Manchester's Bicentennial Year Starts With Local Song Debut

MANCHESTER, CT — Manchester is ready to celebrate its bicentennial and it's starting with a local musical composition recorded for the occasion.

Town officials kicked off the commemoration of Manchester's 200th year on Jan. 25 at Town Hall. The event began with a special debut of “Songs of Village Charm” by current Town Troubadour Bill Ludwig, accompanied by former Town Troubadour Dan Thompson.

Listen to the song here.

Town Manager Steve Stephanou welcomed guests and said the excitement is brewing for the year to come.

"We emerged from the pandemic with a sense of optimism as a community," he said. "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."

Mayor Jay Moran followed Stephanou 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," Moran said.

Poet Laureate Ryan Parker emphasized the importance of "acknowledging the past to create a space for healing and a call to action for Manchester’s future."

____

For more information on upcoming Bicentennial events and how to get involved, visit manchesterct.gov/bicentennial.