Connecticut
MBB Celebration Parade Draws 60,000 To Hartford – University of Connecticut Athletics
By PHIL CHARDIS
Special to uconnhuskies.com
HARTFORD – The sequel was even more popular than the original.
UConn men’s basketball fans who couldn’t make it to last year’s National Championship parade through the streets of Hartford got a second chance Saturday and made the most of it. Some 60,000 people, a sizable increase over last year’s total, lined the streets along the parade route and crowded in front of the entrance to of the XL Center for a ceremony to celebrate the Huskies’ second consecutive National Championship.
A blustery wind did not deter the fans who chanted familiar UConn cheers, held up signs of congratulations and tried to catch shirts being tossed by the UConn band, on a flatbed truck, the UConn staff, on the team bus, and from the Huskies themselves, mounted on a double-decker bus in the back of the parade.
“I’ve never part of a parade before,” said grad student Cam Spencer, who chuckled at the many ‘Cam, Will You Marry Me?’ signs along the route. “That was really a lot of fun, one of the coolest experiences I’ve ever had. To have all those UConn fans there, that was really incredible. It was an incredible experience that I’ll never forget. I’m so thankful for the year I had here and I wanted the fans to know that.”
Once the parade finished, the UConn players and coaches mounted a podium on Trumbull Street in front of the XL Center, where the crowd was addressed by Hartford mayor Arunan Arulampalam, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont and Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, UConn Director of Athletics David Benedict, players Donovan Clingan, Alex Karaban, Cam Spencer and Tristen Newton, and Coach Dan Hurley.
“Back to back,” Hurley yelled to the crowd. “Everywhere we went this year, every arena we went into, we said the same thing every time we walked into the arena, ‘The champs are here!’ Well, the champs are here today in Hartford with the best fans in the world. Storrs, Connecticut, is the basketball capital of the world. Back-to-back champs!”
For some of the Huskies, like Bristol native Clingan, it was their second straight parade. All of the players thanked the fans for their support throughout the season.
“One of the coolest things about winning a national title is the parade,” he said. “That is one thing that you will always remember.”
The 7-2 sophomore, who has already declared his intention to forego his last two years of eligibility and enter this year’s NBA Draft, admitted it will be difficult to leave UConn, where he has known nothing but success.
“It is crazy to get to do something so special and leave my mark on the history of this program,” Clingan said. “I cherish these two years. It was very hard for me to go up there and talk to the coaches yesterday and talk about leaving. I am a Husky for life. It is hard, I love UConn. Being able to bring two titles back here is so special.”
The Huskies, who set a program record for wins this season with their 37-3 record and a conference record with an 18-2 BIG EAST mark, wrapped up their second straight NCAA title with a 75-60 win over Purdue last Monday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. They are the first team to win back-to-back National Championships in 17 years.
“The guys who were here last year told me it would be a lot of fun,” said freshman Stephon Castle. “It was everything I expected it to be. Our fans travel really well, they have all year, so I’m not surprised they showed out today.”
For Hurley, as it was last season, the parade represents the culmination of a season of hard work by all those involved with the program.
“Just going back six months, what it took since June, the work that went into it, treating the summer like it was a winter – it’s just a commitment level up through the coaching staff, through the players,” the coach said. “I think the realization you come to is that you’re putting together teams, and not all-star teams, so as you look at the portal and you look at high school recruiting and at your own roster and it’s like just continue to put together these type of teams with our type of guys. We want to maintain our culture and bring back as many players from this championship team as we can. We want to construct a roster very similar to the last two. It worked.”
Two parades are proof of that.
“And next year,” Hurley said, “we go for the three-peat.”
Connecticut
At least four injured after multi-vehicle accident involving bus in Bridgeport, per police
At least three people were taken to local hospitals after a multi-vehicle accident involving a public transit bus in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Tuesday, according to the Bridgeport Police Department.
The collision took place at around 7:40 p.m. on the 500 block of Water Street, where officials located a Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority (GBTA) bus that struck at least six other vehicles and a wall of the Bridgeport train station.
Once at the scene, emergency medical officials transported several individuals to local hospitals for evaluation and treatment. Two people were taken to Bridgeport Hospital, and two others to St. Vincent’s Medical Center; the extent of their injuries was unknown, per authorities.
An MTA Facility Manager has responded to the scene to assess the structural damage, according to police.
Train service was not impacted on the Metro-North lines as a result of the nearby collision. However, traffic was impacted by the closure of the northbound lane of Water Street between State Street and John Street.
The Bridgeport Police Department Accident Reconstruction Team reported to the site of the crash to examine the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Anyone with information related to this incident is asked to contact the Bridgeport Police Department Traffic Division, Sergeant Darryl Wilson, at 203-576-7640.
Connecticut
Owls, Storytimes, Lights, And Countdown Fun: Here’s What’s Happening Across Connecticut This Weekend
CONNECTICUT — The quiet stretch between Christmas and New Year’s is anything but dull in Connecticut. With schools on break and families looking for ways to get out of the house, towns across the state are rolling out kid-friendly programs, glowing light displays, museum activities, and creative ways to ring in the new year early — or right at midnight. From owls in Mystic to trolley rides in East Windsor and countdown celebrations from Torrington to Hartford, this weekend (Dec. 26–28, with New Year’s Eve events close behind) offers plenty of reasons to bundle up and explore.
In Mystic, nature lovers can spend Friday, Dec. 26, learning about one of the region’s most fascinating nocturnal creatures during Vacation Day: All About Owls at the Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center. Designed for kids on school break, the program introduces participants to local owl species through hands-on activities, live animal presentations, and outdoor exploration. It’s a great option for families looking to balance holiday downtime with educational fun.
Over in Greenwich, the Bruce Museum is hosting Once Upon a Museum: Winter Storytime from Friday through Sunday, Dec. 26–28. Held each morning, the program combines seasonal storytelling with museum exploration, offering young children a calm, creative start to the day. Parents can expect winter-themed books, light activities, and a welcoming introduction to museum spaces that keeps little listeners engaged without overwhelming them.
For families seeking something festive after dark, East Windsor is glowing thanks to Winterfest & the Winter Tunnel of Lights at the Connecticut Trolley Museum. Running on select dates including Dec. 26–28, the event features illuminated displays, holiday décor, and nighttime trolley rides through a sparkling tunnel of lights. The experience blends transportation history with holiday spectacle, making it a unique winter outing for all ages.
Meanwhile, Meriden continues its long-running seasonal tradition with the Festival of Silver Lights at Hubbard Park, which remains on display through Jan. 2. The expansive park is transformed by thousands of white lights wrapped around trees, lining walkways, and reflecting off the park’s lake. Visitors can drive through or park and stroll, making it one of the state’s most accessible and popular holiday light displays.
As the weekend gives way to New Year’s Eve, Connecticut towns are preparing celebrations that range from family-friendly to full-scale citywide events. In Hartford, First Night Hartford 2026 takes over downtown on Tuesday, Dec. 31. This alcohol-free celebration features live music, dance, comedy, ice skating, fireworks, and activities spread across multiple indoor and outdoor venues. It’s one of the state’s largest New Year’s Eve events and a longtime tradition for families and night owls alike.
For those with younger children who won’t make it to midnight, Torrington offers KidsPlay Countdown on Dec. 31. Hosted by the KidsPlay Children’s Museum, the event allows kids to celebrate the new year with games, activities, and a countdown timed just for them. It’s festive without being overwhelming and lets families enjoy the excitement of New Year’s Eve without late-night fatigue.
Another early celebration takes place in East Lyme, where Countdown to Noon gives families a chance to ring in the new year before lunchtime. With music, activities, and a midday countdown, the event is tailored to younger children who want the thrill of a New Year’s celebration without staying up past bedtime.
Altogether, this post-holiday weekend highlights the best of Connecticut’s winter programming: educational nature programs, calm museum mornings, glowing light displays, and creative countdowns that meet families where they are. Whether you’re exploring owls in Mystic, riding a trolley through lights in East Windsor, listening to stories in Greenwich, or planning ahead for a New Year’s countdown in Hartford, Torrington, or East Lyme, there’s no shortage of ways to close out 2025 and step into 2026 with a sense of wonder.
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