Jason Rojas

Dear Neighbor,

I hope this email finds you well. Below, you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please feel free to reach out to my office if you have any questions or concerns.

The topics covered in this e-newsletter are as follows:

• Arch Tour
• Today In Connecticut History
• Manchester Community Events and Information
• East Hartford Community Events and Information

Today in 1906, three parades commemorating the 100th anniversary of the founding of Meriden took place throughout the city. The day’s main parade — comprised of 162 automobiles, which the Hartford Courant described as “of every sort and description” decorated with “flowers in profusion, vines and greens, flags and bunting, plumes and every other variety of trimming that the artistic eye and ingenious hand could devise” — filled the center of town, and was followed by patriotic ceremonies, horse races, and athletic competitions at the Meriden Trotting Park.

The three parades held today in 1906 were just a fraction of the 11 scheduled during the “Silver City’s” week-long centennial celebration. Collectively, they were intended to display both the diversity and the prosperity of the thriving century-old city.In 1906, Meriden was the fifth largest municipality in the state, and one of the finest examples of a flourishing Connecticut factory town. It was home to factories manufacturing everything from telephones to furniture, but the city had earned a national reputation for its dominance in American silver manufacturing and silverplating. Just as Waterbury had become known as “the Brass City” and Manchester “the Silk City” for their respective industrial concentrations, Meriden was now called “the Silver City”. In 1898, the International Silver Company had been founded in Meriden and quickly became the most dominant brand name in household silver after buying out and consolidating over a dozen smaller silver factories in the region.

Meriden’s centennial celebration reflected the immense optimism the city’s residents had in its future prospects. The eleven parades during that week of festivities honored, among other things, the military, labor unions, local cultural organizations, and even the city of Wallingford, the “parent town” from which Meriden broke away in 1806. The future of the Silver City looked bright, and the past was on parade — today in Connecticut history.

https://www.easthartfordct.gov/residents
 
Town Newsletters
Pulse of East Hartford     
East Hartford Public Schools
East Hartford Works

Free family friendly events and activities all week long! Here’s a few highlights: Historical Society open houses, town-wide tag sale, hikes, Art in the Park, barbecue at the Elks Club for veterans, a dance at the Senior Center, Duck Race, and much more!

Celebrate-Manchester-2025-Flyer.pdf(PDF, 5MB) to view the full schedule of events flyer.

Calendar Events

Starting Sunday, June 1st - Saturday, June 14. FREE Family-friendly events and activities.

Saturday, June 7 (Rain Date June 8) - Free Concert
Starting at 6:30 pm
Center Memorial Park

For more events, please read the flyer below or call the Manchester Recreation Program Information line: 860-647-3162

Weather will be monitored, and updates will be available through the Information Line or Facebook.

The Town of Manchester is excited to officially unveil Manchester Now, the new program guide publication for the Department of Leisure, Family and Recreation, the Manchester Public Library, the Manchester Senior Center & Manchester Public Schools.

The Town of East Hartford Commission on Aging and Department of Health & Human Services are inviting East Hartford senior residents who qualify, to participate in the Spring Senior Yard Support Program. The purpose of this program is to assist East Hartford seniors, who are experiencing financial and / or physical barriers with front and/or back yard clean-up.

Volunteers will do general yard clean-up, such as raking, weeding, and clearing debris from the yard.  The targeted population for this program are East Hartford senior residents who may be physically unable to perform Spring yard clean-up activities, may not have the financial means to hire yard service companies, and do not have family in the area that are able to assist with yard clean-up.
Volunteer teams will be comprised of at least one adult who will oversee the safety and clean-up assignment of assigned youth. Senior residents who are selected for the program will complete a waiver that permits volunteers on the property.  All volunteers will be required to complete an East Hartford volunteer form and liability waiver.

Eligible residents can sign-up for this program by completing the PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION LINK. Residents can also contact Senior Services at (860) 291-7460 or Youth & Social Services at (860) 291-7248 for assistance with completing the registration form.
Residents who are interested in participating as volunteers for yard clean-up can register by completing the VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION LINK. A Town of East Hartford will contact you regarding upcoming volunteer dates and locations.  

Eligibility criteria:

• Persons 55+ years of age and older;
• Currently resides in East Hartford and owns the property where a front and / or back yard is in need of clean-up; and
• Experience barriers that limit the ability to receive assistance for yard clean-up and maintenance, including:
• Underlying health conditions or disability that limits mobility and ability to perform yard clean-up activities;
• Social isolation (lives alone, no family in the area that can assist with yard clean-up);
• Low-income, financial limitations, and barriers to hiring yard clean-up services (Limited financial supports, such as food assistance, social security, or disability benefits)   

The Town of East Hartford, in collaboration with East Hartford Public Library, East Hartford Parks & Recreation, the Commission on Culture and Fine Arts, and the East Hartford Black Caucus, invites you to attend the town’s fourth annual Juneteenth Celebration. Juneteenth, officially known as Juneteenth National Independence Day, is also known as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, and Black Independence Day, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the emancipation of enslaved African-Americans.

The event will take place on Saturday, June 14th from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm, at the East Hartford Town Green, 1047 Main Street. Admission is FREE.

The observance of Juneteenth is about the journey and achievement of African Americans throughout the horrific period of sanctioned enslavement to where we are today. However, the stories of pain, pride, resilience, determination and hope that define our historical and spiritual blueprint are the catalyst for understanding that we can overcome negativity in spite of our differences to make our town a better place for all our children.

Everyone is welcome to attend this event as we pay tribute to our journey, remember our history and reflect on our independence. We pay homage to those who have paved the way for us today. We celebrate freedom.

The Juneteenth Fest is the perfect family-friendly, community event that offers fun activities for children and adults alike. Among many activities, there will be a variety of vendors, food, entertainment, bounce house, face painting, powerful storytelling and so much more.

Our stage show has been meticulously planned out by the East Hartford Library and we are so excited for it and hope you'll join us! 

11:45 AM Welcome & Opening remarks
12:00 PM Yaco International
1:15 PM   Grace C. Wright Performing Arts
2:00 PM   CT Secretary of State Stephanie Thomas
2:20 PM   Super Icon Thomas Lumpkin and Friends
3:00 PM   Black Diamonds Double Dutch Team Demonstration
3:30 PM   NRGY (spoken word)

In case of inclement weather, the event will be moved indoors to the Community Cultural Center located at 50 Chapman Place.

For more information, please call Parks and Recreation at 860-291-7160 or visit www.easthartfordct.gov/parks-recreation.

The annual Sounds of Summer Concert Series returns for 2025! This free summer concert series will take place on Thursdays from June 12th to July 31st, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the Great River Park Amphitheater, located at 301 East River Drive. Join us for beautiful music in a scenic setting all summer long!
This year's lineup features a diverse range of musical genres to entertain all members of the community:

• June 12: Alvin Carter Project (Jazz)
• June 19: Shaded Soul (Vocal & Instrumental)
• June 26: The Score (Classic Party Rock)
• July 3: Cover 2 Cover (High Energy Dance Music)
• July 10: Sound Pipers (Reggae)
• July 17: La Choco Band (Latin Music)
• July 24: Mass-Conn Fusion (Jazz, Motown, R&B)
• July 31: Soul Sound Revue (7-piece Modern Music)

In the event of inclement weather, the concerts will be moved indoors to the East Hartford Community Culture Center at 50 Chapman Place.
A special thank you is extended to the generous sponsors who make this series possible: Pratt & Whitney, The Metropolitan District, the Commission on Culture and Fine Arts, Restaurant Paradise, and Uncle Crumbles.
Located at 301 East River Drive, Great River Park is a beautiful and much loved stretch of the East Hartford’s riverside. Stretching along the bend of the Connecticut River adjacent to East River Drive, Great River Park is a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and enjoy the outdoors. Enjoy picturesque vistas of the riverside and the city along nearly two miles of paved and lighted Riverwalk. Facilities include a boat launch, picnic tables, fishing access, a 350-seat amphitheater and a unique collection of sculpture art. Pedestrians can easily travel back and forth to Hartford via the Founders Bridge Promenade or the Charter Oak Bridge just steps from the park.