In case you missed the memo, along with all the cool events happening since the start of 2015, we’re here to let you in on a little secret.
Concord is in the midst of celebrating its 250th year, and while that may be pretty old in human years, it’s just what happens to a city. The people come and go, but the buildings, roads and history just keep plugging along.
And even though it’s customary to give gifts when celebrating a birthday, the people at Concord 250 are instead doing something for all of you, and anybody else who wants to be a part of a once-in-a-lifetime event.
Starting Monday (Aug. 10), the city will be a place you won’t want to leave. We’re talking music, movies, history lessons and –everyone’s favorite – a parade, so you might want to cancel those vacation plans ‘cause Concord only turns 250 once.
The week long observance of the state capital’s birthday models what took place 50 years ago when marking two centuries, ‘cause it’s just one of those things people don’t forget.
“Folks in town still remember that fondly,” said Kim Murdoch, project manager for Concord 250. “We’re taking inspiration from 1965, but definitely putting our own spin on it.”
And with all the work that’s gone into this year, from the kickoff New Years Eve bash to the opening of the time capsule to the mosaics created to memorialize Concord, this week is something organizers hope people are talking about for the next 50 years when, if your math skills are as good as ours, Concord reaches 300. Just imagine what will happen then.
But for now, let’s focus on what you can expect around town during the second full week in August. Nobody, not even a city, wants to age faster than they have to.
“This is definitely the highest concentration of fun events,” Murdoch said of the week. “It’s a not-to-be missed event.”
If you try to take part in every event, you might just see us on the first stop of the whirlwind tour. At 10 a.m. on Monday, and again later in the day at 3 p.m., tours of the Concord Monitor will take place to see just how a newspaper is created. But you might want to come for the early one, ‘cause we usually like to duck out early on Mondays. It is Monday, after all.
Along with the Penacook Farmers Market in the afternoon (4-7:30 p.m.), there will be a Concord Coach photo shoot from 6 to 7 p.m. at City Hall followed by a costumed city council meeting at 7 p.m. At 7:30 p.m., Village Harmony Youth Group will perform at the Unitarian Universalist Church at 274 Pleasant St.
“Nearly everything is free and there’s so much to do,” Murdoch said.
Tuesday is Agricultural Heritage Farm Day, so make your way to Apple Hill Farm, Carter Hill Orchard and Dimond Hill Farm between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. to learn about, well, farms. We can only imagine that since these places grow delicious tasting fruits and veggies that there might be some samples to try – although we suggest going to see for yourself.
“The idea is to cover the city geographically,” Murdoch said. “It gives us the opportunity to highlight our community.”
The second of the six-day extravaganza also marks the world premiere of the 2015 Concord documentary at Red River Theatres, 11 S. Main St. To be part of the first showing, you’ll want to go at 7 p.m., but if you’re more interested in avoiding the crowd then 8:30 p.m. might be more your speed. It will also be shown at 7 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday.
On Wednesday, First Congregational Church at 177 N. Main St. will open its doors for all to check out from 1 to 4 p.m., and a history walk will take place at the Pierce Manse at 5:30 p.m.
“We wanted to have opportunities that appealed to folks of all ages,” Murdoch said. “And it all comes from the interests and passions of the volunteers.”
Then mosey on over to the Old North Cemetery on North State Street for an interactive tour with some of Concord’s most famous people, who just don’t happen to be alive anymore. Plan on seeing the Rev. Timothy Walker, his grand-daughter, the Countess Sarah Walker Rumford and the Princess Carolyn Foster Stickney. Nancy, a slave who lived with the Hebert family from a very young age, will be there, along with the only President from N.H., Franklin Pierce, two Quaker ladies, Nathan W. Gove, a Civil War soldier/musician who went on to be Secretary of State of N.H. and a special guest or two if there’s time.
“There’s all these great ways that Concord history is being celebrated all throughout the week,” Murdoch said.
The N.H. Audubon will celebrate Concord’s past and current natural resources from 9:30 to 11 a.m. on Thursday, and a tour of Concord Coaches and history barn at Johnny Prescott & Son Oil Co. (122 Airport Road) will run from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Friday night will be all about The Nevers Band, as the musical group graces the stage of Kiwanis Riverfront Park from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. to kickoff the weekend celebration. There’s even a special song about Concord in the musical selection that they invite anyone to sing along with.
“It was uncovered recently in the Nevers Band archives,” Murdoch said.
White Park will be home to Rock On Fest, put on by the Bonner brothers, on Saturday, but for more on that check out page 15.
And to close out the week worth of events on Sunday, there will be the Concord Through the Ages 250th Anniversary Celebration Parade from Rollins Park to Memorial Field at noon, followed by the grand finale from 1 to 4 p.m.
The parade departs from 2 Pillsbury St. at noontime, and streets along the route will be closed from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
There are a ton of fun participants taking part in the parade, including Concord’s favorite celebrity bro duo, Matt and Luke Bonner, and Gov. Maggie Hassan.
There’s also a wide variety of sports and entertainment represented in the parade, from roller derby to Concord Crew to Concord Dance Academy and the Community Players of Concord.
Others scheduled to make an appearance include Ms. N.H. and Miss Capital Area, as well as N.H. Pipes and Drums. (It’s also possible that Tara Mounsey will be joining the festivities, though that wasn’t confirmed at press time. Fingers and ice skates crossed!)
If anyone else would like to get involved in the parade or volunteer to assist, contact Bridget Overson at boverson@slgl.com.
Now, we know we gave you a lot of information, but that’s the point. There’s a lot to do. So check out some of it or all of it, just be sure to help celebrate cause 250 years only comes around once and before you know it, the year will be over and all the great stuff will be over. We’re pretty sure there’s no grand plans to celebrate 251.
