The Manchester 375th Committee has planned two community events to celebrate and mark the incredible efforts of our community’s safety officials and first responders who have been so critical during a challenging time in public safety.
First up among the committee’s suggestions: evening “light ups.” Starting this weekend, the committee encouraging residents to light up their porches with decorative holiday lighting, and put them on from dusk until 10 p.m. each night. The lights will be a nightly town-wide reminder to the community that, “we are strong together.” They’ll also be a consistent sign of appreciation to first responders and essential workers, a show of community and support for family and friends as we all struggle in these uncertain times.
Then, on Wednesday (which happens to be National Nurses Day), the committee has planned a vehicle parade that will tour around town to publicly thank essential workers who go to work each day in these difficult times. All those interested are encouraged to join.
The parade will be in the early morning to co-inside with the changing of the shifts for the Manchester Police Department and Manchester Fire Department. Anyone interested should drive to the upper parking lot at the MERHS (Arbella Street lot) between 7:20 and 7:45 a.m. Children are asked to stay in their cars when in the parking lot and, if adults get outside their cars they are asked to please use masks. Signs and or balloons to their cars when in the lot.
At 7:45 a.m., the parade begins. Up Pleasant Street to School Street, the up School Street to Manchester Family Medicine at 195 School Street and then back to Pleasant Street. Then, right on Pleasant Street to Pine Street. Left on Pine Street and down to Central Street. Left on Central Street and then the parade will travel past the MPD station and Town Hall and follow Central Street to Union Street to Beach Street. At the Post Office, Crosby’s Market and Richdale’s, the parade will turn left on Summer Street and follow to the top of Electric Light Hill. Turn left on Washington Street, follow Union Street to School Street, turn right on School Street and go past the Manchester Fire Station.
At that point, the parade will end.
Can’t join the parade but live along the route? Come out to your front steps, porch or driveway and wave to those in the parade. The committee asks that residents please remember social distancing.
“Hope to see you ‘light up the town’ and be part of the THANK YOU Parade on May 6th,” said Tom Kehoe, co-chairman of the Manchester 375th Committee.
