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 [email protected].
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 [email protected] 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.
