Editing Essex, Connecticut (section)

== Culture and attractions ==
[[File:Downtown Essex.jpg|thumb|right|Main Street is home to many small shops, restaurants and boutiques]]
[[File:Essex CT Griswold Inn 04 (9365849358).jpg|thumb|left|The Griswold Inn, 2013.]]
[[File:Essex CT - museum 01 (9363087823).jpg|thumb|left|Connecticut River Museum, 2013]]
The town of Essex sponsors an annual Groundhog Day parade.  A large papier mache groundhog named "Essex Ed" is carried through town with revelers making noise in order to rouse him from his slumber and bring an end to winter.  The town also sponsors a "Loser's Day Parade," which celebrates the 1814 event of having 29 ships burned in Essex harbor during a raid by British marines.<ref>[http://www.essexct.com/Welcome/ Town of Essex]  {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109044357/http://www.essexct.com/Welcome/ |date=November 9, 2007 }}</ref> The first Saturday in June there is a Shad Bake sponsored by the Rotary Club of Essex.

In 1851 was founded the [[Essex Savings Bank]] located on the Main Street (today on the Plains Road), one of the oldest still functioning banks in Connecticut.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.essexsavings.com/about-essex-savings.html
|title=A Brief History of Essex Savings Bank
|access-date=March 10, 2017
}}</ref>

The Essex Art Association Gallery at 10 North Main St. was founded in 1946 by a group of avant-garde artists. It is open 1–5&nbsp;PM daily during the summer months. It is housed in a historic schoolhouse. Artists are invited to take part in the six shows held each season.

The [[Valley Railroad Company|Essex Steam Train]] is one of the most famous and popular Essex attractions. The main station is located in Centerbrook, with other stations in Deep River, Chester, and Haddam. The regular train ride goes from Essex to Deep River and then the Becky Thatcher Riverboat takes the passengers up to the Haddam area. The [[Essex Clipper Dinner Train]] goes from Essex all the way up to Haddam. A few times a year [[Thomas the Tank Engine]] comes to town and it’s a large attraction for the children. During the holiday season, the Essex Steam Train has a North Pole Express where you can celebrate the spirit of the season with elves and Mr. and Mrs. Claus.<ref>{{cite web |title=North Pole Express |url=http://essexsteamtrain.com/seasonal-excursions/north-pole-express/ |website=The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat |access-date=May 10, 2019}}</ref>

The [[Ivoryton Playhouse]] is a regional theater located in Essex's village of Ivoryton. The theater produces 8–12 plays and musicals each year.

The [[Connecticut River Museum]], located at the end of Main Street and right on the Connecticut River, is home to numerous river artifacts and is home to the Connecticut River Eagle Festival each year.