Joshua Hall

Three big events are coming to Hartford this weekend that I want to bring to your attention.

The Hartford Taste Street Festival, from June 5-7, on Pratt and Trumbull Streets. Hartford Taste is FREE to attend for all attendees.  Enjoy the music, art, and entertainment ...enjoy Hartford.

All food and drink at the festival is purchased with Taste Tickets - tickets are available onsite, or they can also be purchased in advance.  

Proceeds from Hartford Taste support Connecticut Foodshare.

Friday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The Urban Arts & Animation Academy (UA Academy) Games and Culture Festival - June 6, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., at Parkville Market. This community-centered event is designed to support and uplift local small businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs across Connecticut. With an anticipated attendance of 350–500 residents, the festival will feature a dynamic blend of gaming competitions, live performances, a small business marketplace, and a live pitch competition highlighting emerging innovators.

One of the day's features includes a lighthearted, interactive game segment where local government officials participate in a friendly “Family Feud”-style competition around 7:30 p.m. This experience is designed to humanize leadership, foster community connection, and create a fun, memorable moment for everyone involved. 

General admission tickets are $10; $20 for competitors. Click the button below for more information and to purchase tickets.

Hartford Play Day - Active City and the Hartford Youth Sports Collaborative invite you to the 2nd Annual Play Day on June 6, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Colt Park in Hartford.

Play Day is a free, family-centered community event designed to connect Hartford youth and families to accessible sports, recreation, wellness, and summer opportunities. The event will bring together youth sports organizations, community-based programs, health and wellness partners, and family-serving organizations from across the city.

Active City and the Hartford Youth Sports Collaborative anticipate engaging more than 400 youth and families through hands-on sports activities, program sign-ups, wellness resources, and community engagement opportunities.

As conversations continue nationally and locally around youth wellness, mental health, and access to recreation opportunities, Play Day represents a community-driven effort to encourage youth to stay active, connected, and engaged.