Community Day at the University of Hartford

Have you ever wanted to ride in a hot air balloon? Or play miniature golf in the library? Well you can do this and more than 50 additional free, family-friendly activities at the University of Hartford’s annual Community Day. This year’s Community Day will be held on Saturday, April 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine, on the University’s campus at 200 Bloomfield Ave. in West Hartford, Conn.

This year, Community Day is celebrating its tenth anniversary by bringing back some of its most popular attractions from the past decade, such as bounce houses, a mobile petting zoo, an arcade, library mini-golf, and tethered hot air balloon rides. (Please note: the balloon rides will be offered from noon to 3 p.m. if strict weather conditions permit). A bicycle safety clinic, musical performances, arts-and-crafts, and the chance to anchor a newscast in the University’s TV studio are other returning favorites.

New this year, the University’s Presidents’ College is sponsoring a limerick contest with prizes for the best original limericks. To enter, send up to five original limericks as word attachments, with your name and e-mail address on the attachment, to pcollege@hartford.edu by Wednesday, April 18. The competition is open to all. There will also be a limerick reading in front of the Gengras Student Union. Participants can read their own or someone else’s limericks.

The University’s Center for Community Service will collect non-perishable food items for local food banks. Those bringing donations will be entered to win a variety of prizes.

For a complete schedule of attractions and events, please visit www.hartford.edu/cday.