LFR Program Newsletter
Town of Manchester Bicentennial Celebration
Open-Air Trolley Tour
Although the Past, Present & Future art exhibits will be up for most of April & May, if you want free trolley transporation between them & other special Bicentennial events, you’ll have to come on down to Downtown Manchester on May 13th!
For complete details on the trolley, please click here.
Reflect, Celebrate, Dream in the Park
A community event to include music, yoga, a drum circle, time capsule display, “Your Story preservation,” kidzone, family fun and much more!
- Meets: Sat, 05/13/23, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Location: Center Memorial Park, Downtown Manchester
- Rain Location: Leisure Labs @ Mahoney Center, 110 Cedar Street
- Fee: No cost.
Recreation Division
Friday Night Specials: TV Trivia
Don’t change that channel! Join us at the Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center & put your knowledge to the test at TV Trivia Night. Questions range from The Simpsons, Friends, and more!
- Meets: F, 04/28/23
- Location: Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center, 110 Cedar Street
Drop-In Art: Radical Flying Kites
Drop-In Art sessions are for anyone interested in creating an art project on a weekly basis. Join us on April 24 & 26, create your own kite, and add your own gnarly designs to make it unique!
- Meets: 04/24/23 & 04/26/23, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
- Location: Art Lab, Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center, 110 Cedar Street
- Ages: All ages welcome
- Fee: No fee. Youth Recreation Card required.
Youth Service Bureau
Manchester’ Early Childhood Fair
Manchester’s Early Childhood Fair is free, open to the public and provides a wealth of information on preschools, programs, services, recreation and local resources available for infants, toddlers, preschoolers and young children up to age 8. Please join us for play activities and playground time!
- Meets: Sat, 04/22/23, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Rain Date: May 6)
- Location: Northwest Park Pavilion, 448 Tolland Turnpike
- Ages: Children up to age 8
- Fee: No cost
Parent Cafe
Parent Cafe is a free monthly group for Manchester parents of children ages birth to 5 years old to connect, learn, discuss and grow. Childcare and a light breakfast will be provided. Registration is required and parents are encouraged to register for all sessions.
- Meets: 4th Thursday of each month, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM
- Location: Northwest Park Early Childhood Center
- Ages: Birth through 5 years
- Registration: Contact Donna Fatt at [email protected]
How to Address Social-Emotional Issues in the Classroom
Join us for this workshop for early childhood providers. All workshops will be held at 6:00 PM (dinner) & 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM (workshop). Workshops and meals are free to all interested participants; space is limited.
- Meets: Th, 04/27/23, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
- Location: Eastside Neighborhood Resource Center, 153 Spruce Street
- Registration: To register, contact Caitlin McNamara at [email protected]
Neighborhoods & Families Division
Pokemon Pack Battles
Join competitive Pokemon TCG player Vaughn O’Brien for a brief introduction to the Pokemon Trading Card Game. Each participant will be given one free Scarlet & Violet Booster Pack. After that, the trainers (attendees) will be paired & will participate in pack battles.
- Meets: Tu, 05/02/23-05/16/23, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM
- Location: Eastside Neighborhood Resource Center, 153 Spruce Street
- Ages: 5-17 (participants under 12 must be accompanied by an adult guardian)
- Fee: $10/$12 (per class)
Wood Flowers in Mini Wood Box Arrangement Workshop
Join Jen Angle of Wood & Word Blooms to create a forever wood flower arrangement – perfect for Mother’s Day! During this workshop, participants will receive instruction in designing a mini wood box arrangement with sola wood mini blooms. Each kit will include 9 Baby Blooms, faux greenery, fillers, stems & more!
- Meets: Su, 05/07/23, 1:00 PM
- Location: Eastside Neighborhood Resource Center
- Ages; 10-100 (participants under 12 must be accompanied by an adult guardian)
- Fee: $30/$35 (NR)
Save the Date: Spruce Street Farmers Market
The Spruce Street Farmers Market will run on Wednesdays, June 7 through August 30, from 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM at Market Field, 163 Spruce Street. Vendor selections are thoughtfully curated to include diverse food and business owners, with products including: fresh fruits & vegetables, meats & eggs, honey & maple syrup, gluten-free baked goods, vegan offerings, CT trucks & artisans.
The market also accepts EBT/WIC payments & will double the value of SNAP purchases up to $20.00 (spend $20.00 using your EBT card to receive an additional $20.00 to spend on SNAP-eligible items).
- Location: Market Field, 163 Spruce Street
- Meets: W, 06/07/23-08/30/23, 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
- Ages: All ages welcome
- Fee: No cost to attend. Free parking available across street at 160 Spruce Street.
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About Author
James Costa is the Neighborhoods & Families Coordinator for the Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation. He began working with the division during his sophomore year at Manchester High School, and he is now a UConn graduate with degrees in Journalism & Film Studies.
Fun Fact #1: I won my car in a raffle during Manchester High School’s Project Graduation.
Fun Fact #2: My all-time favorite movies are All That Heaven Allows, Punch-Drunk Love & Twin Peaks: The Return.