Connecticut
Mohegan Sun hosts Connecticut’s largest outdoor show
The Connecticut Fishing & Outdoor Show is set to return to the Earth Expo & Convention Center at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville from March 20-22, according to a community announcement.
The event is expected to feature more than 200 exhibitors showcasing the latest in fishing, hunting and outdoor equipment, boats and more. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend free seminars and demonstrations led by experts in various outdoor activities.
The show, billed as the largest of its kind in the state, will run from 3-8 p.m. March 20, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. March 21 and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. March 22. Discounted tickets are available online at https://www.ctfishingoutdoorshow.com for $12, while tickets purchased at the door will cost $15. Children under 12 can attend for free.
Contests for attendees
Two new contests will be introduced March 21: the National Wild Turkey Federation-sanctioned “Connecticut Nor’easter Turkey Calling Championship,” and a “Closest to the Trout” Fly Casting Contest.
The turkey calling championship will begin at 11 a.m. and feature callers from as far as Pennsylvania and Vermont competing in different divisions, including a Senior Open. The winner of the Senior Open will qualify to compete in the National Wild Turkey Federation’s 2027 Grand Nationals in Nashville, Tennessee.
Matt Wettish, a turkey hunter and champion caller who is a member of the New England Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame, will host the event. Participants age 7 and older can register at the event.
The fly casting contest is scheduled for 2 p.m. Participants can register at localflyco.com.
Organizers say visitors can expect a wide range of activities and attractions designed to appeal to both seasoned outdoor enthusiasts and newcomers.
The show will feature fly casting demonstrations, opportunities to meet and schedule tours with charter boat fishing captains and hunting outfitters, and tips on dog steadiness training. Fly-tying demonstrations and hands-on activities, including a laser shot range, will be available.
The Kids Fun Zone, expanded to three times its previous size, will offer hands-on activities for toddlers through teens. Highlights include dog-training demonstrations, an educational wildlife show featuring snakes, birds of prey, a fennec fox and a hedgehog, and expert-led seminars on fishing, archery and hunting safety. There will also be prize giveaways, a kid’s casting corner and hourly children’s scavenger hunts.
Attendees will have the chance to learn how to use inflatable life jackets from the U.S. Coast Guard and view a 14-foot brook trout sculpture by artist Joey Rizzo. The Connecticut Firearms Auction will showcase upcoming military and historic guns and provide information on selling antique and collectible firearms.
Free parking is available, with the nearest option being the Winter Garage. More information about the show can be found at ctfishingoutdoorshow.com.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
Connecticut
Love Food Names the Best Place for Ramen in Connecticut
According to Love Food, the best bowl of ramen in Connecticut isn’t tucked away in one of the state’s larger cities. Instead, you’ll have to make your way to Granby, where Tiger Belly Noodle Bar has earned national recognition for serving what the publication says is Connecticut’s top ramen.
If you’re expecting a massive menu with dozens of choices, that’s not what you’ll find here. Tiger Belly keeps things relatively simple, focusing on a handful of carefully crafted noodle dishes that have developed a loyal following. The standout, according to Love Food, is the restaurant’s aptly named Darkness Ramen.
This isn’t your average bowl of noodles. The star of the dish is a rich tonkotsu broth that’s simmered for more than 25 hours to develop its deep, savory flavor. It’s then topped with tender pork belly, enoki mushrooms, plenty of garlic, and finished with black garlic oil for an extra layer of richness. The result is a bowl that’s hearty, comforting, and packed with bold flavors.
Ramen has exploded in popularity across the United States over the past decade, with restaurants putting their own spin on the classic Japanese comfort food. Whether you prefer a traditional pork-based broth, spicy variations, seafood, or vegetarian options, there’s no shortage of great places to grab a bowl these days. But when it came to picking just one restaurant in Connecticut, Love Food says Tiger Belly Noodle Bar stands above the rest.
So, if you’re the type of person who’s willing to take a road trip for great food, Granby might deserve a spot on your list. A slow-simmered broth, fresh ingredients, and a little black garlic magic were apparently enough to earn this Connecticut restaurant some well-deserved national bragging rights.
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Connecticut
Connecticut insurance now required to cover these athletic prosthetics
Park Ranger Ben Croll says outdoor plans for kids attending New Haven’s parks and rec summer camp at West Rock Ridge state park are changing with the wind, after thick smoke from Canada’s wildfires continues to make its way through the Connecticut skies.
Connecticut
This Connecticut barbecue restaurant is ‘beloved’ for a reason.
See the moment a husky shields child from bear
A husky jumped into action to protect a child as a bear charged at them through the yard in Connecticut.
If you’re looking for the best barbecue restaurant in the state, you may have to drive to the state’s capital.
Business Insider identified the most beloved barbecue spot in each state, including Connecticut.
“Our list includes barbecue destinations with historical or regional significance and devoted national or local followings,” Business Insider said. “Many of the spots or their pitmasters have won major accolades, and some have appeared on mainstream TV shows.”
Business Insider’s choice for the most iconic place for barbecue in Connecticut is a specific location of a chain restaurant that has multiple stores in the Constitution State.
Here’s what Business Insider had to say about Bear’s Smokehouse Barbecue, and why it might be worth the extra trip to Hartford, Connecticut.
Bear’s Smokehouse — Hartford, Connecticut
Business Insider said the Hartford location is the most iconic Bear’s Smokehouse in Connecticut. However, Bear’s has locations in Windsor, New Haven, South Windsor, and Storrs (although that one is in a University of Connecticut Student Union).
“Local outlet Hartford Courant named Bear’s Smokehouse the best ribs and best food truck in the state,” Business Insider said. “USA Today also named it one of the best restaurants in the country in 2026 (albeit, one of the North Carolina locations).”
Chain restaurant or not, this location’s menu appears to have all the goods that make a barbecue restaurant great: beef brisket, burnt ends, pulled pork, and turkey breast, all done up in a Kansas-City style of barbecue that would make Ted Lasso proud.
They also offer some innovative takes on hearty dishes like poutine with Bear Style Poutine, which comes with fries, spicy cheese curds, brisket gravy, and your choice of meat.
You can find Bear’s Smokehouse at 25 Front St, Hartford, Connecticut.
They open at 11 a.m. on weekdays and weekends but their closing hours vary depending on the day.
Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@usatodayco.com.
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