Manchester Fireworks Celebration Now In Its 41st Year

MANCHESTER, CT — Manchester's James "Dutch" Fogarty Independence Day Celebration is scheduled to return July 11 at CT State Community College - Manchester, with live music, food trucks, family activities and a fireworks display at dusk.

The event, described in the announcement as one of the most anticipated and attended East of the River events, will be staged for the 41st time at the campus at 60 Bidwell St. Organizers said everything officially begins at 4 p.m. and ends at 10 p.m.

A rain date is set for July 12.

According to the event announcement, the band Feedback will open the celebration from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The announcement states the group was the winner of the Battle of the Bands at Toads Place in 2025. Nightshift is then scheduled to perform from 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.

An artisan market and kids zone are both planned from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Food trucks are scheduled from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The fireworks display is planned for dusk, according to the event details.

The announcement says 14 food trucks will be on site, offering a range of food options during the event. It also says the Kids Zone has been expanded and will include free facepainting for children and youth, along with roaming magicians, jugglers, balloon artists and stilt walkers.

The celebration is built around an afternoon and evening lineup that brings together music, food and family activities before the fireworks finale. The event announcement invites residents to gather with family, friends and neighbors for the holiday celebration in Manchester.

The fireworks portion is being promoted as a major feature of the night. According to the announcement, the fireworks shooter has designed an aerial program for the event. Additional information is expected in the coming weeks, according to the announcement.