The Waterbury Times|Sept 22, 2026|7:02am

Waterbury- There is something about fall in New England that feels different.

Growing up in this corner of the country, we have always understood the beauty of four seasons. We know the rebirth of spring, the warmth and freedom of summer, the quiet transformation of winter, and the crisp arrival of autumn.

Yet somehow, despite having four seasons, fall has always felt like it belongs to us the most.

Welcome to autumn, New England.

Welcome to the season when our landscapes transform into paintings. The greens of summer slowly give way to brilliant reds, oranges, and golds. The hillsides, neighborhoods, parks, and back roads of Connecticut become some of the most beautiful sights anywhere in the country. It is a transformation that happens every year, yet somehow never loses its magic.

For those of us who call Waterbury home, fall carries a familiar feeling.

It is the sound of leaves moving across the sidewalk. It is the smell of wood smoke in the air. It is the first morning when you step outside and realize summer has officially left us behind.

And then there is football.

Because fall in New England is not just a season. It is a tradition.

It is Thursday night football under the lights. It is Saturday afternoons watching college football. It is Sunday gatherings for the NFL. It is high school football fields across Connecticut where communities come together to support their hometown teams.

The South may have its famous Friday night lights, with football played under warm skies and summer-like heat.

But New England has something different.

We have bundled-up nights in the stands. We have jackets, hats, and blankets. We have the sight of your breath on a cold October evening as players battle under the lights. We have chilly November mornings, wet fields, and communities showing up because that is what we do.

That feeling is uniquely ours.

Fall is when New England comes alive in a different way. The pace slows down. The air changes. Families gather. Small businesses prepare for the season. Towns celebrate traditions that have been passed down for generations.

It is a reminder that beauty does not always come from something new. Sometimes it comes from something familiar returning once again.

As we say goodbye to summer 2026, we welcome the season that so many New Englanders have been waiting for.

The season of changing leaves.

The season of football.

The season of crisp mornings and chilly nights.

The season that reminds us why we love calling this place home.

From Waterbury to Connecticut, and across all of New England, autumn feels like a piece of our identity.

So here’s to fall 2026.

May the colors be bright. May the memories be many. May the communities come together.

And may this be the greatest autumn yet.

— D.M. Livingston
Editor, The Waterbury Times