Happy Sunday! First I want to address that I missed sharing this event in last week’s newsletter (whoops!) and while it’s just outside our usual Valley Verve coverage area, I connected with the organizer and wanted to share. It’s happening this Sunday, March 8.

The Holistic Benefit EXPO is at the VFW Hall in Plainville from 12–4 PM with 45+ vendors offering yoga, massage, natural products, crystals, honey, and more. Free admission, but they are accepting donations for The Plainville Food Pantry. There’s a free raffle, free books for kids, indoor and outdoor vendors, free parking, a lobster food truck, and a free gift for the first 25 attendees.

If you have an event to share, you can always send events my way at [email protected].

Although the weather this week looks promising, the pendulum could swing in the opposite direction next week. So this time of year, it helps to have a good distraction, enter March Madness. I’m not exactly a hardcore basketball fan, but give me a bracket and an insignificant wager that’s just enough to make things interesting, and I’m all in.

The beauty of March Madness is that you don’t actually have to know much to compete. There’s always at least one massive upset, which means beginners have just as much shot as the “experts.” Case in point: the one and only time I joined a fantasy football league with my brother and his friends. Let’s just say they didn’t love losing to a girl and I was never invited back.

When it comes to filling out your bracket, choose your strategy: pick your alma mater, favorite colors, or mascots that speak to you. Because really, the best part isn’t winning (though that’s nice), it’s watching with friends. And while you could stay home, the drama sometimes calls for neutral territory.

So if you’re ready to make a run for bracket greatness, here are some great places around the Valley to catch the games.

Stadium XV (Farmington) – A lively sports bar with plenty of screens, loud cheers, and the kind of energy that makes you excited you’re watching college basketball. Grab a brew, settle in, and prepare for the inevitable upsets.

Iron Horse Pub (Simsbury, West Hartford, Unionville) – Classic pub vibes meet serious game day action. Friendly crowd, hearty pub grub, and just the right amount of chaos when a buzzer-beater goes down.

Old Well Tavern (Simsbury) – Cozy, welcoming, and just rowdy enough to make that bracket debate feel like a championship. Their famous cobblestones, mini sliders of shaved ribeye, caramelized onions, mushrooms and cheese whiz are bracket-worthy appetizer.

Tavern in the Square (West Hartford) – A spot with tons of screens regardless of whether your pick wins or loses. The number of screens alone makes this a slam dunk.

Here’s what’s on deck this week around the Valley — mark your calendars!

Look for icons to find your crowd: 🎈 kid-friendly • 👤 adult • 🌞 all ages

Library Events

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