DAILY
Go and buy yourself something fancy
Art lovers, rejoice. This year, Market Days features a full three days of the Concord Arts Market, which graces Bicentennial Square on Saturday mornings during summertime. The market features wares from local artisans, with everything from ceramics to paintings, jewelry to clothing.
Hop on down and pick up something nice for yourself. The market is happening daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Eagle Square.
History in your own backyard . . . for free!
Hey, history buffs, looking for a chance to learn more about New Hampshire’s past? Then hit up the New Hampshire Historical Society’s museum.
Admission is free during Market Days, so now’s your chance to check out special exhibitions like Icons of History: Objects that Define New Hampshire: Part I (on display through December), and Faces of New Hampshire: Portraits from the New Hampshire Historical Society Collection (through July 23).
Ongoing exhibits include Pulled Into History, The Mystery Stone and New Hampshire Through Many Eyes. The museum, located at 6 Eagle Square, will be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to
5 p.m.
Be sure to check out the gift shop for a bobblehead or a New Hampshire primary-themed dog collar for Fido.
Udderly awesome
Ever wondered where your milk comes from? Then moooove on over to Bicentennial Square and meet the cows behind the Contoocook Creamery at Bohanan Farm, a fifth-generation dairy operation that’s been producing milk since 1907. The girls will be strutting their stuff next to Granite State Candy Shoppe, which uses their milk to make super tasty ice cream (a treat you can sample for if you participate in Friday’s ice cream eating contest, but we'll get to that later). Swing by daily to say hello to the cows. We just wonder who’s responsible for the cleanup.
H2-Oh my GOODNESS
Don’t get stuck in the summer heat without hydration – for you or your pet. Every day during Market Days, the Concord Cooperative Market will host a misting station and dog rest stop for your pooch. When the mercury rises, grab a bottle of water and some shade at the Co-op tent on South Main Street any time between 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
THURSDAY
They come from the land of lizards
If you don’t mind slithers and scales, slide on over to the
Co-op tent on Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. There, owner Bob Jones from the Concord-based P&R Reptile will be on showing off his pythons, lizards, frogs and turtles. Stick around for a reptile presentation, or maybe just pet a few snakes. Whatever you’re up for. We won’t judge.
A not-so-trivial pursuit of glory
You may think you know Concord, but do you really know Concord? Test your capital-city smarts during downtown trivia on the main stage (in front of – and put on by – the Barley House, which features trivia night for bar-goers every Thursday). For the event, the Barley House teamed up with the Concord Historical Society, which recently released “Crosscurrents of Change: Concord, N.H. in the 20th Century,” so if you’ve read the book, your team just might be successful. Check out the event Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m.
FRIDAY
Are you ready for some ice cream?
Who's afraid of a little ice cream headache? If you're not, head on down to sample some of the sweet stuff from Granite State Candy Shoppe on Friday at 1 p.m. in Bicentennial Square. Participants will be broken up by age group, with the amount of ice cream varying based on how much you think you can handle. If you're up for the challenge, you've gotta fill out an entry form at Granite State (13 Warren St.) sometime before the contest, and pay an entry fee of $5. Winners will walk away with gift baskets and gift cards, and all entrants will leave with a coupon for a free scoop of ice cream. Bon appetit.
Poultry and llamas and mini donkeys, oh my!
If reptiles aren't your thing, check out the traveling barnyard, a show featuring – you guessed it – farm animals. Owner Ruth Scranton will be showcasing her lambs, goats, sheep, waterfowl and other poultry, llamas, calves, mini donkeys and alpacas from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Co-op tent.
Strap on your skates, it's time to rumble
Strap on your skates and head down to watch the Granite State Roller Derby gals put on a charity expo bout on Main Street during Market Days. Two teams – Team Pirates and Team Ninja – will face off in a match to raise money for Friends of Forgotten Children and the Friendly Kitchen. The teams will go head-to-head at the intersection of Pleasant and Main streets at 4 p.m. on Friday.
Something cold to take the edge off
If all this walking around Market Days in the scorching summer heat is making you thirsty, stop by the Co-op tent for a nice cold one from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday. There'll be plenty of local beers on tap – er, in bottles – for you to choose from. If beer's not your drink of choice, be sure to stop back on Saturday night from 5:30 to 8:30: There will be wine.
'Look at that! Look how she moves!'
Who doesn't love a good classic movie? And what's better than watching said classic movie outside on faux-grass? That's right, Red River Theatres is bringing 'Some Like it Hot' to Main Street. Popcorn, candy and beverages will be available on the cheap. The film begins at sunset on the south lawn (in front of the Co-op), with a rain date set at the same time on Saturday.
SATURDAY
Vroom vrooooooom
Do you like to live dangerously? Then check out the vintage and custom motorcycle show being held on Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m. on Capitol Street. There will be old-school bikes and new spiffy ones on display to oogle at, and maybe even sit on!
If you prefer vehicles with windows and seatbelts, there's also a classic car show from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday on South Main Street.
For more information, call Tom Arnold at 228-3225.
For a full schedule of events, visit mainstreetconcord.com/market-days.php.
