Manchester Day Provides Fun Times At Harry Wright Lake

MANCHESTER – You could take a swim, chat with your neighbor, pick up a flyer from a local organization, watch some entertainment and pick up a chocolate covered bacon stick. All of this and more were offerings of Manchester Day.

The annual event was bigger and better than ever with plenty of activities and things to enjoy at Harry Wright Lake.

Within the stage area, games of Bingo were held, and there were demonstrations by martial arts classes and police K-9s.

The canine from the Manchester Township Police was from the Netherlands. “Obedience is very important when we get these dogs. A lot of times when we do get the dogs (for the K-9 unit) the only way they eat is through obedience and are fed from our hand and not from a bowl so the dogs have to (work) for their food,” an officer noted as another officer ordered the K9 officer to heel and walk with him.

“Then we move onto a toy,” the other officer remarked during the demonstration.

Local civic groups used the time to reach out to the public. Some were service oriented like the Girl Scouts who ran a prize wheel game. The Whiting Veterinary Clinic and members of Toms River American Legion Post 129 were promoting their summer picnic.

There was also Just Believe Inc. whose members were not only promoting their organization but their Car, Truck & Motorcycle and Vendor show to be held on September 29 at the Amvets Post #2 in Jackson Township. The group will be part of Summer in the Streets on July 20 in downtown Toms River and participating at the National Night Out event in Lakehurst at Horicon Lake. They have another event on August 23 called Paint and Sip at the Jackson Amvets #2 Post.

For animal lovers there was the Volunteer Auxiliary for Animal Shelters Inc., an organization that helps to aid area animal shelters and promote the adoption of animals. They can be reached at AdoptaPet.com.

You couldn’t escape political chatter as members of both the Manchester Republican club and Manchester Democrats were out in force promoting their presidential candidate choices, discussing the recent candidate debate of a few days prior and also looking at the races of congress and even the 2025 gubernatorial race.

Members of the Ocean County chapter of the National Organization of Women (NOW) were seeking signatures for a petition which provides for a postcard from NOW before the general election in November showing pro-choice candidates. Reproductive rights are one of the six principles of NOW. The group is also seeking ending violence against women, LGBTQ+ rights, economic justice, racial justice and constitutional equality.

“Our big emphasis in this election is for Andy Kim because he is the one candidate running for senate who has been endorsed by the National Organization of Women way before the primary. We need somebody like him who won’t budge on women’s issues. He is a very collaborative guy who will work with anybody but he won’t step back when there is work to be done,” said Lynda Fote, president of Ocean County NOW.

Despite some overcast skies many visitors to the event flocked to the lake for some fun in the water.

Princess Katey the witch of Whiting was there doing tarot readings and selling her various crafts and charms plus some sweet selling scents. Scentsy was another vendor who provided some nice smelling merchandise.

Other vendors were selling jewelry, home-made soaps, children’s books that they wrote and published, wood work items and materials made from a 3-D printer.

Food trucks and vendors were in abundance and you could try some kettle corn, pulled pork, funnel cake, butterfly fries, Thai vegetable rolls, deep fried Oreos and raspberry lemonade and ice cream.

Members of the township police department, fire department and emergency service units were also present to meet the public and explain what they do.

The event concluded with a fireworks display at dusk.