MOST PEOPLE, especially festival-goers, are familiar with Manchester due to the wildly fun music festival it hosts each summer, Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. This festival gives Manchester a bit of celebrity status. However, the problem with stardom is all of the assumptions that pile up. So Manchester, what is it that makes you the enticing small town you are? Who are you outside of a summer festival?
Manchester is the wildest neighbor on the street. Not the call the police kind of wild, but rather the neighbor having all the fun at the monthly cookout he hosts. Warmth fills the air as the smell of barbecue floats over the fence. The sound of laughter follows Manchester. Down at Common John’s Brewery, Manchester will make sure every new face feels welcomed and known. Visitors might call it sweet southern hospitality, but it’s all he’s known.
Although Manchester likes to spread out enjoying the rolling hills, easy rivers, and ample farmland, he is keen on showing up to build a long-lasting community. Manchester is the rowdiest fan at Friday night football games and is the leave-it-all on-the-field player at Raider’s softball and baseball games. When he goes into Jiffy Burger, Manchester says, “Just put it on my tab. And put his (behind me) on the tab too.” Manchester is a good ol’ boy. He is the friend who mows your lawn when you’re sick or out of town. He shops locally at places like Owen’s Provisions, Harvest Local Foods, and The Mercantile Cafe to support the local economy and his friends. He is full of life and excitement, not just one weekend of the year but every day of the week. Join him for a round of golf at WillowBrook, a sweat session at the Manchester Recreation Center, or for a quaint concert and glass of wine at Bean’s Creek Winery. Whatever you do, just be sure to give thanks for the gift that Manchester is to us all. -GN