West Hartford Community Enjoys Annual Center Street Block Party
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Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
The ninth Center Streets drew a crowd as a loop around West Hartford Center was closed to vehicular traffic for several hours on Sunday.
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
By Ronni Newton
People of all ages flocked to West Hartford Center on Sunday morning, enjoying the sunny and warm late August weather and the opportunity to play in the middle of the street at the town’s annual “block party on wheels.”
At the ninth annual Center Streets event, you could find toddlers on balance bikes or tricycles, young children on bikes with training wheels, e-bikes, cargo bikes, all sorts of bike trailers, scooters, rollerblades, strollers – and many people just walking around around as a 0.7-mile loop around West Hartford Center (portions of Farmington Avenue, South Main Street, Memorial Road Extension, and LaSalle Road) was closed to vehicle traffic for several hours Sunday. Others sat outside and listened to one of the three live bands, or enjoyed just people watching.
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
It’s hard to estimate the crowd because they’re constantly on the move, but in general several thousand attend the annual event, and Sunday was at least as busy as past years.
“It was impossible to get a head count,” said Ethan Frankel of Bike West Hartford, one of the organizers of the event, but he said it seemed to be the busiest year ever, particularly on South Main Street, and estimated perhaps 3,000 people attended over the course of the four hours.
“Businesses that chose to bring out samples and such reported significant increase in sales,” said Frankel, noting that Nero Kitchen, which gave away drinks and dessert samples, was extremely busy. “Ben and Jerry’s was extra busy. Penzey’s enjoyed extra business,” said Frankel, noting that there were 30-plus bikes parked in front of bartaco taking up what would be two car parking spaces.
The weather has cooperated the past few years, and also helped make the event a success. It was warm and sunny, but not too hot – perfect for spending time outdoors.
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
In addition to looping around the vehicle-free roads, the Connecticut Department of Transportation provided bike safety information – including an obstacle course – and the West Hartford Police Department handed out stickers for kids and information about e-bikes. There was a cargo bike exhibit, frozen treats for people and pups, an assortment of games for kids of all ages, and several of Anne Cubberly’s giant “Nightfall” puppets strolling along the loop.
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
And this year, many who attended Center Streets arrived via the Trout Brook Trail and the new two-way bike lane that was just constructed along the north side of Farmington Avenue, from the trail to Main Street. For the past two years a “pop up” bike lane was tested out, but the new separated bike lane, funded by a Community Connectivity Grant, was completed along with the repaving and restriping of a stretch of Farmington Avenue in time for Sunday’s event.
“The Trout Brook Trail connector was enjoyed by hundreds and so many people expressed heartfelt love for Center Streets and the community it builds. It such a rewarding free event,” Frankel said.
Center Streets is organized by Bike West Hartford, and although Town of West Hartford personnel are physically involved in closing off the streets, the event is entirely run by volunteers and is a public-private partnership with all costs paid for by sponsors.
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
Center Streets West Hartford. Aug. 30, 2026. Photo credit: Ronni Newton
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