This is the nineteenth anniversary of Pride In Manchester, a week full of free activities for all ages. Pride Week celebrates our town's heritage - past, present, and future - kicking off with the Concert in the Park on Saturday, June 5 at 5:00 p.m. (music starts at 5:30).

Pride Week includes a Senior Dance on Tuesday, June 8, a Downtown "Strollin' on Main" on Thursday, June 10, and Heritage Day, Saturday, June 12. Throughout the week there will be a dozen independently sponsored events, including an art show in the park, family hikes, a Flag Day ceremony, and the New England Fiddle Contest.

The late Joseph Negri, a former member of the Board of Directors, started Pride In Manchester Week as a one-day event. Residents volunteered their time cleaning up the streets of Manchester. The program grew each year, adding a senior dance, roller-skating party, and a concert. Our programs have now expanded to a week-long celebration of Manchester, culminating in Heritage Day at Cheney Hall. Today's Heritage Day - the final Saturday of Pride week - began in 1991 and is based on "Homeland Day," a day set aside in 1914 by Cheney Brothers to recognize and celebrate the many ethnic backgrounds of those who emigrated to Manchester to work in the silk mills.

The Heritage Day opening ceremonies, exhibits, and local entertainment will start at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 12, at historic Cheney Hall, 177 Hartford Road. Parking is available in the adjacent lot. The Manchester Historical Society's museums, Cheney homestead, Keeney schoolhouse, and the Connecticut Fireman's Museum will be open without charge.

The Pride In Manchester committee is comprised of volunteers from the community committed to providing interesting cultural, social, educational and recreational activities. Some of our members have been serving on the committee since its inception. For more information please call Pride Week chair and volunteer Barbara Armentano, at 860-643-0474.

For weather cancellations and changes, please check this web site.