Don’t get too excited, but summer is officially only a couple weeks away, which means there’s no better time to pull out those calendars and start mapping out all the marquee events this fine city has to offer over the next few months.
There’s an exhaustive list of big events all over the state starting on page 28, but this piece here is meant to serve as sort of a highlight package. We found out about some of the more prominent (no disrespect to anybody not on this list) events in Concord this summer, and it looks like just about everything has expanded in some way. Here’s a little sampling:
Market Days
Arguably the most signature event the city has, Market Days is set to return for a 43rd year, and there are no signs of slowing down whatsoever.
The three-day festival in the heart of downtown will run June 22-24 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. There will be eight entertainment venues and nearly 200 vendors selling food, handmade goods, home products and pretty much anything else you can think of.
Music will be playing at Bicentennial Square, Eagle Square and the South Main Street stage; Red River Theatres will host a Movie Under the Stars June 23 at 8:30 p.m.; the popular Strong Man Competition will take place on the South Main Street stage June 24 from 3 to 6 p.m.; the Touch a Truck event goes way over the top with the addition of a helicopter (you might even get to win a half-hour ride in one); and the Kids Play Zone will have the bouncy houses and mini golf (provided by Village Idiotz at the Steeplegate Mall) going in full force.
There’s obviously a lot more going on, but we’re tight on space. For more details about Market Days, contact Kate Fleming at kate@intownconcord.org or 226-2150.
Capital City Classic
Runner’s Alley is ready to bring its Capital City Classic 10K road race back for a second year on June 24.
The race takes place during Market Days, and the course will start in front of the State House and take you on a scenic tour of the city. It will also be the sixth race in the Capital Area Race Series – if you’re already registered for that series, you don’t need to register separately for this race.
New this year is the Capital City Kids Run, which is free and open for all kids ages 2 to 8. The race will start at the front steps of the State House at 9 a.m. – 2- to 3-year-olds will run one loop (about 200 yards), 4- to 6-year-olds will run two loops (about 400 yards) and 7- to 8-year-olds will run three loops (about 600 yards).
Registration for kids and students 19 and under will be $25 (through race day) for the big race. For adults 20 and over, it will be $35 from now through June 22 and $40 for Market Days and race day sign-ups.
For more, go to runnersalley.com/ccc10k.
Multicultural Fest
The 11th annual Concord Multicultural Festival will take place June 24 from 2 to 6:30 p.m. at the State House, in conjunction with Intown Concord’s Market Days Festival.
The Concord Multicultural Festival celebrates the many different cultures and dozens of countries that make up the cultural heritage of the greater Concord community. Presenters celebrate their cultures through music, dance, food, crafts, storytelling and other interactive and engaging exhibits, activities and experiences.
New this year, an International Flag Parade will begin at 1:45 p.m. at the intersection of Pleasant and Main streets. Led by bagpipes, the parade will travel Main Street to the State House. Community members are invited to carry a flag in the parade – just contact festival director Jessica Livingston at jessica@jlivinspirations.com for more information.
Rock On Fest
The Rock On Foundation still hasn’t officially announced the full schedule for this year’s Rock On Fest – a mashup of music, food and basketball – but we used our clever reporter skills to extract the info from Luke Bonner, the guy in charge.
This year’s festival will take place Aug. 11 and 12 in front of the State House – yes, it has moved out of its former home at White Park.
“A big part of it was just, with the new renovations done downtown, we’re just trying to bring something that will bring more attention and just really showcase all of our downtown and hopefully bring in some business for all the shops,” Bonner said.
The Rock On Foundation is also working with the NBA and the Junior NBA this year to get some pop-up basketball courts set up right on Main Street. There will be all kinds of 3-on-3 basketball tournaments going on, and when those are over, Bonner and his NBA champion brother Matt will host a free clinic for kids who want to run some drills.
As for the music, Bonner is excited to welcome Mr. Aaron, Tough Guys, Photocomfort, Holly Miranda and Laura Stevenson, all of whom will play on the State House lawn.
For more info, find the Rock On Foundation on Facebook or go to rockonfoundation.org.
New Hampshire Brewers FestivalNearly 40 breweries will showcase their craft brews at the fourth annual New Hampshire Brewers Festival on July 22 from noon to 4.
This “For the Brewers, By the Brewers” festival at Kiwanis Riverfront Park (Everett Arena parking lot) is a one-of-a-kind event, featuring the largest single collection of New Hampshire’s breweries anywhere in the state this year. VIP hour runs from noon to 1, with general admission open from 1 to 4 p.m. Designated driver tickets are available for the duration of the brewfest. Please note this is strictly a 21-plus event – no children or pets allowed.
All tickets include unlimited beer samples, a souvenir taster glass, entertainment and more. Food will be available for purchase.
This is a rain-or-shine event, with plenty of shade and cover provided under the main event tent. Tickets ($15-$50) may still be available the day of, cash or credit; all ticket sales are final.
For more details or tickets, visit granitestatebrewersassociation.org/ events/nhbrewfest.
Fireworks
No matter what city or town you’re in, the Fourth of July is always the star of summer. It just so happens that New Hampshire’s capital city puts on its own Independence Day celebration, so you don’t have to travel far to party.
Concord’s Fourth of July celebration will take place at Memorial Field, featuring food vendors and live music with DJ Nazzy. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the Nevers’ Band playing at 7:45. The fireworks show will begin about 9:20, or whenever it’s dark enough. Check it out and ring in another year for the good ol’ U.S.A.
