The Town of Manchester’s Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation will host their 3rd annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Commemoration on Saturday, June 17th from 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Leisure Labs at Mahoney Center, 110 Cedar Street.

The Town of Manchester’s annual Spruce Street Farmers Market will return on Wednesdays, June 7 through August 30, 2023, from 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM at Market Field, 163 Spruce Street.

Registration for summer programs is fast approaching! Starting on May 3rd for Manchester residents (May 5th for non-residents), registration will open for the Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation’s slate of summer programming.

Who and what comes to mind when you hear “gaming?”

No, we aren’t talking about sports betting (which has seen a monstrous rise over the past few years, particularly in New England). We are talking about the other gaming.

After reviewing dozens of submissions, we are proud to announce the winners of the 2023 Black Joy Youth Poetry Contest!

If you’ve spent any time in Manchester over the past few months, you may have noticed some celebratory rumblings spreading throughout town.

A public draft of Manchester Next, the Town of Manchester’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD), is now available for review.

The Town of Manchester will host the International Mother Language Day (IMLD) celebration on Saturday, February 25th & Sunday, February 26th.

Manchester kicked-off the commemoration of its’ 200th Bicentennial year on Wednesday, January 25h at Town Hall where community stakeholders and leaders gathered to learn more about the year to come.

Each of us, no matter how small our footprint on the world may seem, has a unique story to tell. Our actions each day, the decisions we make, the relationships we keep all have a way of echoing throughout the ages, our time spent in one place lingering on like fingerprints on a clean window, reminders that the streets and neighborhoods we occupy now were occupied once before.

The Red Hawks put an exclamation point on the end of a terrific season with an invitation to the Pop-Warner Super Bowl played in Orlando Florida earlier this month.

December 14 marks the 10-year anniversary of the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the deadliest elementary school shooting in American history. The impact of this fateful day will live with the local & national community for eternity, and the spirit of Newton will forever be in our hearts.

The opening day of registration for the Town of Manchester’s Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation’s programs and special events is quickly approaching. From community events to youth athletics, educational opportunities to drop-in children’s activities, all are welcome to join in the department’s slate of winter/spring programs and special events.

November marks the federal recognition of Native American Heritage month across the United States.

It’s that time of year again. From the ads clogging Sunday Night Football’s commercials to the yard signs filling your neighbor’s lawn, it is most certainly election season.

Is there such a thing as good debt? If so, is student loan debt considered good? It’s a term that has often been applied to the nearly $1.6 trillion in accumulated student debt held by approximately 45 million Americans.

In honor of MacDonald’s achievement, join Dr. Marcella “Marcy” MacDonald Reception and Talk on Friday, October 7 from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM at the Galleries at WorkSpace, 903 Main Street.

While the thermometer hasn’t necessarily backed up the facts, it is undeniable that the fall program season is right around the corner for Manchester’s Department of Leisure, Families, and Recreation.

September 15th marks the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, a celebration in recognition of the contributions to society, and culture of the more than 62 million Americans who claim Hispanic heritage.

As the number of elementary schools in Manchester has been consolidated, the buildings that used to house them are in need of a new purpose.

Camp Kennedy will be returning this summer for its 57th year to provide fun and recreation for its campers. Held this year from August 8-12, the day camp caters to adults with cognitive and developmental disabilities and has for many years brought them a week of fun activities and opportunities to meet old and new friends.

Sarah Prager is a leader and advocate for queer history education, she is the author of three amazing educational books for young adults and children.

For the past few months, parents in Manchester and around the country have struggled to find formula to feed their infants. The recall of certain

Americans across the country are grieving the loss of life in the Uvalde, Texas shooting that left 19 children and two teachers dead, along with many others wounded.

The Spruce Street Farmers Markets will be returning this summer with even more dates to buy produce and goods from local farms and small businesses. Every Wednesday evening from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., join us at Market Field at 153 & 163 Spruce Street to enjoy time with friends and family while supporting the local community and Connecticut small businesses.

On June 18, Manchester will be hosting its second Juneteenth Freedom Day Commemoration at the Leisure Labs at the Mahoney Center.

The lure of a cool swimming pools calls to us on the long hot days of summer. Splashing with friends, swimming laps, or jumping off the diving board at Globe Hollow are memories many have of fun days spent at the public swimming pool.

On March 15, Equal Pay Day was observed in the United States, a day meant to raise awareness of the gap in pay between men and women in this country.

This April, Rebuilding Together Manchester is the celebrating 30 years of service to the Manchester Community with the 30 Days of Caring.

As the world deals with the continuing effects of the pandemic, rising food prices have added to already existing food insecurity here in Manchester and across the country.

Within the state of Connecticut, thousands of minors struggle with homelessness and housing instability every year.

Nominations for the Luminaries of Change 2022 inductee class have opened. To nominate a local pioneer, trailblazer or grassroots activist follow the link.

From the Community Y to Northwest Park, the Eastside Neighborhood Resource Center to Charter Oak Park, the Town of Manchester is filled with public parks & recreation centers for the entire community to enjoy.

Throughout the month of December, the Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation will adhere to modified recreation center & office hours.