Jason Rojas

Dear Neighbor, 

 

In this email, you'll find updates on district resources and news. Please click the links below to read the section that corresponds with the highlighted headline.



A NOTE: If you're having trouble clicking through the following links, open this email in a browser, use a computer, or scroll through this email to the relevant section. 



The topics covered are as follows:

• In the District
• Today in CT History
• Manchester Community Events 
• East Hartford Community Events

I was happy to join my colleagues, Rep. Henry Genga, US Senator Richard Blumenthal, and Attorney General William Tong to discuss the recent fire at Rivermead Pointe, as well as Sen. Blumenthal's federal proposal for a Manufactured Housing Tenant's Bill of Rights.

Residents in the Mayberry neighborhood will be receiving a notice at their doors about the upcoming construction work.

When it comes to annual autumn fair traditions, Connecticans have plenty of options to choose from. In non-COVID-19 years, there are dozens of local fairs held within the state, not to mention “The Big E” Eastern States Exposition located just over the Massachusetts border in West Springfield. For over 110 years, however, the Danbury Fair was the biggest agricultural attraction in the region, drawing hundreds of thousands of annual visitors from New England and the greater New York City area.

Although agricultural fairs had been held in Danbury since 1821, the Danbury Fair proper first became an organized, annual multi-day event in 1869, when the Danbury Farmers and Manufacturers Society borrowed a tent from the Barnum & Bailey Circus and invited local farmers and crafters to show off their agricultural skills and wares. Over the course of the next several decades, under the leadership of the Leahy family of Danbury, the fair expanded to include nearly 150 acres of both permanent and temporary buildings housing amusement park attractions, races, and traveling shows in addition to agricultural contests, shows, and fair food.

 

One of the central features of the Danbury Fair was the large oval racetrack at the center of the fairgrounds, where harness races were held throughout the 19th century to the delight of thousands of spectators. In the early 20th century, the annual horse races were replaced with midget car and then stock car racing. During that time, Danbury Fair organizers implemented a variety of creative tactics to drum up excitement and increase visitor turnout for the fair, including purchasing advertising in Times Square, arranging bus transportation from major cities across the Northeast, and even hiring a Theodore Roosevelt impersonator — wearing a Danbury Fair advertisement attached to the back of his jacket — to make appearances at local railroad stations.

After the fair’s charismatic organizer John Leahy died in 1974 with no obvious successor lined up to take his place, the future of the Danbury Fair was thrown into doubt, even as it continued to draw annual crowds of hundreds of thousands of people. When the Danbury Fair opened for the last time on October 4, 1981, it held the distinction of being the oldest continuously-operating annual fair in the United States. Months later, the Leahy family accepted an offer of $24 million for the land comprising the Danbury Fairgrounds, and a few years later, developers built one of the largest shopping malls in the state on the site — named the Danbury Fair Mall.

 

Further Reading

“The Danbury Fair, 1869-1981,” connecticuthistory.org

Diane Hassan, “The Great Danbury State Fair & Early 20th-Century Outdoor Advertising,” connecticuthistory.org

“Danbury History: Danbury Fair,” Danbury Historical Society

Town Resources

https://www.easthartfordct.gov/residents

 

Town Newsletters

Pulse of East Hartford     

East Hartford Public Schools

East Hartford Works

• Monday October 21, 2024 10am – 6pm
• Tuesday October 22, 2024 10am – 6pm
• Wednesday October 23, 2024 10am – 6pm
• Thursday October 24, 2024 10am – 6pm
• Friday October 25, 2024 10am – 6pm
• Saturday October 26, 2024 10am – 6pm
• Sunday October 27, 2024 10am – 6pm
• Monday October 28, 2024 10am – 6pm
• Tuesday October 29, 2024 hours will be extended from 8am to 8pm
• Wednesday October 30, 2024 10am – 6pm
• Thursday October 31, 2024 hours will be extended from 8am to 8pm
• Friday November 1, 2024 10am – 6pm
• Saturday November 2, 2024 10am – 6pm
• Sunday November 3, 2024 10am – 6pm

The Presidential Election will take place November 5, 2024 6am – 8pm

Click here to find out where to VOTE

The Manchester Recreation Division's Fall Festival is returning for another year! Join us for one of our biggest events of the year! Leading up to the festival, we have a new scarecrow-making contest and pumpkin-carving activities free for you to participate in!



Get ready for an amazing day on October 11th! We'll have musical performances, haunted trails, food trucks, market vendors, trunk-or-treat, and more!



All Fall Festival activities take place at Northwest Park, 448 Tolland Turnpike, Manchester CT.

Discover the beginner pickleball sessions offered by the Manchester Recreation Division, and secure your spot by registering now! Playing pickleball allows you to work on your balance, agility, reflexes, and hand-eye coordination without putting excessive strain on your body. We're looking forward to seeing you there!

The Manchester Housing Authority (MHA) will accept pre-applications for a lottery drawing for up to 400 applicants to be placed on the waiting list for the Federal Low-Income Public Housing (LIPH) program.

The MHA will accept applications from people ages 62 and older or disabled applicants. Deadline is October 4 at 2 p.m.

Anyone interested and eligible may apply at https://www.pha-web.com/portals/onlineApplication/1703. Printed applications are available at 24 Bluefield Drive in Manchester and may be returned to the same address.

The East Hartford Public Library is excited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a lineup of programs celebrating the rich histories, art, stories and contributions of those whose ancestry can be traced back to Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. All programs will be held at the Raymond Library located at 840 Main Street, East Hartford.



"Capture the Flag" Scavenger Hunt

Find flags (along with some fun facts!) representing all 21 nations celebrated during Hispanic Heritage Month with this scavenger hunt throughout the Raymond Library. Pick up the scavenger hunt form at the Circulation Desk to begin. Available during library open hours.



Alebrijes & Paper Flowers

Tuesday, September 17, 5:00 – 7:00 PM, Raymond Makerspace

We will be making giant celebration flowers and alebrijes (brightly colored Mexican folk-art sculptures of fantasy creatures or animals) out of paper. This program is open to everyone of all ages. Register for a reminder.

 

Miguel Jose Matos: Meet the Artist

Thursday, September 19, 6:00 - 7:00 PM, Raymond atrium

Meet the artist Miguel Jose Matos and view his exhibition in our Atrium. With no formal art training or education Miguel began painting around 2017.  He “lets his hand follow the brush” and never goes into a piece knowing what the end result will be, since sketching does not replace improvisation. It now has become a routine adventure, sometimes painting 3-5 canvas pieces weekly. Drawing inspiration from artists like Jean Michel Basquiat, who remains one of Matos’ biggest artistic influences, has led this talented prolific Puerto Rican creator to master his own style and produce a growing body of work consisting of at least 250 canvas paintings and numerous wooden sculptures. For adults and teens. Register for a reminder.



Hispanic Heritage Month Movies

Fridays, 3:00 – 5:00 PM, September 20 – October 11, meeting room 1

Celebrate the contributions, diverse culture and history of Hispanic/Latinos through a selection of films.  Enjoy popcorn with each screening! See individual film description for recommended audience. 

September 27: Buena Vista Social Club (G) 1 hr 45 min

Aging Cuban musicians whose talents had been virtually forgotten following Castro's takeover of Cuba, are brought out of retirement by Ry Cooder, who travelled to Havana in order to bring the musicians together, resulting in triumphant performances of extraordinary music, and resurrecting the musicians' careers. For all ages. Register for a reminder. 

October 4: A Better Life (PG 13) 1 hr 38 min

Hardworking single father Carlos Galindo lives life for a single purpose: To provide his teenage son with the opportunity for a better life. A powerful, emotional and ultimately uplifting look at the heroic struggle of immigrants in their quest for the American Dream. Best suited for adults and mature teens. Register for a reminder. 

October 11: Coco (PG) 1hr 45 min

Aspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family's ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer. For all ages. Register for a reminder. 

Information about library programs and services at both branches can be found on our website: www.easthartfordct.gov/library or by calling the Raymond Library at 860-290-4330. 

 

 

Early voting will be available for the General Election beginning October 21st at Town Hall (740 Main Street) second floor, Welling Conference Room.

Early voting hours will be: 10 am – 6 pm with the exception of October 29 and 31 where hours will be 8 am – 8 pm

The General Election will take place November 5, 2024 from 6am – 8pm. All polling locations will be open on Primary Day.

If you are not registered, but want to vote during the Early Voting period, you may register in person every day of Early Voting at the Early Voting location.

If you are not registered, but want to vote on Election Day, you may register in person on Election Day at your Election Day Registration site.

To receive important election updates text VOTE to 860.321.4221

Additional information:

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East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department presents a Trick or Treat Trail!

DATE: Saturday, October 26th

TIME: 1:00pm – 3:00pm

LOCATION: East Hartford Town Green, 1047 Main Street

East Hartford children ages 10 and younger (and their accompanying parent/guardian) are invited to head down the trail in our festively decorated park to various stations for candy, treats, and giveaways. Each child should bring their own bag or basket to collect treats. Please dress appropriately for the weather. This event will be held rain or shine.

The event is FREE for East Hartford residents. For more information, please call East Hartford Parks and Recreation Department at 860-291-7160.

Fall Fest will take place on Saturday, October 5th, from 11:00am-3:00pm, at the East Hartford Town Green, 1047 Main Street.

Fall Fest is one of the Town’s largest events, averaging over 2,000 participants each year. Fall Fest is the perfect family-friendly event that offers fun activities for children and adults alike. Among many activities, there will be a variety of vendors, food, pumpkin decorating, pumpkin bounce house, scarecrow decorating, a giant inflatable corn maze and more! Crafters, vendors, and non-profit organizations are welcome to participate in this event. Entry to the event is free. However, there is an optional $5-ticket (cash only) for visitors that provides access to some of the attractions, games, and the pumpkin decorating activity.

If you are a vendor interested in participating in the event, please fill out a vendor application form on the town website at easthartfordct.gov/parks-recreation or call the Parks and Recreation office at 860-291-7160.

In case of inclement weather, the event will be Sunday, October 6th from 11:00am-3:00pm.

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

Don't miss the first ever East Hartford Walk for Hope Breast Cancer Awareness Event on Saturday, October 5th at 9 am at the Community Cultural Center! Join us as we walk a mile to honor the survivors and those we've lost. Community health organizations and speakers, such as Mayor Connor Martin, Council Member and survivor, Sebrina Wilson, and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, will be there to raise awareness and speak on preventative and protective measures!



Register for free here: https://ehparks.myrec.com/info/default.aspx

My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email at Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov or by phone at 860-240-8541.



Sincerely,



Jason Rojas