Flames Welcome Back BBQ 2024

Manchester, NH – West Side Arena – August 29, 2024 –

It was Thursday night, the final night of ‘Skills Week’. This was the first week back on the ice for the Flames players. Summer still had some legs but the return to school was just around the corner. The event was set up as a celebration of Flames hockey success on and off the ice. For coaches, players, and hockey families. The event was an unofficial kick off to the 2024-2025 hockey season.

The Manchester Flames Welcome Back BBQ was a lot more than burgers, dogs, and sodas. It was a chance to check out the updates and refreshers done around the rink. A fresh painted logo at center ice, new banners hanging on the wall, and fresh painted colors in various places. I believe that West Side Arena is fifty (50) years old this year, and perhaps it has never looked better.

Truly a banner season for the Flames last year. So many hours spent together honing skills. Exceptional execution in the critical seconds. Can add up to a wonderful result. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

In the week following the BBQ, and the holiday weekend for Labor Day, teams practiced for the first time this season. Then by Sunday night (9/8), the various Flames travel teams will have competed in twenty-plus (20+) games. And just like that, hockey season will be off and running.

But Thursday night was about the families, the players, the coaches, and the organization that, quite frankly, wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for all of the kids. Kids reconnected and gathered all over the grounds. For many of the kids, the Flames organization provides an opportunity for kids to play, to compete, and to learn so many things that will serve them well in the future. And, for so many of the kids the space where camaraderie thrives among their teammates is truly their happy place.

You can stay up to date with teams, schedules, and events at MRYHA or the Facebook Page.

: Posing for the balloon guy. Or begging for a balloon animal. Meanwhile in the background a time for serious pondering. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

: The balloon engineer was drawing big crowds all evening. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

: The anticipation of a balloon animal to call my own. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

When I pulled into the parking lot right as the festivities were getting underway out behind the rink, the parking lot was already nearly full. Cars were streaming in. There were smiles walking all around the property. Kids were already on the ice inside, working on their skills, getting ready for the season.

New faces and the anticipation of something entirely new was met in the line for grilled burgers with the familiar faces catching up again for another season of hockey. And all at once, new or seasoned, hockey families were talking, laughing, chasing kids, and having a lot of fun along the way.

: I heard the Flames gear tent was over that way. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

: Orders are ready over at the grills. Many burgers and dogs consumed on the evening. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

: Coach Warren uses his old hockey gloves from 1988 (worn thin) to get some beef ready for the grill. Dunn on the run in the background. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

: I love fresh, smooth ice. And yes, this logo is pretty fantastic. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

: There will be many people gathering in this space all season long. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

: West Side Arena. So many visits to this great place tucked between the old rail bed known as the Piscataquog Trail and the Piscataquog River. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

It really was a fun time. Getting together at the rink, but being outdoors on a pleasant August evening with a whole bunch of people, at least for a moment or two, all in the same boat. With the kids being the core of the whole thing. As kids sports should be, all about the kids. And maybe a free meal, every now and again.

Enjoy a few pictures to better understand the lay of the land. There truly was fun being had all over the property inside and outside of West Side Arena.

: The corn hole bags and boards are set up and ready for use. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

: Then a Dad took on his kids in a game that they all enjoyed. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

: There were plenty of interesting things to bid on in the auction tent. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

: Hmmm. What was the item that I was supposed to check the latest bid on? © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

: The sun was shining and kids everywhere were looking for a space to jump, bounce, fall, and roll. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

: I thought I heard one kid walk away from an awkward conversation by saying, “Hey man, I gotta bounce.” © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

: Several of my dollars ended up somewhere in the Kona Ice truck. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

: Kona Ice was a big draw for the kids all night. In the background kids get loose before jumping inside for their ice time. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

: https://www.facebook.com/friendsofthemanchestermountedpatrol/. This is a non-profit organization, and people were lined up and visiting with them all evening. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

Then of course there was the ever popular Dunk Tank! This attraction was tucked in the corner behind West Side Arena. Kids bought chance after chance to throw a ball at the target and dunk their coach into the water. Check it out!

The MRYHA Board had one of their engineers work out the kinks to get the Dunk Tank back in operation. I could not confirm whether or not this engineer was related to the Balloon Engineer. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

: Playing throughout the evening were the tunes. People were coming and going all over the place, under the umbrella of music playing and contributing to the overall fun everyone was having. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.

: This is what happens when a 5-year teammate of my son comes over to me and hacks my camera for a moment. Hacked by Hawkes. © 1inawesomewonder 2024.