If you like Ferris wheels, fried dough and ladies crashing into each other on roller skates as much as we do, then you might want to clear your calendar for this weekend.
That’s because the Kiwanis Club of Concord Spring Fair returns for another year and will take over the Everett Arena grounds for four days. But this isn’t just any year – this just so happens to be the 60th year of the event.
Beginning Thursday, there will be carnival rides for both adults and children, and plenty of the food you associate with carnivals that your doctor would not approve of you eating. On Saturday, while fairgoers are enjoying all that is offered outside, Granite State Roller Derby will be tearing up the track inside the arena with a triple header starting at 3 p.m. That’s right, the Fighting Finches, the Demolition Dames and GSRD All Stars will all be in action. And while getting into the fair is free, admission to the rolling action inside is $10 in advance and $12 at the door.
“These ladies really get into it,” said Kiwanis President Ken Georgevits.
Not to get lost in that last sentence is that getting into the fair is free, so you can roam around all day and not pay a penny, but that also means you won’t go on any rides or enjoy any of that delicious food we previously talked about – because those things do cost a little bit of cash.
“There’s something in the ride category for everybody,” Georgevits said. “And you’ve got to have the sausage bomb.”
Games and ride prices vary, but there is a way to hit up all your favorite rides for one flat rate. During certain hours, you can purchase an unlimited rides wristband for $20 ($17 with the discount coupon). Those hours are Thursday 5 to 10 p.m., Saturday noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. Now that’s what we like to call a deal, especially if you enjoy bouncing from ride to ride for hours on end.
“The smart thing to do is to go on the nights we have the wristbands,” Georgevits said. “Because the fancier the ride, the more tickets you need.”
And here’s a fun fact: Did you know back in 1955, the original Kiwanis event began as a trade fair at the airport? Well, it did, and continued that way during a move to the New Hampshire Highway Hotel. For the last 35 or so it’s been at Everett Arena and, since 1987, it has been strictly a fair.
“It was kind of like a home show is today,” Georgevits said.
It’s gone through some changes, but the one constant is what the money raised by Kiwanis is used for.
“All our revenue is for community service,” Georgevits said. “It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year.”
Hours for the fair are Thursday 5 to 10 p.m., Friday 5 to 11 p.m., Saturday noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.
And don’t forget; parking is free at the arena so no need to park across the street and try to cross over. Just pull right in and someone will direct you to a space.
