The mission of the Lutz Children’s Museum is to provide a multi-faceted museum for children to explore culture, history, and the natural sciences through internal and external exhibits, programs, and experiences. Founded in 1953, The Lutz serves as the home base for many community events in Manchester, including generously hosting MPB’s weekly lessons and rehearsals.

The Greater Hartford Arts Council has served Connecticut’s capital region for nearly 50 years, providing critical financial and organizational resources to support the arts and cultural sector, as well as helping all people connect with the arts in their community. The GHAC works hard, every day, to build a strong community and couldn’t do it without the help of thousands of donors who believe in the power of the arts to change our community.

First run on Thanksgiving 1927 by just 12 runners, over 80 years later, the Manchester Road Race boasts a field of 15,000 runners every Thanksgiving morning. The 4.7 mile course through the streets of Manchester attracts local families and elite runners alike, is the largest distance run in Connecticut, and one of the largest in the country. Proceeds from the event benefit local organizations and charities. MPB is proud to have performed on the sidelines of most every Manchester Road Race.

On December 18, 1992, Walter T. Williams III, a Waterbury police officer, was killed in the line of duty. At the time there was no police pipe band in Connecticut; days later a group of dedicated officers vowed to never again follow as one of their own was laid to rest… and the Police Pipes and Drums of Waterbury was born. Throughout the years the Police Pipes and Drums of Waterbury has remained steadfast in their commitment to the law enforcement community through participation in countless law enforcement benefits, fundraisers, promotions, retirements, graduations, memorial services and funerals.

Established in 1953, MRPF was patterned after the tradition of the great Scottish military regiments and continues these traditions by wearing a military-style uniform and sporting the Hunting Stewart tartan. MRPF keeps a rigorous parade and event schedule throughout the year, and regularly attends memorial services for both police and firefighters. The band has gained recognition for performing with the likes of Black 47 and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, as well as participating in Military Tattoos in both Switzerland and Germany.

The EUSPBA is the governing and sanctioning organization for piping, drumming, and bagpipe band competitions in the Eastern United States. The EUSPBA is the world’s largest in terms of individual members, serving competitions and competitors alike from Maine to Texas. The EUSPBA aspires to assist individuals and bands in reaching, not only their highest competitive potential, but also raising the level of the art.

The MANCHESTER AREA CONFERENCE OF CHURCHES (MACC Charities) was founded in 1973 by 14 local churches in Manchester and Bolton with a simple conviction: when it comes to serving the basic unmet needs of our neighbors and breaking cycles of poverty in our community, we are better together. After more than 43 years as a conference, we still believe that. We serve the greater Manchester Area and currently have 40 member churches from Manchester, Bolton, South Windsor, Glastonbury and Storrs. While our programs and strategies have evolved and changed over the years, our foundation and core commitment to mobilizing our community to break cycles of poverty has remained steady. As long as there is need, MACC will be here.

Imagine Main Street’s mission is to revitalize the downtown historic district of Manchester, Connecticut through the economic and cultural impetus of the arts. We envision creating a well known arts “Mecca” including performance, galleries, pop-up stores, public art and sculpture and beautification projects. Imagine Main Street strives to incorporate the rich cultural and historic heritage of Manchester with a new and creative arts culture. Imagine Main Street will work in collaboration with representatives from the Town of Manchester, the Downtown Special Services District, local business owners, non-profit organizations, artists and concerned citizens to create a culturally diverse and creative arts community catalyzing tremendous economic development and business growth for downtown historic Manchester.