65th Chicken Broil & 3rd Thursday event successes!

The shuttle that ran between 3rd Thursday event and Chicken Broil will be returning in September and October to give hayrides around the village at future 3rd Thursday events. Photo courtesy of 3rd Thursday organizers.

The 65th Chicken Broil came to a successful conclusion Thursday evening with a total of 7,811 meals served, up from 7,551 meals served last year. The weather cooperated this year and instead of temperatures over 100 degrees F or thunderstorms, the day was a pleasant and sunny with a high of 83F.

Co-chairman Michael Tindall reported that the numbers broke down: Large Order Take-Out 398, Take-Out 1250, Drive-Thru 3161, Worker Take-Out 1056 and Serving Line 1946. This means that the Drive Thru Line accounted for more than 40% of the dinners, up from 38% last year which could lead you to believe that fewer diners attended the event in person, but in fact 25% of the dinners were eaten on field which was up from 22% last year!

A new companion to the Chicken Broil this year was the 3rd Thursday Event held downtown in the Village from 4 to 8 pm. The 3rd Thursday Event was the third event organizers held this summer and it was unclear going into the event whether holding it on the same day as the Chicken Broil would help or hurt attendance at the 3rd Thursday Event. Organizer Sue LaRocque stated that it helped and attendance was up from the previous month. “I think it just keeps getting better and better,” she stated. “There were lots of people downtown the whole evening. Many vendors and businesses stayed open even later than the 8 pm close time because of the number of people milling around.”

The hay ride which served as a shuttle between the Chicken Broil and 3rd Thursday Event was so popular it will be making a return! LaRocque stated, “The hay ride was a big hit! The hayride will return for trips around the village for the September and October 3rd Thursday.”

Even the Manchester Farmers Market, which is notoriously slow on Chicken Broil Thursdays every summer, reported they had more traffic than in previous years!

The Big Icky entertaining on Adrian Street during the 3rd Thursday event. Photo courtesy of 3rd Thursday organizers.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.