Upper Valley Connections Weekly Digest - Issue #20
Upper Valley Connections
Issue No. 20 · August 6, 2026
Your weekly guide to life along the Connecticut River
High summer means concerts on every green from Fairlee to White River Junction, a county fair or two rolling through, and enough farmers markets to fill a week twice over. Plenty on tap this issue -- read on for all of it.
-- The Upper Valley Connections Team
Upper Valley Connections is a free, independent community newsletter. If you run a local business, add your listing -- it's free to list. Have an event coming up? Submit it to the calendar. Paid tiers help keep this going.
Happy birthday, Norwich Bookstore! The Main Street shop turns 32 this year and is marking it with a storewide anniversary sale Saturday -- 20% off nearly everything in-store. While you're there, don't miss two of the shop's community traditions this weekend: a Silent Reading Party Sunday afternoon, and Coffee & Conversation with the Upper Valley Welcome Wagon just beforehand.
Tonight
Music · Free
Lake Morey Summer Concert Series: Natasha Bedingfield
Thu Aug 6 · 8:00-10:00 PM · Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee, VT
Gates at 6, music at 8, same as every Thursday this summer -- except tonight the name on the marquee is a little bigger than usual. Bring a chair, bring the kids, bring whoever still knows the words to "Unwritten."
Food & Drink · $10 per pizza
Community Pizza Night
Thu Aug 6 · 4:30-6:30 PM · King Arthur Baking Company, Norwich, VT
King Arthur's summer pizza nights are winding down -- last one scheduled for this evening. Next week concludes their Summer Dinner & Music Series with a final burger night.
This Weekend
Community · $20 headphone rental
Silent Disco
Fri Aug 7 · 9:30-11:30 PM · Lebanon Opera House, Lebanon, NH
Three channels, zero noise complaints. Preregistration is encouraged, since the whole concept falls apart if everyone shows up and the headphones run out.
Arts & Culture · Free
Opening: Upper Valley Photographers 4th Annual Exhibition
Fri Aug 7 · 5:00-7:00 PM · AVA Gallery and Art Center, Lebanon, NH
A members' show, four years running now, and a good reminder that plenty of striking photography happens well outside foliage season.
Arts & Culture · Free
Nexus Music and Arts Festival
Fri Aug 7 - Sun Aug 9 · Lebanon Green & Pedestrian Mall, Lebanon, NH
Three days of live music and busking across two stages downtown, including a Saturday set from the Upper Valley Music Center's summer band. Come and go as you please.
Community · See bradfordfair.org for pricing
Bradford Fair
Fri Aug 7 - Sun Aug 9 · Bradford Fairgrounds, Bradford, VT
Rides, animals, fried dough -- the full county fair lineup, on the Vermont side this time. Check the fairgrounds' own site for the day's schedule before you go.
Sports · Free
Tucker Mountain 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run
Sat Aug 8 · 8:00-10:00 AM · Tucker Mountain, Newbury, VT
A genuinely scenic little race, with a fun-run option for anyone who'd rather not race at all. Free to enter, hard to beat as a reason to be outside before the day heats up.
Community · 20% off nearly everything in-store
The Norwich Bookstore Anniversary Sale
Sat Aug 8 · 9:00 AM-6:00 PM · Norwich Bookstore, Norwich, VT
Happy 32nd, Norwich Bookstore -- one day a year the whole store goes on sale.
Food & Drink · Free
Ice Cream in the Courtyard
Sat Aug 8 · 11:00 AM-3:00 PM · King Arthur Baking Company, Norwich, VT
Exactly what it sounds like. Also happening Sunday, if Saturday doesn't work out.
Literary · Free
Silent Reading Party
Sun Aug 9 · 2:00-3:00 PM · Norwich Bookstore, Norwich, VT
Bring a book, find a chair, read quietly alongside strangers for an hour. No discussion required -- which might be the appeal.
Theater · Free
OKLAHOMA!
Fri Aug 7 - Sun Aug 9 (closing weekend) · Northern Stage, White River Junction, VT
Northern Stage's run of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic closes out this weekend. Free admission, one of the better ways to spend an evening in White River Junction.
Community · Free
Movie at the Pool: Lilo & Stitch
Fri Aug 7 · 8:30-10:30 PM · Sherman Manning Aquatic Facility, White River Junction, VT
An outdoor screening at the pool, which is a pretty good use of a warm August evening whether or not you actually get in the water.
See All 202 Events This Week ->
Later in the Week
Food & Drink
Green House Restaurant Pizza Truck at Loch Lyme Lodge
Mon Aug 10 · 4:30-7:30 PM · Loch Lyme Lodge, Lyme, NH
Wood-fired pizza on the lawn of one of the Valley's oldest family lodges. Pay per item, no reservation needed.
Kids & Family · Included with admission
Farm Friends Play Club
Tue Aug 11 · 10:00 AM-2:00 PM · Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, VT
Drop-in farmyard play for the littlest visitors, included with regular admission.
Music · Free
Marsh Lights
Tue Aug 11 · 6:30-8:00 PM · Fairlee Town Common, Fairlee, VT
Fairlee Community Arts' summer concert series continues with Burlington Americana band Marsh Lights, out this year with "Cover the Water." Free, on the green, weather permitting.
Music · Free
Hartford Summer Concert Series: Rivalry
Wed Aug 12 · 6:30-8:00 PM · Lyman Point Park, White River Junction, VT
River-side concert, free as always, part of Hartford's ongoing summer series.
Food & Drink · $18 per plate
Summer Dinner & Music Series
Thu Aug 13 · 4:30-7:00 PM · King Arthur Baking Company, Norwich, VT
The last one of the season -- a final burger night closes out King Arthur's summer dinner series, live music included.
Community
Norwich Fair
Thu Aug 13 · 6:00-10:00 PM (continues Fri) · Norwich Green, Norwich, VT
The Norwich Lions Club's annual fair takes over the Green from Thursday evening until Sunday afternoon. Check with the Lions Club for admission details.
Music · Free
Lake Morey Summer Concert Series: The Revivalists
Thu Aug 13 · 8:00-10:00 PM · Lake Morey Resort, Fairlee, VT
Another marquee name at the free Thursday series -- gates at 6, music at 8, as always.
Farmers' Markets
All eight of the Valley's markets are running now:
- Lebanon Farmers Market -- Thursdays 4-7pm -- Colburn Park, Lebanon NH
- Hartland Farmers Market -- Fridays 4-6:30pm -- 153 Route 5, Hartland VT
- Norwich Farmers Market -- Saturdays 9am-1pm -- Route 5 South, Norwich VT
- Mt Tom Farmers Market -- Saturdays 9:30am-12:30pm -- Saskadena Six, Woodstock VT
- Canaan Farmers Market -- Sundays 10am-2pm -- Canaan Town Common, Canaan NH
- Monday Mini Market at Honey Field Farm -- Mondays 4-7pm -- 55 Butternut Road, Norwich VT
- West Hartford Library Farmers Market -- Tuesdays 3:30-6:30pm -- West Hartford Library, West Hartford VT
- Market on the Green, Woodstock -- Wednesdays 3-6pm -- The Green, Central Street, Woodstock VT
All markets run rain or shine unless noted otherwise on their individual listings.
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Upper Valley Connections · Serving NH & VT · uppervalleyconnections.com Details are gathered from event organizers and may change. Please confirm times, prices, and availability directly with the venue before heading out. Sponsorship inquiries: [email protected]