Third Thursday to feature park dedication events

Next week’s Third Thursday celebration, September 19, will have a special component as the River Raisin Park will be dedicated at 6 pm near the park’s plaza area.

A ribbon cutting will “officially” open the newly-completed park at the corner of M-52 and Main Street, along with the Shared Use Trail, a section of which is part of the new park. Finishing touches have also been completed on the trail, which now extends from the east border of the village to the west, this summer.

Aaron Helber, DJ from Throw Yo Hands Up Entertainment, will be located at River Raisin Park during this month’s event, from 4:30-7 pm. The Farmers Market will be located across the street in Chi-Bro Park as usual from 3:30-7 pm, so you can browse the week’s harvest before (or after!) heading over to the dedication ceremony and the events downtown.

The traditional Third Thursday events will include:

• Artisan & vendor Market on Adrian Street, (5-9 pm)
• International Food Crawl (5-9 pm) with Mexican food at The Village Tap, Cajun (a taste of New Orleans) at Frank’s Place, Polish fare at Two Black Sheep Restaurant, and American Grill at Over The Edge Sports Bar & Pizzeria
• Tent Covered Public Seating Area downtown on Adrian Street (5-9 pm)
• Live performance by The Renegades (5-9 pm)
• Kids Alley activities (5-9 pm)
• Hayrides around the downtown (6-8 pm)
• Rock painting Old National Bank (5-9 pm)
• Face painting & henna by The Facepaint Faerie (5-9 pm)
• 3D chalk art by Chris M. Monaghan & friends (5-9 PM)
• Singe the Fire Twirler – Mandy Claire (5-9 pm)
• Blacksmith Shop open with Demos (4-8 pm)
• Historic Walking Tour – “Fire, Smut, and Disease – Early Epidemiology in Manchester” (6-7 pm, meet in front of Comerica Bank at 6 pm)
• Manchester Area Historical Society open house (5-9 pm), Kingsley-Jenter House, 302 E. Main St.
• Masonic Hall – Open House (5-9 pm)
• $1 Flower Specials at the Flower Garden. Make your sweetie a bouquet!

The Third Thursday committee would like to thank its sponsors, Proper Property Services, Inc.; Danielle Hayden, Realtor – Integrity Real Estate KW Ann Arbor; Pat Fielder – KW Ann Arbor; Julie Greene, Realtor – Reinhart Realtors®; Matthew Mansfield – ERA Reardon Realty; River Raisin Antiques; Unforgettable Photos; Village Hair Forum; Chris McCarthy Construction; Throw Yo Hands Up Entertainment DJ & Photo Booth Services; and Michigan Realtors – Lighter, Quicker, Cheaper Grant.

Make it Manchester this month by joining in the festivities and celebrating all that the community has to offer!

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.