Let Them Eat Cake! CT’s Old State House Hosts Fifth Annual Election Cake Bake Off
(Hartford, CT) -- It’s time for some sweet competition! Connecticut’s Old State House is pleased to host its Fifth Annual Election Cake Bake Off on Saturday, October 24, 2026, from 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm. Connecticut pastry chefs and bakers will go whisk to whisk to have their confection crowned the official Connecticut Election Cake of 2026. The public is invited to join Connecticut’s Kid Governor Tessa Hallinan, members of her cabinet, and a panel of celebrity judges, including David Milton @thedamgram, for cake tasting. This event is free. To RSVP, click here: http://ct-dc.org/qr.asp?q=CTElectionCake2026
Election Day in Connecticut once combined voting with parties, libations, parades, and cake! Stores sold special Election Cake ingredients to women who transformed them into spice cakes to serve to the crowds gathered to celebrate voting at the State House and other sites. Help us revive this long-lost Connecticut tradition! “Election Day Cakes are a great Connecticut tradition and our ability to cast a vote in a democratic election is certainly worthy of celebration,” says Sally Whipple, Executive Director of Connecticut’s Old State House. “We’re excited to invite the public to join Connecticut’s Kid Governor and Cabinet for some cake tasting.”
Connecticut’s Old State House has invited professional pastry chefs and bakers to create the official Connecticut Election Cake for 2026. Each competitor is challenged to create a delectable, non-partisan, election-themed cake that inspires voters and celebrates American democracy. A panel of judges will score cakes on presentation, creativity, and taste. The winner will be commissioned to bake the official cake to celebrate the birthday of Connecticut’s Old State House in 2027. Special prizes voted on by the public and Connecticut’s Kid Governor and Cabinet will also be awarded.
Guests attending this family-friendly event can participate in cake tasting and submit their vote while enjoying live music, games, and other fun activities in preparation for election day on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Located in downtown Hartford, Connecticut’s Old State House served as one of Connecticut’s state capitols from 1796 to 1878 and Hartford City Hall from 1878-1915. Beautifully restored and preserved, this museum and civic space was declared one of the first National Historic Landmarks in 1960 and now operates under a public/private partnership between the Connecticut General Assembly and The Connecticut Democracy Center. Connecticut Old State House is recognized for statewide educational programming, including Connecticut’s Kid Governor, Connecticut History Day, We The People, and Project Citizen.