Author: Michael Witthaus

Checking in with farmers markets

By Delaney Beaudoin

food@hippopress.com

There are few traditions upheld in the modern day that truly run back to the roots of civilization. The rise of technology in just the past few decades has virtually transformed life past a point of recognition for generations past. But one cornerstone of community has remained throughout: the farmers market.

Being one of the few business models that not only survived the pandemic, but thrived, farmers markets were one of the few opportunities to venture out of the house during lockdown. Taking place outside, with limited required contact, New Hampshire farmers markets saw a record high number of attendees and vendors. According to Richard Stadnick, president of the Bedford Farmers’ Market and owner of Pup’s Cider Co. of the Houndstooth Brewing Co., “When Covid came along, everybody’s sales went through the roof. Farmers markets are viewed as a great way of getting outdoors and supporting local merchants, etc. Everybody’s numbers just skyrocketed. … A lot of people were home and they were looking for side gigs and they were looking for other ways to make money. Lots of vendors came into the market and we probably had more vendors than we had markets to sustain them.”

Although the transition to comply with Covid guidelines wasn’t completely seamless, Stadnick explained that the changes to the overall function of most markets were minimal. Indoor markets were hit the hardest, either having to relocate to an outdoor location or shutting down. Markets which had typically operated outdoors simply implemented masks and social distancing policies. One noticeable change was in the procedures surrounding payment. As contact-free became the norm, more vendors utilized technology for payment, beginning to accept Venmo or card, instead of cash. Stadnick noted, however, that about half of vendors still continue to accept cash only.

“The credit cards were accelerated a little bit by Covid, but not dramatically, I think no more so than the societal in, as younger consumers have entered the market, they’re less likely to carry cash,” he said.

Now three years after summer 2020 Covid-19, according to Wayne Hall, the president of the Concord Farmers’ Market, interest in the markets has sustained.

“There was definitely an increase in business, but we really didn’t see much of a slowdown…. The more interest gathered, the more people come, and it’s just kind of a snowball effect, which is a wonderful thing,” Hall said.

Tom Mitchell, owner of Ledge Top Farm in Wilton, founded the Milford Farmers’ Market alongside Tim O’Connell back in 1978 and has been selling at farmers markets ever since. Mitchell noted that the change in attendance numbers didn’t so much seem to be due to Covid.

“I mean, I’m not so sure really if it is significant in my particular case as to whether or not Covid made a big difference. The sales were still pretty good. They’re actually less now. There may be totally different reasons and so on. I don’t know, maybe there’s more competition and people are getting tired of farmers markets. I think one of the things that hurts farmers markets is there’s so many of them, almost every town has a farmers market,” Mitchell said.

Stadnick pointed out the different experiences among the markets.

“In some cases, they [attendance numbers] declined after Covid waned. But in other cases they didn’t. We had established a new set of customers and people wanted to come out and support. They discovered this was a great venue. Instead of just going to Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods or something, they could get great produce and great products at the farmers market. So there’s not a consistent pattern,” he said.

Stadnick mentioned another interesting shift in the market schedules, not necessarily attributed to Covid, but rather to the changing landscape of producers and the desires of consumers.

“In some cases, in many cases, they’re doing some greenhouse gardening as well. So they’re getting an earlier start. They can offer cherry tomatoes at the end of May. They’ll offer full-size tomatoes by the middle to the latter part of June. You end up seeing that they’ve got produce available earlier. So the markets are shifting. Even the outdoor markets are starting to shift into May,” he said.

Although sickness may not be the daily barrier it once was, a new stressor has taken its place now — rising prices. How have farmers markets fitted into the budget of New Hampshire locals conscious of pricing?

“If you’re in a financial bind, stretching your food dollar as far as you can, the farmers market isn’t necessarily a good place to do that,” Stadnick said. “Strawberries are a great example. Strawberry season is just now over. A few weeks ago, typical prices for a quart of strawberries at the farmers markets was about $10. Now, you can go to Shaw’s or Market Basket and get those same strawberries for about $4. It’s not the same strawberries, they’re not locally grown or they’ve got a lot of food miles on them and everything else…. Farming is not a particularly cost-effective venture. It’s a labor of love as much as anything else.”

Mitchell, who has been selling at markets for 45 years, noted that the prices have always been reflective of the amount of work that goes into local farming.

“We’ve tried to keep our prices fairly consistent over the years. I have increased a few of them here and there, and if we have a new product we price it a little higher. But farmers markets aren’t necessarily, in my estimation, places to go for a real bargain…. We’re all about quality and we try to give people the best possible quality that we can have. But we have to keep the price point high enough that we can actually keep the whole farm going,” he said.

For Hall, the farmers market is a place for shoppers to invest in the quality and freshness of their food.

“They are looking for a reasonable price but they want the quality, the freshness. The value to them is being able to say, ‘Hey, how did you grow those tomatoes?’” Hall said.

Even more, to Hall, the value of the market lies beyond just your weekly grocery shop. It is a place to directly invest in your local community.

“All your markets are going to be fantastic. You’re going to get some of the best products, you’re going to get local, you’re going to get fresh. It’s a good reason to get out. It’s a good event to socialize with your townspeople,” he said.

“I think the interest actually started before Covid. People definitely want to know where their food is coming from and they want to meet the farmers. They’re looking for a small, more personal touch to their farms…. The reason most of the farmers come to market is because of the patrons, because we enjoy engaging with the people,” Hall continued. “I was very proud to hear that it seemed to be the place to be on Saturday morning — at the farmers market,” he said.

Find a farmers market

Here are some of the area markets. If you know of a great local farmers market not listed here, let us know at food@hippopress.com.

Tuesday

• Bedford Farmers Market at Murphy’s Taproom, 323 Route 101, Bedford, on Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. through Oct. 17. Market features flowers, maple, conventional produce, fish, jams, wine, fruits, baked goods, eggs, jellies, specialty foods, etc. See bedfordnhfarmersmarket.org.

Wednesday

• Canterbury Community Farmers Market at 9 Center Road on Wednesdays from 4 to 6:30 p.m. through September, rain or shine. Find vendors selling fresh produce, eggs, baked goods, cheese, milk, maple products, potted plants, meats, seafood, jams, cut flowers, herbs, crafts, etc. See canterburyfarmersmarket.com.

• Derry Homegrown Farm & Artisan Market next to Derry Feed and Supply at 1 West Broadway, Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. through September. Choose from fresh produce, flowers/plants, dairy, maple, baked goods, meat, wine, ice cream, gluten-free items, jams/jellies, body care products, crafts. Events include live music and art demonstrations. See derryhomegrown.org.

• Kingston Seacoast Growers Association Across from the Kingston fire station at the intersection of Church and Main streets on Wednesdays from 2:15 to 6 p.m, through October, rain or shine. Enjoy baked goods, meat, eggs, fresh vegetables, fruits, plants, flowers. See SeacoastGrowers.org.

• Lee Cooperative Farmers Market at the Little River Park on the fourth Wednesday of every month from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. through September. Shop vegetables, fruits, bakery, lamb, pork, beef, elk, flowers, cheese, honey, syrup, canola oil, plants, crafts, soaps, fudge, music, scone overs in many flavors, sunflower oil, corn, berries, variety of breads, muffins, and pies. Find them on Facebook.

Thursday

• Loudon Farmers’ Market at 7039 School St. on Thursdays from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. through October. Vendors supply vegetables, fruits, flowers/plants, dairy, maple, meat, fish, prepared foods, baked goods, and crafts. Markets will feature live music. See facebook.com/loudonfarmersmarketnh.

Friday

• Francestown Community Market in the Francestown Horse Sheds at the Town Hall. Fridays from 4 to 6:30 p.m. through the end of October, rain or shine. Vendors supply vegetables, fruits, flowers/plants, dairy, maple, meat, prepared foods, baked goods, crafts, mustard, sauces, cider, beer, jams/jellies and honey. See facebook.com/francestowncommunitymarket.

Saturday

• Candia Farmers Market at the Smyth Library Grounds (55 High St.) on the third Saturday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon through October. All farmers and artisans bring fresh quality produce, value-added farm products, and crafts to market. See candiafarmersmarket.org.

• Concord Farmers Market on Capitol Street on Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon through the end of October. Vendors include a regular rotation of fresh produce, flowers/plants, baked goods, maple, wines, beers, meat, dairy, fish, agricultural crafts, etc. See concordfarmersmarket.com.

• Contoocook Farmers Market at the Contoocook gazebo on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon through the end of October, rain or shine. Shop fresh produce, eggs, flowers/plants, dairy, maple, baked goods, meats, herbs, weekly entertainment, etc. See facebook.com/ContoocookFarmersMarket.

• Milford Farmers Market at 300 Elm St. on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 14. Shop fresh produce, flowers/plants, maple, baked goods, meat, fish, wool, guest chefs, weekly entertainment, etc. See milfordnhfarmersmarket.com.

• New Boston Farmers Market on the corner of Route 13, 7 Meetinghouse Hill Road, on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the end of October. Enjoy organic produce, fruits, flowers/plants, soaps, honey, teas, bakery goods, maple, chocolate, barbecue, eggs, wool products and local artisans, plus musicians, demonstrations and education. See facebook.com/NewBostonFarmersMarket.

• Warner Area Farmers Market on the Warner Town Hall Lawn on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through the end of October. Find vegetables, baked goods, art and more. See warnerfarmersmarket.org.

Sunday

• Nashua Farmers Market (Main Street Bridge Farmers Market) on the Nashua Public Library Lot, 6 Hartshorn Ave. on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Oct. 22. Find fresh produce, meat, eggs, plants, pastries, artisan breads, honey, maple syrup, candy, ice cream, soap and crafts from a variety of vendors. See downtownnashua.org/nashuafarmersmarket.

• Salem Farmers Market at The Mall at Rockingham Park (77 Rockingham Park Blvd.) between Dick’s Sporting goods and Cinemark on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. all year. This year-round market features fresh produce, flowers/plants, dairy, maple, baked goods, meat, crafts, and live entertainment. See salemnhfarmersmarket.org.

Featured photo: Bedford Farmers Market. Courtesy of Cherilyn Bukofske.

Where to find free music in the fresh air

In Summer 2020, al fresco was the only option for fans of live music. One of the pandemic’s few silver linings, however, was mostly sunny weather for shows in parking lots and open fields during that moment of masking and social distancing.

This year, not so much; from May through a stormy Fourth of July and beyond, nature’s fury has remained relentless. To paraphrase Mick Jagger, what can a poor boy do to sing in their rock ’n’ roll band?

Even without a torrent of phone battery-draining AccuWeather alerts like we’ve had this year, seasoned New Englanders always keep an eye out for changing skies. It turns out the folks who fill the gazebos and bandstands in New Hampshire’s cities and towns all got the memo on preparing for the worst.

A quick check with a few of them revealed many well-crafted contingency plans.

For example, Bedford’s Family Concerts in the Park series began June 28 with the Dr. Harp Blues Revue Band, and predicted rain moved it indoors. Jane O’Brien is the Bedford Recreation Department’s sole full-time staffer; she runs the town pool and summer camps along with the weekly gazebo events.

“If we go inside, we go to Bedford Town Hall,” O’Brien wrote in a July 6 email. “My first concert we had inside, but the library happened to have their big room available, so we went there. We do it rain or shine, as I don’t have room to reschedule with everything going on around town.”

Belknap Mill’s biweekly Arts in the Park series happens Fridays in Laconia’s Rotary Park. It moves indoors to the mill’s historic museum for inclement weather. A performance from the Newmont Military band kicked things off on May 26; the series concludes on Sept. 8 with the ’50s-themed Rockin’ Daddios and a classic car show.

When reached by phone the morning of July 6, Belknap Mill Marketing Manager Jill Desruisseaux was in good spirits, as the series’ most recent event, a June 30 performance by the Catfish Howl Zydeco Band, had been a sunny one. “We had finally had some nice weather and a really decent turnout,” she said.

The overall season has been an even mix, Desruisseaux continued. “We’ve had four shows and only two of them have been outside. Normally in past years we’ve maybe had to move the first one inside, and then the weather has been amazing. This summer it’s a little different. Mother Nature is not in the mood to cooperate.”

Holding shows in the museum’s third-floor event space is less than ideal, but other options aren’t much better. Indoor crowds are always smaller, but rescheduling acts is too difficult.

“The Park is the perfect place to … get a little live music and continue on with your night,” Desruisseaux said. “Sometimes you feel a little more pressure to stay when you’re inside.”

Performers face their own set of challenges. A chat with a couple of bands well-acquainted with the summer music season, and a performer who also works as a booker, revealed just how difficult this year has been compared to others.

Studio Two, a Beatles tribute band that’s a mainstay of the summer outdoor concert season, has had to pare down its schedule to protect itself against last-minute, no-pay cancellations. “I know weather is unpredictable, but enough of those can cripple a tour,” founding member Stephen Murray said by phone. “After years of experience of doing this, I’ve come to the conclusion that the only way our band business can run is if the concerts that we play either have indoor venues or a rain date.”

This year’s Henniker Concert Series began on June 16. The Tuesday twilight event showcases local acts like Rebel Collective (July 25), Not Fade Away (Aug. 1) and Nick’s Other Band, a beloved hometown group that closes things out on Aug. 29. The shows are always rain or shine.

Acoustic roots band Peabody’s Coal Train was the first act to perform in Henniker this year. “They asked us to kick off the summer series and sure enough, the thunderstorms were rolling in,” guitarist Jason Teaster recalled in a phone interview. The show was relocated to the town’s community center, right behind the bandstand.

“We still had a packed crowd, but it was a more intimate show,” Teaster said, adding, “people were hungry for live music, and we fed them. It was a hat tip to the committee for having that backup plan ready.”

Guitarist Brad Myrick is both a booker and a performer. Experience has taught him to plan for outdoor shows. Back in 2016, “I had a weekend with seven concerts in three days, and I think six of the seven got rained out,” he said by phone. “I lost like two thousand bucks, which for me at the time was just … I couldn’t do it.” That lesson guides Myrick at NH Music Collective, the booking, artist development and production company he co-runs with two other partners.

Given the seemingly endless precipitation, there’s not been much discussion this year about the other side of extreme weather. Plans are needed, however, not just for rain but also for excessive heat. Every now and then Studio Two’s Fab Faux have a need to remove their vintage Beatles suit jackets.

Another problem is ensuring that expensive acoustic instruments don’t get sun-bleached. It’s one thing to be a hot guitar player, quite another to play a hot guitar.

“We’re asking outdoor venues to have tent cover,” Myrick said, recalling that at one open-air gig, “I had to keep turning out of the sunlight after every song.”

That said, rain is still top of mind for everyone trying to mount or play an outdoor show. Myrick is keeping his fingers crossed for The Sunflower Festival, an August event in Concord that will feature a bevy of NH Music Collective performers. “I think I have 16 musicians over two full weekends,” he said.

Unlike a lot of performers and town music organizations, NH Music Collective has mostly dodged the wet and wild weather thus far. “We’re lucky as a company in that we have not lost too many shows,” Myrick said. “I know a lot of musicians that have had cancellations, just by watching people on social media.”

Music outdoors

Here are some of the places you can find regular (and free!) outdoor (weather permitting) musical performances. Know of any concert series we missed? Let us know at adiaz@hippopress.com.

Multiple days

• Concord Parks and Recreation (concordnh.gov) presents concerts on several days in multiple locations throughout the city.

On Sundays at 10 a.m., acoustic concerts will take place in White Park (in inclement weather Merrimack Lodge, which will be open from 9 a.m. to noon during concerts). Concerts include Andrew North on July 23, Hometown Eulogy on Aug. 6, Paulie Stone on Aug. 13, Steve Blunt on Sept. 10 and Ben Harris on Sept. 17.

The Nevers Band (classic orchestral) has two Tuesday night concerts at 7 p.m. left in a series played around the city: July 25 at the New Hampshire Statehouse and Aug. 8 at Kiwanis Riverfront Park (behind Everett Arena).

Thursday night concerts at 7 p.m. in Eagle Square include Freese Brothers Big Band on Aug. 3, Jah Spirit on Aug. 10 and Club Soda on Aug. 24.

The Concord Public Library also has a live performance on the schedule: David Shore’s Trunk of Funk will play on Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 6 p.m. at Prince Street at the Concord Public Library.

Sundays

• The Friends of Stark Park (550 River Road in Manchester; starkpark.com) have a series of concerts at the Stark Park Bandstand on Sundays at 2 p.m. Upcoming shows include Another Tequila Sunrise (Eagles tribute) on July 23, Love Dogs on July 30, Reminisants on Aug. 6, Swing Times Five on Aug. 13, Wolverine Jazz Band on Aug. 20 and Compaq Big Band on Aug. 27.

Tuesdays

• Amherst’s Concerts on the Green (amherstnh.myrec.com) run on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the Amherst Village Green (2 Main St.). Upcoming shows include Bass Quintet on Aug. 1, Glitter and Camo on Aug. 8, and the Amherst Town Band on Aug. 15. A show on Tuesday, July 25, with the Bat Magoon Band will take place at the Baboosic Town Lake Beach (25 Broadway); $5 cover for non-Amherst residents.

• Derry Parks and Recreation’s Summer 2023 Concert Series (derrynh.org) takes place in MacGregor Park (64 E. Broadway) on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Upcoming shows are Mo Bounce (funky & danceable) on July 25, The Slakas (classic/modern rock) on Aug. 1, PizzaStock presents Second to Last Minute and the Glue Band on Aug. 8, Beatlejuice on Aug. 15, and Brandy on Aug. 22.

• Hampstead’s Meetinghouse Park Concert series (hampsteadconcerts.com), sponsored by Hampstead Cable Television, takes place Tuesdays at 6 p.m. behind Hampstead’s Town Hall (11 Main St.). Upcoming shows are Chickenshack Bluegrass Band (rock & country influenced) on July 25, Tru Diamond (Neil Diamond tribute) on Aug. 1, North River Music (Americana sound of rock, bluegrass and country) on Aug. 8, Mark209 (country) on Aug. 15, Martin and Kelly (country) on Aug 22, and Studio Two (Beatles tribute) on Aug. 29.

• Henniker’s Summer Concert Series (henniker.org) runs Tuesdays at the Angela Robinson Bandstand (57 Main St.) starting at 6:30 p.m. Food trucks and restaurants will attend the concerts to sell eats for the evening, according to a press release. Admission is free (donations accepted). Upcoming shows include Rebel Collective (Irish rock) on July 25, Not Fade Away (Grateful Dead tribute) on Aug. 1, Emily’s Garage Band (funky soul classics) on Aug. 8, Cold Chocolate (folk/funk/bluegrass) on Aug. 15, Kotoko Brass (party music with a global flair) Aug. 22, and Nick’s Other Band on Aug. 29.

• Nashua’s SummerFun (nashuanh.gov/546/summerfun) programming includes concerts at Greeley Park Bandshell (100 Concord St., Nashua). Shows are on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. The upcoming schedule includes Scenes the Band (Billy Joel tribute) on July 25, American Legion Band on Aug. 1, Tru Diamond (Neil Diamond tribute) on Aug. 8, Bel Airs (doo wop) on Aug. 15, and After Hours Big Band on Aug. 22.

• New Boston’s Concerts on the Common series (newbostonnh.gov/recreation/pages/concert-common) has three more shows on upcoming Tuesdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Chairs and blankets are welcome, and the Rail Trail Grill concession stand will feature hot dogs, hamburgers, soft drinks and snacks for sale, with proceeds benefiting the New Boston Rail Trail. The town’s community church will offer a dessert table. Upcoming shows include Hickory Horned Devils (old-time, bluegrass, Americana) on July 26, Tattoo (acoustic jam band) on Aug. 8 and The Island Castaways Band (Jimmy Buffett tribute) on Aug. 22.

Wednesdays

• Bedford Parks and Recreation’s Family (bedfordnh.myrec.com) Concerts in the Park run on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in Bedford Village Common Park. Upcoming shows include Roxanne and the Voodoo Rockers on July 26, Bedford Big Band on Aug. 2 (this show starts at 6:30 p.m.), and the Manchester Community Music School on Aug. 9.

• Hampstead’s remaining concert in the Ordway Park Concert series (hampsteadconcerts.com), sponsored by Hampstead Cable Television, takes place at the Main Street-located park at Route 121 and Depot Road on Wednesday, July 26, at 6 p.m. with Key Elements (classic and soft rock covers from the 1970s and 1980s).

• The Londonderry Arts Council’s (londonderryartscouncil.org) Concerts on the Common series takes place on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, most will take place inside the cafeteria of Londonderry High School (295 Mammoth Road). Upcoming shows include The Linda Ronstadt Experience with Tristan McIntosh on July 26, Delta Generators (blues) Aug. 2, Foreigners Journey (tribute to Foreigner and Journey) on Aug. 9, and Studio Two Beatles Tribute on Aug. 16.

• Merrimack’s Summer Concert Series (merrimackparksandrec.org) will host weekly concerts at Abbie Griffin Park (6 Baboosic Lake Road, Merrimack) on Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m. Upcoming shows include Marc Berger & Ride (country folk) on July 26, The Twangtown Paramours (Americana, folk and blues) on Aug. 2, The Slakas (classic/modern rock) on Aug. 9, Will Parker Children’s Concert on Aug. 16 (concert from 6 to 7 p.m.) and Crescendo’s Gate (rock) on Aug 23.

• Milford Recreation (milford.nh.gov) holds its Sounds on the Souhegan concert series on Wednesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Emerson Park. In the event of rain, concerts will be moved inside to the Town Hall auditorium. Upcoming shows include Cover Story (top 40) on July 26, Shana Stack Band (country/Southern rock) on Aug. 2, The Bel Airs (’50s and ’60s) on Aug. 9, Sheepdip Band (classic rock tribute) on Aug. 16, Bedford Big Band (this concert takes place at the Stage at Keyes Memorial Park) on Aug. 23, and Studio Two Beatles Tribute (rock ’n’ roll) at Aug. 30 (also at the Stage at Keyes Memorial Park).

• Pelham Community Spirit’s Summer Concerts (pelhamcommunityspirit.org) on the Village Green in front of the town’s public library will take place on three upcoming Wednesdays from 6 to 8 p.m.: The Casuals on July 26, 4EverFab (Beatles tribute) on Aug. 9 (evening will also include a Cruise Night, $5 car registration), and Standard Tuning on Aug. 26.

Thursdays

• Auburn Parks & Recreation “Rock This Town” Summer Concert Series takes place at the Circle of Fun Playground (1 Bunker Hill Road in Auburn) on two upcoming Tuesdays from 6 to 8 p.m.: Off Duty Angels on July 20 and Emily’s Garage Band on Aug. 17.

• Raymond’s Summer Concert Series (raymondnh.gov/programsforeveryone) runs Thursdays at 6 p.m. at the Raymond Town Common. Upcoming shows include The Singing Trooper Daniel M. Clark on July 20; Keith Belanger (piano bar sing-along) on July 27; a “surprise night” on Aug. 3; Kitchen Party on Aug. 10, and EP Rock (Elvis Prestley tribute) on Aug. 17.

• Salem’s summer concert series at Field of Dreams Community Park (48 Geremonty Drive, Salem; fieldofdreamsnh.org) runs on Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. except for Fridays, July 21, and July 28. Admission is free and open to the public and chairs and blankets are welcome. Upcoming shows include 4EverFab (Beatles tribute) on July 21, Salem Boyz on July 28, North River Music (Americana sound of rock, bluegrass and country) on Aug. 3, Something Else on Aug. 10, and B-Street Bombers on Aug. 17.

Friday

• Manchester (manchesternh.gov) has two upcoming concerts at Veterans Park in the city’s downtown on Elm Street on two Fridays at 6:30 p.m. Food trucks will be available to purchase food from. Marc Berger and the band Ride will perform on July 21. Roots of Creation will perform on Aug. 11.

Daily

• Hampton Beach has a nightly Sea Shell stage series (hamptonbeach.org) with performances from 7 to 8 p.m. and 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. most nights. Performances are weather-dependent. Upcoming shows include Caroline Gray (country) on Thursday, July 20; Maddi Ryan (country pop) on Friday, July 21; The Shakerz Band (’60s through ’90s rock) on Saturday, July 22, and The Bel Airs (doo wop and vintage rock ’n’ roll) on Sunday, July 23. On Sunday, Aug. 13, catch the Polka Festival from 3 to 9 p.m. On Saturday, Aug. 19, a Reggae Fest runs from 3 to 9 p.m. The shows continue through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4, when GemsTones (’50s music) finish up the season.