Originally published at: West Manchester Day | Free Keene
A key impetus for FreeKeene.com is to cover liberty activism in the Free State of New Hampshire. Content often takes the form of documenting an uninvited incident, ousting aggressors, and supporting individuals standing up for their rights. But just as relevant in this peaceful evolution are happenings that proactively seek to grow neighborly goodwill and interconnectedness.
Enter: West Manchester Day, happening Saturday, September 04, 2021.
West Manchester, Free State of New Hampshire
Like many mill towns that sprung up before the automobile was a thing, parts of Manchester, including West Manchester — the portion of Manchester on the west side of the Merrimack River — are quite dense. Despite this proximity, many residents don’t know their neighbors. Individuals are relatively atomized. West Manchester Day is an attempt to change that for the better — to provide a space where residents can meet, partake in joint activities, and share good times.
As this happens real connections form, lessening perceived division. This could mean a new best friend, someone to help with childcare, or new clients for one’s services or goods. This newfound personal rapport makes it more likely for neighbors to look out for each other, and should a conflict arise, more likely to work things out rather than involve an unknown, unaccountable stranger (police employee) prone to escalate.
West Manchester Day festivities begin with a tour of Parkside Gardens — a community garden just south of Parkside Middle School, then transitions to Rock Rimmon Park where there will be games (I’m personally looking forward to the tug of war!), contests, and an ice cream truck. In attendance will be several area entrepreneurs, folks involved with We Heart West, and hopefully you, dear reader.
Please click here for the full itinerary of West Manchester Day.
Rock Rimmon Park, West Manchester, Free State of New Hampshire