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Upcoming May 2026 EventsMay is probably the month of the year with the most activities taking place in Vernon. To help you plan your May activities this email highlights ten events through the end of the month. They include an interesting variety with walks, a road race, poetry readings, plant sales, and two Memorial Day parades. There are events for families and adults. Most of the organizations sponsoring these events are members of the Vernon Volunteers' Collaborative. You can learn more about them on their website. Check organizer's websites for any last minute changes. We'll send another newsletter for June and covering the summer season. Click on images for a larger view. » Go to The Tankerhoosen website. Jon Roe
ACE: Art & PoetryTHURSDAY, MAY 7, 6:30 P.M.: Arts Center East presents "8th Ekphrastic Extravaganza: Art & Poetry." As part of Arts Center East's Ekphrastic Extravaganza Exhibit, a collaborative exhibit featuring ACE Artist Members' and Rockville High School student writers, the RHS poets will read their work inspired by ACE Artist Members artwork. The artwork and poems will be on display from May 2 to 30. Arts Center East is home to a rich arts community. They are the heart of the arts east of the river. Arts Center East is located at 709 Hartford Turnpike, Vernon.
VGC: Annual Plant SaleSATURDAY, MAY 9, 8-11:30 A.M.: The Vernon Garden Club (VGC) is holding their annual Plant Sale and fund raiser. Perennials for sun and shade, bulbs, herbs and unusual plants from members' own gardens will be available along with a gardener's white elephant table. A great place and good prices to buy seasonal plants from the experts who know what grows well in Vernon. For members its a fun day to see what we have grown and share the bounty with our community. Each VGC member brings 10 or more perky, potted, and clearly labeled garden plants. The sale will be held in the parking lot of the Vernon Center Middle School, 777 Hartford Turnpike. In the event of pouring rain the sale will be held on May 17. For information call (860) 926-4332.
Canoe/Kayak Paddle of Upper Bolton LakeSATURDAY, MAY 9, 9 A.M.: The Northern Connecticut Land Trust sponsors their annual canoe and kayak exploration of Upper Bolton Lake which in historical times was known for its cedar trees. Take a leisurely tour of this pristine lake setting, perfect for bird-watching, photo opportunities, or just a quiet morning enjoying the outdoors. Please bring your own boat, paddles, and life vests. Meet at the Upper Bolton Lake Boat Launch Area on Hatch Hill Road in Vernon for this free event. Call KARL at (860) 649-4949 for information.
RPL: Book Launch - 'Tick Tick Tick Tick'TUESDAY, MAY 12, 6:30 P.M.: Vernon Author PEGI DEITZ SHEA has a new book for adults. A funny book about ticks? Yes! If a 27-year sufferer of relapsing Lyme disease can laugh at ticks during a second Covid-triggered spell, almost anyone can. Vernon author and inaugural Poet Laureate, Pegi Deitz Shea, set out to write a revenge book on ticks. But her inner Robin Williams came up with a World Tick Pageant, Tickle Dating apps, a craft blood bar, and more zany short poems and prose pieces. May is Lyme Disease Awareness Month. Catch Pegi's A/V show on TiCK TiCK TiCK TiCK at RPL. The book and show are for adults and young adults. Books will be available for autographing and refreshments will be served. Rockville Public Library is located at 52 Union Street, Vernon.
SFF: 13th Annual 5K Chicken RunSUNDAY, MAY 17, 8 A.M.: Strong Family Farm hosts their annual Chicken Run. For 13 years, the Chicken Run has been a way to start the farm season, welcome the new baby chicks to the farm and to support the Strong Family Farm, Vernon's nonprofit community farm located in the center of Vernon. The yearly Chicken Run is their biggest and most successful fundraiser. There will also be free fun family activities to complement the Chicken Run including: the arrival of the baby chicks, a special appearance from our chicken mascot and rabbits, chickens and goats. For the safety of our participants, we ask that you refrain from bringing dogs to this event. Strong Family Farm is located at 274 West Street in Vernon. (860) 874-9020.
FOVF: May Wildflower WalkSUNDAY, MAY 17 at 10 A.M.: May Wildflower Walk - Sponsored by the Friends of Valley Falls CAROL HATCH will lead us through the woods to find spring wild flowers typically overlooked in the park; often we discover Lady Slippers. All walks are free. Meet at the Valley Falls Park pavilion, 300 Valley Falls Road in Vernon.
VGV: Annual Kickoff MeetingTUESDAY, MAY 19, 6 P.M.: It's a new season as the Vernon Greenways Volunteers (VGV) holds their annual Spring Kickoff Meeting. In addition to reviewing what was done in 2025 and what is coming in 2026 they will outline their goals for this year, especially trying to become not just a working group, but to be more social. They will have all those fancy bright neon yellow (for safety) shirts, hats and other things available. This year there are two guest speakers: LAURA KELLY, CT Trail Finders Program Coordinator, and EMILY WILSON, Geospatial Educator. They will provide an Audio Visual presentation on CT Trail Finders and CT Trail Census. Laura will demonstrate and navigate through CT Trail Finders, with detailed write-ups of the hundreds of trails in CT. Emily will present on the CT Trail Census, a program that monitors the use of trails throughout Connecticut. This is near and dear to our heart, as VGV Member, and Trail Manager John Horan is in charge of the trail counter and trail counting for the Hop River Trail here in Vernon. Our trail has consistently rated in the top 5 of all the trails in CT. This year the free event will be held at the Vernon Historical Society, located at 734 Hartford Turnpike in Vernon. » Learn more about the Vernon Greenways Volunteers.
Talcottville Memorial Day ParadeSUNDAY, MAY 24, 9 A.M.: Each Memorial Day weekend the town of Vernon has two parades. The primary parade is held in Rockville on Monday, but on Sunday one of the state's shortest parades takes place in Talcottville. Marchers begin at the Talcottville Congregational Church and proceed to the Civil War monument in the cemetery where ceremonies are held. The parade usually includes Vernon's mayor and council members as well as the fire and police departments, scout groups and veterans. Mount Hope Cemetery is the home of Vernon's earliest Civil War monument, an obelisk at the highest point in the cemetery. The cemetery was dedicated in 1867 and the memorial monument was dedicated two years later in 1869. The memorial is engraved with the names of those from the area who gave their lives in the war. Everyone is welcome to march in the parade and it's short enough for the kids. Assemble in the church parking lot at 10 Elm Hill Road in Vernon at 8:30 a.m. On Monday, May 25 Vernon's Memorial Day Parade will be held in Rockville.
NECWM:Civil War Day Camp For KidsSATURDAY, MAY 30, 9:30 A.M. - 2 P.M.: Take a trip back in time. Children ages 8-13 will be transported back to the Civil War and learn about life and how to survive during the Civil War. This will include living conditions, communication, cooking, marching in formation and much more. A fun day for boys and girls. Each boy and girl will be given the name of a soldier who actually fought in the Civil War and adopts their persona for the day. Bring along a blanket to be made into a bed roll, a bag lunch and wear long pants and shoes or sneakers (no sandals). Presented by members of Alden Skinner Camp #45 of the Sons of Union Veterans in Rockville, 14th Connecticut Reenacting members, and volunteer help from the New England Civil War Museum. The camp will be held at the Strong Family Farm, 274 West Street in Vernon. Cost: $30/$15 for SFF members. Limited to 40 students. If interested register soon.
FOVF & VHS: 'Rocks, Railroads & Industry'SATURDAY, MAY 30 at 10 A.M.: The Friends of Valley Falls & the Vernon Historical Society are sponsoring "Rocks, Railroads & Industry." DON SIERAKOWSKI will lead a walk through the Valley Falls area beginning at the site of the old flax and cotton mill. He will be highlighting the links among the industries, the President of the Travelers Insurance Company, a 19th Century scoundrel, and the railroad that made industrial development possible in this area. Free. Meet at the Valley Falls Park pavilion, 300 Valley Falls Road in Vernon. Coming Up In JuneTo receive our Fall newsletters Join our Mailing List.
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