James 'Dutch' Fogarty Independence Day Celebration Set for Saturday

“He just meant so much to the community, and we wanted to honor him someway.”

Barbara Mozzer along with many others throughout Manchester feel this way about the late James Fogarty. That is why there will be another Fourth of July celebration in Fogarty’s honor this year and for years to come.

This weekend’s festivities are the 28th anniversary of the James “Dutch” Fogarty Independence Day Celebration, taking place on Saturday, July 2, at the Bicentennial Bandshell on the campus of Manchester Community College. The event has no entrance fee, and festivities kick-off at 4 p.m., finishing up around 10 p.m. The rain date is Sunday, July 3.

There will be bands performing on stage at the Bicentennial Bandshell beginning at 5 p.m., and the legendary chicken barbecue will go on from 5-6:30 p.m. The event will also have children’s activities, such as face painting, and the night concludes with a fireworks show starting at 9:30 p.m.

“I’ve been there many times in the past, and it’s an absolutely great event,” Joseph Camposeo, Manchester's town clerk, told Patch. “The community really rallies around it, and it’s a lot of fun for everyone.”

Camposeo said that Fogarty had a long and illustrious career with the Manchester fire department and as a member of the Board of Directors. When Camposeo was a kid, he said he actually grew up in the neighborhood that Fogarty lived in.

Camposeo remembers when there was a ban on fireworks at one point and how Fogarty was instrumental in bringing them back to town.

“He was the main guy behind all that,” Camposeo said. “It then grew to a group of volunteers, and they made the Fourth of July celebration a day-long event, and not only for fireworks.”

Mozzer, the co-chairperson of the event, started the celebration idea with Fogarty over a coffee conversation many years ago, and it has just taken off from there.

In addition to his time in the fire department, Mozzer remembers Fogarty as being very involved in the community, especially with children.

“He started the concession stand at the ball field, at Charter Oak Field, and the kids have just loved it,” Mozzer said.

As for this year’s celebration, the first band at 5 p.m. will be Skyline Drive Band, a country group from Connecticut. Then at 7 p.m., David Foster and the Mohegan Sun All-Stars will jump on stage.

Tickets for the famous chicken barbeque are now on sale for $7 in the Customer Service and Information Center in Town Hall, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets purchased the day of the event are $8. For details, call 860-647-5235.

Other food items available for purchase include hot dogs, hamburgers, soda, cotton candy and ice cream. LED necklaces, flags, light up and inflatable items, hats, among other items will also be sold at the celebration.

There will be free children’s activities including face painting, a petting zoo, a moon bounce and clowns. For a nominal fee, children can ride ponies.

The fireworks display begins at 9:30 p.m. Parking fills fast, according to Mozzer. Parking is available in the campus parking lots. Lot A (lower campus) and Lot B (handicap parking) via Bidwell Street, and Lot C via Great Path and Wetherell Street.

There will also be opportunities for people to give donations to the town. Camposeo said that even modest donations are a great help to the town of Manchester.

Mozzer said people should come out on Saturday because this celebration is a great opportunity for the community to join together as one.

“We usually unite in tragedies, but this day is great for coming together during a good time, a real fun time,” Mozzer said.

Camposeo agreed with Mozzer about the unity of the event. The town clerk also mentioned how this weekend is all about celebrating America.

“Be proud of being an American,” Camposeo said. “It’s the perfect time to reflect on the good things that our country has to offer.”