“Taste Of Ellington Week” Proposed For 2027

ELLINGTON, CT — A new weeklong event aimed at showcasing Ellington businesses could be coming to town in 2027.

The Tolland County Chamber of Commerce has proposed holding a “Taste of” week in participating towns, including a possible “Taste of Ellington Week,” according to recently posted Economic Development Commission meeting minutes.

Commission members discussed the idea during their Sept. 9 meeting, focusing on the event’s marketing, logistics and overall direction.

The proposal remains in its early stages. The minutes do not identify potential dates, participating businesses or how the event would be structured.

Town Planner Lisa Houlihan is expected to meet with the chamber’s director and return to the commission with additional information at a future meeting.

The discussion came as the commission considered several ways to promote Ellington businesses.

Commissioners also reviewed the results of a survey sent to businesses that participated in the 2025 Shop Ellington campaign. Feedback was generally favorable, though businesses indicated that marketing and promotion could be improved. The commission agreed to work on new approaches for this year’s event.

A separate proposal to create a town-run business recognition program received a cooler response. Commissioners reviewed award categories used by the chamber, including best new business, beautification, corporate citizen, economic development and nonprofit of the year.

Rather than create a competing program, commissioners agreed that the chamber’s existing awards were better suited for recognizing local businesses.

The commission also declined a $750 proposal to promote Ellington in the Hartford Business Journal, concluding that the publication was not well suited to smaller towns.

Ellington’s next quarterly business networking event is scheduled for Oct. 21 at 10 a.m. at Earthlight Technologies, 128 West Road.

The Economic Development Commission is scheduled to meet again Oct. 14.

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