🚶‍♂️ Hartford’s Riverwalk is marching 2+ miles north into Windsor - funded and set to break ground in about 18 months.

I just got back from a weekend in Philly - did the full Rocky run up the steps, arms in the air, zero shame. On the ride home I started wondering: what movies were actually filmed around the Hartford area? Turns out, more than you’d think.

Here are a few I dug up:

Sabotage (2014) - Arnold Schwarzenegger’s gritty DEA thriller grabbed pick‑up shots in downtown Hartford, adding the city to its long list of real‑world locations.

Everybody’s Fine (2009) - Robert De Niro’s family drama pauses in Hartford for several travel‑sequence exteriors during his cross‑country visit to the kids.

My Soul to Take (2010) - Wes Craven shot much of his slasher inside the then‑vacant Tolland High School - about 20 minutes east of Hartford, giving the region a starring role.

Pawn (2013) - Forest Whitaker and Ray Liotta staged their diner stand‑off in a former Friendly’s on South Main Street, West Hartford.

The Witches of Oz / Dorothy and the Witches of Oz (2011) - This fantasy miniseries used Hartford (among other CT cities) as modern‑day Emerald City backdrops.

It Happened to Jane (1959) - Doris Day’s romantic comedy briefly rolls through Hartford for a pivotal train‑station rendezvous.

 The Featherweight (2023) - Venice‑festival boxing biopic about Willie Pep was filmed almost entirely in Hartford neighborhoods and venues.

Midas (2024) - TJ Noel‑Sullivan’s indie heist drama is a full‑on love letter to the capital, shot exclusively on Hartford streets and inside local businesses.

Rising Star (2013) - Hartford‑made rom‑com that tracks an overworked insurance adjuster across Hartford, Manchester, and Newington.

Have you seen any of them? Spot any familiar streets? Let me know any I missed or just reach out to say hi!

The Hartford Food Truck Festival is back - it’s basically a cheat day on wheels wrapped in a party. This Saturday (8/2), the courtyard outside the Webster Theatre (31 Webster St) turns into flavor central with 15+ food trucks slinging everything from birria tacos and lobster mac to fried dough you’ll definitely pretend to share (you won’t). It’s loud, it’s delicious, it’s semi-chaotic in the best way possible.

Live music all day from local bands keeps the energy high, while a Family Fun Zone with a bounce house and face painting gives the kids something to do while you chase down the best brisket in a five-block radius. And if you're feeling bold (or just want a good story), don’t miss the Hot Dog Eating Contest - whether you're competing or just watching someone else's stomach turn into a cautionary tale.

No tickets, no pretentious menus - just good food, good music. Come hungry, leave full, possibly with mustard on your shirt.

🥗 Bristol’s new Fresh & Green Plate is dishing Mediterranean bowls, wraps, and plates: fresh, fast, and built your way.

🌮 Señor Pancho’s is back in Southington (151 Queen St), moving into the former El Sombrero spot and bringing a hometown favorite back to life.

🍪 Avon’s Crumbl (315 West Main St) just scored Test Kitchen status, get ready for experimental flavors to land here before anywhere else in CT.

Piggy backing on last week’s word scramble I wanted to talk a bit more about this local gem. Elizabeth Park is Hartford’s 102‑acre mic‑drop: a gift from railroad treasurer Charles M. Pond in 1894 on the condition the city name it after his late wife, Elizabeth, and let the Olmsted Brothers weave their landscape wizardry. Opened in 1897 and now on the National Register of Historic Places, the park straddles Hartford and West Hartford with rolling lawns, ponds, and those century‑old greenhouses that make plant nerds weak in the knees.

But the real showstopper is the Helen S. Kaman Rose Garden - 2.5 fragrant acres that pack in roughly 15,000 bushes and 800 varieties. Launched in 1904 as America’s first municipal rose garden, it nearly got bulldozed in the ’70s until locals rallied with a “save the roses” war‑cry. Today the iron arches explode in June like a floral fireworks finale, drawing selfie‑seekers and botanists alike - and yes, it’s still free to wander and sniff to your heart’s content.

Avon | Adult Art Club | 3-5PM - Grab your sketchpad and settle into a relaxed creative flow at Avon Public Library (281 Country Club Rd). Whether you're a doodler or a seasoned painter, this drop-in session is all about good vibes and even better art. Materials provided or BYO. Free Registration

Manchester | Music Bingo | 6:30PM - It’s bingo, but with bangers. Head to Elicit Brewing Co. (165 Adams St) for a night of beats, brews, and bingo cards. Music rounds switch genres fast, stay sharp, sing loud, win prizes.

Simsbury | Chakra Meditation w/ Crystal Healing Bowl | 7:15-8:15PM $ - Slow your scroll and center your soul at Wisdom of The Ages (1618 Hopmeadow St). Guided chakra meditation meets sound bath bliss with healing drums and crystal bowls. Namaste for real.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Bristol - Rockwell Park | Al Fenton Big Band | 6:30PM
⬢ Enfield - Town Green | Project 267 | 6:30PM
⬢ Hartford - State House Square | Sweetie Belle | 12-1PM
⬢ Manchester - Marc Inc | Still Kickin w/ Big City Horns | 6:30PM
⬢ Windsor Locks - Veteran’s Memorial Park | Drivetime | 7PM

Plainville | Chell’s Charcuterie Class | 6:30-8PM $ - Learn how to build a stunning charcuterie board that’ll impress your in-laws, coworkers, and Instagram followers. Held at Transcend Beer (45 Northwest Dr), Chell’s step-by-step class includes all the goodies and tips for that picture-perfect board. Register

Weatogue | Farmington Valley Folk Jam | 6-9PM - Head to Talcott Mountain Collective (140 Nod Rd) for a down-home evening of acoustic magic. This jam welcomes all skill levels and instruments. BYO banjo, voice, or just your ears.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Glastonbury - Riverfront Park | Town Band | 6:30PM
⬢ Hartford - Black Eyed Sally’s | Rory Allen | 7-10PM
⬢ Manchester - Wickham Park | Silver Fox String Band | 6PM
⬢ New Britain - Walnut Hill Park | Leaf Jumpers | 7PM
⬢ Newington - The Flying Monkey | Abreu Latin Jazz ft. William Mendoza | 6-10PM
⬢ Southington - Town Green | Rave On | 7-9PM
⬢ Suffield - Town Green | Fever | 6-8PM
⬢ West Hartford - Elizabeth Park | Mass-Conn-Fusion | 6:30-8PM

East Windsor | Beginners Tarot & Oracle Workshop | 6-7:30PM $ - Peek into your future at G.W. Botique & Craft Studio (35 South Main St) without scrolling your ex’s Instagram. This beginner-friendly divination class is the intro to mystical vibes you didn’t know you needed. BYO curiosity. Tix

Enfield | Italian Fest (7/31 - 8/3) | 5-11PM $ - The Feast starts today! Zeppole, meatballs, and accordion music- the trifecta of Italian summer. Mt. Carmel Society (99 Park Ave) kicks off this 4-day food-and-faith fest Thursday night with a candlelit procession and old-school charm. Wear stretchy pants. More Info

Hartford | Yard Goats First Responders Night | 7:10PM $ - The Goats take the field at Dunkin’ Park (1214 Main St) with sirens, flashing lights, and firefighter mustaches in full force. Special tributes and fireworks included. Get Passes

Manchester | Comic: Matt Kirshen | 7PM $ - Dry British humor + American crowd = comedy gold. Matt’s been on AGT and Conan, now he’s at Funny Bone (194 Buckland Hills Dr). Expect clever, quick, and a little weird. Admission

Manchester | Magic & Beyond w/ David Garrity | 11AM $ - Abracadabra, your kid’s obsessed. David Garrity brings illusions, laughs, and a little Harry Potter energy to Wickham Park (1329 Middle Tpke West). $7 per vehicle to enter Wickham Park.

Southington | Free CT Wine Class | 6-7:15PM - Finally, a class you can ace while drinking. Local wine pros spill the secrets at Worldwide Wine & Spirits (480 Queen St). Free, but RSVP before it fills up like a solo cup at a vineyard tailgate. RSVP

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Avon - Town Green | The Substitutes | 6-8PM
⬢ East Hartford - Great River Park | Soul Sound Revue | 6-8PM
⬢ Hartford - Parkville Market | Aaron Wilson | 6-9PM
⬢ Hartford - Arch Street Tavern | Matt Dwonszyk & Friends | 9PM $
⬢ Manchester - Ryan’s Sports Bar | Bike Night & Black Sabbath Tribute | 5-8PM
⬢ Manchester - Center Memorial Park | String Theory Bluegrass | 6-8PM
⬢ Newington - The Flying Monkey | Mike Child’s Jazz | 6-10PM
⬢ Newington - Mill Pond Park | Wooden Horse | 6:30PM
⬢ South Windsor - Evergreen Walk | NightShift | 7-9PM
⬢ Tariffville - Town Green | Iron Horse | 6-8PM

Berlin | 90’s vs 00’s R&B & Hip-Hop Sip & Paint | 7-9PM $ - The Pearson Events Venue (2590 Berlin Turnpike) becomes a creative throwback party: paint to the beat, sip, and show off your best era-inspired drip. Tix

Bristol | Neon Night Float Nights | 6-9PM $ - Head to Rockwell Park pool (234 Jacobs St) for glow-in-the-dark floats, neon beats, LED light-up lounge, DJ, Foam Pit and chill vibes. Register

East Granby | Farms Playscape Grand Opening | 7-9PM - New outdoor adventure zone at Farms Playscape (79 N. Main St). Slides, swings, farm animals, face painting, balloon twisting, and a giant bubble station. Family-packed fun.

East Hartford | Art & Tacos | 7:30PM-12AM - ART N TACOS pops into East Hartford (775 Silver Lane) with fresh art, hot tacos, and good vibes. Come hungry, leave inspired. Gain Access

Glastonbury | Dog‑ust Party | 5-8PM - It’s a birthday party for shelter pups at Hops on the Hill (275 Dug Rd)! Expect dog cake, people cake, adoptable dogs, photo ops, beer, and enough tail wags to cure your workweek blues.

Manchester | Comic: Troy Bond | 7PM & 9:30PM $ - TikTok’s favorite New Yorker brings the hot takes and mic drops to Funny Bone (194 Buckland Hills Dr). He’s fast, funny, and brutally relatable. Secure your spot

Manchester | Greater Hartford Disc Open (8/1-8/3) | 9AM-7PM - Wickham Park (1329 Middle Tpke W) becomes disc golf Mecca for a 3-day tournament. Come watch the pros chuck plastic. More Info

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Bristol - Bleachers | Chamed | 8-11PM
⬢ Broad Brook - Opera House | Captain Mike & The Shipwrecked - Jimmy Buffet Tribute | 8PM $
⬢ Hartford - Black Eyed Sally’s | 69 and Beyond | 7PM $
⬢ Hartford - Arch St Tavern | Pat Stone & Attention Rebellion | 9PM $
⬢ Manchester - The Hungry Tiger | Shakedown | 6:30-10PM
⬢ Marlborough - The Farm at Carter Hill | Friday Night Bites ft. Brother Earl | 6PM
⬢ Newington - Angryhair | Nekropolis | 8PM-2AM $
⬢ Windsor - Dudleytown Brewing Co | Booyah | 6-9PM

Broad Brook | Sam Tripoli & Eddie Bravo Comedy | 8PM $ - Spike your night with alt-comedy and conspiracy theories from two big names at Broad Brook Opera House (107 Main St). Think brains, buzz, and belly laughs. Passes

Hartford | Hartford Food Truck Festival | 2-6PM - Webster Theatre courtyard (31 Webster St) transforms into a foodie fest with 15+ trucks and live beats. Bring your appetite.

Hartford | Spooky Popcorn: Candyman | 8PM - Free horror flick under the stars in downtown Hartford’s Constitution Plaza. Blankets encouraged, screams welcome, snacks are mandatory.

Hartford | Taste of the Caribbean Festival | 1-9PM - Steel pan bands, jerk chicken, dance tents, and a children’s village at Mortensen Riverfront Plaza (300 Columbus Blvd).

Rocky Hill | Dinosaur State Park Day | 10AM-3PM - Dino digs, live animals, fossil activities, games, crafts, science stations, and food trucks at Dinosaur State Park (400 West St). Free family fest.

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Glastonbury - Hops on the Hill | Mavconn | 2-5PM
⬢ Berlin - The Truck Bar | The Syndicate | 8-11PM
⬢ East Granby - Almost Famous Brewing | Whiskey Traveler | 6-8PM
⬢ Hartford - Xfinity Theatre | Nelly with Ja Rule & Eve | 7:30PM $
⬢ Hartford - The Webster | T’Swan | 8PM $
⬢ Manchester - The Main Pub | Shout! Tribute to Fleetwood Mac & Tom Petty | 9PM
⬢ West Hartford - Blue Back Square | Stay Tuned Band | 6:45-9PM

Manchester | Comic: Christian Johnson | 6PM $ - Viral comedian “Uncle Nathaniel” hits Funny Bone Comedy Club (194 Buckland Hills Dr) with clean, crowd‑pleasing humor. This one sells out. Secure Entry

LIVE MUSIC

⬢ Granby - Lost Acres Vineyard | Jeff Blaney Trio | 1-4PM
⬢ Hartford - Xfinity Theatre | Pantera | 7PM $
⬢ Suffield The Shamrock Cafe | Just Go With It | 2-5PM

Rocky Hill | CT Veteran Grown Farmers’ Market | 3-6PM - Shop locally grown produce and artisan goods from Connecticut’s veteran farmers at the VA campus (287 West St). Expect food trucks, a live military band performance by RipChord from 4-5PM, and zero cover - just support for heroes hustling soil.