our past featured stories.

Manchester Kicks-off Celebrations for 200th Anniversary
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.

Don’t Be Left Out of the Next 200 Years of History
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.

Pop-Warner Football Makes National Tournament
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.

Manchester Receives Excellence in Finance Report Award
Manchester has been awarded the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the GFOA for its annual comprehensive report for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021.

Remembering Sandy Hook
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.

Winter/Spring Program Registration Opens Soon
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.

Gearing Up for Our Bicentennial Celebration
As the days get shorter and the year winds down to its close, a historic milestone looms large throughout the local community. In 2023, the Town of Manchester will officially celebrate its Bicentennial, a commemoration of the town’s 200th birthday, an evaluation of its rich history, and a look to the future roads not yet traveled.

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

Election Day: Are You Ready?
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.

As Student Debt Relief is Announced, Millions Left Waiting on Details
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.

Marcy MacDonald: Swimming For Hope
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.

The Fall Season Welcomes New Programs and Returning Favorites
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.

Manchester Announces Grant-Giving Program for 2023 Bicentennial
Manchester has launched planning efforts for its 2023 Bicentennial Celebration. This year long celebration will consist of a variety of opportunities to remember the past, celebrate the present, and dream about the future. Festivities will include historical and educational programs, special events, and commemorative projects.

A Celebration of Hope & Heritage
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.

Repurposing Manchester’s Schools
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 Prepares for 57th Year
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.

Pride Celebration & History with Sarah Prager
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.

Infant Formula Shortage Impacts Manchester
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

Ending Gun Violence
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.

Spruce Street Farmers Market Returning This Summer
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.

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

Learn to Swim. Learn to Thrive
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.

The Gender Pay Gap Remains
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.

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

Food Sovereignty and the Spruce Street Community Garden
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.

The Continuing Fight Against Youth Homelessness
Within the state of Connecticut, thousands of minors struggle with homelessness and housing instability every year.

Luminaries of Change Nominations Open February 10
Nominations for the Luminaries of Change 2022 inductee class have opened. To nominate a local pioneer, trailblazer or grassroots activist follow the link.

Culture Lab: Looking Ahead to 2022
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.

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

Registration Opening Soon for Town Programs and Events
The opening day of registration for Winter-Spring programs and events is fast approaching. Beginning on December 8th, Manchester residents can sign up for a wide variety of activities offered by the Town of Manchester’s Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation.

Preparing for Winter, Planning for Spring
With colder weather coming, there’s the temptation to stay inside your house, but the Town of Manchester’s Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation has the solution.

Native American Heritage Month
On October 29, President Biden proclaimed November to be Native American Heritage Month, a time to celebrate Native American & Indigenous history and culture. Across the country, people will be celebrating the rich cultural heritage of one of America’s most marginalized communities.

Town to Showcase Future Concepts in Pop-Up Art Exhibit
Following the recent completion of the Town of Manchester’s new Parks and Facilities Master Plan, organizers are moving into the next phase of communicating the plan to Manchester residents.

Manchester Prepares a Master Plan for the Future
The Master Plan outlines how to further develop future parks, trails, open space, and recreational areas so as to meet the needs of the community while also investing in the town’s economic and cultural value.

Culture Lab Grand Opening
In 2018, the increasing need for inclusion and community engagement for marginalized members of the Manchester community sparked the beginnings of a new initiative that will finally come to fruition this fall.

Looking Forward to Fall
As summer turns into fall, the Department of Leisure, Family, and Recreation has many exciting programs and events planned for the Manchester community.

Supporting Local Supports Manchester’s History
It’s a Friday night and you’re looking for something to eat-where do you go? You’re building a birdhouse and need some more nails-where can you get them? You’ve washed a shirt too many times and need to buy a new one-who has you covered? The answer is surprisingly the same for all of these questions: your favorite local business.