Mayor Jay Ruias Gala
As the streets buzzed with excitement in Manchester NH, the air was filled with anticipation and excitement for the celebration of the Inaugural gala for the new Mayor of Manchester, New Hampshire, Jay Ruais on Saturday February 10th 2024 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester. Top sponsors included Eversource, Primary Bank, Gemini Electric Inc., Prospect Hill Strategy, Manchester Radio Group, Manchester Distillery, Bernstein Shur, Red Arrow Diner, Alley Cat Pizza, and Cornerstone. Amidst the excitement of the event to meet the new Mayor and hear his speech, there was one thing that for sure that added a touch of charm to the event: it was our photo booth services.
Peter Noonan designed a unique backdrop showcasing historical city locations. Above the backdrop, there was an arching Manchester sign adorned with lovely flowers from Dew Collective. LED accent signs in the top corners added the words Grateful and Unity.
Stepping into the role of capturing moments at such a prestigious event was both exhilarating and humbling. As guests arrived dressed in their finest attire, ready to witness the dawn of a new era for their beloved city, the photo booth stood as a beacon of entertainment and nostalgia throughout the night.
DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester was electric.
The atmosphere was electric as guests eagerly lined up to partake in the photo booth experience. Laughter echoed as friends and colleagues posed together for photos, striking playful poses and radiant smiles. Our Dream Booth had a video experience that surprised guests and the photo booth became a hub of activity throughout the night —as a space where individuals from diverse backgrounds came together to create lasting memories for years to come.
What made this experience truly special was the sense of camaraderie and unity that spread through the gala. As the city welcomed its new leader, there was a noticeable sense of optimism and hope in the air. Jay promises to bring a fresh approach to solving housing and education issues. Noted in NHPR earlier in the week on Tuesday, Ruais said he aims to bring harmony and unity to the city. He asked fellow elected officials to fight for their ideas without making it personal or using over the top rhetoric.
“It doesn’t matter if we don’t line up on every simple issue,” he said. “I just want to get things done.”
Among the biggest challenges facing Manchester — and the state as a whole — is a lack of affordable housing, and a growing number of people facing homelessness. In his inaugural address, Ruais said he accepted a position on the New Hampshire Council on Housing Stability and hopes to focus on improving housing access in the Queen City.
He also emphasized that he will have “zero tolerance” for unhoused people camping on public property, arguing it is detrimental to their well-being. He said he plans to balance the needs of people experiencing homelessness with the needs of the rest of the community.
“For those who want and need help, we will be there for you,” he said. “ For those who wish to take advantage of us or break our laws, understand we will have no tolerance to that level of lawlessness.”
At the same time, Ruais said he aims to make Manchester a city that offers a door to success to all of its residents, no matter their political affiliation or ethnic background. He noted the many generations of immigrants who came to work in the city’s mills and raise their families. He also highlighted Manchester’s growing diversity, incorporating a message in Spanish for the city’s Latin community.
“We share the same destiny no matter your age, where you live or work and the language you speak, the future belongs to all of us,” he said in Spanish.
Each photograph captured not only a moment frozen in time but also the spirit of a community coming together to celebrate a shared vision for the future of the city.
As the night progressed, the photo booth continued to be a focal point of the celebration. It provided a welcome respite from the formalities of the gala, offering guests a chance to let loose and have fun in between dancing on the floor to the incredible live band Clock Work. Whether it was a solo portrait or a group shot with newfound friends, each photograph was a testament to the spirit of community and camaraderie that defined the evening.
But beyond the laughter and camaraderie, the photo booth also served a deeper purpose of capturing this historic moment in the city’s history. Mayor Jay Ruais’s inauguration marked the beginning of a new chapter for Manchester, and the photographs captured at the gala will serve as cherished mementos for years to come. They will remind future generations of the excitement and optimism that filled the air.
As the festivities drew to a close and guests bid farewell to the gala at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester, they carried with them more than just memories—they carried tangible reminders of the bonds forged and the moments shared. The photo booth had played a small yet significant role in capturing the essence of the evening, preserving it for generations to come to remember.
Providing photo booth services at Mayor Jay Ruais’s inauguration gala was more than just a job—it was an opportunity to be part of something truly special. It was a chance to witness history in the making and to play a role in the spirit of a community, togetherness and to celebrate a new beginning for the city. And for that, I am eternally grateful.
