Calendar of Events
- August 3, 2008
Niantic Bay Triathlon
East Lyme will once again serve as host site for the 2008 Niantic Bay Triathlon. The triathlon will be held on Sunday, August 3rd beginning at 07:30 a.m. and features a 1/2 mile swim, 12-mile bike, and a 3.5 mile run through scenic East Lyme with water views and shaded streets. The Niantic Bay Triathlon is a flat, sprint distance race. Come support the athletes, shop for that special gift and dine at one of our many great shoreline restaurants in town.
For additional information about the triathlon, call
Beth Shluger at (860) 652-8866 or visit: Hartford Marathon website- August 14 - August 17, 2008
Bargains By The Bay ~ Annual Sales Event
Come experience shopping at its best in the beautiful and scenic Connecticut shoreline villages of Niantic and Flanders with our annual Bargains By The Bay sales event. This special sales event starts Thursday, August 14th and continues through Sunday, August 17th, and will showcase many of the town's great and unique boutiques and shops.
Come, spend a relaxing day in our villages. Stroll the beautiful tree lined streets in Niantic with beautiful flower displays and park benches to take in the sights, sounds and smells of the shoreline. While in town, visit the mile-long boardwalk or dine one of the many great restaurants throughout town. We're sure you will agree, shopping, and dining, doesn't get much better than this!- August 30 - August 31, 2008
East Lyme Historical Society ~ Flea Market
The East Lyme Historical Society will host a Labor Day Weekend Flea Mark et on Saturday, August 30th and Sunday, August 31st from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additionally, free tours will take place at the Lee House and the Little Boston School House. The Flea Market will take place on the grounds of the Thomas Lee House, Route 156 in Niantic (near Rocky Neck State Park).
ATTENTION FLEA MARKET VENDORS The East Lyme Historical Society’s LABOR DAY FLEA MARKET will be held on Saturday and Sunday, August 30th and 31st, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The Thomas Lee House and Little Boston School House will also be open for free tours. Vendor spaces are going fast, don’t be left out! If you would like to take part, or need more information, let us know by calling 739-6422, or, email info@eastlymehistoricalsociety.org- September 6, 2008
Cookin’ at McCook's BBQ & Boogie
Sponsored by Tumbleweeds East Lyme Parks & Rec, and Niantic Main Street, the 2008 Cookin’ at McCooks Music Festival and Family Fun Day will take place on Saturday September 6th, 2008 from 2:00 - 10:00 pm at McCooks Park Niantic, CT. Featured performers include: Eric Lindell, Deb Callahan, Mike Crandall Band, Joe Moss Band, Sarah Lemieux, Supertones & Redhot & Blue.
Sorry, NO COOLERS will be allowed in the park.
Piggy Roaster’s BBQ, refreshments & more will be available at this Event!
This is a Family Oriented event with a kids Activity Tent, Beach, Tye-Dying, Marine Touch Tank, Face Painting and lots more!
$15 Donation, Free Parking
Bring Chairs, Blankets, and Dancin’ Feet!
RAIN OR SHINE
For additional information, call Tara Wyatt at (860) 739-9018 or visit: www.cookinatmccooks.com- September 13, 2008
Mighty Kids Triathlon
It’s time for your kids to race! Kids, ages six to fifteen years old, take center stage at the Mighty Kids Triathlon on Saturday, September 13, at 9:00 AM in Niantic, CT. This fun triathlon begins with a swim in the clear waters and stone-free beach of Rocky Neck State Park. To avoid the chaos of a mass swim start, it is a wave start for the swim with the children beginning one age group at a time with plenty of distance between swimmers. The swim is under the watchful eyes of volunteer lifeguards who would quickly lend a hand to any swimmer who wants help and/or appears to need help. After a quick transition, the racers hop on their bicycles, to hammer the very flat, closed bike course. There will be strategically placed volunteers monitoring the bike course. Finally, all of the participants complete the run along the nice scenic path of Rocky Neck.
All pre-registered participants are guaranteed to receive a Mighty Kids Triathlon Dry Fit t-shirt. There will be finisher medals for all competitors, trophies for the top finishers, food, and a fun celebration after the race. Make sure your little ones get to be a part of this fun event.
For questions, contact Mary Westkott, Race Director at racedirectors@mightykids.org or call 860-430-3119. For more triathlon information or to register, go to: Mightykidstri.org or active.com- September 21, 2008
Niantic Bay Half Marathon & 5K Road Race
The Niantic Bay Half Marathon and 5K is back for a 2nd year. The race will be held on Sunday, September 21st, at Rocky Neck State Park, Niantic.
This year brings two new additions to the event, a 5K walk and a special health expo. The 5K walk will be held in conjunction with the 5K race and will help raise money for the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Foundation. The health expo, organized by the Chamber's Health Care Council, will provide spectators and participants with free health screenings and information on how to live a healthy lifestyle.
The Run and Walk start is at 10 a.m. with the Marathon start at 10:05 a.m. The event is limited to 1,500 participants. For more information or to register, contact
John Bysiewicz at (203) 481-5933 or visit: www.nianticbayhalfmarathon.com- October 26, 2008
Halloween Parade
Come one, come all, to one of the most highly entertaining events in town ~ the annual Niantic Halloween Parade.
Sponsored by the East Lyme Business Organization, the parade will take place on Sunday, October 26, 2008 beginning at 1:00 p.m., when children are welcome to browse the downtown shops for "Tricks and Treats".
Among the parade's signature features is the always popular Halloween Parade which will begin at 2:00 p.m. (starting at Hole-in-the-Wall)
Candy for the kids and costume prizes to be awarded.
For additional information, contact Terri Smith at 691-0528 or e-mail her at: jsmith5@snet.net- November 29, 2008
5th Annual Holiday Stroll
Come take a Stroll down Historic Niantic Main St, and join the fun for East Lyme's 5th Annual Holiday Stroll (by the sea). This always popluar event is sponsored by the Niantic Main St. organization, and takes place on Saturday, November 29th beginning at 4:00 p.m. Come stroll the streets in historic downtown Niantic and join us for our annual tree lighting with special guest ~ Santa.
Enjoy fabulous discounts by local East Lyme merchants, children's activities, live festive music, refreshments, and free prizes and parking. Complimentary horse-drawn carriage rides will also be provided. So, bring the kids, mom and dad, and come-on-down!- November 30 - December 6, 2008
Home for the Holidays @ Smith Harris House
Come celebrate the holiday spirit at the 3rd Annual “Home for the Holiday’s” sponsored by The Smith-Harris House and Niantic Main St. This year’s event will run from Sunday, November 30th thru Saturday, December 6th, 2008.
The Smith-Harris House and Barn, located at 33 Society Road, will be open all week for this very special holiday celebration. Come enjoy the beautifully decorated historic Smith-Harris home and 25 magically decorated Christmas trees sponsored by local merchants which will be available for purchase at a live and silent auction gala on Saturday, December 6th from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
The week long "Home for the Holidays" event will also feature special programs throughout the week. Some activities to watch for are; an opening day Wassail reception, a Wreath and Greens Sale, refreshments each day, seasonal music presentations, and much much more. For further information or a schedule of specific activities, visit: SmithHarris.org or contact Carol Marelli at: camarelli@sbcglobal.net- December 14, 2008
20th Annual Niantic (East Lyme) Light Parade
Marking its 20th Anniversary, the 2008 Niantic (East Lyme) Light Parade is sure to be an event folks will be talking about. Come join the thousands who line Niantic's Main Street each year for this very special annual holiday event and see the beauty and creativity of the nearly 60 floats as parade down Niantic's Main St. Bring your family and friends, and start your holiday season off with the feeling of the holidays. For Float Entry Registration information, visit: www.EastLymeLightParade.com