Manchester Kicks-off Celebrations for their 200th Anniversary

Published on January 30, 2023

The Town of Manchester kicked off its 200th Bicentennial year with an afternoon of celebrations! Live performances, speeches, and a commemorative video were shared in the excitement of the year to come.

"We emerged from the pandemic with a sense of optimism as a community. There are a lot of great things going and this Bicentennial is a great opportunity for us to honor the past and be mindful about the future. This is an opportunity for us to shine a bright spot on everything we love about Manchester," said Town Manager Steve Stephanou.

Mayor Jay Moran followed with a special message for this year.

“This is the place I love to call my home and I know those of you who work here and live here love it too. I look at Manchester as a big family and for 50 years we’ve been picking people up when they’re down. As long as we continue to be a community that leads with our heart, we will be the best community in Connecticut,” said Mayor Moran.

As speeches concluded, Poet Laureate, Ryan Parker shared a spoken word poem highlighting the importance of acknowledging the past to create a space for healing and a call to action for Manchester’s future.

“I believe that the foundation of a community in justice are the key ingredients for all things beautiful to bloom… For the future, Manchester deserves to be a place every shade of us call home. And in the low belly of our hearts, truly feel like it is,” said Ryan Parker.

To learn more about the launch event and the Bicentennial year of celebrations, please visit the link below.

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