🌱CT Open House Day​ on Saturday + Sea Music Festival In Essex​

Morning, everybody! I'm back with your fresh edition of the Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Let's get this Friday started off right, with a quick dive into the most important things happening around town. Today we'll cover:

• CT Sea Music Festival this weekend.
• Connecticut Open House Day on Saturday.
• Looking for a new fluffy friend?

But first, today's weather:

An afternoon thundershower. High: 66 Low: 52.

From our sponsor:

Today’s Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter possible.

Here are the top stories today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

1. The 2nd Annual CT Sea Music Festival will take place in historic downtown Essex today through the end of the weekend June, 12th. The festivities are free and include a Symposium on the Music of the Sea, daytime workshops, a parade, a family stage, demonstrations of sailor skills, a Sunday morning revival hymn sing, and late-night Chantey Sings in the historic Griswold Inn! Main-stage evening concerts are ticketed events. Stroll Essex and listen to sea chanteys and maritime music from all over the world. Parking is available in designated lots with free shuttles provided. The festival is a project of the Maritime Music & Tradition Society Corp, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It is sponsored by CT Humanities and receives support from the Paul Foundation and The Griswold Inn. (Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch)
2. Over 200 tourism attractions throughout the great state of Connecticut will be offering free or reduced admission this weekend as part of Connecticut Open House Day, which takes place on Saturday, June 10. Click here for a list of participating attractions. (Connecticut Public)
3. If you've been hoping to add a fluffy ball of four-legged love and affection to your family, start with these shelters in and around Essex-Chester-Deep River for a pet who needs a home.
   There are thousands of dogs, cats and other animals of all ages, sizes and breeds without a home across Connecticut — and many of them are located in your area. Looking to adopt a lovable new companion? A great place to start your search is at Forgotten Felines Inc, where Twinnie the cat is waiting patiently, or another local adoption center. If you aren't sure if you have time to take care of a pet year round, many shelters also offer opportunities to foster pets until they are placed in appropriate homes.(Patch)

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Today in Essex-Chester-Deep River:

Friday, June 9

• Spring Into Stories: Pre-K Storytime (Ages 3-5) (10:30 AM)
• 2nd Annual CT Sea Music Festival (11:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• Town of Deep River: "If you missed the Memorial Day Parade/Ceremony and the Time Capsule Ceremony in Deep River on May 29th, you may view the ceremonies at the link below. A big thank you to Emily Miner from VSCTV for the recordings." (Town of Deep River via Facebook)
• Ivoryton Library Association: "How to avoid the particulates? Stay inside. Read a book. We can help." (Ivoryton Library Association via Facebook)
• Town of Essex – Government: "Do you know about the Betty Pierson Shed located at the Essex Transfer Station? This area provides a drop off location for reusable items that residents want to offer to their neighbors." (Town of Essex – Government via Facebook)
• Essex Library: "Summer Reading is right around the corner! Sign up for Summer Reading at our Summer Reading Kickoff this Saturday, June 10, at 1 PM at Grove Street Park! Can't make it? That's OK; stop by the Essex Library next week to sign up." (Essex Library via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• St. Mary's craft fair 9:00 am to 2 pm (June 10)
• Awaken the Forest Within (June 10)
• T-Mobile Tuesdays: Get Free Stuff And Great Perks Every Week (June 13)
• Add your event

You're all caught up for today! I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update.

— Karena Garrity

About me: Journalism is in my veins. I have been a community reporter for the better part of the past 20 years. I love my community and I am honored to be a part of Patch.com. You can reach me at; karena.garrity@patch.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Essex-Chester-Deep River Patch newsletter? Contact me at karena.garrity@patch.com