Final Friday Block Party Series Launches June 26 in Downtown Manchester
MANCHESTER, NH – Downtown Manchester will get a new monthly community celebration this summer with the launch of Final Friday, a recurring block party series taking place on the last Friday of each month from June through October.
Organized by the Manchester Downtown Collaborative, Final Friday is designed to bring residents, visitors, local businesses and community organizations together for an evening of live music, shopping and family-friendly activities in the heart of downtown.
The inaugural season will feature five events:
- June 26
- July 31
- Aug. 28
- Sept. 25
- Oct. 30
Each event will run from 4 to 8 p.m. on Hanover Street between Elm and Chestnut streets. The roadway will be closed to vehicle traffic from 3 to 9 p.m. to accommodate vendors, entertainment and attendees.
Organizers say the event is the next evolution of the popular Shop the Block event, expanding the concept from a single annual gathering into a series of monthly celebrations throughout the warmer months.
Live music is planned for every Final Friday event, and attendees can expect a variety of local vendors and community organizations lining the street. While food vendors are not currently being sought, restaurants and businesses along Hanover Street are encouraged to participate and may choose to offer food and drink specials during the events.
The Downtown Manchester Collaborative describes itself as a grassroots network of downtown business owners, entrepreneurs and community leaders working together to strengthen downtown Manchester through collaboration, community events and economic development initiatives. Its goals include increasing foot traffic, supporting local businesses, improving public perception of downtown and fostering a stronger sense of community pride.
All Final Friday events will be held rain or shine.
If you’re interested in participating as a vendor, the application can be found here.
Additional information about vendors, entertainment and participating businesses is expected to be announced as the season approaches.