Essex Board of Trade

09/06/2026

The Essex Scarecrow Contest and FestiFall have become a much-loved community tradition, bringing creativity, fun, and local spirit to the Main Streets of Centerbrook, Essex, and Ivoryton each fall!

Every year, residents, businesses, and organizations design and build scarecrows to display on lamp posts throughout town. This year’s theme is “Haunted History”!

Scarecrow drop-off is September 29th and 30th at Essex Plaza Laundry.

The scarecrows will be on display all October, so stroll the streets, snap photos, and share your favorites!

Voting to start Saturday, October 3rd online at essexct.com

09/04/2026

$80 for 80
A simple gift celebrating an extraordinary legacy.

Ways to Donate:
1. Link on our website: https://essexartassociation.com/
2. Scan the QR code
3. Mail check to: EAA, PO Box 193, Essex, CT 06426

For 80 years, our cherished yellow building in the heart of Essex has been a place where creativity, community, and connection come together. Whether you have exhibited with us, volunteered with us, purchased a work of art, attended an opening reception, visited our gallery, or simply believe in the importance of the arts, we hope you’ll consider making a gift today.

We invite you to make an $80 gift in honor of EAA’s 80th anniversary for this year’s annual appeal. Help keep EAA inspiring artists and enriching our community now, and in the future!


Experience Essex

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

Sweet Dreams are made of cheese! 💤🌙
National Cheese Pizza Day is Saturday, September 5th. 🧀 But Brickside is celebrating all weekend long with our specialty Cheesy Garlic Pizza! Don’t sleep on this pie, it’s too Gouda to miss!

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

08/26/2026

We’re thrilled to announce that Rachel O’Grady’s photo, “Still River Sunrise”, is the winner of the Essex Board of Trade’s 2nd Annual Photo Contest!

The winning framed photo will be on display at the Essex Art Association for the month of September, starting with the “Celebrating EAA’s 80th” Opening Reception:
☀️Friday, September 4th
☀️6:00–8:00 pm
🌟Essex Art Association Gallery, 10 North Main Street, Essex, CT

A huge thank you to everyone who voted and to the Essex Art Association Board for making the final selection. Your support helped make this contest a celebration of creativity and our beautiful community. Come see it in person and celebrate the talent that shines in Essex!

08/25/2026

An 80th Anniversary is something to celebrate, and we are excited to share details about the upcoming show with the theme “Celebrating EAA’s 80th”!

The annual meeting will start at 5 pm, followed immediately by the opening reception, with awards at 7 pm.

The winner of the Essex Board of Trade’s 2nd Annual Photo Contest will be on display. We will have chef-created small bites, w**e, refreshments, and sweets by JOY Chocolate Co and the Marshmallow Factory. There will be a raffle for a free EAA 2027 membership!

🌟Please join us in celebrating our 80th year; admission is free!🤩🎉

08/25/2026

🎾 EXCITING UPGRADES COMING TO GROVE STREET TENNIS COURTS! 🎾

We’re giving the Grove Street Tennis Courts a fresh new look!

🛠️ The Town of Essex – Government courts will be CLOSED September 8–13 for resurfacing and restoration.

This project will refresh the playing surface and help keep our courts in great condition for our community to enjoy for years to come. 🎾✨

We appreciate everyone’s patience while the work is being completed and can’t wait to welcome players back to our newly resurfaced courts!

Thank you for your patience while we improve Grove Street Park! 💚