72nd Annual Manchester Chicken Broil, this week!
submitted by Jeff Mann, Manchester Chicken Broil, Chairman
The 72nd annual Manchester Chicken Broil, the decades-long and entirely volunteer-run event that takes place in the City of Manchester, Michigan, located 25 minutes outside Ann Arbor in Washtenaw County, is set for Saturday, July 19, 2025, from 4 to 7:30pm at the Alumni Memorial Field. Back by popular demand will be the kids’ corner along with live musical entertainment. “We’re always looking for ways to branch out beyond the scope of what people expect from the Broil,” Jeff Mann, president of the Broil said about the inclusions, “and we hope this will entice patrons to not only come out and enjoy a delicious chicken dinner, but perhaps stick around a little longer and enjoy these wonderful activities.”
Drive-through and carry-out options are available, or you can dine on the field.
The organizers would also like to highlight some minor changes to the drive-through this year. “We’re going to have the drive-through utilize Dutch Drive to create a more efficient experience and to optimize traffic flow so as to not have build-up near south M-52 like we saw last year,” Mann said of the tweaks.
Tickets for the Broil cost $13 presale, which can be purchased from a variety of local businesses, or $15 at the gate and online. Credit/debit cards and cash are accepted at the gate. Tickets include a delicious chicken dinner, complete with ½ chicken, roll, butter, freshly made (and world-famous) coleslaw made with a secret local recipe, radishes, chips, and beverage.
Mann is optimistic about what the 2025 Chicken Broil has in store and hopes to keep the momentum from 2024’s successful year going strong. “The goal is always to sell out and for attendees to stick around and enjoy the live entertainment. Last year was great, but this year, with all the new additions, I think has the potential to soar even higher. Because at the end of the day, all the money goes back into the community.”
This year’s proceeds are going to update the facilities and buildings at Alumni Memorial Field, a greenhouse for the Klager Elementary Gardening Program, and a unique enhancement to the new north entrance to the Athletic Complex.
Mann concludes, “Each year we’re reminded why we continue this tradition. We can’t thank the community and volunteers enough for their dedication. It takes roughly 500 of them for the Chicken Broil to operate and without them, none of this would be possible. It takes a village.”
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