Calendar of Events
2012 Events Summary
The Celebrate East Lyme Festival, Cookin’ at McCooks concerts, the annual Holiday Stroll, and the ever popular Niantic Light Parade and East Lyme WinterFest will all be back in 2012. Once final dates, details and more specific information is available, they all will be posted right here – on DiscoverEastLyme.com. Happy New Year.
- February 11, 2012
27th Annual Niantic Rotary Gala
If you're looking for a most special evening to celebrate Valentine's Day, then you won’t want to miss the 27th Annual Niantic Rotary Gala. Come enjoy a wonderful evening of dinner, dancing, lots of fun and an opportunity to win fabulous prizes via live and silent auctions all while contributing to a very worthy cause.
This year’s event will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Mystic Marriott Hotel in Groton, CT.
A reception begins at 6:00 p.m. with dinner at 7:00 p.m.
If you’re interested in donating toward this wonderful cause or are interested in purchasing tickets to the Gala event, please contact Esther Williams at (860) 739-6931 x120 or e-mail her at ewilliams@eltownhall.com
Proceeds for this year's fundraising efforts will be used to help with the purchase of an electronic signboard to be placed at the Flanders Four Corners.- March 11, 2012
Daylight Savings Time Begins
- March 17, 2012
4th Annual O'Niantic 5k Run, Walk, Jig or Jog
Come on! Kick up your heels and shake off those mid-winter blues and join us for the 5th Annual O'Niantic 5K Run, Walk, Jig or Jog. This Niantic, East Lyme event is considered by many a moving party and will take participants through the quaint village of Niantic and its beautiful beachfront. You’ll fall in love with this 5K race and the post race food all charmed with a little o'luck of the Irish.
So, don’t pay any attention to the thermometer – lace up those shoes and be on the starting line on Saturday, March 17th beginning at 9:30 a.m.
The run will start and end on Methodist St., Niantic CT.
Registration, and additional information will be provided when it becomes available or by visiting the Hartford Marathon website- April 8, 2012
Happy Easter
- May 13, 2012
Happy Mother's Day
- May 19, 2012
Touch-A-Truck ~ A Very Special Children's Event
Come join the fun on Saturday, May 19th, 2012 (rain date is Sunday, May 20th), as the East Lyme Auxiliary of Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut along with the East Lyme Parks and Recreation Department, once again co-sponsor this annual Touch-A-Truck event.
This family fun event which also features Crafts, Food, Games, Photos and a Raffle from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at McCook’s Point Park/Beach in Niantic, CT.
It's an event not to be missed, the Touch-A-Truck experience is for one and all, no matter how big or small. An educational experience that will make you a “hero” with your child or grandchild. Children can climb various vehicles, sit in the driver’s seat and discover the world of trucks. They will be able to reach the sky in a cherry picker, see, touch, and interact with big trucks and learn their functions. This unique event will feature a large array of trucks and heavy equipment including, police cars, fire trucks, dump trucks, tractors and many, many more.
Refreshments will be available for sale. Vehicle demonstrations will be conducted and we never know just who might make an appearance.
Admission is $4.00 (ages 3 and up) to benefit the Child and Family Agency of Southeastern Connecticut.
For more information call C&FA at 860-443-2896, Ext. 910 or visit their website at: www.cfapress.org- May 28, 2012
Memorial Day Parade
The annual East Lyme Memorial Day Parade provides an opportunity for patriotic Americans to come together and honor those who have sacrificed so much in service to our country.
The parade will be held on Monday, May 28th beginning at 2:00 p.m., will begin near St. John's Green (across from the Children's Museum of Southeastern CT.), and will proceed down Niantic's Main St. ending at the East Lyme Town Hall.
The parade celebrates all those who have served in uniform from the American Revolution to Operation Iraqi Freedom, and will reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.- June 8, 2012
Niantic Bay 10k Road Race
The 14th Annual Niantic Bay 10k Road Race will be held on the evening (6 pm) of Friday, June 8th and will start/finish at McCook Point Park. For more information call Cathy Robbins at (860) 912-0206 or e-mail her at robbinssct@comcast.net.
For additional information visit: Niantic Bay 10K Road Race- June 17, 2012
Happy Father's Day
- June 30 - July 1, 2012
34th Annual LobsterFest and
52nd Annual Juried Arts & Craft ShowCome support the Niantic Lions Club as they once again sponsor their Annual LobsterFest and Chicken BBQ. Lobsterfest 2012 will be held on June 30th (Saturday from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm) and July 1st (Sunday from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm). Located on the East Lyme Town Hall grounds (Pennsylvania Ave.), this annual Niantic summer tradition is sure to kick start your summer.
In addition to the above Niantic Lions LobsterFest and Chicken BBQ, the 52nd Annual Juried Arts and Craft Show will also be held at the same location, on the same dates and same times. Admission to the Arts & Crafts show is free, and over 180 vendors are expected to be at the show.
Two great events, one great weekend !
For additional information, visit: The Niantic Lions Club website- July 6, 2012
OpSail 2012 & Celebrate East Lyme Festival
With New London hosting OPSAIL this summer (on July 6-9), the Town of East Lyme is tentatively planning on holding their annual Celebrate East Lyme Festival on Friday, July 6, 2012. While many details are still being worked on, East Lyme will be hosting the Welcoming Ceremonies and Fireworks at Mc Cooks Point Park on Friday evening; again, detalis are still being worked on for the annual Celebrate East Lyme Festival. Tall Ships from around the world are expected to anchor in Niantic Bay on Friday evening and begin the parade of sail from Niantic to New London's Thames River on Saturday (July 7th) morning. As more details become available, this event posting will be updated - so visit again soon.
For additional information regarding OpSail 2012, visit: www.OpSail2012CT.org- July 6 - July 8, 2012
OpSail 2012
OpSail 2012 will surly be southeastern Connecticut's foremost summer event in 2012. Anchored in New London, this highly anticipated event will feature music, sports, parades and gastronomical delights, as well as an international fleet of tall ships. For additional information on OpSail 2012, visit their Facebook page
- August 5, 2012
Niantic Bay Triathlon
East Lyme will once again serve as host site for the 2012 Niantic Bay Triathlon. The triathlon will be held on Sunday, August 5th 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 9 - August 12, 2012
8th Annual Bargains By The Bay ~ Annual Sales Event
Niantic Main Street is happy to once again sponsor their Annual Bargains by the Bay Tent and Sidewalk Sale August 9-12, 2012. This always popular four-day event features a collaborative tent and sidewalk sale by downtown merchants in the quaint seaside town of Niantic. Bargains on Antiques, Apparel, Beach Gear, Books, Bikes, Cards, Childrens, Clocks, Collectables, Garden, Gifts, Golf, Jewelry, Music, Pets, Skate, Sweets, Women's Accessories and much, much more. So, come experience shopping at its best in the beautiful and scenic Connecticut shoreline villages of Niantic at this annual Bargains By The Bay sales event. Again, this special sales event starts Thursday, August 9th and continues through Sunday, August 12th.
- September 3, 2012
Labor Day
- September 23, 2012
Niantic Bay Half Marathon & 5K Road Race
The Niantic Bay Half Marathon and 5K is back for a 6th year. The race will be held on Sunday, September 23rd, at Rocky Neck State Park, Niantic. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.
For more information or to register, contact John Bysiewicz at (203) 481-5933 or
visit: www.nianticbayhalfmarathon.com- October 28, 2012
Niantic Village 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 and the East Lyme Parks & Rec. Dept., the parade will take place on Sunday, October 28, 2012 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
- October 31, 2012
Happy Halloween (Wed. Night)
- November 4, 2012
Daylight Savings Time Ends
- November 11, 2012
Veterans Day Observation
Come honor and remember our veterans at a Veterans Day Observance on Friday, November 11, 2012. Festivities will begin at 10:00 a.m. on the Liberty Green (downtown Niantic - corner of Main St. and Pennsylvania Ave.). In the event of rain, the vigil will move to the American Legion facility on York Ave.
- November 17, 2012
5th Annual Spirits of Sharing ~ Wine Tasting Event
(to benefit Care & Share of East Lyme)Come join the fun on Saturday November 17, 2012 when Mermaid Liquors & Smith's Acres will be hosting their 5th Annual Spirits of Sharing ~ Wine Tasting Event to benefit local Care & Share. Additional details will be published once they become available.
For additional information about Care & Share, visit: www.careandshareofel.org- November 22, 2012
Happy Thanksgiving
- November 24, 2012
9th Annual Holiday Stroll
As an escape from high pressure holiday shopping in big box stores and congested parking lots at this time of year, the East Lyme villages of Niantic and Flanders are hosting the 9th Annual Holiday Stroll
on Saturday, November 24th from 4:00 – 8:00 pm.
This family-friendly day features horse-drawn carriage rides, professional holiday carolers along the quaint shop-lined streets of Niantic, complimentary hot cider and cocoa, and the arrival of Santa on a shiny red fire truck to the town green just in time for a tree lighting ceremony at 5:00 pm on Liberty Green in the heart of Niantic Village. Additional informaion will be provided as it becomes available.
24th Annual Niantic Light Parade & Winterfest 2012
Two great events, one awesome holiday tradition - the 24th Annual Niantic Light Parade & Winterfest 2012. Additional details will be provided later in the year, but this event is typically held the 2nd Sunday in December. Come see the beautifully built and lighted parade floats, dance groups and Santa himself as they parade down beautiful Main St. in Niantic.
The 2011 Winterfest featured a Chowder & Chili Cook-off, Gingerbread House Competition, Pictures with Santa, Horse Drawn Carriage Rides and Live Demonstrations including Ice Sculpture, Pottery and Glass Blowing at Protek Auto! Can't wait to hear what's in store for 2012. For further informnation about the 2012 parade, or for information to enter/register a float, please contact: Paul Cushing at ProTek Auto at
(860) 739-5729 or email him at paul@protekauto.com