photograph of a Thomas Adkins work in progress in Essex, CT from the artist’s Facebook page. The artist is participating in Plein Air Litchfield.
The Rusty Wood Company
585 Bantam Rd. | (203) 560-8272
Jade Summer-Duffy Michael designs and builds ready-made and custom furniture and objects crafted from reclaimed from vintage wood and reclaimed sources.
An Extended Fourth of July Celebration in Litchfield
The timing of Litchfield’s fireworks display and the Fourth of July holiday this year creates the opportunity to stretch the Independence Day spirit and celebrating over the course of an entire week – or even longer if you count this week’s free Wednesday evening concert on the Green as the kick-off.
June 26
West Hill Groove Concert,
Litchfield Green
West Hill Groove, which plays Rock, Soul and R&B, is the band for the June 26 free concert on the Litchfield Green, from 6:30 to 8:30. Concerts continue each Wednesday through Aug. 7 (except for July 3.) Bring lawn chairs and picnics or pick up take-out from one of the nearby restaurants. Watch the Litchfield CT Park & Recreation page for updates or weather-related postponements.
June 28
Dim Lights, Thick Smoke at Litchfield Community Center
The Litchfield Community Center’s series of free summer concerts begins June 28 with a show from 7 to 9 p.m. featuring Dim Lights, Thick Smoke. Bill’s Mobile Pizza truck will be on hand. Click here for details and to register.
June 29
Litchfield Historical Society Weekly Walking Tour
The 1 p.m. Litchfield Historical Society walking tours offered on summer Saturdays are the perfect way to discover Litchfield’s vibrant history and explore the town’s celebrated Historic District. Each tour provides visitors with an overview of Litchfield’s history – from the stories behind famous landmarks to anecdotes about past residents to appreciation of prominent buildings.
Tours leave from the Litchfield History Museum (7 South Street) and last approximately 1 hour. The Historical Society also offers special themed tours. To learn more, visit the online calendar for dates and times.
Walking tours, sponsored by Berkshire Alarm, are free for members and $10 for non-members. For parties of 10 or more, contact education@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org for group options.
Community Fireworks Celebration
JUST IN FROM PARK & REC: The community fireworks celebration is postponed because of the weather forecast. A new date will be set and parking passes already purchased will be good for the new date. Stay tuned, and anyone with questions may call the Park & Rec office at 860-567-7569.
Litchfield’s annual fireworks celebration takes place Saturday, June 29, at Litchfield High School. Gates open at 5 p.m. and the fireworks show takes place at dusk, typically just after 9 p.m. There will be food trucks, cotton candy, ice cream, a bounce house, and music by Soul Sound Revue from 6 to 9 p.m. – as well as a cornhole tournament.
Parking is available on the school campus with a pass from Litchfield Park & Recreation. As of June 24, spaces closest to the high school field were sold out but spots remained up the hill at Litchfield Intermediate School. Head to the Park & Rec website to purchase a pass through your account (or after creating an account).
July 3
Heroes of the Revolution Walking Tour
Celebrate Independence Day with the Litchfield Historical Society’s Heroes of the Revolution Walking Tour on Wednesday, July 3, at 5:30 p.m. Guests will discover Litchfield’s Revolutionary history and how Litchfield’s residents contributed to the founding of the nation. The walk will begin at the Litchfield Historical Society and lasts approximately one hour. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a bottle of water. Tours are free for members and $10 for non-members. Register online.
July 4
Litchfield Historical Society’s 26th Annual 4th of July Pet Parade
The Litchfield’s Historical Society’s Annual July 4th Pet Parade returns on Thursday, July 4th, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the Tapping Reeve Meadow behind the Tapping Reeve House and Litchfield Law School at 82 South St.
All pets – dogs, cats, pigs, parakeets, snails, or stuffed animals – are invited to the Tapping Reeve Meadow for a free Independence Day Celebration. Bring your pet to the judge’s booth before joining the parade. After the award ceremony, everyone can enjoy old-fashioned amusements, including sack races, tug-of-war contests, photo booth, and an ice cream social!
This event is free. Pets must be on a leash or in a cage, and if applicable, must be up to date with immunizations. Parade registration begins at 2:15 and the parade will begin after judging is completed. For more information and to pre-register your pet online head to the event listing on the historical society website.
Honoring Litchfield’s Revolutionary War Era Heroes
Each year on July 4th, the Mary Floyd Tallmadge Inc NSDAR and the Gov. Oliver Wolcott Sr. SAR gather at East Cemetery on Route 118 to honor Governor Oliver Wolcott, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge, George Washington’s spymaster, and other Patriots buried there.
The First Litchfield Artillery fires its cannon in their honor, and the Sons of the American Revolution fire their muskets. The gathering begins at 11:30 a.m. Watch the DAR chapter’s Facebook page for further details.
At at 1:30 p.m. at the All Wars Memorial in front of Bantam Cemetery, American Legion Post 44 hosts “Let Freedom Ring” with the First Litchfield Artillery, Oliver Wolcott Sr. SAR, and the Mary Floyd Tallmadge Inc NSDAR to honor the first 13 states with musket and cannon firings. Post 44 warns in its Facebook post: Bring your ear plugs.
July 6
Honoring a World War II Hero
On July 6 at 10 a.m., American Legion Post 44 of Bantam will honor a World War II Army veteran, First Lieutenant Rufus Stillman.
Stillman suffered a severe wound in 1944 while serving with Patton’s 3rd Army in France, according to the event listing. He was honorably discharged upon his return to the U.S. in 1945. Stillman was an officer at the Torin Company in Torrington and lived in Litchfield, where he was active in community service and a big proponent of bringing modern architecture to Litchfield County.
The tribute will take place at the All Wars Memorial in front of Bantam Cemetery and start with the retirement of Nathan Zimmerman’s honor flag. Zimmerman was the June Veteran of the Month. Light refreshments and social time will follow in the Bantam Borough Hall. In case of inclement weather, the tribute will take place in the Bantam Borough Hall.
Litchfield Historical Society Weekly Walking Tour
See details above under June 29.
Road Race Weekend in Litchfield 2024
The 47th annual Litchfield Hills Road Race takes place Sunday, June 9, at 1 p.m. and that means it’s Road Race Weekend in Litchfield with fun & festive events that create a special energy in town. Here’s the scoop of some of the key things happening.
Grill Days at Ace Hardware
Ace Hardware is holding its annual Grill Days event on Saturday, June 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring guest cooks @joseph_que_barbecue and @bigcountrygrillin, food samples, demos from @biggreenegg grills, @traegergrills, @webergrills, @gozney pizza ovens, and a special guest @sipmobilebarct.
Guests can enter to win a Weber Spirit Grill (no purchase necessary), and WZBG radio will be broadcasting live from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Watch the Ace Instagram page for any updates.
Litchfield Marketplace
The Litchfield Marketplace is an arts & craft and vendor fair held on the Litchfield Green the day before the Litchfield Hills Road Race.
Last year, the juried event, taking place rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., featured more than 60 artisans, artists, and makers, as well as nonprofit organizations.
Weekly Walking Tour of Litchfield History
Another in the Litchfield Historical Society’s series of weekly walking tour takes place Saturday, June 8, at 1 p.m.
It’s the perfect way to discover Litchfield’s vibrant history and explore the town’s celebrated Historic District. Each tour provides visitors with an overview of Litchfield’s history – from the stories behind famous landmarks to anecdotes about past residents to appreciation of prominent buildings.
Tours leave from the Litchfield History Museum (7 South Street) and last approximately 1 hour. The Historical Society also offers special themed tours. To learn more, visit the online calendar for dates and times.
Walking tours, sponsored by Berkshire Alarm, are free for members and $10 for non-members. For parties of 10 or more, contact education@litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org for group options.
Block Party
The flier says it all. Be there.
The Road Race
The Litchfield Hills Road Race, begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, with the awards ceremony taking place on the Green at approximately 2:45 p.m. The race begins and finishes on West Street in the town center.
Spectators are welcome and encouraged to attend; just get to town early to get a parking spot. Good options for ease of access include the lot behind Litchfield Town Hall (74 West St.) and the lot behind St. Anthony of Padua Church (49 South St.).
Covering a 7-mile course with the grueling Gallows Hill toward the end, the race draws elite athletes from around the world, and the separate children’s races are popular and fun. There’s also live entertainment at different spots along the race course.
Registration continues until 12:45 on the day of the race. Look for road race booklets around town with all the race details, and follow the LHRR on Instagram for up-to-date notices. See the road race website for more information.
Beyond Litchfield Center
East Litchfield Open House & Exhibit
The East Litchfield Village Improvement Society (ELVIS) is holding a free open house and exhibit at the 1868 East Litchfield Chapel (62 East Litchfield Road South) on June 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., featuring art, artifacts, and home goods made in East Litchfield.
The exhibit will feature Native American artifacts found in East Litchfield, stained glass works and a MOMIX costume designed by Phoebe Katzin, pottery by Kristin Gallagher, metal sculpture by Asa Hall, fine furniture by Troy Brook Visions, a fire grate by Grate Wall of Fire, hand-hooked rugs, and paintings by artists including Austin Purves, Jr., Nancy Roman and Rob Nadeau.
To learn more about ELVIS, whose mission is to preserve, protect and enhance the community of East Litchfield, see the website and the Facebook page. Correspondence and questions may be emailed to elvis.1868.inc@gmail.com.
Topsmead Cottage Tours
Free tours of Miss Edith Morton Chase’s cottage at Topsmead State Forest resume for the 2024 season on June 8 and 9 and are offered on the second and fourth weekend of each month through October.
Tours of the cottage, featuring a collection of art and antiques, are led by Friends of Topsmead State Forest docents. They are first come-first served and run every half-hour from noon to 4:30 p.m. Guests meet at the front door of the cottage.
When you visit, make a cottage tour the highlight of a larger discovery.
The 510 acres of forests and meadows at Topsmead are open year-round for passive recreation including walking, picnicking, bird watching, sledding, and cross-country skiing. Don’t miss the Edith Chase Ecology Trail, a mile-long walk with interpretive signs.
Topsmead, located on Buell Road off Route 118, is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to sunset. Dogs on a leash are welcome, but open fires & grills are not allowed.
Road Race, Fireworks … It’s a Jam-Packed June in Litchfield
So many great things are happening in Litchfield in June that in highlighting 10 of them here, we don’t even scratch the surface. Stay tuned to our Latest Intel page for more as the month deepens, and check the Events Calendar often so you don’t miss out.
June 1, Connecticut Trails Day
Two Litchfield hikes are part of the Connecticut Forest & Park Association‘s CT Trails Day weekend, one revealing the mining history of the Litchfield Land Trust Prospect Mountain Preserve, and the other along White Memorial’s Lake Trail to visit the old ice house ruins and then over to Butternut Brook in search of otter tracks, beaver signs, the calls of frogs, and more.
At this point, only a few spots remain for Prospect Mountain hike, so act fast. There’s more availability for the White Memorial hike – and there are many other hikes in the region and state to connect with. See the full list on the event map here: https://trailsday.org.
Register for the White Memorial hike here and for the Prospect Mountain hike here.
June 1, Learn to Row Day
The Litchfield Hills Rowing Club, Litchfield Park and Recreation, and Meraki invite all curious people ages 12 and older to a free learn to row event and open house at the rowing club on Bantam Lake – though the reserved time slots are full at this point.
Walk-ups are welcome between 9 a.m. and noon, and the rowing club will do its best to get everyone in a boat – or you can also attend just to visit the Meraki food truck, admire the boats, watch the action, and enjoy the lake and town beach area.
See the website to learn more about the rowing club, located off North Shore Road.
Beginning June 8-9, Cottage Tours at Topsmead State Forest
The free tours of Miss Edith Morton Chase’s cottage at Topsmead State Forest resume for the 2024 season on June 8 and 9 and are offered on the second and fourth weekend of each month through October.
Tours of the cottage, featuring Miss Edith’s collection of art and antiques, are led by Friends of Topsmead State Forest docents. They are first come-first served and run every half-hour from noon to 4:30 p.m. Guests meet at the front door of the cottage.
When you visit, make a cottage tour the highlight of a larger discovery.
The 510 acres of forests and meadows at Topsmead are open year-round for passive recreation including walking, picnicking, bird watching, sledding, and cross-country skiing. Don’t miss the Edith Chase Ecology Trail, a mile-long walk with interpretive signs.
Topsmead, located on Buell Road off Route 118, is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to sunset. Dogs on a leash are welcome, but open fires & grills are not allowed.
June 8, Made in East Litchfield Open House/Exhibit
To highlight and showcase the artists, artisans, and makers who live (or have lived) in the village, the East Litchfield Village Improvement Society (ELVIS) is holding a free open house and exhibit at the 1868 East Litchfield Chapel (62 East Litchfield Road South.)
On June 8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., ELVIS will host an exhibit of art, artifacts, and home goods made in East Litchfield. The exhibit will feature Native American artifacts found in East Litchfield, stained glass works and a MOMIX costume by Phoebe Katzin, pottery by Kristin Gallagher, metal sculpture by Asa Hall, fine furniture by Troy Brook Visions, a fire grate by Grate Wall of Fire, hand-hooked rugs, and paintings by artists including Austin Purves, Jr., Nancy Roman and Rob Nadeau (whose painting RockenMutter is shown here).
To learn more about ELVIS, whose mission is to preserve, protect and enhance the community of East Litchfield, see the website and the Facebook page. Correspondence and questions may be emailed to elvis.1868.inc@gmail.com.
June 8 & 9, Block Party and Litchfield Hills Road Race
Always held on the second Sunday in June, the Litchfield Hills Road Race, begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday, June 9, with the awards ceremony taking place on the Green at approximately 2:45 p.m.
Covering a 7-mile course with the grueling Gallows Hill toward the end, the race draws elite athletes from around the world, and the separate children’s races are popular and fun.
Registration continues until 12:45 on the day of the race. Look for road race booklets around town with all the race details, and follow @litchfieldhillsroadrace on Instagram for up-to-date notices.
The the Town of Litchfield CT Parks and Rec department throws a block party with a band from 7 to 10 p.m. in the Litchfield center on the Saturday evening before race day that’s always fun.
See the road race website for more.
June 21, Litchfield Land Trust’s Station Celebration
The Litchfield Land Trust (LLT) will celebrate the formal opening of its headquarters and nonprofit hub at The Station, 28 Russell Street, in an event June 21, from 4 to 6 p.m.
The public is invited to join land trust members, government officials, and others in visiting the building and offices, and enjoying refreshments and live music.
The community of nonprofit organizations at The Station includes the LLT, Litchfield Hills Audubon Society, Friends of the Litchfield Greenway, Litchfield Housing Trust, and Rivers Alliance of CT.
The event is sponsored by the Litchfield Land Trust. RSVPs are appreciated by June 15 at info@litchfieldlandtrust.org or 860-361-9610.
For more information on the LLT, visit LitchfieldLandTrust.org.
June 22, Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy Annual Benefit
The Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy is holding its biggest fundraising effort of the year June 22 under a tent in the middle of the conservancy surrounded by more than 90 species of birds. Tickets are $175 for the event that goes from 6 to 10 p.m.
The Conservancy was founded by S. Dillon Ripley, a former Secretary of the Smithsonian, as a breeding facility for rare species, and an education center for conservationists.
Beginning June 28, Community Center Concert Series
The Litchfield Community Center’s series of FREE summer concerts begins June 28 with a show from 7 to 9 p.m. featuring Dim Lights, Thick Smoke.
Here’s the full lineup:
6/28 – Dim Lights, Thick Smoke
Food: Bill’s Mobile Pizza
For details and to register:
https://thecommunitycenter.org/event.php?id=19029
7/18 – Sperry Creek
Food: BYO picnic and enjoy S’mores at the Firepit
For details and to register:
https://thecommunitycenter.org/event.php?id=19033
8/9 – Hot Cat Jazz Band
Food: BYO picnic and enjoy the Ice Cream Sundae Bar
For details and to register:
https://thecommunitycenter.org/event.php?id=19034
9/6 – Alpaca Gnomes
Food: Meraki’s Food Truck
For details and to register:
https://thecommunitycenter.org/event.php?id=19035
Litchfield Fireworks & Cornhole Tournament
Go to the Park & Recreation website to register and get parking passes for the celebration.
