Events in Southeastern Connecticut Planning Region today

The EMS & FIRE PRO Expo at Mohegan Sun brings together education, hands-on discovery, and networking for the emergency services community. Complimentary admission to a 120,000 square foot exhibit hall invites everyone to explore offerings from more than 180 exhibitors, featuring the latest in response equipment, fire apparatus, ambulances, medical technology, communication tools, software, uniforms, and more. A dedicated pre-conference day features the Pediatric Symposium and the Weathering the Storm Summit, uniting emergency managers, meteorologists, healthcare professionals, and first responders to strengthen cross-discipline preparedness and response. Throughout the week, attendees can choose from over 100 sessions led by nationally recognized instructors and industry leaders, covering EMS, fire service, leadership, and emergency readiness for every level of responder, including EMRs, EMTs, AEMTs, paramedics, firefighters, dispatchers, police officers, nurses, physicians, students, and emergency managers. Evening social gatherings offer additional time to connect, share ideas, and build camaraderie across departments. Organized by dedicated volunteers serving the first responder and healthcare community, the expo reinvests proceeds to grow and improve the experience each year.

This open sewing time with Laura McCarrick welcomes all kinds of projects, from quilting and machine sewing to handwork, and takes place in a spacious, well lit classroom. A coffee and tea table is available, and lunch can be enjoyed in the shop or at nearby locations. The fee is $20. If you prefer not to bring a machine, rentals are available for $10 for the day. Participants receive a 20% discount on regular priced purchases made during Open Sew.

Health and wellness professionals gather for networking and updates on regional services and providers. A light lunch will be available. The meeting takes place in the Bernard/Desrosier conference room off the main lobby of the hospital. Please park in the main parking lot.

Bank Square Books hosts a conversation and signing with Brittany Perham focused on her memoir, Executrix. The book opens with a pressing question after years of estrangement from her father, who, shortly before he died, named her the executor of his estate. Perham traces the painstaking work of settling a debt-laden estate, drawing on the vocabulary of foreclosure, tax audits, and medical records. As executor she turns scattered facts into a clear ledger for creditors, and as a writer she shapes those same fragments into a narrative accountable to memory. Along the way she examines what it means to grow up with an alcoholic parent, how to live with gaps and silences in recollection, and how truth functions in nonfiction. With a blend of humor, tenderness, and bold formal choices, the memoir probes family histories and secrecy while testing the edges of the genre. The event includes a signing. Perham is also the author of Double Portrait, which received the Barnard Women Poets Prize, The Curiosities, and a collaborative project with Kim Addonizio titled The Night Could Go in Either Direction. Her work appears in publications such as Poetry, Prairie Schooner, Gulf Coast, the Poetry Society of America, and the San Francisco Chronicle. She has been supported by the Civitella Ranieri Foundation, the Hemingway House, the James Merrill House Foundation, Vermont Studio Center, the Wallace Stegner Fellowship Program, and Yaddo. She lives in San Francisco.

Players gather for a friendly Pokémon League event open to all ages and experience levels. Competition is organized into Juniors, Seniors, and Masters divisions. The entry fee is $5, and prize distribution is determined by attendance and final standings.

A rotating bootcamp delivers a different workout each week while keeping the same clear purpose. It is complimentary and open to all men, with the aim of ending feeling stronger than when it began.

At Groton Public Library, beginners can get comfortable with Canva in a guided, hands-on session. Participants will create an account and learn the essential tools needed to start designing with confidence. Try out built-in templates for items such as business cards, greeting cards, flyers, and posters, or begin with a blank page to craft your own design. Enrollment is limited and advance registration is required. For help signing up, call the library at (860) 441-6750. Presented in collaboration with OATS from AARP.

A weekly backgammon meet-up at the library features relaxed play and friendly competition. Beginners and seasoned players are both welcome. Advance registration is required, and space is limited to eight participants. This program is intended for adults.

At Groton Public Library, Jeff Belanger presents a ghostly multimedia program that explores haunted places near home and around the world. Built on 25 years of research across his books, podcasts, adventures, and television projects, the program shares stories of the unusual and the unexplained. Belanger is a storyteller, adventurer, and journalist widely known for investigating the paranormal. He is the author of more than a dozen books available in six languages. He is the Emmy-nominated host, writer, and producer behind the New England Legends series on PBS and Amazon Prime, as well as the weekly New England Legends podcast. He also contributes writing and research to Ghost Adventures and has appeared on numerous television and radio outlets, including History, Travel Channel, Biography Channel, PBS, CBS Sunday Morning, NPR, BBC, and Coast to Coast AM.

Tyler Seton performs live music at Angie's.

Celebrate the Halloween season with an evening at Rum Tropic Distillery in the historic Velvet Mill, featuring readings with psychic medium Tracy Ann. She connects with loved ones in spirit and shares messages described as coming from a higher perspective and guided by love, a calling shaped by the loss of her son to cancer. While a personal reading cannot be guaranteed, the focus is on creating as many meaningful connections as possible. Rum Tropic Distillery is a small batch cane distillery known for tropical vibes and award winning spirits, including recognition as a finalist in CT Magazine's Best of CT. Light refreshments will be available, and guests can purchase select rum cocktails and bottles. Tickets are $40 per person, and all sales are final and nonrefundable. The venue offers ample parking and is handicap accessible. For questions, contact Kelly at (860) 579-4970 or Tracy at (860) 218-5040.

Enjoy free Magic: The Gathering Commander games at The Citadel Game Cellar. There is no entry or table fee, and you can come with friends or arrive solo to meet other players. Beverages are available for purchase, and outside drinks are allowed as long as they are nonalcoholic. Decks and bulk cards are also available to buy if you want to add to your collection.

This casual Commander event features three rounds of play. Achievements earned during matches award Gilt Leaf Games Prize Tickets for added fun and rewards. Entry is $5.

This event features a $10 entry and a prize structure that scales with how many people take part and where participants finish. Everyone receives at least two packs along with a current promo pack. The top finisher also earns an Origins Promo Pack while supplies last.

Stonington Soccer Club’s Junior Sharks offers a playful, age-appropriate soccer experience for children ages 3.5 to 8 at Taugwonk Field in Stonington, CT. Through game-based activities and movement, participants build coordination, balance, confidence, teamwork, and essential soccer skills in a supportive setting. It welcomes both newcomers and kids who already love kicking a ball, with a focus on the whole child... learning, growing, making friends, and having fun. Registration is open for birth years 2019 through 2023 and will remain available in each age group until capacity is reached. Last fall, more than 160 children from Stonington and nearby communities took part.

Browse coolers stocked with frozen lamb, beef, chicken, pork, and eggs. If you already know what you need, place an order in advance online or through the full order form and pick it up at the market. Curbside pickup at the farm is available by appointment. CSA cards come in several sizes, and you can join the email list online to get early word on sales and package deals. Quarters and halves are available year round.

Celebrate cats of every kind at a family-friendly show and costume contest at Ocean Beach Park in New London, CT. See up to 35 breeds and more than 140 purebred and household pet cats as they compete across four judging rings. Judging runs continuously, with separate classes for kittens, championship, premiership, and household pets, and each judge hosts their own mini show. You can settle in to watch the action at the judging tables or stroll the floor to visit with exhibitors between rings. A cat costume contest takes place each day for cats entered in the show. The first 100 children each day receive free cat coloring books. Vendors will be on hand with cat-themed merchandise for pets and people, and food will be available with a food truck planned. A cat rescue will be on site to meet attendees. Some exhibitors may be open to discussing kittens or adults that are waiting at home. Photography is welcome with courtesy, and some cats designated as Pet Me Cats enjoy being petted with permission and hand sanitizing. Tickets are sold at the door and can be paid by credit, debit, or cash. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for seniors 60 plus, veterans, and children ages 5 to 12. Parking is free.

Discover the basics or refine your technique at a free miniature painting event for beginners and those looking to improve. A painting expert shares practical tips and techniques while you work on gaming minis. All materials are provided, including figures, paints, and tools, so the only thing to bring is creativity. This event recurs on the second and fourth Saturday of each month.

Celebrate the season by the water with a family-friendly pumpkin carving gathering at Three Belles Marina. Create a jack-o’-lantern to take home, whether the design is spooky, playful, or a detailed showpiece. The activity welcomes all ages and is priced at $5 per person. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon of fall fun and make festive memories by the waterfront.

Meet authors from Waterford and neighboring towns at an author fair featuring conversations about their creative journeys and opportunities to share their work. Browse new titles, purchase books for yourself or as a gift, and get copies signed by the writers. This is a drop-in event. Light refreshments will be available. No registration is required. This free program is open to all.

At Foxwoods Resort Casino, Dinner in the Dark offers a sensory dining experience that supports Hope in Focus and its mission to advance treatments for inherited retinal diseases. Guests can look forward to a cocktail reception, a gourmet meal enjoyed blindfolded, live and silent auctions, dancing, and additional activities. Tickets are $175 per person, and a 20/20 Vision table for eight is $2,020. A free Hope in Focus IRD seminar is planned prior to the event, with further details to be announced.

Enjoy music from Chris Marolda at Fresca Tequila Bar & Grill, paired with food and drinks.

Sails Up 4 Cancer trivia is a chance to put your knowledge to the test with a trivia game.

Branded's Halloween party highlights costume creativity with cash awards for the sexiest costume, the most original idea, and the best couple. Wear your standout look and invite friends for a fun night.

Designed for dancers moving from beginner to improver and for improver students seeking extra support with more difficult footwork, this two hour workshop focuses on the steps needed to feel confident with higher level dances. The aim is to make the transition smoother, speed up progress, and add enjoyment in improver classes and at open dance sessions held here as well as at The Mishnock Barn. Please check the discussion section for what to know before attending, including the list of beginner steps. The fee is $30 per person. A 15 minute break is planned, so bringing a snack and a drink is encouraged. RSVP is requested, and the workshop will run with a minimum of six participants. Online sign up is available.

This Yugioh tournament has a $10 entry fee. The winner is guaranteed a box, and pack prizes increase based on attendance.

A treat truck will be at the yearly trunk or treat event, serving cool treats throughout. Visit the truck to trick or treat and enjoy something sweet while you are there.

Turn tummy time into a high-energy play session with a neon-themed baby rave filled with dancing and bouncing. Expect a cheerful atmosphere, lively movement, and upbeat music to stimulate babies’ brains, along with familiar lap bounces and finger plays. This special program takes place on the last Monday of each month.

A spooky Halloween party fundraiser takes place at Mel's Downtown Creamery Colchester in support of the CES PTO. Enjoy sweet treats in a festive setting where costumes are welcome but not required. Halloween games, treats, and crafts will be on hand for extra fun, and the creamery will donate a portion of all sales to benefit the CES PTO.

Free Magic: The Gathering Commander games are hosted at The Citadel Game Cellar. Sessions are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. There is no fee to participate or to use a table. Attend with friends or come solo to meet other players. Beverages are available for purchase, and you may bring your own drinks as long as they are non-alcoholic. Decks and bulk cards are also available to buy.

This casual book club gathering at TAQUERIO in Mystic, Connecticut centers on a discussion of this month’s selection, and also offers a playful, spooky vibe for those who simply want to enjoy the atmosphere.

A welcoming postpartum parent group at Backus Hospital in Norwich, CT provides a friendly space to connect with others caring for newborns and little ones. It centers on offering support to families through the first two years of a child’s life. Babies and partners are welcome and encouraged to attend.

Pick up a convenient lunch to go, open to all. Every dollar from sales helps fund programs at Easterseals Veterans Rally Point.

Get into the Halloween spirit with a mix of spooky science and playful make-believe. Kids and families can explore eerie experiments, bubbly potions, and magic wands while educators lead demonstrations and hands-on activities throughout the event. All activities are included with Museum admission. Wear a costume to receive $1 off Museum admission.

Residents of East Lyme, Niantic, and Waterford are encountering coyotes more often in their neighborhoods, which raises understandable questions about safety and how to respond. This seminar offers straightforward guidance on what to do when a coyote is seen and when concern is warranted. Dr. Mark Karaska, a former Connecticut State Park Ranger as well as a wildlife enthusiast and naturalist, leads an informal, informative look at the coyotes living alongside people. The discussion covers how to protect pets and minimize conflicts, practical steps to make yards less appealing to coyotes, how to react if one approaches, and the reasons behind their howls, barks, and cries, including what different sounds can signal. The program also highlights the intelligence, curiosity, and adaptability of these wild dogs, encouraging a clearer understanding that can make coexistence safer for families and local wildlife. Open to all.

Settle in for some reading time with Dune at Bill Library. This therapy dog frequently visits libraries and schools in the area with handler Lauren Rugh, a veterinary technician. The experience is open to the first ten families, and each family will have six minutes with Dune. Dune and Lauren are Ledyard residents, and they visit the library on a monthly basis.

One Piece Constructed Tuesdays is a constructed-format event with a $10 entry fee. Prizing is based on attendance.

This recurring event features a $10 entry fee. Prize support depends on turnout and is awarded as Gilt Leaf Games Prize Tickets.

Step into a Halloween trivia night at Jealous Monk if you dare, where playful chills meet festive fun. The quiz celebrates the season with questions on haunted homes, iconic creatures, trick-or-treat customs, spooky and family-friendly films, costumes, candy, and supernatural lore. Expect a wide range of topics that span traditions, folklore, pop culture, history, haunted attractions, and the moments that have made Halloween beloved. Familiarity with jack-o'-lanterns and pumpkins, ghosts and witches, vampires and werewolves, as well as figures like Dracula and the Headless Horseman, could come in handy... and so might knowing the difference between candy corn and caramel apples or a black cat and a full moon.