LFR Program Newsletter
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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 transportation between them & other special Bicentennial events, you’ll have to come on down to Downtown Manchester on May 13th!
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Reflect, Celebrate, Dream in the Park
Join us for this community event to include music, yoga, drum circle, time capsule display, “Your Story” preservation, kidzone, family fun and more!
- Date: 5/13/23, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Location: Center Memorial Park, Downtown Manchester
- Rain Location: Leisure Labs @ Mahoney Center, 110 Cedar Street
- Fee: No cost to attend
200 Trees for a Greener Tomorrow
In celebration of the Town of Manchester’s Bicentennial, the Manchester Garden Club plans to give 200 native tree seedlings, along with fact sheets & planting instructions, to Manchester residents. Come visit our table at the Reflect, Celebrate, Dream in the Park event at Center Memorial Park.
- Date: 5/13/23, 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Location: Center Memorial Park, Downtown Manchester
- Rain Location: Leisure Labs @ Mahoney Center, 110 Cedar Street
- Fee: No cost to attend
A Day in the Park
The Manchester Elks ae hosting their annual “Safe Kids” program. Participate in Hoop Shoot, a National Free Throw Program for Youth Ages 8-12. Take part in the soccer shoot for youth under 14. Join us for a fun Day in the Park!
- Date: 5/13/23, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
- Location: Charter Oak Park
- Contact Information: Manchester Elks Lodge #1893 (Chris Terry, [email protected])
Recreation Division
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![Christiane OBrien](https://bettermanchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Chris_OBrien.jpg)
Tiny Gallery Presents: Audrey Labbe
Join Audrey Labbe as she debuts her Eclectic Art Experience in Drawing at the Tiny Gallery on May 10 from 3-4 PM.
Youth Service Bureau Division
Youth & Police: Hartford Yard Goats vs. Portland
Join the Youth Service Bureau and the Manchester Police Department for a night of fun with the Hartford Yard Goats!
- Date: Th, 5/18/23, 5:30 PM – 9:30 PM (dinner provided)
- Location: Dunkin Donuts Park, Hartford (transportation provided)
- To Register: Call (860)647-5262 or email [email protected]. Space is limited for this FREE program!
Passport to Family Fun: Pet Portraits
You don’t need to travel far to have fun! PASSPORT to Family Fun provides monthly family activities that encourage communication and teamwork in a fun environment! Join local artist, Megan Goodell, for an instructional paint class to create a unique painting of your family’s best friend! All families will receive a “PASSPORT,” which will be stamped at each event. Families who attend 5 or more events throughout the year will be entered into a drawing for a Grand Prize!
Families must email a photo of their pet to [email protected] in order to participate.
- Date: Th, 5/11/23, 5:30 Pm – 7:30 pm
- Participants: Families with children ages 5+
- Location: Manchester Youth Service Bureau, 63 Linden Street
- To Register: Call (860)647-5262 or email [email protected]. Registration is required and space is limited for this FREE
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)
![](https://bettermanchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/MarketBanner-1024x602.jpg)
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](https://bettermanchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/James_Costa.jpg)
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.