How was the Manitowoc area planning to celebrate the Bicentennial in 1976?
The Herald Times Reporter led with a series of special newspaper sections in April, 1976 to announce special plans and goals.
With our nation gearing up to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and the timeline of events that brought us to today, we look towards the Manitowoc area’s celebrations during 1976 as part of the bicentennial.
The Herald Times Reporter led with a series of special newspaper sections in April, 1976 to announce special plans and goals.
Special events included Bicentennial concerts featuring choirs throughout Manitowoc; Bicentennial costume contest for children at the Manitowoc Public Library; Manitou Girl Scout Bicentennial Folk Fair at the JFK Physical Education Unit in Manitowoc; Bicentennial Essay and Art Contest for Manitowoc school students at the Rahr Civic Center in Manitowoc; Manitowoc County Pioneer Days at the Manitowoc County Expo; and various celebrations held in communities throughout the county.
Seventh grade craft students at L.B. Clarke School in Two Rivers helped to raise funds for renovation efforts at Central Park by making a multi-colored patchwork quilt. “Representing the work of 143 students who embroidered six inch squares to illustrate the stitches learned in class, the coverlet measures 66 by 78 inches.” Tickets for the quilt could be purchased at the Two Rivers Savings Bank.
The Manitowoc County American Revolution Bicentennial Commission sold pins as part of a ‘Good Neighbor’ Bazaar on April 10 at Mid-Cities Mall. The pins were also available at Penney’s Catalog and Service Center, Mid-Cities Mall, and the county treasurer’s office. Profits from the pin sales were donated to the Woodland Dunes Bicentennial 40 project.
A Bicentennial parade was held in Manitowoc on June 5, with 153 units registered as of April, 1976. There were 14 bands, five baton twirling groups, 42 floats, 44 marching units, 8 mobile units, and 35 novelty balloons depicting early America, and 5 novelty units. The parade was slated to begin at the Copps Department Store parking area, go east on Custer Street and east on Washington Street to 8th Street, then north to Commercial, east to fifth, north along Lake Street, turning left on Huron and continuing west for 2 blocks. The bicentennial balloon would continue to the Mid-Cities Mall parking lot for viewing.
Two Rivers was slated to hold their Bicentennial parade on July 17, with former Green Bay Packer football star Ray Nitschke as the honorary parade marshal.
As preparations are being developed for America’s 250th, join our Manitowoc County Historical Society and thousands around the country as we begin to commemorate American’s milestone birthday on April 18 and 19, 2025.
Two Lights for Tomorrow is a nationwide initiative to commence the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America. The famous ride of Paul Revere occurred overnight on April 18 – 19, 1775. Two Lights for Tomorrow uses the imagery of that shining light 250 years ago as a uniting call to action today for our fellow citizens, no matter where they are, to commemorate and remind ourselves that our history is about working together for a better tomorrow.
At MCHS, we will have two lights on in various buildings on our property, including our McAllister House Welcome Center. We invite you to place two lights at your home, business, and other buildings.