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Once again, the annual fun and festivities of Old Timers Day returned to Manchester’s historic downtown square Saturday, Oct. 5.

Old Timers Day Board member Mary Todd said the annual celebration traces its roots to 1963, when an event was held to promote businesses around the square.

In the years since, the event was hosted by the Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce and later the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, but eventually, it fell by the wayside.

“There was no Old Timers Day for about seven years and then in 2011 Roger Steele started the group “if you grew up or ever lived in Manchester” and everybody started putting up their memories of Old Timers Day and he said somebody proposed starting Old Timers Day again,” she said. “We put on Old Timers Day as private individuals, we do all our own fundraising, we get no money from the city.”

Todd said she believes Old Timers Day is still an important event for the Manchester community.

“I think it is important because it builds community pride,” Todd said. “It gives the young people happy memories so they want to come back and live in Manchester. If we can get people to take pride in Manchester and love Manchester, then they will come back and they will grow their families here.”

Michael Starr said he just returned to Manchester after a career in the Air Force, and was enjoying his first Old Timers Day in 35 years.

“It is so good to be back,” he said.

Starr said when he was growing up, the event was held in August, so it was a little bit hotter in those days.

“…It seems the same family fun and environment so far that is near and dear to my heart,” he said. “I had to bring my family back.”

In addition to the traditional parade that kicked off at 10 a.m. featuring a variety of new and vintage fire trucks, parade floats, motorcycles and the Coffee County Marching Band, the event featured a host of nonprofits and local crafters set up around the square.

V.F.W. Post Commander Kim King said Old timers Day provides an excellent opportunity to meet area veterans and tell them about the V.F.W. post and the services available to them.