‘ManiFest’ marks Laconia’s 125th

Beth San Soucie, Bo Guyer, Becky Guyer, Linda Heney and Jared Guilmett sport their best “steampunk” looks at Celebrate Laconia’s ManiFEST event at Pitman’s Freight Room on Saturday. Steampunk is a style of design and fashion that combines historical elements with anachronistic technological features inspired by science fiction. (Alan MacRae/for The Laconia Daily Sun)

By ADAM DRAPCHO, LACONIA DAILY SUN

LACONIA — The city officially turned 125 on Saturday night, with a birthday party that featured a rock band, cake, a speech by Mayor Ed Engler and, owing to the city’s industrial and forward-looking roots, a steampunk theme.

“It went great! The band was fantastic. Everyone there had a wonderful time,” said Pam Clark, of Celebrate Laconia, the organization that is putting together a year of events to mark the city milestone.

“Not everyone came in costume, but the ones that did, it was great, they embraced the theme of it,” she said, estimating that between 75 and 100 people came to wish the city a happy birthday.

“Thanks to everyone who came in support of Celebrate Laconia and the celebration of the city’s 125th. The people that came are the people that made this event a success and fun,” Clark said.

With the party behind them, Clark and the rest of Celebrate Laconia will turn their focus to the biggest event on the calendar: a parade and day-long party at Opechee Park on July 7.

It will take a lot of work to make July 7 go smoothly, and Clark is asking for help.

“The biggest thing is, we really need people to help. We’ve got seven people on this board. We really need community volunteers, and as many as possible."

To inquire about volunteering, send an email to connect@celebratelaconia.org.

Laconia Mayor Ed Engler is flanked by Miss Celebrate Laconia 125th Cassandra Sousa and Junior Miss Laconia 125th Lacey Linkkila prior to cutting the cake at the Celebrate Laconia ManiFEST event at Pitman’s Freight Room on Saturday. (Alan MacRae/for The Laconia Daily Sun)