It's still the same Chicken Broil, with plenty of upgrades

Co-chair Michael Tindall talking to Tom Daldin of Under the Radar Michigan in 2017.

The 68th annual Manchester Chicken Broil will see lots of changes this year, but the important things remain the same:

A butter-basted, slow broiled chicken half

Fresh made coleslaw with a secret local recipe

Dinner roll with butter

Radishes, chips, and a beverage.

We all know it just doesn't get any better than that. But wait ... there is a slew of upgrades to this world-famous local event!

For the first time ever, you can order your tickets online. Advance tickets purchased at downtown merchants will be sold at $11 each, but online tickets will be $12 apiece (as will tickets purchased onsite the day of the Broil.) You'll receive a QR code via email, which you can present at the gate as your ticket. While you've got your credit card out to buy your online tickets, don't forget to check out all the Chicken Broil merchandise also available ... T-shirts, hoodies, tank tops, and sweatshirts with the traditional logo! And more will be available the day of the Broil.

Of course, one of the biggest changes everyone is talking about, is the date. Chicken Broil historians may recall that the very first broil was held in August, but for more than 65 years the Third Thursday In July was an important date on Manchester's calendar. This year, change that to the Third Saturday in July! Yes, Saturday, July 17, from 4-8 pm, at the Manchester Alumni Memorial Field (corner of Wolverine and Vernon Streets) you can get this once-a-year treat served up via drive-through, walk-up, or eat it on the field. Credit cards will also be accepted at the field on the day of the broil for your convenience.

There will also be a live band on the field during the Broil, along with many coordinating events (and more live music) downtown, thanks to the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce.

"Ticket sales have been going well already," said Michael Tindall, who is in his final year as co-chairman of the Broil. "We are really pleased. We thank Sue Maher for keeping our website up to date."

Reaction has also been overall positive, Tindall said, for the change in date. "Most younger people didn't ever understand why we haven't done it on Saturday all along," he commented.

That's because the Broil started in a much different era than we are living in now, when lifestyles were slower, businesses operated differently, and Thursday "worked" for many years. But as the original volunteers age out, getting younger volunteers was more of a struggle due to work and family obligations during the week. Of course, there are others who find volunteering on the weekend is not their preference. "You won't please everyone," Tindall said, "But overall, it is positive — we are getting a good mix of volunteers for this year and we expect that to grow in future years."

Another change this year will be paid sponsorships by local businesses: Advanced Industries, American 1 Credit Union, Bollinger Sanitation and Excavating, CEI Composite Materials, Chelsea Lumber Co., Comerica Bank, Donnellon State Farm Insurance Agency, Express Way Inc., Golling Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of Chelsea, LaRock Dental, Manchester Car Wash, Manchester Marathon, Manchester True Value, Old National Bank, Polly’s, R.D. Kleinschmidt, and Sutton Insurance Agency. These sponsors will have ads printed on the famed dinner boxes — don't forget to patronize these businesses and thank them for their support of this year's Broil.

The Chicken Broil is set to be featured again on Under the Radar Michigan, with the notation that "it really is that good!" Tindall added that the Under the Radar staff was highly impressed, during their first visit in 2017, by the quality of the Broil, how the entire community comes out to make the event a success, and that we have a link to their past feature on the Broil, posted on the Chicken Broil's website.

"Most of the changes are for the best," Tindall concludes. "It will be a successful broil again this year, and I'll go out on a win."

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.