Connecticut’s Quirkiest Town Traditions: From Ducks to Boomboxes

I don't know how many times I've heard the phrase , "Why do people even move to Connecticut?! It's soooooo boring!" Did you know you can’t swing a rubber duck in Connecticut without hitting a town that’s turned “weird” into a yearly tradition? Sure, other states have food festivals and historic reenactments, and that's all well and good, but we’ve got people racing bath toys down rivers like it’s an Olympic sport.

This story didn’t come from a press release—it came from a conversation at a diner, over a cup of coffee and a side of disbelief that people still race thousands of rubber ducks for charity. I wasn’t just chasing quirky events—I was chasing what makes a place feel like home. Each tradition, from burning Benedict Arnold to sending Christmas cards from Bethlehem, tells a story of pride, playfulness, and people who refuse to let their hometowns be forgettable. Weird? Absolutely.

These offbeat events are more than gimmicks. Sure, they're kind of weird, but they bring neighbors together, raise money for good causes, and keep the small-town spirit alive! Whether it’s Naugatuck’s epic Duck Day, Willimantic’s legendary Boom Box Parade, or the eerie “Moodus Noises” of East Hampton, these are the kind of traditions that give Connecticut its soul with a shot of quirkiness!