Third Thursdays coming to Manchester
Between the Farmers Market and Gazebo Concerts, summer Thursday nights in Manchester are always full of fun, but they are about to get even more exciting as downtown Manchester is introducing 3rd Thursdays! Last fall, downtown businesses experimented with staying open late on Thursdays combined with pop-up markets and food specials. This summer, they are taking it a step further. On the third Thursday every month starting in May and running through October, downtown businesses will be staying open late, holding pop-up markets, offering food specials, fun activities and live performers. This downtown event will be flanked on either side by the weekly Manchester Farmers Market in Chi Bro Park and the Manchester Gazebo Concerts in Wurster Park.
Sue LaRocque, a downtown business owner and one of the organizers of 3rd Thursdays, explained that their hope for the event is more than just increasing traffic for downtown businesses. “The purpose of this project is to offer community residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy our beautiful downtown area while engaging in activities and spending time with family and friends. They will be able to enjoy art, listen to music, tour our town, interact with children, enjoy food options, learn our town’s history, sit and visit, discover unknown spaces, create art, enjoy street performers, and shop at artisan markets and local businesses. We also strive to attract new residents by making Manchester a better place to live, work, and play. Through this project, our hope is that people will enjoy spending time downtown.”
The first 3rd Thursday is scheduled for May 17th from 4 to 8 pm. This first 3rd Thursday will feature a pop up artists market on Adrian Street (street will be closed for vendors and activities), rock painting, local restaurant specials, twov sidewalk chalk stations run by Boy Scouts and cub scouts running stations and multiple street performers. Street performers confirmed so far include Dave Berger & Darcy MacConnel “Veggie Berger” 6-8 pm outside of the village Tap, Kayla Kendall in front of the Flower Garden, Eric the Juggler from 4-5 pm in front of Over the Edge, Andy Furda – atmospheric guitar performer – in front of the Dandy Lion and other locations from 4-8 pm, Chris Monaghan – a sidewalk artist – on Adrian Street, and Jesse the Wanderer – a street performer who will move throughout town from 4-8 pm. The Manchester Farmers Market runs from 3:30 to 7 pm. There will be no gazebo concert this evening; this summer’s series will begin June 14th.
Other 3rd Thursday dates to mark on your calendar are June 21st, July 19th, August 16th, September 20th and October 18th. Additional activities scheduled so far for these dates include KJ House historical demonstrations and displays at the Kingsley-Jenter House, Blacksmith Shop open, Masonic Hall tour, Colors the Clown, Fairy Door Hunt, Sidewalk sales, Hayrides around town and a Village Green Tour. More will be added as the events get closer.
Jason Heinrich, another 3rd Thursday organizer, explained, “We are hoping to enrich Manchester’s downtown experience while raising awareness of the businesses, restaurants, and features of the Village.”
Organizers are still in search of more artists for the pop-up outdoor markets. Vending space is $15. Vendors need to provide their own tent/table. Interested artists should send their name, medium, email, and any dates that they’re interested in participating to Sue LaRocque at riverraisinantiques@gmail.com (Please put “Third Thursday” in the subject line of the email.
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