You may not realize it, but it’s Championship Week in Connecticut.
The Connecticut Business & Industry Association’s second annual “Coolest Thing Made in Connecticut” competition is down to its championship round, with the two finalists squaring off.
The single-elimination, bracket-style competition, which kicked off on July 24, offered a widely varied selection of 16 products that were challenging for this year’s title.
This year’s 16-item bracket included food — for both humans and dogs — as well as spiked teas, clothing, a therapy and specialty items manufactured in the state.
The final four items were revealed and voted on over the past week. That semifinal round featured Bolton-based Munson’s Chocolates’ pecan caramel patties defeating the fin stabilizer produced by Naiad Dynamics of Shelton on one side of the bracket, and the frangible joint manufactured by Simsbury-based Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense defeating Waterbury-based Fascia’s Chocolates’ chocolate lava cake.
So, Munson’s pecan caramel patties and Ensign-Bickford’s frangible join now compete for the title.
More than 33,000 people have cast votes for their favorite product in the competition so far, CBIA said.
The public may vote in the championship round through Thursday, Sept. 18. You can cast your vote here. The winner will be announced in October.
The inaugural competition was held last year, with the Virginia Class submarine produced by Electric Boat in Groton as the winner. More than 115,000 votes were cast online during the 2024 competition.
