Welcome to Market Days 2017
This is the 43rd annual incarnation of Concord’s infamous street fair of fun (just not the 43rd time the Insider has been involved).And let’s put it this way: You’re not going to want to miss a minute of the action.Over the next 16 pages (including this one), you’ll find that we’ve done a lot of the leg work for you and broken down all you need to know about this year’s festivities.But before we go too far, we want to pass along some...
Celebrate diversity at the Multicultural Festival at Market Days
One of the signature elements of Market Days is the Multicultural Festival.The festival, now in its 10th year, celebrates the diversity of cultures in the capital area with music, dance, food, activities and all kinds of other things.This year’s festival – which will be Saturday from 2 to 6:30 p.m. on the State House lawn – is absolutely jam-packed with all of that stuff. In that case, let’s jump right into it. The whole thing starts...
It’s all local on the Homegrown Music Stage
The music scene in Concord – and the Granite State in general – seems to always be expanding and improving. The Homegrown Music Stage at Bicentennial Square will be a perfect testament to that. The stage has a truly full slate of performers from New Hampshire, with the “vast majority” of them coming from the capital area, event coordinator Lucas Gallo said. Gallo is pretty familiar with the local music scene – he used to play in the...
This festival goes back a really long time
We all love Market Days.Add up all the food, the entertainment, the people and the fun, and it’s one heck of a three-day party.People from all over New Hampshire and beyond travel to Concord to enjoy the festivities, as it has grown into one of the premiere summer events in the state.But when it all began 43 years ago (that’s 1974 for those who don’t feel like doing the math), it was far from what it is today.Back then, it was...
The South Main Street stage will be rockin’ all through Market Days
Everybody has different tastes and interests – it’s what makes life interesting. The South Main Park Stage is one of the many things that makes Market Days interesting, as this stage features a wide array of performances and demonstrations over the course of the weekend. While some areas of Market Days are specifically set up for one type of thing, the South Main stage will host everything from dog tricks to burly men moving seemingly...
Tandy’s has a ton of entertainment in store for Market Days
There certainly won’t be any shortage of music at Market Days this year. Virtually everywhere you go throughout the whole weekend, you’re bound to hear some tunes filling the air. But one venue will have a whole different atmosphere – Eagle Square. The Tandy’s Eagle Square Stage will be all about competition (well, maybe not all, but mostly). For the past few months, Tandy’s Top Shelf has been holding auditions to find the best...
Go for a run at the Capital City Classic 10K
Have a feeling you’re going to eat lots of food that you probably shouldn’t when attending Market Days? Well, sign up for the Runner’s Alley Capital City Classic 10K Road Race on Saturday and burn a few of those extra calories away.It’s the second annual race, but the first time it is taking place during Market Days. (Last year it was held the Sunday after.) The course will start in front of the State House (the very old building with...
North Main has Touch-a-Truck and roller derby
If you’re in the area of the State House, as you look down toward South Main Street, you’ll see all kinds of tents with food vendors, and items to buy, family fun – and even a spot that serves beer in the middle of Main Street. But if you turn around (don’t worry, we’ll wait), at the very top of Market Days is the intersection of North Main and Centre streets. That’s where you’ll find the ever famous Touch-a Truck. On Thursday, there...
Bring the little ones to Kids Zone at Market Days
Market Days is a good time for everyone – especially the kids. Though the weekend in general is all about family fun, there are a few programs that are specifically geared toward kids and families. Since we know so many of you have kids, we figured we’d fill you in on the fun stuff for the little ones – and yourself – to enjoy. Kids Play Area From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. all three days of Market Days, the Kids Play Area in front of the...
Make sure you check out the beer tent at Market Days
In case you had been worrying – yes, there will indeed be food and drinks available at Market Days. In fact, there will be more than you know what to do with. First, let’s talk about the most important part of the weekend – the beer tent. New Hampshire Distributors will bring their beer-dispensing truck to Main Street to pour some libations for those 21 and older. On tap will be Henniker Brewing Co.’s Miles & Miles, 603 Brewery’s...
Even more great stuff for you to check out
As you’ve already seen, there is a ton going on at Market Days this year. But there’s even more.Outside of the music, performances, food, games and good ol’ family fun, we found a few odds and ends that you may overlook when perusing around North and South Main.Don’t worry though, that’s why we’re here. To make sure you have to do the least amount of thinking as possible.Music, Movie & Poster Sale The annual fundraiser for...
Become an Intowner and held support more events
We’ve all enjoyed an Intown Concord production.Whether it’s Market Days (which, if you haven’t realized yet, runs this Thursday through Saturday right in downtown Concord), Midnight Merriment, the Discover Downtown series or Halloween Howl, you must admit the nonprofit organization puts together some pretty impressive events.And for the most part, thanks to a large group of sponsors and support from local businesses, they don’t ask...
Wander around the final show at McGowan
It’s been a good run over the last 37 years, but McGowan Fine Art will be closing it’s doors for good at the end of its latest exhibit. The show, ‘The Color of Seasons,’ featuring the work of Bruce McColl, will run through July 7, so you still have a few weeks to wander around the gallery and check out the bright and vibrant paintings McColl is known for. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 10...
Go Try It: See the Nevers Second Regiment Band in Concord this summer
The Rolling Stones. Aerosmith. ZZ Top. The Eagles.These are all pretty old bands that are still out there getting it done today. But compared to the Nevers’ 2nd Regiment Band, they’re really just kids.The Nevers’ Band, as it’s often called, has been around since the Civil War, which was a really long time ago. It’s one of the oldest musical organizations in New Hampshire and one of the oldest bands in the United States. Okay, so maybe...
Concord is an exchange student destination
When Loic Servais and Clemence Castaigne arrived in Concord last August, neither really knew what to expect.Sure, both had done quite a bit of research about the New Hampshire state capital, but the Belgian exchange students were about to embark on a whole new world that can’t be summed up on the internet.“At first I was like ‘Where is that?’ ” Servais said.The two came to Concord as part of the Cultural Homestay International...
CRTC students going to national competition
We can all agree that being a teacher is not the easiest of jobs.So when a young student is interested in molding young minds, educators like Valerie Koch wants to do everything she can to keep them on that career path.Koch is the Teacher Preparation Program instructor at the Concord Regional Technical Center and founder of Educators Rising New Hampshire, an organization that “cultivates highly skilled educators by guiding young...
Music on the Lawn at Concord Public Library begins June 28
After a few brutal scorchers early last week, it finally settled down to what most people would consider comfortable, early summer weather. That means it’s a great time to grab some food, hang out and listen to some good, live music outside.On that note (get it?), it’s the perfect time for the Concord Public Library to bring back its popular Live Music on the Lawn series. This will be the third year of the series, and the first of...
Two musical events coming up at Strings & Things
Just about every person under the sun enjoys some good music. But some have such a tremendous passion for it, they want it in their lives as much as possible. For those people, there are free events at Strings & Things Music.Everybody’s favorite capital city music supply shop is ready to open its doors for a couple ear-pleasing events in the very near future.Strings & Things will host Make Music New Hampshire in celebration of...
Capital Area Wellness Coalition: Pick up a Concord Trail Passport
Did you know that there are 31 trails in the city of Concord? I didn’t. An even bigger surprise came when I first hiked the Marjory Swope Park Trail and saw the beautiful view of Mt. Monadnock in one direction and Penacook Lake in the other. What? I get these kind of views without trekking up to the White Mountains . . . this is great! Whether you want to bike, hike, snow shoe, cross country ski, bird watch, letter box or check out...
Bulletin Board: Where readers can post to other readers
Attend pollinator workshop Saturday There will be a pollinator workshop at the Audubon’s McLane Center on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. Master Gardner Meg Miller will help teach you how to identify and support bees, butterflies and other native pollinators in a New England garden. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. For more, visit nhaudubon.org/calendar/ pollinator-workshop. Laura Deming Summer baseball signups ongoing...
This week in Concord History
June 20, 1841: More than 1,000 people gather at the Old North Church to hear a lecture by John. H.W. Hawkins, a self-proclaimed “reformed inebriate” who is now a silver-tongued missionary for temperance. June 20, 1983: Gov. John Sununu says he has no plans to punish the 1,000 state employees who are back at work after calling in sick with “Sick of Sununu” flu. At the state hospital, some workers were replaced by members of the...
Book of the Week: ‘Stalking Ground’
Stalking GroundMargaret Mizushima2016, 310 pagesFiction, Mystery Mattie Cobb and her police dog Robo set out to help find a missing woman, Adrienne Howard, Deputy Ken Brody’s girlfriend. The search leads them up into the Colorado mountains as a snowstorm begins and night is falling. Why would Adrienne go hiking alone in this part of the forest and not tell anyone where she was going? Was there foul play involved? Mattie and Robo must...
