Everyone loves summer and this is the start! The first days of summer also include the Summer Solstice on Sunday, June 21 at 4:24 am EDT which is the longest day of the year for us in the Northern Hemisphere. Read what The Almanac has to say!
How will you celebrate?
Connecticut Events:
- Summer Solstice Trail Run, Hebron: Saturday, June 20, at the Hebron Lions Fairgrounds. 8-mile, 5-mile, and 3-mile distances hosted by the Hartford Marathon Foundation.
- Summer Solstice Firepit Gathering, New Preston: Thursday, June 18 join the Steep Rock Association on a guided hike at the Macricostas Hayfield before gathering around the firepit for refreshments.
- Summer Solstice Weekend, Essex: June 20-21, downtown Essex hosts a shoreline celebration with special dining, outdoor activities, and extended shopping hours.
- Summer Solstice Market, Northford: Saturday, June 20 artisan and local maker market at Kent Falls Brewing Co.
Here are 10 Summer Solstice Extra Daylight Play Ideas:
- Light a bonfire: The solstice day was traditionally celebrated by dancing around the bonfires.
- Go fishin’: We love to get out on the water. Consult Tides4Fishing Chart for times.
- Cultivate your garden. Traditionally, to the farmer, the solstice is the midpoint of the growing season. See our wonderful lotions for calloused working hands.
- Have a picnic or big cook-out on the solstice. See our great grilling recipes!
- Camp in the great outdoors. Don’t forget the best natural insect repellent on Earth.
- Listen to songbirds: We love our feathered friends. Attract birds to your garden with our beautiful bird feeders.
- Get pampered. Midsummer Day, near the solstice, was said to make old people look younger; walking barefoot in the dew kept skin from getting chapped.
- Let the light in! With all this extra daylight, hang one of our gorgeous suncatchers for your window or porch.
- Temperatures rise and lazy days ensue. Relax and read a book! See our great books and guides.
- Go star gazing. To find out what’s shining in the night sky, click for free monthly Sky Map.
First kids want some down time before they are off to organized summer camp programs so step back for a couple or a few days – embrace being “lazy and the time to regroup once School’s Out in CT! Start library reading challenges and Connecticut Reads program with your child either exploring the same book or those for adults. We’ll be checking in with you periodically to share stories 🙂
