Events in Mansfield today

Created by Charlie Strickland for his wife, Suzette, after her 2019 AML leukemia diagnosis, this tournament reflects her journey and the care she received from Dr. Kapur and the team at Eastern Connecticut Hematology and Oncology, also known as ECHO. Now in remission, and after witnessing the financial challenges faced by fellow patients, the Stricklands partnered with The ECHO Cancer Foundation. Donations are kept local to support oncology patients in Eastern Connecticut, and all proceeds from the tournament benefit The ECHO Cancer Foundation. Registration and sponsorship opportunities are available.

Open Sew with Laura McCarrick runs on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, providing relaxed, self-guided time to work on quilting, sewing, or handwork projects in a spacious, well lit classroom. A coffee and tea table is available, and lunch can be enjoyed in the shop or at nearby spots. The fee is $20. If bringing a machine is not convenient, a rental is available for the day for $10. Purchases made during Open Sew receive a 20 percent discount on regular priced items.

A mix of creative art and craft projects introduces different art forms for families to try together. This event is geared toward elementary age children and their parents. Siblings are welcome.

Part of the 5th Annual Taste of the Park Dinner Series, this New England clambake gathers guests under The Cabin’s dining tent for a feast prepared by Chef Asim, featuring a choice of steamed lobster or grilled steak with classic accompaniments. The schedule includes a Cocktail Hour in the Hilltop Gardens, where Park Emeritus Jeff Maron shares the story of Wickham’s Cabin, accompanied by live cello music from Ryan Mitten. A cash bar will be available inside The Cabin. Pricing follows market rates. To reserve seating, call 860-528-0856. Wickham Park is a nonprofit organization that receives no federal, state, or local funding.

A weekly Pokémon league welcomes participants in three age groups, with divisions for Juniors, Seniors, and Masters. Entry is $5, and prizes are awarded based on attendance and final standings.

Kids can be dropped off for a creative clay session where they craft spooky, Jellycat-inspired magnets using simple handbuilding techniques. Instructors guide participants through shaping, adding facial features, and finishing playful details that make each character their own while nurturing imagination along the way. All materials are provided and each child will have a reserved seat. The project is beginner-friendly and welcoming to all experience levels. Dinner is included with registration, with a choice of grilled cheese, PB&J, or a turkey sandwich. This program is for ages 6 and up. Advance registration is required to secure a spot, and each child must be registered individually since walk-ins are not accepted. Check-in opens 10 minutes before the start, so please plan to arrive within that window. Staff leads the entire session and offers assistance as needed.

Set aside a weekend to dive into creative projects with everything you need included. For $275, participants receive two dinners to keep inspiration flowing, two hearty breakfasts to start each day, and a Saturday afternoon snack for an extra boost. Each crafter gets a six foot personal workspace to spread out supplies and focus on making. Optional add-on classes in card making or scrapbooking are available for $50 each. Expect plenty of time for creativity, connection, and fun from start to finish.

Preacher Dogs make their debut at Priam Vineyards with a high energy psychedelic rock set filled with feel good vibes. The performance journeys through classics from the 60s and 70s, featuring music by The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Cream, The Rolling Stones, Deep Purple, Joe Cocker, John Lennon, Steppenwolf, Cheap Trick, and more.

Friday Night Magic Commander is a casual, three round Commander event. Achievements earned during play award Gilt Leaf Games Prize Tickets, and entry is $5.

Riftbound Nexus Night features a $10 entry fee with prize support tied to attendance and final standings. Every participant receives at least two packs no matter where they finish, along with a current promo pack. First place also earns an Origins Promo Pack while supplies last.

This free meditation walk begins at the gazebo with a warmup inspired by Qigong and a brief meditative word. It continues with a quiet loop around Spaulding Pond and concludes with time to reflect on the experience from the silent walk. All are welcome.

Explore climate science in a hands-on workshop built around a 42 card collaborative game. Participants work in teams of four to seven to trace cause and effect relationships that drive climate change, then turn those insights into ideas for collective action. Appropriate for teens and adults ages 14 and older.

Take part in a constructed Yu-Gi-Oh! tournament at The Grid Games. The entry fee is $10, and you receive two OTS packs when you enter. For every eight players, a box is added to the prize pool.

This weekly booster draft features three rounds of Swiss play. The entry fee is $20. Players receive one booster pack for each win, with prizes handed out at the end.

Bring a constructed One Piece deck or use a starter deck at Lotus Games to take part in OP17 store battles celebrating the fourth anniversary of One Piece. These weekly tournaments feature Bandai rewards while supplies last and plenty of bragging rights, with a $5 entry fee and store credit for top placements. The focus is on building the One Piece community in Colchester.

At Cheney Hall, Simply the Best pays homage to the trailblazing women who electrified 80s rock. Featuring Dana Daddio, this six-piece band unites musicians from New York and New Jersey with backgrounds in musical theater and high profile tribute performances. Expect reimagined arrangements, energetic medleys, and polished stagecraft that celebrate the era’s power and attitude. The set highlights hits made famous by Tina Turner, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, Cyndi Lauper, Cher, Stevie Nicks, Heart, and Blondie, capturing the spirit of songs that continue to light up a room. Ticket options start at $17.25, and prices may change. Seating choices include cabaret tables with intimate four-person seating and a complimentary beverage from the bar. Guests may bring food to enjoy before and during the program. Outside beverages are not permitted, and additional drinks are available for purchase. Other sections are available at varying price points, including General Side Section Regular at $17.25, General Side Section Gold at $23.25, General Center Section Regular at $33.25, General Center Section Gold at $39.25, and Table Seat at $59.25. Sponsored by Tires International and Matrix.

Boost both results and enjoyment in the obedience ring with a seminar centered on the real demands of competition. Explore often overlooked details in training and mindset that shape success at trials, with a focus on preparing both handler and dog for a confident ring performance. The material welcomes competitors at every stage, from beginners to teams pursuing the highest levels of AKC and CDSP obedience, and Rally handlers will find useful insights as well. Ten working teams can participate directly, and auditing is available without a cap. Attendees should arrive ready to try new approaches and have fun. Dogs in working spots need to be friendly or neutral with people and other dogs and comfortable working on the floor around others. If a dog is noisy when not actively working, plan to use a car crate or keep them occupied with a chew to maintain a focused environment.

Nightshift returns to the historic Cheney Hall for its fourth concert at this venue. The performance offers several seating options, with cabaret seating at $48 and a variety of general section choices that include center section at $34, center aisle at $36, side aisle at $26, and left or right sections at $24. Discounts are available for seniors, students, military personnel, and groups. Early ticket purchase is recommended, as previous performances have sold out.

In the Peck Room, young brick enthusiasts can take on a building challenge or design their own creation, with finished builds put on display. This activity is for ages 5 to 12. No registration is needed.

WomenHeart, The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease, is a national, patient-centered organization focused on women’s heart health through support, education, and advocacy, serving millions of American women who live with heart disease or are at risk. The WomenHeart of Hartford Support Network is a peer-led group where women living with heart disease can connect with one another and learn. It offers emotional support, practical information, and advocacy resources that aid recovery, strengthen well-being, and empower informed health care decisions. This group welcomes women from Hartford, Connecticut and neighboring communities who are living with heart disease or who may be at risk.

Jesse and Tom host a relaxed community walk on the MHS track. All ages and fitness levels are invited, and participants choose their own pace and number of laps, whether that is one or many. Stay for whatever length of time works for you. The focus is spending time outdoors with neighbors, friends, and family in a safe, welcoming atmosphere and getting some fresh air together. No one will try to sell anything. The only expectation is kindness, encouragement, and mutual support on the path to healthier living. This group also meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at the MHF athletic complex when the space is available and not in use by the high school.

This fundraiser supports the Colchester Soccer Club, with a portion of sales during the event directly benefiting the club and its young athletes. Purchases made in that window help strengthen support for these athletes.

Enter a constructed-format Yu-Gi-Oh! tournament for $10. Participants receive two OTS packs upon entry, and play spans three Swiss-pairing rounds. After the final round, prizing is awarded at a rate of one pack per win.

This supportive gathering brings together parents with newborns and young children to connect, share experiences, and find encouragement during the first two years of family life. Babies and partners are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Pick up a grab and go lunch open to everyone. Proceeds benefit programs at Easterseals Veterans Rally Point. Available every Tuesday.

A One Piece constructed event with a $10 entry fee. Prizes will be awarded based on the number of participants.

Design a custom sea glass window in a relaxed, freestyle craft session at Elicit. Your ticket includes the first drink. A prepared window and an assortment of materials are provided, including sea shells, sand, and colored glass, and stencils are available to help shape your design. You are welcome to bring personal items to include, and the process is guided step by step. Because the artwork needs time to cure, finished pieces are picked up the following day. If registering for multiple people, set the top quantity to 1 and then choose the number of frames you want below. If weather requires a change, you may attend the rescheduled date or use a credit toward another Art Lab event at any location. By participating, you agree to hold The Art Lab & Gallery harmless for any injuries that may occur during classes on or off the premises. Materials and frame colors or styles are based on availability, and slight imperfections such as bubbles, cloudiness, resin leaks, or material shifting may occur.

This event has a $10 entry. Prizes scale with attendance and are awarded as Gilt Leaf Games Prize Tickets.