Category: Cover Stories

Get more than books with your library card!

If you imagine a library as a building full of books, you’re not wrong. But 21st-century libraries have evolved with the changing needs of their communities.

“We serve as a community center for Auburn,” said Dan Szczesny, the Director of the Griffin Free Public Library. “For seniors, families, kids and whatever, we are ground zero for coming to talk about the town or seeing people that you haven’t seen, or that sort of thing.”

Caroline Pynes, the Director of the Chichester Town Library, explained the role a modern library plays for children and teens.

“I think a lot of kids don’t really understand what a resource the library is,” Pynes said. “I think it’s only [when] they grow up and get older that they realize what an asset it is for each community to have a public library and that we offer more than just books. We offer museum passes. You can ask us different questions, and we’ll try to find the answer for you. In some ways, we’re almost better than the internet.”

Here are some more reasons to love your library.

1. There are even more books to borrow than you see on the shelves. Tanya Ricker, the Director of the Whipple Free Library in New Boston, said that while it might take longer to get a book from another library, you will still get most books you request. “The current state of interlibrary loans,” she said, “is that we are still getting them. There is funding for it. However, unfortunately, they are very short-staffed at the State Library, and because there is a hiring freeze, we are not getting as many van deliveries as we have in the past. But other than that, it’s still business as usual right now, which is fortunate.”

You might be able to browse another library on your own.

Erin Matlin is the Director of the Leach Public Library in Londonderry. She said that, like many local libraries across the state, hers belongs to an association that allows patrons to check out books from other libraries.

“We are part of the GMILCS Consortium,” Matlin said. “That [gives] us access to a number of other libraries in the area. We share their catalog, so if we wanted to request a book from Derry, for example, one of our patrons could do that. They could either pick it up in Derry or have it sent here. When we joined, we were told by the consortium that it increased our patrons’ access to a collection by 1.4 million items.”

GMILCS includes libraries in Amherst, Bedford, Derry, Goffstown, Hooksett, Hudson, Londonderry, Manchester, Merrimack, Milford, Salem, Windham and New England College.

What are you reading?
I am personally reading a book by Neil Shusterman called All Better Now. It’s a young adult book and it takes place in post-Covid world. There’s a new virus that has been getting people sick and it’s a very interesting book as this virus has interesting consequences. Neil Shusterman is a pretty big author in the young adult publishing world, so it’s a fun book. —Dori Eisenstat, Teen Librarian, Manchester City Library

2. You can browse from a bike. There are two E-Bike Bookmobiles in Concord.

“When the weather is on our side, we go to local parks and people can check out books, return books, sign up for a library card,” said Jennifer Needham, Archivist, Reference, and Outreach Coordinator for Concord Public Library. “It’s a great way to promote the library.”

3. The books can come to you. Many area libraries will deliver books by mail or in person.

“We deliver books and other materials to clients who are homebound, “ said Dianne Hathaway, Director of the Goffstown Public Library. “For example, I deliver to a client who makes her own requests. She places her own requests online and I just really swap things with her. I never see her. But then we have another client who’s been with us for many years and the staff member who delivers to her sits and chats with her. Sometimes it’s about more than just books; it’s socialization as well.“

4. You can download digital books. Virtually all libraries provide access to digital content. Libby/Overdrive and Cloud Library allow library patrons to download e-books and audiobooks online as does Hoopla, which also offers e-books and comics. Search through a library’s catalog in person or online, and if a specific library doesn’t have a particular title the catalog will note if it is available for download from the State Library.

5. There are many ways to listen to stories. If a library patron wants to listen to a particular audiobook, many libraries lend out Playaways, small digital devices preloaded with a specific book including kids’ books.

“Playaways are good for people who don’t have a smartphone or might not have access to high-speed internet,” said Jennifer McCormack, Director of the Nashua Public Library, “Or they just want a simple plug-and-play. You just stick your headphones in, press the play button, and now you’re listening to an audiobook.”

What are you reading?
Currently I’m reading Perestroika in Paris. It’s a book told from the point of view of a horse. It’s a little different. It’s by Jane Smiley, who wrote A Map of the World. I’m enjoying that right now. —Sarah Leonardi, Assistant Director, Amherst Town Library

6. The library can be your emergency office. Most area public libraries offer photocopiers, computers and internet access, including wi-fi. Sarah Leonardi is the assistant director of the Amherst Town Library. She said this includes technology you might not expect.

“We do still have a fax machine,” she said, “because people still are using that. There are still some industries, [such as ] legal or medical, that require a fax, so we certainly offer that as a service.” People can use the library’s printer, she said, even from their own devices. “They can also print from mobile devices like their phone or their laptop, using another third-party service that we coordinate with called Princh. [They] can also send a print job from home and come to pick it up here.”

Many patrons depend on their library for a wi-fi connection, Juliana Gallo said. She is the Youth Services Librarian at the Baker Free Library in Bow. “We actually just updated our Internet and wi-fi just a couple of weeks ago so the signal is strong now throughout the building and even reaches into our parking lot, so we sometimes have people using it before we’re open or after we’re closed.”

7. You can experiment with a 3D printer. Some area libraries also have 3D printers that allow patrons to create plastic reproductions of physical objects. “We have a 3D printer in the children’s department,” said Jennifer Needham from the Concord Public Library. “If you go to our website, there’s actually a link that families can go to with a list of predetermined objects that can be printed, and they choose one. And then it’s free with a library card. Then the next time that family is in we hand over their 3D object.” Some libraries may have 3D printing fees, such as the 20-cents-per-gram cost at the Bedford Library.

8. Librarians will help you figure out technology. Local libraries are a good resource for people confused by technology. Natalie Lapointe is the Technical Services Librarian, at the Whipple Free Library in New Boston. “I basically help anybody who needs assistance,” she said. “That could be anybody elderly; it could be a 6-year-old on the computers here in the library; It could be someone who’s just trying to make a PowerPoint. I provide that service, judgment-free, here at the library.” She said that older patrons often look for guidance navigating some of the new technological challenges of modern living. “A lot of them just want to know the best practices for navigating a smartphone, or deciphering scams and spam messages.”

What are you reading?
What am I reading right now? I actually am reading Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. It’s like a dystopian sci-fi kind of novel but it was written back in the ’90s and she projected what life was going to be like in 2025, so I thought I should read it this year and see how accurate she was. It’s been interesting so far. —Juliana Gallo, Youth Services Librarian, Baker Free Library in Bow

9. Toddlers (and their parents) can make friends. Universally, libraries are a tremendous resource for people with young children. Many local libraries hold special events — like touch-a-truck events where small children can interact with actual fire trucks and police cars — as well as regularly scheduled events like storytimes or play groups. Karen Metcalf, the Head of Children’s Services at the Weare Public Library, said her library’s Baby and Toddler Playgroup was originally started to help mothers of young children make friends.

“We get moms, we have some dads, we have nannies and babysitters and grandparents,” Metcalf said. “It runs once a week and it’s for an hour and a half. It’s very much a drop -in program, so they can come and go with what fits their schedule. And there’s a staff member there, and we chat and highlight books and other things the library is doing, but the majority of it is just a chance for the kids to play and the adults to get to know each other and create a community.”

10. And puppets will tell you stories. Just about every library conducts story times for young children, where staff members or volunteers from the community read short, engaging books to groups of rapt toddlers and preschoolers, but the staff at the Bedford Public Library takes it a step further. Emily Sennott is the Head of Children’s Services there.

“We’ve been running Puppet Story Time since last September,” Sennott said. “We take the best picture books we can find that will work with puppets and we read a book and we act out the story with puppets.”

11. You can read the news from 100 years ago. One of the greatest and most under-used resources at some libraries is their microfilm collections of historical newspapers.

“Oh, my god — the car ads!” said Jennifer Needham from the Concord Public Library. “Or just like seeing what businesses existed in the area during that time, it was pretty cool.” Just try reading the storyline in a comic strip from long ago, she said, and it will be almost impossible not to get sucked in. Hundred-year-old newspapers are a solid way to research a family tree or the history of a property or local political conditions. “We make sure that all staff is trained on how to [operate] the microfilm machines,” Needham said. “So if someone comes in and they’ve never used it, we take the time. We show them how to load the microfilm and how to open the software and how to print if they did want to print an article.”

What are you reading?
I just finished The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson, which I really loved. It is a fantasy book, but also a bit of a mystery and a lot of like court intrigue as well, so I was very into that. That was a good one. —Emily Sennott, Children’s Librarian, Bedford Public Library

12. There are book clubs for everyone’s favorite genres. Bonny John, the Director of the Boscawen Public Library, said the group she is part of meets once a month.

“As the Director, I choose a book and we get enough copies through our library loan system and then we sit on that Tuesday, we just discuss the book and what we thought about it And it’s usually a pretty good discussion because not everybody usually likes the book, which is awesome and the way I like it, because I’d rather have a real discussion.”

Library book groups can be centered around reading current best-sellers or be more niche. The Elkins Public Library in Canterbury hosts The Old Man Boring Book Club, said Director Rachel Baker.

This is for fans of local and military history and, as the group’s name suggests, is largely made up of older men.

“There were some older gentlemen in town who would come in and say, ‘Do you have the history of Dover 1863-1864? I heard that it’s a great book.’ We also have a Murder, Mayhem and Adventure book group.”

“Book clubs are kind of a library’s bread and butter,” agreed Michelle Sprague, the Adult Services Librarian at the Wadleigh Memorial Library in Milford. “[Ours] range on topics from history, reading about racism — that’s nonfiction and fiction — and our evening and morning book groups, who meet often for just fun new novels. We also have a cookbook club. The members bake or cook recipes out of a new cookbook every month or a theme every month and they bring the dishes in to share. They also talk about the writing but it’s mostly about eating the food.”

You can also check on starting your own book club. At the Bedford Public Library, for example, cardholders can start their own discussion group and the library will help track down up to 10 copies of your book for group members, according to the website.

What are you reading?
What is on my desk right now is actually Amanda Grappone Osmer’s The Founding. She wrote a book about the Grappone Automotive Group and she’s presenting here in October, so I’m reading that in preparation for her appearance. —Rachel Baker, Director, Elkins Public library in Canterbury.

13. The whole city can be your book club. In Concord and Nashua, the idea of a book discussion group has been expanded to include each of the cities.

“This year’s [Concord Reads] book was Where You’ll Find Me,” said Jennifer Needham from the Concord Public Library. “What we do every year is we choose a book, we order a number of copies, we have a display as soon as you walk in the library for the public to check out, and then that month leading up to the author coming to speak we’ll have both children’s and adult programming that is thematically related to that Concord Reads. The last event is when the author comes, and for the past few years we’ve held that event at the Bank of New Hampshire stage. It’s so well-attended.”

Jennifer McCormack, Director of the Nashua Public Library, said the organizers of Nashua Reads try to pick a book by a well-known author to come speak about their work.

“They tend to be, I want to say, bigger-name authors,” McCormack said. Some of the authors who have come to speak at the library include Sarah Blake (The Gilded Hour), David Grann (Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI), and Stephen Puleo (Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919).

14. The clubs aren’t just for books. “We have clubs for all different ages,” said the Director of the Merrimack Public Library, Yvette Couser. “For example, we’ve had a group of people who like to knit or crochet do any kind of hand stitching — right now. It’s usually yarn-work. They come in on Thursday afternoons and they have one of our meeting rooms for two hours and they visit with each other and work on their projects and it’s just lovely. We also have a crew of teenage boys coming after school. [One of the boys] found out that we have games, video games, and consoles, and decided to bring his friends down to the library, borrow a console, bring it into our meeting room, check out some games, hook it up to the TV in there and play.”

Clubs meeting at area libraries span a huge range of activities, from mahjong to a ukulele support group. The Bedford Public Library hosts a Pokemon Club. In Boscawen, there are yoga classes. Children can read to a dog at the Manchester City Library and their parents can learn how to write a resume and interview for a job.

What are you reading?
Oh my gosh I’m reading a book called Isola, by Allegra Goodman. I’m reading it from my book discussion group. It’s set in, I believe, the 1700s. And the main character has a guardian because she was orphaned as a small child. Her guardian takes her on one of his ships and they’re sailing to what turned into Canada and she ends up falling in love with the guardian’s secretary and that’s where I’m at right now. Something’s going to happen; I know it! —Dianne Hathaway, Director, Goffstown Public Library

15. You can watch an earthquake in real time. The Merrimack Public Library has a working seismograph on site. “Our seismograph is connected to an international network of seismographs,” said Library Director Yvette Couser. “The idea [is to have it] in a public space so that we could encourage people in our community to become interested in this level of science and become basically citizen scientists, and watch how the tectonic plates are moving in New England.”

16. You can apply for a passport. “We fill the same duties that most places people would go to a post office for, so we can fill that same role,” said Juliana Gallo from the Baker Free Library in Bow. “It’s a pretty hassle-free process, as long as people bring all the documentation they need.”

17. Or get a document notarized. Many librarians are Notary Publics. “The Brookline Public Library provides limited notary services at no cost to residents of Brookline and Brookline Public Library card holders,” said Stephanie Seales, the Library Assistant for Circulation and Inter-Library Loans. “I’m actually one of them. “We don’t [notarize] anything with real estate, though; that’s long and very complex.”

18. You can learn about a new culture. One of many activities held by the Nashua Public Library is something called Passport to the World, said Library Director Jennifer McCormack. “It’s an event series that we host about every quarter. We feature food from a local restaurant or vendor. We have music. We’ve had some great performers, dancers and other performers.” She said that she and her staff try to choose cultures that are representative of part of Nashua’s diverse population. “For instance,” she said, “Puerto Rico was one. We did a Ukraine Night. We’ve done China, Quebec and El Salvador. We started with Paris in January of 2024. Another really fun one was the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

What are you reading?
Right now, our reading group is reading The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. It’s been on the bestseller lists for months. It’s been pretty popular. —Bonny John, Director, Boscawen Public Library

19. You can explore new music on CD — and borrow a CD player. The Bedford Public Library has a collection of more than 2,700 music CDs from all genres. It’s an opportunity for patrons to explore new music, said Head of Information Services Patricia Kline-Millard — or to do a deep dive into one type, like classical or jazz.

“We just bought a two-CD set that was a live recording of [experimental jazz composer] Sun Ra. A wonderful thing about the library is that we do still have this physical format, especially for music that is harder to find online,” she said. “And we do have a CD player that we circulate, because a lot of people don’t own those anymore.”

20. You can take home a painting. The Manchester City Library has a collection of framed paintings and prints that patrons can take home and hang on their walls. “You can check out any of the framed artwork,” said Dori Eisenstat, the Library’s Teen Librarian. “You can keep it for up to eight weeks. There aren’t any renewals on them but you can bring it home, use it in any way you want, and bring it back in eight weeks.”

21. You can go to a film festival. The Nashua Public Library sponsors a Tiny Film Festival each year. “Our ceremony is approximately the same time as the Oscars,” said Library Director Jennifer McCormack, “so we usually take submissions in February, and then we have a screening of all the submissions early in March. Anybody from any age group can submit, and we judge by age group, so there’s little kids and teens and adults. It’s a one-minute film, on any topic that you want — it just needs to be suitable for public screening. It’s just a blast to do.” One of this year’s winners was The Case of the Missing Pizza. “The movie A Little Worm for the little kids was just so creative,” she said.

22. Or have a movie night of obscure movies at home. For film buffs, many libraries own subscriptions to services like Kanopy, Hoopla or IndieFlix, which allow patrons to stream movies and TV shows, some of which are hard to find elsewhere.

“You can stream films right from home,” said Nashua Library’s Jennifer McCormack. “You can put an app on your TV or on your device. It lets you watch a lot of independent films that are from smaller film houses. There’s also Kanopy Kids, so there’s kids’ content on there.”

What are you reading?
Right now I am reading a book by Kent Haruf, who is an author who has passed away, but he writes books set in rural eastern Colorado. His most well-known one is Plainsong. But the one I’m reading now is actually the first one he wrote, but it wasn’t the first one he published. It’s called The Tie that Binds. I love the roughness of first books. I just think I love that they’re not so polished. —Stephanie Seales, Library Assistant, Circulation and Inter-Library Loans at Brookline Public Library

23. You can plant a garden. Many area libraries maintain a Seed Library, where patrons can share seeds.

“It is basically seeds from plants of all types,” said Stephanie Seales at the Brookline Public Library. “People can come in and take whatever it is that they would like to plant and try to grow and then we also take donations after the growing season if someone knows how to save seeds. We’ve had classes here on how to save and preserve seeds. They can bring back seeds and put them in the library for the following growing season.”

“We actually have a donation envelope,” said Patricia Kline-Millard in Bedford, “that they put the seeds into that ask for information about the plants. ‘How easy was it to grow? How hard was it to grow? How big will it get?’”

24. You can get help writing your novel. As well as nurturing readers, some area libraries help writers develop their skills. The Boscawen Public Library holds a monthly Writers’ Group, said Director Bonny John.

“Sometimes there’s a theme,” she said, “but most of the time it’s just freestyle. We have some people who write poetry. Some people write about personal experiences, and some people just like to write stories. One of our group members two years ago actually had a book published about her experiences and the group was instrumental in helping her to do that, so it was pretty exciting for us.”

Each year, the Derry Public Library hosts the Derry Author Fest. “That’s only in the spring,” said Reference Librarian Erin Robinson. “It’s a full day for writers who are interested in learning the trade and the craft and how to get published. We have a full day of MFA-style [Master of Fine Arts] workshops. It’s free and open to the public.”

25. You can go on a grown-up field trip. Some libraries organize field trips for adults to visit the sorts of places they didn’t pay attention to when they were in school.

“We take a group of adults and we go off site, off campus from the library, to kind of explore [those places] a little bit more,” said Sarah Ballard, Adult Services Librarian for the Hollis Social Library. “We recently went to a local schoolhouse, we went to a restored cooper shed in town, and we went to the Nashua fish hatchery. And what’s fun about those trips is we usually try to partner with somebody who works there or somebody who knows something about those specific experiences and tell us about the history and we learn a little bit about what they do, what the history is, and we get kind of a one-hour education just as if you were a kid, but we’re kind of spending the day as adults learning about these things.”

“We had a field trip recently to the Meadow Ledge Farm in Loudon,” said Caroline Pynes, Director of the Chichester Town Library. “We did some apple picking and did a little tour of the orchard on a wagon. And we also had a cider demonstration, we had some cider after the cider demonstration, and then we had some of their apple cider doughnuts. People had a really great time and we ended up with a lot of apples that we took home.”

What are you reading?
I’m reading a book called My Best Friend’s Honeymoon. It’s a new rom-com by Meryl Wilsner. It’s about a woman who had her marriage fall apart at the last minute at the altar, and she goes on her honeymoon with her best friend, who’s also a woman who’s been in love with her for a long time. There’s laughs and love. It seems like it’s coming together for a happy ending. —Michelle Sprague, Adult Services Librarian, Wadleigh Memorial Library in Milford

26. You can check out museum passes. Almost all area libraries have passes available for patrons to visit museums for free or at a reduced rate, including sites such as the SEE Science Center and the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester; the Aviation Museum of New Hampshire in Londonderry; the New England Aquarium, the Boston Children’s Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and the Children’s Museum in Dover. The Rodgers Library in Hudson, for example, also offers tickets to the Nashua Silver Knights games, passes for New Hampshire State Parks, discounts for New Hampshire Philharmonic performances and passes to the Salem [Mass.] Witch Museum (though not in October), according to the website.

27. You can borrow a pipe wrench or a set of bocce balls. More and more local libraries have a “Library of Things” that patrons can check out tools or equipment from.

“Maybe they only need to use something once,” said Tanya Ricker, the Director of the Whipple Free Library in New Boston. “They don’t need to go out and purchase it, or they want to test something before they decide to buy it, or it’s a matter of convenience. For instance, we have snowshoes. So say you have some family visiting and you all want to go snowshoeing. You don’t have to go buy extra snowshoes, you could use ours. We have a KitchenAid Mixer. Not everybody can afford a $500 KitchenAid mixer, but you can borrow it and make a fancy cake for your kid’s birthday. We have two wheelchairs that we also have available. We’ve got an external CD drive for your computer because most computers don’t come with them anymore. For us, it’s just trying to sort of figure out what our community needs and wants and be able to provide them with the opportunity to have those things.”

“We have board games, telescopes, and a paper shredder,” said Jennifer McCormack, Director of the Nashua Public Library. “We have one of those devices that you can check the code in your car if your check-engine light comes on. It’s a way to try things that maybe you think you might want to have, like a ring light [for filming videos] or a metal detector. We have a podcast microphone too, in the Teen Room.”

“We are lending out portable wi-fi hot-spots,” said Dianne Hathaway, Director of the Goffstown Public Library. “They allow folks to have internet access at home; it gives them that ability either for work or school. We’re circulating an XBox console. We’re circulating a page magnifier for someone who has low vision. We also have a pair of colorblind sunglasses that we’re lending. They’re very expensive so it gives people with colorblind issues the ability to try them out before they spend money.

What are you reading?
So I found the Booker Long List — the books that had been on the long list for the Booker Prize. And I’m going down the list and reading those. The list isn’t as long as I thought it was going to be. I had a patron when I worked at the Nashua Public Library who was reading all of the Pulitzer Prize books. That prize started in the ’40s and she was reading every one that was awarded. I had another coworker who for one year her annual New Year’s resolution was to read one book from each one of the Dewey series. So like the Dewey’s arranged by zeros or 100s or 200s or 300s. And she wanted to read one book from each of the 100s in Dewey.
Anyway, the book that I’m reading right now is called Universality. It’s by Natasha Brown. —Kersten Matera, Director, Maxfield Public Library in Loudon

28. You can also borrow a room. Need a place to host a community meeting? Rodgers Library in Hudson, for example, has a Community Room that can accommodate up to 60 people for not-for-profit groups, according to its website. For smaller groups, two study rooms are available, one that can be reserved in advance and another that is first come first served, the website said. Or if you just need some peace and quiet for yourself, Rodgers has study carrels available. Many libraries have a version of these offerings; see websites for information on reservations.

29. You can score a new puzzle, research your ancestors or find other new hobbies or adventures. Many libraries hold puzzle swaps, or crafting swaps where people can exchange crafting supplies. There are exercise classes for seniors. Many libraries hold genealogy classes and maintain special collections of documents to help people research their family trees. There are crafting classes, and movie screenings. There are first aid classes. There are escape rooms for children, teens and adults. There are groups for playing bridge, or cribbage, or Scrabble, or Dungeons & Dragons. There are chess clubs, and Lego groups for children and adults. Check out the “events” section of your library’s website for yet another reason to visit.

Your local libraries

• Allenstown Public Library 59 Main St., Allenstown, 485-7651, allenstownlibrary.org
• Amherst Town Library 14 Main St., Amherst, 673-2288, amherstlibrary.org
• Bedford Public Library 3 Meetinghouse Road, Bedford, 472-2300, bedfordnhlibrary.org
• Boscawen Public Library 116 N. Main St., Boscawen, 753-8576, boscawenpubliclibrary.org
• Baker Free Library 509 South St., Bow, 224-7113, bowbakerfreelibrary.org
• Brookline Public Library 16 Main St., Brookline, 673-3330, brooklinelibrarynh.org
• Chichester Town Library 161 Main St., Chichester, 798-5613, chichesternh.org/town-library
• Concord Public Library 45 Green St., Concord, 225-8670, concordnh.gov/1983/Library
• Derry Public Library 64 E Broadway, Derry, 432-6140, derrypl.org
• Dunbarton Public Library 1004 School St., Dunbarton, 774-3546, dunbartonlibrary.org
• Elkins Public Library 9 Center Road, Canterbury, 783-4386, elkinspubliclibrary.org
• George H. & Ella M. Rodgers Memorial Library 194 Derry Road, Hudson, 886-6030, rodgerslibrary.org
• Goffstown Public Library 2 High St., Goffstown, 497-2102, goffstownlibrary.com
• Griffin Free Public Library 22 Hooksett Road, Auburn, 483-5374, griffinfree.org
• Hollis Social Library 2 Monument Square, Hollis, 465-7721, hollislibrary.org
• Hooksett Library 31 Mount Saint Mary’s Way, Hooksett, 485-6092, hooksettlibrary.org
• Hopkinton and Contoocook Town Library 61 Houston Drive, Contoocook, 746-3663, hopkintontownlibrary.org
• Leach Public Library 276 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, 432-1132, londonderrynh.gov/leach-library
• Manchester City Library 405 Pine St., Manchester, 624-6550, and West Branch Library, 76 N. Main St., 624-6560; manchesterlibrary.org
• Maxfield Public Library 8 Route 129, Loudon, 798-5153, maxfieldlibrary.org
• Merrimack Public Library 470 DW Highway, Merrimack, 424-5021, merrimack.aspendiscovery.org
• Nashua Public Library 2 Court St., Nashua, 589-4600, nashualibrary.org
• Nesmith Library 8 Fellows Road, Windham, 432-7154, nesmithlibrary.org
• Pembroke Town Library 313 Pembroke St., Pembroke, 485-7851, pembroke-library.org
• Wadleigh Memorial Library 49 Nashua St., Milford, 249-0645, wadleighlibrary.org
• Weare Public Library 10 Paige Memorial Lane, Weare, 529-2044, wearepubliclibrary.com
• Whipple Free Library 67 Mont Vernon Road, New Boston, 487-3391, whipplefreelibrary.org
• Wilton Public and Greg Free Library 7 Forest Road, Wilton, 654-2581, wiltonlibrarynh.org

caramel-covered, candy-coated, chocolatey taste of fall on a stick

By John Fladd

jfladd@hippopress.com

The end of September is the height of apple season and most of us have fond memories of eating caramel apples as children. Now apple-on-a-stick desserts are being served at birthday parties, Halloween gatherings, and even weddings, as whimsical place settings with more elaborate decorations and multiple layers of sweet coating and toppings.

What goes into a truly great caramel or candy apple or chocolate-covered apple?

Caramel Apple Key to Greatness #1 – Be choosy with your apples

The key to a great caramel apple, according to Jeffrey Bart, owner of Granite State Candy Shoppe (13 Warren St., Concord, 225-2591; 832 Elm St., Manchester, 218-3885, granitestatecandyshoppe.com), is choosing the right apple.

“We don’t use Granny Smiths,” he said. “We use other apples that tend to be a little on the sweeter side. That will change throughout the season depending on what’s freshest and most available. So we’ve used everything from Zestars and then Honeycrisp later in the season when they’re available.” Because Granite State’s caramel apples are a seasonal offering, he said, it’s important to choose apples that are perfectly ripe and at their best.

Linda Comrie disagrees. Not about the importance of choosing the right apple — that’s very important, she said, but her preference is for Granny Smiths. Comrie owns Sweet Dreams Confections (553-6347, facebook.com/sweetdreamsconfections01), a homestead bakery in Derry. She, too, only makes caramel apples during fall months.

“I try to always source with local ingredients, first of all,” Comrie said. “So I’m thankful now that apple season is in season. I go to local orchards,” she said, “and I use Granny Smith apples. The tartness of the green apple, this Granny Smith apple, really accents any caramel or chocolate or whatever candies you’re going to add to your caramel apple in the final product. When you have a sweeter apple, it can sometimes be too much. And also it’s the firm construction of the apple, which makes it much more conducive because you do have to boil your apples before you coat them.”

Boiling apples briefly, she explained, is a way to make certain the skins make good contact with the caramel, especially if they are supermarket apples.

“There is always a coating,” she said. “You can go directly to an apple orchard, but if you buy from the grocery store, there’s like a little bit of a film on them, there’s a wax on them, and you have to remove the wax.” Even if the apples don’t have a layer of wax, she said, boiling them briefly removes any natural oils that might be on the skin. “You’re making sure that you can get a good adhesion with your caramel. And you want it to stick to the apple.”

Leah Boudreault, owner of Sugar and Slice NH (facebook.com/Sugarandslicenh) in Milford, uses a different method.

“Some people say to boil them in hot water,” Boudreault said. “I don’t do that. I will usually rinse them really well in really hot water and then I will give them a light wipe with some vinegar. That gets rid of all of that heavy waxy coating and it makes all of the toppings stick to it much better.”

Boudreault, too, uses apples that are as crunchy as possible.

“I like apples that aren’t going to get soft and mushy,” she said. “I like Honeycrisps; that’s one of my favorite apples. I like Pink Ladies. And then if I have to I’ll use a McIntosh.”

Paul Cornell, co-owner of Chocolate Moose (184 N. Broadway, Salem, 893-2225), is another fan of Granny Smiths. He makes caramel apples year-round, and the tart, green apples are almost always available, but that is the least of his reasons for using them.

“The Granny Smith apple is core,” he said. “It’s a little bit more tart, a little bit crispier, a little bit hardier, and that offsets that sweetness from the toppings. You’ve got to have a crisp apple. We’ve tried other apples. We’ve had people come in and say, ‘I want to try a Matsu apple. I want to try a Red Delicious apple.’ They’re too soft. We’ll do it, but once we do it, they’re like, ‘OK, OK, back to the Granny Smith.’ For the most part, I think our organic Granny Smiths are just what has to do with all the oohs and ahhs that we get from the apples.”

For Chris Guerrette, owner of Lickee’s and Chewy’s Candy and Creamery (53 Washington St., Dover, 343-1799, lickeesnchewys.com), the need for perfect apples rises to a whole other level. He starts by picking them himself.

“We only use fresh apples that we pick ourselves every single week from the orchard,” Guerrette said. “We use a local orchard in Milton, and we’ve been working with the family orchard for eight or nine years. And we only use Honeycrisp apples once they’re ready. They’re nice and firm and they have the perfect flavor to go with our caramel. The earlier that you get them in their lifespan, the better. And the thing is, as compared to, say, a store-bought, maybe those green apples that tend to be pretty firm, these have a better flavor to them [that contrasts] with the caramel. It’s a more natural sweetness and tartness, just a nice balance. We start with the best ingredients, like the nice, super-fresh apples I picked this morning, and they’re literally being dipped right now.”

Using the freshest possible apples can lead to a hectic apple season, Guerrette said. “We literally will go out as a team once a week and pick the apples in the mornings. And then we have a big event every year where we have to make about 1,500 apples in one week for Apple Harvest Day here in Dover. And then we’ll spend the next six days making a batch a day every day for five or six, eight days. So they’ll be ready. My poor chocolatiers all had blisters by the end of that, last year.”

Dover’s Apple Harvest Day 2025 festival will take place Saturday, Oct. 4, rain or shine, on Central Street in Dover from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will feature a 5K road race, more than 100 vendors, and a not insignificant number of apples. Visit appleharvestday.com.

Caramel Apple Key to Greatness #2 – Make your own caramel, and don’t be stingy with it

The next step to making a great caramel or candy apple is coating it with caramel or candy. This represents two different directions an apple can go in. Candy apples are coated with a thin layer of hardened sugar, usually bright red in color, hence the color name “candy-apple red.” This provides a brittle crunchyness to contrast with the crisp juiciness of the apple beneath. This is the approach Leah Boudreault from Sugar and Slice takes.

“I make everything,” Boudreault said. “For instance, last year I had a really big apple order for somebody’s wedding and I did caramel apples, I did candy apples, I did chocolate-dipped apples. So I can do pretty much everything, with any topping.” But her standard go-to, she said, is a classic red candy coating: “It’s basically sugar, water, corn syrup and food dye. So it’s just really sweet.” The first time she used a candy coating on apples, she said, was for an event that was themed around the Pixar movie The Incredibles and needed a bright red color. “I took it on knowing very little about candy apples. Once I did that, I saw how easy it was. And I have been doing them every year since.” The candy coating provides a substrate to work on, she said, like painting with a layer of primer before adding the top coat.

More common is a caramel coating. Universally, the caramel apple-makers interviewed for this story emphasized how important it is to make their own caramel.

“We use a caramel that I developed for close to two years,” Chris Guerrette from Lickee’s and Chewy’s said. “It took two years of minor tweaks and changes until it became this perfect. And that’s cooked in a big copper kettle for several hours. So it’s nice and dark, and it’s got a lot of great flavors, some like special fall flavors in it. It’s not this kind of old, sticky caramel. It doesn’t stick to your teeth as much as it used to when I was a kid.”

According to Paul Cornell from Chocolate Moose, the only way to improve on a good caramel coating is to use more caramel.

“A caramel apple is a caramel apple,” Cornell said, “but if you bite into a caramel apple at any state fair, they’re thin. There’s just really not that much caramel on it. You bite into ours, you’re up to your gums in caramel before you get to that apple. And that’s what we want. I think that puts us above the rest of anybody that’s kind of competing in this field.”

“The caramel itself,” Cornell said, “a homemade caramel, just makes a world of difference when you’re making these apples. It’s got the right texture, it’s got the right thickness. Homemade caramel, made the right way, the right texture, the right sweetness, and the thickness, of course, is key.”

Reni Mylonas, owner of Agape Cakes and Confections (59 Route 27, Raymond, 244-2265, agapecandc.com) agrees.

“We use a nice thick layer of caramel,” she said, “so you’re getting a good caramel-to-apple ratio.” She said that one of the appeals of a good caramel apple is the contrast in textures between the chewiness of the caramel, and the crispness of the apple. “The contrast of an apple to the type of caramel that we use, is just a really good combination that we really enjoy.”

Maria Marini is the chocolatier at Lighthouse Local (21 Kilton Road, Bedford, 716-6983, lighthouse-local.com). According to her, making caramel for apples involves the constant scrutiny of several temperatures simultaneously. Bringing the caramel to the right temperature can be tricky — a difference of just a few degrees can result in a weak, runny texture or a pull-your-teeth-out consistency with undertones of burnt sugar.

“We have a copper pan,” Marini said. “It distributes the heat evenly, but copper pots come in different thicknesses, and the thinner the pot the darker the caramel gets. Once the caramel is at a certain temperature, I dip all the apples in it.” Because she adds a coat of chocolate to most of Lighthouse Local’s caramel apples — “about three quarters of them,” she said — there is an extra level of complexity. “It takes two hours [for the caramel] just to really get cool enough that if I add the chocolate to it, it’s not going to change the temperature of the chocolate, because chocolate has to be tempered too, which means it has to be at a certain temperature. If this isn’t cooled down enough, and I use the chocolate while the caramel’s still warm, it can make the chocolate bloom, which means you get white spots.

On top of that, she said, if she wants to roll the chocolate-covered caramel apple in toppings, the chocolate has to be at just the right temperature — cool enough to adhere to the caramel but still tacky enough for toppings to stick to it. “I have to do it while it’s still wet,” she said.

The caramel dipping process is not without risks. Emily Lewis is a production manager at Van Otis Chocolates (341 Elm St., Manchester, 627-1611, vanotis.com) and teaches caramel apple decorating workshops. Her students decorate apples that have already been dipped in caramel, she said, to keep civilians from burning themselves.

“We cook our caramel up to 242 degrees Fahrenheit,” Lewis said, adding that proper dipping technique is a must. “When we’re dipping [apples] in the caramel, the only technique is that the stick has to be all the way into the apple. Otherwise, you’ll lose your apple into the caramel. And we like to call the actual dipping ‘milking the cow.’ We dip two apples at a time, so it almost looks like you’re milking a cow, as you’re shaking them up and down.” It’s easier on your wrists, she said, if you hold the apples upside down by their sticks, like daggers. After being covered with caramel, all of Van Otis’ apples receive a coating of white, milk or dark chocolate.

Caramel Apple Key to Greatness #3 – It’s almost impossible to go overboard with toppings

In theory, an apple-dipper could stop at this point. You’ve got your apple. You’ve got your candy or caramel coating. It is, by definition, a candy or caramel apple. Paul Cornell from Chocolate Moose said that only the most die-hard of caramel apple purists ask for this stripped-down version.

“We make 30 different kinds,” Cornell said. “We make a plain Jane version. We use that apple for big events — weddings, anniversaries, birthday parties — 300 of them at a time.” He said that customers might order that apple for financial reasons, but most customers want some sort of topping on top of the caramel.

“I’d say we have five, maybe six [toppings] that are the staples of our apples,” Cornell said. “That’s a pecan, that’s an M&M, a Reese’s, a Heath Bar, apple pie — and all of these have different ingredients on it. But our customers have built our apple base. As time has gone on (and we’ve been doing this for 30 years), people would come in and say, ‘Could you put this on this apple?’ It’s as wild as gummy bears. It’s ‘Can you do almonds and coconut? Almond Joy?’ Then there’s different chocolates — milk, white and dark. So you can mix it up. I would say we’ve probably made anywhere between 20 and 30 different kinds at one time.”

Reni Mylonas from Agape Cakes has had a similar experience. “We do some that are just the plain ones,” she said, ”but then we almost always add additional things to it. Sometimes we add rainbow sprinkles to them or chocolate sprinkles or a chocolate drizzle or some type of candy like an M&M. We’ve done a Twix [version] in the past or a KitKat, something that’s just a little bit more decadent.” She said that her shop does not sell chocolate-dipped apples. The concentration is on one perfect layer of caramel. “We add chocolate toppings, like sprinkles,” she said, “or swirls of chocolate across the surface, but we don’t cover them completely.”

“Our signature [apple], I think,” Chris Guerrette from Lickee’s and Chewy’s said, “and the one that is the most popular, is a white chocolate cinnamon pecan apple. It’s based on a recipe for cinnamon-roasted pecans that my mom developed when I was a kid. We use that recipe, then grind those up. We put the caramel on [the apple], then we dip it in … chocolate — an extremely high-quality, gourmet white chocolate. And then the last step is rolling that in the cinnamon-roasted pecans.”

Coatings and decorations can get more elaborate from there, Guerrette said.

“We decorate a lot of [the apples] with some really extravagant chocolate decorations. We actually create animals and creatures out of these, like teddy bears and elephants and fun things like that.” He said the apples he sells fall into three basic categories. “It’s about 30/50/20,” he said. “Probably 30 percent are plain caramel, or caramel with extra toppings. Another 50 percent have [a coating of] chocolate, and another 20 percent are our super-fancy ones with a lot of decorations or shaped like creatures and stuff like that.”

Jeff Bart at Granite State Candy is excited about premiering a new caramel apple this year.

“It’s our Dubai Caramel Apple,” Bart said. “We make a special pistachio filling. It’s a blending of chocolate and pistachio paste that we’re using in our Dubai bars. Then we’re using the kataifi [shredded philo dough] in the center, so it has that crunch. Then we are dipping it in milk chocolate afterward. There’s all kinds of different textures and flavors, and they all come together.” According to the staff at Granite State Candy’s Manchester store, while a few of the apples they sell are plain caramel, or caramel with toppings, the large majority of their apples are covered with a layer of chocolate.

Unlike many other caramel apple makers, Linda Comrie from Sweet Dreams Confections doesn’t cover the caramel layer with an additional layer of chocolate. She will, however, drizzle the caramel with chocolate once it is firm, she said. If a customer orders a chocolate-covered apple, she’ll make it, even without a caramel layer, if that’s what the customer wants.

“You have to be mindful of what chocolate you use, though,” she said. “You can’t use a chocolate chip, for instance. If you melt your chocolate chips, it’s not going to work the same. You’ll want to use something like a bark, if you will, like an almond bark. Or even like Ghirardelli makes a melting wafer, but it’s actual chocolate opposed to something that might be more of a candy. I’ve done both, but I do find, for me, that using the caramel base is a much better process.”

“People like a little bit of a variation,” said Leah Boudreault of Sugar and Slice NH. She uses colored fondant to add elaborate details to her apples. (Her candy coating makes an excellent base for this).

“A lot of times my customers will come to me and they’ll already have a photo in mind. They’ll send me inspiration photos — ‘Hey, can you recreate this? Or can you do something similar?’ And if they don’t come to me with like an inspo photo, I’ll ask them questions like, do you have a theme? Do you have favorite colors? And then from there if I need help with designs I usually use Google, and I will look at some inspiration myself.”

Caramel Apple Key to Greatness #4 – Be prepared for hugeness

As you might imagine, a caramel apple can get out of control if you don’t exercise some restraint, which is antithetical to the whole idea of caramel apples. If you start with a good-sized apple, then cover it with a generous amount of caramel, then add a host of toppings, before you know it, it has gotten much bigger than you anticipated.

“There’s such a variety of apples, size-wise,” Paul Cornell said. “You can get a 56-count apple, which is as big as a softball when you get it. You get into the bigger ones, people love them because once you put all the stuff on it it’s as big as a basketball. I mean, it gets huge.”

“They tend to be pretty large” said Chris Guerrette from Lickee’s and Chewy’s. “One of these apples that when we’re done with it — with the chocolate and the decorations on it — can be about a pound and a half. They’re kind of a meal you can share with other people.”

Staging homegrown productions in a challenging time

The history of community theater in New Hampshire is long and venerable. Community Players of Concord, for example, is preparing to mark its centennial in 2027, and the Majestic Theatre in Manchester is currently celebrating its 35th year. Co-founder Robert Dionne has been there since the beginning.

“We have a very faithful following … both the people that want to come and see shows as well as the people that want to be in them,” Dionne said when asked to explain Majestic’s longevity in an interview last spring. “That kind of makes it all worth it. We build off of that every single season.”

This year offers innovative productions like Cue Zero Theatre’s People Like To Be Scared: an Exploration of Fear, a “devised” work created by the company running in early October in Salem, and The Tin Woman from Nashua Theatre Guild, a play about a heart transplant recipient who decides to search for her donor.

Artistic Director Dan Pelletier described Cue Zero’s production as blending improv and therapy to write an original play. “We started rehearsals with just a concept to create a show built around fear; that was about it,” he said. “We wanted to explore what that meant … with a lot of building things, and theater exercises, to get everybody working together.”

Also unique is Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons, a two-person play from Theatre Kapow about free speech and the effects when it’s stifled. “This is a show that invites you to laugh while demanding that you think,” TK Executive Director Matt Cahoon explained. “It can just be a fun night out or a chance to grapple with difficult societal questions.”

Straight-up fun can be found in many productions, beginning with two musicals: Seussical, which has been reworked with a message of inclusion by RGC Theatre for an run at the Derry Opera House Oct. 31 through Nov. 2, and Shrek from Manchester Community Theatre, opening Oct. 17 at North End Montessori School.

More onstage mirth can be had with Milford Area Players’ production of Clue — the play, not the musical — at the Amato Center for the Arts beginning Oct. 26. Director Tom Partridge stepped away from rehearsals for the show this summer to undergo open heart surgery, but he’s back and excited for the play. Partridge’s production of Clue uses large canvas screens to quickly move between scenes.

“One of the most difficult things was staging,” Partridge said. “It’s hard to put eight rooms on stage and make it effective, but I think we’ve done a good job at it.”

New to New Hampshire is Icehouse, a comedy that opens Nov. 7 at Bedford Off Broadway. The play centers on a group of fishing buddies in a small Minnesota town who conspire to build an ice chateau, as well as their clumsy and hilarious attempts to hide the project from their wives.

“One thing that’s nice about it is that everybody pretty much has an equal part — it’s quite an ensemble show,” Icehouse director Judy Hayward said recently. Hayward, well-known as a musical director, wanted to helm a show. “Although I’m a musical theater person, I do like doing straight plays, especially comedies.”

Well-timed in light of the recent movie premiere of a sequel is Ovation Theatre Company’s staging of the musical version of Freaky Friday, opening Nov. 14 at Derry Opera House. Directed by Ovation founder Meg Gore, the musical ends the company’s calendar-based season.

“It’s one of those sleepers that people don’t know as much about, but when you do, you love it,” Gore said of the show. “The music is really good, done by the people who did Next To Normal, which is an excellent score. It’s a pop rock sort of musical that’s very funny.”

Comedy continues with The Producers. The Mel Brooks musical is one of two offerings from Actorsingers in Nashua; the other is Stephen Sondheim’s Company, opening Jan. 9. The latter show is exciting for more than its content, which helped it to win a Best Revival Tony.

“It’s the first local performance at the Nashua Center for the Arts, and I think that’s going to be amazing for us,” Christie Conticchio of Actorsingers said recently. “I think that will blossom into other partnerships … maybe we’ll do something with them every year.”

Winnipesaukee Playhouse is a professional theater company with a community theater component, along with ancillary activities like Improv Olympics and a children’s group. Local actors in its Winni Players troupe will stage a dinner theater show aboard the MV Mount Washington over a few nights beginning Oct. 1.

Mutiny on the Mount was written by Bob Montana, the original artist for the characters in the Archie comic books. The nearly sold-out show is a collaboration with the Meredith Historical Society, a member of which helped Playhouse Director of Education and Community Engagement Cory Lawson unearth the play.

“He told me, ‘We found this play he wrote for the Meredith Village Players in 1952, and I was like, ‘Oh, that’s cool,’” Lawson said by phone recently. “He’s like, ‘Yeah, he wrote it for a contest. He won, and they did it one time. It hasn’t been done since.’”

On the heels of the popular Netflix series Wednesday is The Addams Family Musical, running Nov. 21-23 at Concord City Auditorium. Community Players of Concord President Ellen Burger wanted the show, about a daughter introducing mom and dad to her boyfriend, for its appeal to both audiences and actors.

“The plot is almost like The Birdcage, with two very different families coming together in the Addams Family mansion,” she said. “Wednesday, the daughter, has persuaded her family, ‘Please, can we just be normal for one night?’ Because unbeknownst to almost all, the two have already decided to get married.”

The season comes with both promise and challenges. While recent cuts to arts funding in the state aren’t in and of themselves hurting community theater, the ripple effects can be felt. Organizations that relied on the now-defunded New Hampshire Council on the Arts are now competing for grants and other scarce funding.

Stephanie Moll of Nashua Theatre Guild is one of eight people running an organization that stages three plays a year; NTG also did Shakespeare in the Park during the summer. Small groups like hers have thin margins to work with; breaking even on a production can be considered a success.

“It costs so much for us to rent the theater and the lights and the rights to the play, and we don’t want to sell tickets for too much,” Moll said. She worries about the crowding field for funding, as rumors swirl about cash long expected disappearing for a variety of reasons.

Every little bit helps, Moll said, adding that she’s hopeful for a celebration of one-act plays coming next February. “This year we wanted to do all local playwrights…. We found some really nice little plays to do.” As the New Hampshire Community Theatre Association recently canceled its one-act festival, it’s a welcome addition.

Their motivation to do the event is twofold.

“One, we don’t have to pay rights, so there’s a chance that we might be able to break even, or make money,” Moll said. “Secondly, there are a lot of people out there who want to write a play but can maybe just start with one act.”

Irene Cohen is President of New Hampshire Theatre Alliance, with a mission of “Celebration, Collaboration and Promotion” on behalf of the state’s community theaters. Every January, NHTA hosts a Tony-like event to celebrate outstanding works and the people that make them happen. She views the challenges ahead with both trepidation and hope.

“Each community theater is likely to come up with a variety of different solutions…. I’m a naturally optimistic person, but it is pretty discouraging lately,” Cohen said by phone recently, adding NHTA is equally impacted. “We’re going to have to be as creative as everyone else, but I believe in the strength of our community and I believe in how special we have it here in New Hampshire.”

The Lakes Region is home to Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative, a recent addition led by Bryan Halperin, who co-founded Winnipesaukee Playhouse in the early 2000s. Powerhouse is the resident theatrical company for both Belknap Mill and the Colonial Theatre in Laconia.

Collaborations like the walking production Journey Through Neverland at Prescott Farm help them thrive, and funding is, fortunately, less fraught.

“We haven’t been reliant on arts grants, so for now, we’re OK,” Halperin said recently. “If the economy affected corporate giving in the area, though, that would hurt us a lot.”

They carry on for the joy of coming together as citizens who love to perform. Like Partridge, who started when he was recruited to sing in a local show, and hasn’t stopped since. “I got the bug about 37 years ago when a friend of mine was doing the Amherst PTA plays,” he said. “One thing led to another and another.”

What has Partridge gathered from his years in community theater? “You learn to have a lot of patience, you learn to do jobs,” he replied. “You learn to adapt. You learn to use the skills that people demonstrate and try to put them in a part to succeed.”

So many shows!

Here’s a listing of community theater shows, which include plays, musicals, a “devised piece” and a dinner performance that happens on a steamboat as it glides over Lake Winnipesaukee. All are the product of local companies and performers with homegrown support.

The Tin Woman
Nashua Theatre Guild (Nashua)
When: Friday, Sept. 19, through Sunday, Sept. 21
Where: Court Street Theatre, 14 Court St., Nashua
Tickets: $18 and up at onthestage.tickets
Description: This “intimate and poignant play” began when playwright Sean Grennan’s sister shared a newspaper clipping about a heart transplant recipient’s search for her donor, and was further inspired by an interview with beloved children’s author Maurice Sendak.

Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons
Theatre Kapow (Concord)
When: Friday, Sept. 19, through Sunday, Sept. 21
Where: BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St., Concord
Tickets: $26 and up at ccanh.com
Description: Written by Sam Steiner, the play follows two people grappling with the impact on their relationship when communication is limited. At turns funny and serious, it explores what happens when free speech is stifled and humans must reach each other through actions, body language, and the spaces between words.

Journey Through Neverland
Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative (Laconia)
When: Saturday, Sept. 20, and Sunday, Sept. 21
Where: Prescott Farm, 928 White Oaks Road, Laconia
Tickets: $10 at zeffy.com
Description: A unique interactive theater adventure through Neverland. From 1-4 p.m., small groups depart every 20 minutes. Guided by a rotating cast of Peter Pans and Shadows, each experience is a one-of-a-kind event. Dressing up in favorite Neverland character regalia is encouraged.

Clue
Milford Area Players (MAP) (Milford)
When: Friday, Sept. 26, through Sunday, Oct. 5
Where: Amato Center for the Arts, 56 Mont Vernon St., Milford
Tickets: $15 and up at booktix.com
Description: Based on the hit movie about an unusual dinner party that begins with a dead host, this whodunit is played for laughs and an expectation that audiences will be at least a little familiar with the popular board game.

Mutiny on the Mount
Winni Players (Meredith)
When: Wednesday, Oct. 1, through Friday, Oct. 10
Where: MV Mount Washington, 211 Lakeside Ave., Laconia
Tickets: $70 and up at winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org
Description: A cruise and dinner show package aboard a steamboat, they play was written by Bob Montana of Archie comics fame, a native of Meredith, and is a collaboration between the Winni Players and the Meredith Historical Society.

People Like To Be Scared: An Exploration of Fear
Cue Zero Theatre Company (Itinerant)
When: Friday, Oct. 3, through Sunday, Oct. 5
Where: Arts Academy of New Hampshire, 19 Keewaydin Dr., Salem
Tickets: On sale soon at cztheatre.com
Description: An original “devised piece” built by the company around the concept of fear. The group of actors was chosen for their willingness to “be unafraid to explore this emotional state that is inside all of us, sometimes rules us, and must be defeated.”

Blithe Spirit
Stone Arch Players (Hillsborough)
When: Thursday, Oct. 9, through Saturday, Oct. 11
Where: Hillsboro-Deering Middle School, 538 W. Main St., Hillsborough
Tickets: $10 and up at zeffy.com
Description: Noël Coward’s timeless comedy about an eccentric medium who accidentally conjures the spirit of a man’s first wife, who then refuses to leave, is “an evening of wit, mystery, and supernatural hilarity.”

The Diary of Anne Frank
Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative (Laconia)
When: Friday, Oct. 10, through Sunday, Oct. 12
Where: Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia
Tickets: $21 and up at etix.com
Description: In the Pulitzer Prize winning play newly adapted to include historical details left out from the original diary, Anne Frank “emerges from history a living, lyrical, intensely gifted young girl, who confronts her rapidly changing life and the increasing horror of her time with astonishing honesty, wit, and determination.”

Dracula
Break A Leg Legally Productions (Dover)
When: Friday, Oct. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 26
Where: The Strand, 20 Third St., Dover
Tickets: $20 at breakaleglegally.com
Description: Ninth anniversary production of the classic vampire tale performed by this local troupe, an audience favorite. Eight performances, two each day in the afternoon and evening.

Dracula Radio Show
Epping Community Theatre (Epping)
When: Friday, Oct. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 19
Where: Epping Playhouse, 38 Ladds Lane, Epping
Tickets: $15 and up at tix.com
Description: Just in time for Halloween, the world’s most famous vampire comes to the stage in this radio play adaptation of the iconic horror movie as well as the classic original novel by Bram Stoker.

It Runs In the Family
Garrison Players (Rollinsford)
When: Friday, Oct. 17, through Saturday, Nov. 1
Where: Garrison Players Arts Center, 449 Roberts Road, Rollinsford
Tickets: $15 and up at ovationtix.com
Description: A farcical comedy set in a hospital where a doctor tries to deliver a lecture while fending off a paternity suit, an ex-wife, a daughter and other characters, all while navigating the chaos of mistaken identities, and running through doors.

Shrek the Musical
Manchester Community Theatre Players (Manchester)
When: Friday, Oct. 17, through Sunday, Oct. 26
Where: MCTP Theatre at North End Montessori School, 698 Beech St., Manchester
Tickets: On sale soon at manchestercommunitytheatre.com
Description: Tony-winning Broadway musical about an ogre setting out to retrieve the deed to his swamp and the misadventures that ensue as he’s joined by a princess and a talking donkey.

Southern Fried Murder
Majestic Theatre (Manchester)
When: Friday, Oct. 31, through Sunday, Nov. 2
Where: Majestic Theatre, 880 Page St., Manchester
Tickets: On sale soon at majestictheatre.net
Description: Before she can summon her kith and kin to dinner in a fancy restaurant to discuss her will, a wealthy family matriarch is killed with her walking stick, leaving her heirs on a treasure hunt to interpret her encrypted will. It’s the first show of the Majestic’s 35th season.

Seussical The Musical
RGC Theatre (Portsmouth)
When: Friday, Oct. 31 through Sunday, Nov. 2, (postponed from Sept. 19-21).
Where: Derry Opera House, 29 W. Broadway, Derry
Tickets: $28 and up at eventbrite.com
Description: Weaving together favorite Dr. Seuss characters such as The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant and the Whos, director Geehae Moon “takes a fresh and powerful perspective: highlighting how imagination can be both a refuge and a revolutionary act for those whose voices are often silenced.”

Sweeney Todd
Village Players (Wolfeboro)
When: Friday, Oct. 31, through Sunday, Nov. 9
Where: Village Players Theater, 52 Glendon St., Wolfeboro
Tickets: $25 at village-players.com
Description: Stephen Sondheim’s Tony-winning adaptation of the Christopher Bond play about an unjustly exiled barber whose return to London in search of vengeance against the judge who framed him leads to an unlikely partnership with a meat pie maker.

The Producers
Actorsingers (Nashua)
When: Friday, Nov. 7, through Sunday, Nov. 9
Where: Keefe Center for the Arts, 117 Elm St., Nashua
Tickets: $20 and up at actorsingers.org
Description: The show that took Broadway to new heights, along with its ticket prices, Mel Brooks’ musical adaptation of his cult movie concerns a scheming producer and his mousy accountant, as they set out to produce the biggest flop in history. Directed by Paul Metzger, with Music Director Keith Belanger and choreographer Becca Belanger.

Icehouse
Bedford Off Broadway (Bedford)
When: Friday, Nov. 7, through Sunday, Nov. 16
Where: Bedford Town Hall, 70 Bedford Center Road, Bedford
Tickets: $15 ($12 seniors and students) at brownpapertickets.com
Description: End-of-the-20th-century comedy about a Minnesota expat now living in Florida and lonesome for the cold air and his buddies, as they try to build an epic ice chateau and keep it a secret from their wives.

The Little Mermaid
Epping Community Theatre (Epping)
When: Friday, Nov. 7, through Sunday, Nov. 16
Where: Epping Playhouse, 38 Ladds Lane, Epping
Tickets: $15 and up at tix.com
Description: The Disney Broadway musical about a mermaid who strikes a hard bargain with an evil sea witch to pursue a handsome prince in the world above the sea, with a little help from her friends.

Reefer Madness (The Musical)
Dive In Productions (Seacoast)
When: Friday, Nov. 14, through Sunday, Nov. 23
Where: Rochester Performance & Arts Center, 30 N. Main St., Rochester
Tickets: On sale soon at diveinproductions.com
Description: Who knew the so-bad-it’s-good cult movie would rise again as a musical comedy? The plot involves an impressionable all-American high school boy falling prey to the demon weed.

Freaky Friday
Ovation Theatre Company (Londonderry)
When: Friday, Nov. 14, and Saturday, Nov. 15
Where: Derry Opera House, 29 W. Broadway, Derry
Tickets: On sale soon at ovationtc.com
Description: With the recent release of Freakier Friday, the timing of this musical is perfect. Body swapping, with updated cultural references, as mother and daughter learn to appreciate each other’s lives while trying to undo a magic spell.

Urinetown the Musical
Pittsfield Players (Pittsfield)
When: Friday, Nov. 14, through Saturday, Nov. 22
Where: Scenic Theater, 6 Depot St., Pittsfield
Tickets: On sale soon at pittsfieldplayers.org
Description: Tony-winning musical that satirizes the legal system, capitalism, social irresponsibility, populism, environmental collapse, privatization of natural resources, bureaucracy, municipal politics, and musical theater itself.

My Fair Lady
Winni Players (Meredith)
When: Wednesday, Nov. 19, through Sunday, Nov. 23
Where: Winnipesaukee Playhouse, 33 Footlight Circle, Meredith
Tickets: $14 and up at winnipesaukeeplayhouse.org
Description: In this update of Pygmalion with Tony- and Oscar-winning music, Cockney flower seller Eliza Doolittle is transformed when Professor Henry Higgins makes a bet that he can turn her into a “proper lady” in time to trick the guests at a big ball.

The Addams Family Musical
Community Players of Concord (Concord)
When: Friday, Nov. 21, through Sunday, Nov. 23
Where: Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St., Concord
Tickets: $15 and up at communityplayersofconcord.org
Description: With the popularity of the Wednesday TV series, it’s a great time to see this show, which builds on every father’s nightmare: a grown-up daughter bringing home the man she’s fallen in love with and plans to marry.

Nuncrackers
Majestic Theatre (Manchester)
When: Friday, Nov. 28, through Sunday, Nov. 30
Where: Majestic Theatre, 880 Page St., Manchester
Tickets: On sale soon at majestictheatre.net
Description: Presented as the Nunsense Christmas musical, the fictional show is presented as the first TV special taped in the Cable Access Studio built by Reverend Mother in the convent basement, with support from other Nunsense favorites.

A Christmas Carol: The Musical Ghost Story
Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative (Laconia)
When: Thursday, Dec. 11, through Sunday, Dec. 14
Where: Colonial Theatre, 609 Main St., Laconia
Tickets: $18 and up at etix.com
Description: The holiday tradition is the Powerhouse’s most popular event, a musical adaption from Granite Stater Joel Mercier featuring a huge local cast.

It’s A Wonderful Life Radio Show
Epping Community Theatre (Epping)
When: Friday, Dec. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 14
Where: Epping Playhouse, 38 Ladds Lane, Epping
Tickets: $15 and up at tix.com
Description: An old-time radio show of the holiday classic about a man who learns what his life is worth from a friendly angel and helps his hometown in the process.

Another Very Pittsfield Players Christmas
Pittsfield Players (Pittsfield)
When: Friday, Dec. 12, through Sunday, Dec. 14
Where: Scenic Theater, 6 Depot St., Pittsfield
Tickets: On sale soon at pittsfieldplayers.org
Description: Celebrate the joy and enchantment of the holiday season with the local theater company’s unique and spectacular production.

Company
Actorsingers (Nashua)
When: Friday, Jan. 9, through Sunday, Jan. 11
Where: Nashua Center for the Performing Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua
Tickets: $20 and up at actorsingers.org
Description: A Tony winner for its recent Broadway revival, the Stephen Sondheim/George Furth musical comedy explores marriage and relationships through the eyes of a 35-year-old confirmed bachelor. The 1970 concept musical is considered a groundbreaking work.

What The Constitution Means To Me
Theatre Kapow (Concord)
When: Friday, Feb. 6, through Sunday, Feb. 15
Where: Winnipesaukee Playhouse, 33 Footlight Circle, Meredith
Tickets: On sale soon at tkapow.com
Description: A timely work from playwright Heidi Schreck, who earned her college tuition by winning Constitutional debate contests. She resurrects her teenage self to trace the profound relationship between four generations of women and the founding document that shaped their lives.

Featured photo: Journey through Neverland by Powerhouse Theatre Collaborative. Courtesy photo.

The unexpectedly complex world of chicken wings

Tom Trainor has some thoughts on chicken wings.

“In the high-end food world, there’s always wine and food pairings, but honestly, you could pair a chicken wing with any beer and have a great experience. So it’s really the food of the people.”

Trainor is a Director of the Northeast Barbecue Society (nebs.org), a governing body for competitive barbecue in New England and surrounding states. He said that from a competitive barbecue perspective wings are a great medium for the “People’s Choice” awards at competitions. “Because they’re so approachable,” he said, “and because they’re such a fast cook, I think — part of what makes them popular. Everybody loves wings. Most of the time, in your people’s choice categories, if you’ve got public-facing events, inevitably, they’ll just ask the teams to cook wings. They’re affordable and they’re such a blank slate. A chicken wing can really be anything you want it to be. You can go spicy, you can go savory, you can go a little bit sweet, you can go into the barbecue end of things, you can go [into flavors] like garlic parm. Sometimes you don’t even need a sauce. You could just do a dry rub. Salt and pepper wings are as good as anything.”

This is as true for home cooks as for competitive ones, he said.

“The other thing is you don’t need high-end equipment to make a good chicken wing. You can cook a good chicken wing on a $100 Weber kettle. You can find a million YouTube videos on how to cook wings in a Vortex. [A Vortex is a grilling accessory used to create convection heat in a grill, as well as hot and cool zones.] You can knock them out in an hour and they are phenomenal. At least once a month in my backyard I’m cooking wings.”

Dean Ciggaras agrees. He is a competitive barbecuer, owner of Blue Nose Pit Masters (bluenosepitmasters.com), a barbecue catering company, and one of the organizers of an upcoming barbecue competition in Henniker at the end of October.

“Wings are a very fun thing to eat,” Ciggaras said. “I think we all know that. The wings can be like almost candy, if you know how to do them right. And, you know, I think we’ll all agree that if somebody orders a six-wing appetizer, it’s never enough, right?” He compared eating chicken wings to eating crawfish in the South. “Four to five pounds of crawfish? For who? For me! It’s that kind of thing. Plus, the creativity you can do with them in fairly quick order: There are so many different flavor profiles that you can put to them — Hawaiian, Asian fusion, maple syrup, traditional Southwestern. Profiles, you name it, you can have it. Straight up salt and pepper, a little lemon zest — a really good one is to just marinate it in Greek dressing.”

According to Ciggaras, the ideal chicken wing is tender and juicy on the inside, with a crispy exterior.

“The crisp on a wing,” he said, “you can achieve it, but it’s a fine line of getting that crunch versus just getting the bite-through. You’re looking for the bite-through in a competition, not necessarily the crunch. Crunch is nice if you can achieve it, but it’s not the end of the world. The flavor profile is what you want to shine through.”

“Bite-through” is a term in competitive barbecue that refers to rendering the fat out from under the skin of the chicken wing, which allows for crisping up the skin so that each bite will be distinct and the whole skin will not come off in one piece.

Ciggaras said one way of getting that combination of textures is to cook the wings slowly to begin with: “If you slow cook them at 250 degrees and then ratchet up the [heat] — if I cook a ton of wings, I may take them off [the heat] and put them on an open fire for 20 seconds apiece just to crisp them out.”

Achieving that perfect wing texture has been a career-long challenge for Kevin Anctil, the owner of Smokin’ Spanks Barbecue (smokinspanks.com), a Litchfield-based barbecue food truck. “There are a few things that you need to get right if you’re going to have a good wing,” he said. “I mean, I’ve had fried wings. Fried wings were my favorite for a long time until I figured out how to do them on the smoker that I was able to do with the fryer. When I fry wings, I do a double fry. I fry them once at a low temp and then fry them again at a higher temp to finish. It’s all about getting a crispy skin. I think the skin is the single most important factor in the wing. And if you can’t, if that’s not right, then it can’t be a good wing.”

Anctil’s strategy is to wait until his big cuts of meat have finished cooking before starting his wings.

“That way,” he said, “when the wings go on, they’re going into a dry pit. That helps me get the skin, the crust, where I want it to be. Moisture is also the enemy of the crust.” At the same time, he said, it’s important to keep the meat juicy. “That’s where finding the balance lies,” he said.

Barbecuing is one option, but there are any number of other directions wings can go. They have a reputation, for instance, for being an ideal bar food. Billy’s Sports Bar & Grill in Manchester sells a lot of them.

“We go through an average of six [40-pound] cases a week right now,” said cook Chris Kamel. During football season it’s probably 10 to 12.”

The wings at Billy’s are breaded, Kamel said. “And they’re always cooked fresh. We get them fresh a couple of times a week. We have barbecue [flavored wings], buffalo, double-dip is very popular. You know, garlic parm, all kinds of different sauces.” Cooking the wings is a quick process, he said. “We take them raw and then coat them in Supreme Breader [a commercial fry coating]. It’s like a clam-fry, almost. Once they’re done, we’ll toss them in, buffalo, barbecue, whichever sauce the customer ordered.”

Because Billy’s serves so many wings, Kamel said, the process is pretty quick.

“I get phone calls that say, ‘Oh, can I pre -order 40 wings?’ I say, ‘You know, you don’t need to pre-order them, right? Just come in and get them.’ Forty wings seems like a lot to them, but for us it’s just another day.” There are other forms of wings customers can order, if they want to go in a different direction, he said. “We also offer baked Jamaican jerk wings. You can order them baked in the oven, not fried. Or you can order [the regular wings] non-breaded — that would be fried in the fryer, but with no breading.”

For Kamel, the appeal of chicken wings is that they are so good for groups of people.

“A lot of customers share them,” he said. “They’ll get like 20 at a table; it’s like a big app basket that they can all eat from. Even the people that say, ‘I don’t think I’m hungry,’ and then they realize they have room enough for a wing. People love them during games. They can eat one or two, then go back and have some more.”

Granite Tapas & Cocktail Lounge in Hooksett serves wings with sharing in mind. Co-owner Jamie Jordan admitted that the word “tapas” can be misleading.

“We don’t serve small, individual portions,” she said. “It’s more shareable items. Some people get their food and they’re like, ‘Whoa, whoa! We didn’t realize how much food we were going to get!’” Which suits wings perfectly.

Granite Tapas has embraced the versatility of wings to an unusual extreme.

“We have a buffalo[-style wing],” Jordan listed, “a honey barbecue, a garlic parmesan, a garlic buffalo, we have a honey sriracha, we have sweet chili, we have mango-habanero, we have maple-jalapeno (which comes with fresh jalapeno slices on it and local maple syrup), we have Jamaican jerk — that one we have in the dry rub or in a wet sauce — then we have teriyaki, we have citrus chipotle, we have homemade honey mustard, we have buffalo-honey mustard, which also comes with the homemade honey mustard mixed with the homemade buffalo sauce. We have gold fever, which is barbecue mixed with the homemade honey mustard. That’s where you get the gold fever from. We have garlic-buffalo-parmesan, and then we have beer-cheese and bacon, which sounds really wild, but it’s actually really good. And then we have a strawberry glaze. And then for dry rubs, it’s the Caribbean Jerk, Cajun, and Habanero.”

“Oh, and we also have Thai peanut,” she added. “I forgot that one. It’s the chef’s special.”

With so many varieties of wings on the menu, Granite Tapas par-cooks the chicken to be ready for the fryer.

“We season them, bake them and then fry them,” Jordan said. This allows the wings to be fried quickly and at a high temperature, to get that crispy skin. The restaurant’s most popular flavor of wings however, is something unexpected, she added.

“By far,” she said, “it’s the salted caramel wings. The wings are topped with the caramel sauce and then sea salt. By a huge margin, we sell more of those than anything on the menu.”

At the other extreme, Amphora Restaurant and Taverna in Derry only serves one style of wings.

“We have some amazing fig wings here,” said Nathan Piercy, one of Amphora’s cooks. “It’s an fig metexa sauce,” he said, “a thick glaze that goes over the wings after we deep-fry them. We cook them ahead of time in the oven to get them nice and crispy, we give them a nice deep fry. We cook them with some buffalo sauce on them, but there is absolutely no heat to these whatsoever. That sweetness of that thick glaze cuts all of that heat right out.”

“I don’t even think it’s on our actual physical menu,” Piercy said. “We call it a special, but it just never comes off the menu, because everyone loves them so much. If they’re gone, we have people complaining when they can’t have them.”

By contrast, the River Road Tavern in Bedford leans into the heat.

“We have what we call our regular sauce,” Joe Carey, the Tavern’s General and Kitchen Manager, said. “It’s just a regular mild buffalo sauce, which we make in house. It’s on a par with what you’d see on the basic level of most restaurants. Then we have what we call our “stupid sauce,” which is sort of intermediate. I think it’s pretty hot, but I don’t like to push the boundaries. A lot of people love [these wings] because there’s a lot of great flavor. We roast habaneros with spices, then cook the stupid sauce down for a few hours so it simmers and it really gets a nice flavor. And then it’s blended all together, so there’s no avoiding any of the seeds or anything like that. There’s no way to get away from [the heat], but it still has that nice flavor.”

“And then,” Carey said, “we go into what we call ‘the death punch,’ which is pretty brutal.”

“We make it with habanero oil,” he said. “We use vinegar, different spices and sriracha. It’s almost like a concentrated habanero puree. We have some other extracts that we put in as well. This is one of those things where a lot of folks come in, a lot of guests will say, ‘What’s the spiciest, hottest wing you have?’ And we give them that, and they say, ‘Oh, I can do it, no problem.’ And usually, within a minute or so, they’re either crying and quit or they get through it but they are asking for milk or sweating bullets. To me, that isn’t enjoyable, but I know a lot of folks love that.”

All of which is great, but invites the question: Is there a proper technique for eating chicken wings?

Alex LaChance is a food challenge enthusiast. He attempts challenges set by restaurants — Chez Vachon in Manchester, for example, which invites the brave or foolhardy to finish five pounds of poutine in under an hour. (“I believe I was the fifth person to take that down,” LaChance said.) He has a system for eating wings.

“There’s definitely a process going on in my head every time,” he said. “And it comes down to drums versus flats, two different plans of attack. With the flat, where the two bones meet, I like to rip out one of the bones. Then you can kind of daintily hold it by one end and pretty much suck the meat right off. With a drum, I’m more attacking the fattest part of it first. I’m just ripping off as much meat as I can with my teeth and going from there.”

While most restaurants refer to an order of “wings,” many places serve a combination of actual wings and tiny drumsticks. These are referred to as “flats” and “drums.”

LaChance said that while this level of planning might seem excessive to civilians, it’s worth thinking about seriously. “What’s more serious than food?” he asked. “We need water and we need air and then the next thing you literally need is food. It’s one of the most important things in life and I always think that if you don’t take it seriously you shouldn’t be in the business.”

And then there’s cooking wings yourself.

According to Kristen Chinosi, owner and Instructor at The Culinary Playground in Derry, completely drying chicken wings before cooking them is crucial to Wing Greatness.

“The key is to get those babies nice and dry before you bake them,” she said. “So if you have the forethought, put them on a cooling rack, set inside a baking sheet and leave them in the fridge uncovered overnight. The fridge is a great place to dry them out. And then, when you pull them out in preparation for baking, you pat them dry again, using a paper towel, because you’re not going to be able to crisp them up well if there’s excess moisture.” She dusts the chicken with salt, pepper and baking powder, she said, “then when I’m doing them in the oven, I do like to start at a lower temperature, around 300 degrees. And that’s going to cook some of the fat off of there. (This facilitates a good bite-through on the finished wing. See above.) Then you can crank the temperature up higher to 425 [degrees] or so for the remainder of the bake time until they’re nice and golden. And you’re baking them on that same setup where you have a cooling rack set in a baking sheet. That allows the air circulation all over, so they get nice and crispy on all sides.”

Featured Image: Chicken wings from the River Road Tavern. Photo by John Fladd

Festivals, concerts, art shows, foodie fun and more events happening this season

Fall starts now.

Sure, the calendar might give us until Sept. 22 to welcome autumn but we have definitely entered the season of fall vibes. Schools are back in session, pumpkin lattes are on the menu and apples are everywhere.

As are fall events!

Greekfests, brewfests, pumpkin fests, fall fests — you can find all happening in the next few months along with a solid lineup of theatrical productions, concerts, art shows, special film screenings and more. Did we miss an awesome fall event? Let us know at adiaz@hippopress.com. And stay tuned for our guides to Halloween happenings later in the seas

Fairs & Festivals

• First Friday Concord has three more outings in 2025 — Fridays, Sept. 5, Oct. 3 and Nov. 7, 4 to 8 p.m. The theme for Sept. 5 is “‘Fall’ in Love with Concord” featuring food trucks (Batulo’s Kitchen, Kona Ice, Teenie Weenies), yoga on the Statehouse lawn, live music from Tyler Levs in City Plaza and The Wandering Souls in Bicentennial Square and the Children’s Entrepreneur Market, according to firstfridayconcord.com. Oct. 3’s theme is “Spooky Season” and Nov. 7’s theme is “Concord Art Walk.”

• Hillsborough County Agricultural Fair, held at the New Boston 4-H Youth Center at 17 Hilldale Lane in New Boston, will run Friday, Sept. 5, through Sunday, Sept. 7, opening at noon on Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The fair features 4-H exhibits and shows as well as demos (such as K-9 demonstrations, an invasive plant identification lab, a HAM radio demonstration and more) and animal costume contests, according to the fair schedule on the fair’s website. Children’s activities run throughout the fair, as does a midway with rides and games. A Battle of the Bands will take place Friday at 4:30 p.m., and Saturday night (9 p.m.) will include fireworks. See hcafair.org.

• The family-friendly, dog-friendly Wags to Whiskers Festival held by the Humane Society for Greater Nashua will take place Saturday, Sept. 6, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Anheuser Busch, 221 DW Highway in Merrimack. The day will feature food trucks, vendors including pet product vendors, kids’ activities, dog demonstrations, a dog adoption tent with adoptable puppies and more, according to hsfn.org/wags-2025. Tickets cost $15, $10 for 65+ plus, and kids 12 and under get in for free, the website said.

• Greater Derry’s Got Talent will take place Saturday, Sept. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Derry Opera House (29 W. Broadway in Derry) with admission tickets for sale for $5, according to derryoperahouse.org/events. The event is a fundraiser for the Greater Derry Arts Council and will also sell audience vote tickets as well as concessions and raffle tickets, the website said.

• Granite State Fair will run Thursday, Sept. 11, through Sunday, Sept. 14, and Thursday, Sept. 18, through Sunday, Sept. 21, at 72 Lafayette St. in Rochester. The midway of rides and games will run each day of the fair and there is a line-up of grandstand and livestock events, Circus Hollywood, a cornhole tournament and more. See granitestatefair.com for tickets and a schedule.

• 2025 Auburn Day and 32nd Annual Duck Race will take place Saturday, Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Auburn Village on Hooksett Road. The day will feature local artisans, local authors, food vendors, cookie and apple pie contests, a duck race ($5 gets you a rubber ducky-style duck to enter in the race) and blacksmithing, maple syrup making and other demonstrations, according to the website. See auburnhistorical.org/2025-auburn-day-and-duck-race.html.

• Pelham Old Home Day will take place Saturday, Sept. 13, with events starting at 7 a.m. (a pancake breakfast at Church Fellowship Hall) through 5 p.m. The day will feature a white elephant yard sale, a crafts-and-more vendor sale, food trucks, kids’ games, a 5K (10 a.m.), live performances throughout the day, a touch-a-truck, a penny sale, a quilt raffle and a grand parade (2:30 p.m.), according to pelhamoldhomeday.org, where you can find the full schedule and a list of kid events.

• Concorso Italiano, a celebration of Italian cars and food, will take place Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tuscan Village in Salem. This year’s new VIP Pitt Experience offers a special party at the Veranda with food for $125 per person. See tuscanbrands.com.

• Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum in Warner will hold an Encore Powwow on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with dancing, singing, vendors and more, according to indianmuseum.org, where you can purchase tickets and which advises to bring your own chairs and umbrellas.

• Nashua Multicultural Festival will take place Sunday, Sept. 14, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Nashua Public Library. The event is described as family-friendly and will feature art, dance, music and food, according to nashuanh.gov/1237/Nashua-Multicultural-Festival.

• Toddlerfest, the annual celebration of younger kids at the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover, will run Friday, Sept. 19, through Friday, Oct. 3. The museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m., and Tuesdays and Sundays 9 a.m. to noon. “During Toddlerfest, visitors to CMNH can enjoy crafts in our art studio that will stretch those budding fine and gross motor skills. Children and their caregivers will bond over special projects and activities that embrace early literacy development. Every year we assemble a dynamic lineup of special guests that will share their expertise — explore music, art, dance, literacy, science, and more,” according to the museum. The event is part of regular admission; see childrens-museum.org.

• Granite State Comic Con will offer comic book and pop culture fun Friday, Sept. 19, through Sunday, Sept. 21, with the main show running Saturday and Sunday and with Friday featuring a preview night and pre-con entertainment (Just Cos’ Wings, with cosplayers talking cosplay while eating wings, Queen City Improv and the 8-Bit Karaoke Bash con kickoff party), according to granitecon.com, where you can find tickets for individual days, for the weekend or for a VIP package. See the website for the list of scheduled guests including actors, comic creators, gaming creators, cosplay guests and more.

• Hollis Old Home Days will run Friday, Sept. 19, and Saturday, Sept. 20, with events including the town parade (10:30 a.m on Saturday), an artisan market, rides, a heritage and demonstration tent, fireworks Saturday evening, tethered hot air balloon rides on Saturday afternoon, youth art activities, a petting zoo on Saturday and more, according to hollisoldhomedays.org.

• The annual New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival will take place Friday, Sept. 19, through Sunday, Sept. 21, at Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln. The event is a celebration of Scottish culture with Scottish music, dance, food, heavy athletics, sheep dog trials and more, according to nhscot.org. See events such as stone lifting and caber toss, historical reenactments of life in the Highlands, “Try It” classes, kids’ events and more. Purchase tickets for a single day or the weekend on the website along with tickets for special musical performances and food events, such as the Cape Breton dinner and whisky master classes.

• Hooksett Old Home Day will take place Saturday, Sept. 20, and feature a parade (9 a.m.), an authors alley, craft & retail vendors, a Heritage Trolley Tour (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.), an eating contest and more, according to hooksettoldhomeday.org.

• Nashua Airport’s Wheels & Wings “A Touch a Truck Event” will take place Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with cars, trucks and planes to see and explore, according to the city’s SummerFun brochure at nashuanh.gov. The event will feature a horns-free hour from 1 to 2 p.m. and collect nonperishable food for End 68 Hours of Hunger, the brochure said.

• Derryfest will take place Saturday, Sept. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in MacGregor Park with live performances, vendors and more, according to derryfest.org, where you can find a schedule, a booth map and a stage schedule.

• The McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center’s annual AerospaceFest will be held Saturday, Sept. 20, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. inside and outside the Concord-based center. The event will feature keynote speaker Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, a retired astronaut; new planetarium show Asteroid: Mission Extreme; STEM organizations from across New England; on-site food trucks and more, according to starhop.com.

• The 5th Annual Family Fun Day hosted by the Friends of Benson Park will take place Saturday, Sept. 20, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Benson Park, 19 Kimball Hill Road in Hudson. The day will feature music, magic, a petting zoo, a visit with the Old Woman in the Shoe, games, raffles and ice cream for sale, according to friendsofbensonpark.org/family-fun-day-2025.

• The Fairy House Tour in Portsmouth will run Saturday, Sept. 20, and Sunday, Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to fairyhousetour.com, where you can purchase tickets for this display of more than 200 fairy houses on the grounds of Strawbery Banke Museum and the Governor John Langdon House. Other activities during the event include theater and ballet performances, live music and a reading of The Thing About Fairies, the website said.

• The Concord Multicultural Festival will run Sunday, Sept. 21, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Keach Park in Concord Heights, according to concordnhmulticulturalfestival.org. The day will feature a flag parade, live music and dance performances, artists, vendors, activities and food, including a Global Food Tour option where a NH Food Bank chef serves as a guide to cuisines from around the world, the website said. See the website closer to the events to purchase tour tickets and food vouchers for the Festival’s food vendors.

• The Deerfield Fair runs Thursday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 28, at the fairgrounds, 34 Stage Road in Deerfield. The event features rides, live music, the Flying Wallendas high wire act, horse shows and agriculture events (including pig scrambles), magic shows, dog demonstrations and more, according to deerfieldfair.com, where you can purchase tickets.

• A Fall Fair at Joppa Hill Educational Farm in Bedford will take place Saturday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and feature hayrides, meet and greets with farm animals, crafts, vendors, live music, food truck, apple cider doughnuts and more, according to jhef.org, where you can purchase tickets.

• Beaver Brook Fall Festival will take place Saturday, Sept. 27, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Beaver Brook Association, 117 Ridge Road in Hollis, and feature live music, an Artisan Market, kids’ activities, live animal presentations, nature exhibits, hayrides, food trucks and more, according to an email from Beaver Brook. Admission is free. See beaverbrook.org.

• Henniker Brewing Company in Henniker will host Dysfunction Junction, a day of music, vendors and more on Saturday, Sept. 27, with doors opening at noon. The event, which is all ages (no pets), will feature music on two stages with bands slated to appear including Bonginator, Cytokine, Conforza, The Summoned, Taxicab Dismemberment, Overtime, Fabricator, Iron Gate, Smothered Sun, Arms Like Teeth and LNTRNS, according to hennikerbrewing.com, where you can find a link to purchase tickets.

• The Concord Municipal Airport will host Wings & Wheels on Sunday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring vendors associated with aviation, STEM and related fields; aircraft and other vehicles; food trucks and more, according to concordnh.gov/1713/Wings-Wheels-Event and the city’s Facebook page.

• The Harvest Moon Festival at the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum in Warner will take place Sunday, Sept. 28, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., according to indianmuseum.org, where you can purchase tickets to the event. The day will celebrate the harvest season with Native foods, craft demonstrations, kids’ activities, storytelling, a scavenger hunt and more, the website.

• The New Hampshire Book Festival will run Friday, Oct. 3, and Saturday, Oct. 4, on South Main Street in Concord. On Friday, ticketed events will feature a children’s keynote with Tui Sutherland, author of the Wings of Fire series, and an inaugural keynote with author Walter Mosley in conversation with author Hank Phillipi Ryan, according to nhbookfestival.org. Saturday will feature a free all-day festival with book signings, panel discussions, poetry readings and more, the website said.

• Charmingfare Farm in Candia will hold its annual Pumpkin Festival Saturday, Oct. 4, and Sunday, Oct. 5, and Saturday, Oct. 11, through Monday, Oct. 13. Pick a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch, take a tractor or horse-drawn wagon ride, meet costumed characters, enjoy a children’s corn maze, watch a juggling and comedy show and listen to live music, according to visitthefarm.com, where you can purchase tickets to a specific time during the two weekends. Oct. 11 will feature a children’s entrepreneur market from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• The Autumn Craft Festival on the Lake will take place Saturday, Oct. 4, from 10 a.m to 6 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Mill Falls Marketplace in Meredith featuring specialty foods and more than 85 juried artisans, according to castleberryfairs.com.

• CAYA Reiki and Healing (caya-healing.square.site) has three upcoming fairs on its schedule, according to its Facebook page. The Psychic and Craft Fair will take place Saturday, Oct. 4, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Weirs Community Center in Laconia. The Pumpkin Fest Psychic and Craft Fair will take place Saturday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hooksett American Legion. And the Winter Wonderland Craft Market & Psychic Fair will also take place at the Hooksett American Legion on Saturday, Dec. 13, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Find CAYA on Facebook for updates.

• Indigenous People’s Day at Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum in Warner on Monday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. will feature free admission, a program featuring four artists discussing their works and creative process and more, according to indianmuseum.org.

• The Milford Pumpkin Festival will run Friday, Oct. 10, through Sunday, Oct. 12, at locations in downtown Milford and has in past years featured live music, food vendors, a 5K, historical walking tours, pumpkin art, kids’ activities and more, according to milfordpumpkinfestival.org, where you can check back for schedule updates for this year.

• The Warner Fall Foliage Festival will take place at locations in Warner Friday, Oct. 10, through Sunday, Oct. 12, with food trucks and vendors, craft vendors, rides and midway, oxen pulls and woodsman competitions, a 5K, a book and bake sale, parades and more, according to wfff.org, where you can see this year’s schedule and get updates.

• The New Hampshire Wool Arts Tour will run Saturday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at farms in Deering, Antrim, Bennington, Greenfield and Lyndeborough and feature demonstrations (creating yarn, weaving, knitting and more), live music, live animals, food vendors, fiber vendors, artists and crafters set up at the farms and more, according to woolartstournh.com, where you can find locations and descriptions of participating farms.

• Windham will hold its annual Harvest Fest on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 1 to 4 p.m. in Griffin Park featuring a “Horribles parade,” trick-or-treating, a bubble show, DJ Dominik and Steve Blunt, according to windham.recdesk.com.

• Goffstown’s annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off and Regatta will be held Saturday, Oct. 18, and Sunday, Oct. 19, featuring vendors and events in downtown Goffstown leading up to a regatta of pumpkin water craft. See goffstownmainstreet.org/pumpkin-regatta.

• The Laconia Pumpkin Festival will be held Saturday, Oct. 25, according to nhpumpkinfestival.com.

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Food festivals

• The Egyptian Food Festival at St. Mary and Archangel Michael Coptic Orthodox Church in Nashua will run Friday, Sept. 5, through Sunday, Sept. 7. See page 36.

• The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival will take place Friday, Sept. 5, through Sunday, Sept. 7. See page 8.

• Glendi, the annual celebration of Greek food and culture at St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral (650 Hanover St., Manchester, stgeorgenh.org/activities/glendi, 622-9113), will run Friday, Sept. 12, through Sunday, Sept. 14, and will be open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Enjoy food, dancing, live music (Friday and Saturday, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.), vendors selling Greek items, raffles and more, according to the Cathedral’s website.

• The Manchester Brewfest will take place Saturday, Sept. 13, with general admission from 1 to 4 p.m. and a VIP admission starting at noon at Arms Park in Manchester, according to manchesterbrewfest.com, where you can purchase tickets (including a designated driver ticket) and see the lineup of brewers and food and vendors. The event, which benefits Webster House, will also feature live music, the website said.

• The Great New Hampshire Pie Festival will take place at the New Hampshire Farm Museum in Milton on Saturday, Sept. 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; you can enter a pie for competition or just attend to eat pie from area bakers, according to nhfarmmuseum.org.

• The Biergarten Anheuser-Busch in Merrimack will hold its Oktoberfest Friday, Sept. 26, from 6 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 28, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (The celebration is 21+ on Friday and Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m.) The event will feature German beer, food trucks, live music and more — lederhosen welcome, according to a post on The Biergarten’s Facebook page, where you can find a link for tickets (also via budweisertours.com/mmktours).

• Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 68 N. State St. in Concord, will hold its Greek Food Festival on Saturday, Sept. 27, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Try homemade Greek specialties such as lamb and chicken souvlaki, moussaka, pastichio, Greek meatballs, gyros and spanakopita and check out the pastries including baklava, pasta flora, koulourakia and more, according to an email from the church. There will be church tours at 1 and 3 p.m.

• Veterans Count Lakes Region Red, White & Brew Craft Beer and Wine Festival will take place Saturday, Sept. 27, noon to 7 p.m. at Funspot in Laconia, according to vetscount.org/events/red-white-brew, where you can purchase tickets. The event will feature craft beer, wine, food, a car show, live music from Bob Pratte Band and more, the website said.

• To Share Brewing Co., 720 Union St. in Manchester, tosharebrewing.com, will hold its seventh annual Oktoberfest on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 1 to 8 p.m. to celebrate the release of its Oktoberfest Altbier, according to an email from the brewery. The day will feature drink specials, beer bratwurst, oompah music, stein holding contests and more; lederhosen and dirndls are encouraged, the email said.

• The Fall Food & Wine Festival will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St. in Nashua, featuring local wineries and food vendors offering wine, cheese, chocolate and more, according to a press release. This 21+ event benefits End 68 Hours of Hunger — Nashua, a non profit that provides food for the 68-hour weekend between school meals, the release said. Tickets cost $25 for general admission, $15 for designated drivers and $35 for an extra hour of admission from 6 to 7 p.m., the release said. See tinyurl.com/3sfxvwp9 for tickets.

• Henniker Brewing Co. in Henniker will hold its Oktoberfest Friday, Oct. 3, through Monday, Oct. 6, with Oktoberfest competitions, food vendors, the taping of the Oktoberfest Marzen Cask (Saturday at 1 p.m), live music each day and more, according to hennikerbrewing.com, where you can find the schedule of the weekend’s events.

• 603 Brewery in Londonderry will hold a Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 4, noon to 8 p.m. featuring food trucks, live music and a DJ, local artisans, a stein holding contest, kitchen specials and more, according to 603brewery.com.

• The annual Powder Keg Beer & Chili Festival will take place in Swasey Parkway in downtown Exeter on Saturday, Oct. 4, with general admission at 1 p.m., noon for VIP ticket holders, according to powderkegbeerfest.com.

• The 2025 Mount Uncanoonuc Brewfest will take place Saturday, Oct. 11, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Mountain Base Brewery, which cohosts the 21+ event along with the Worker Bee Fund. The day will feature breweries and other beverage purveyors, food vendors, music from Catfish Howl and more, according to the tickets page, which you can find a link to via Mountain Base Brewery’s Facebook page.

• The Chocolate Expo will take place Sunday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the DoubleTree Expo Center in downtown Manchester featuring tastings and sales of chocolates and other specialty foods as well as craft beverages and more from 60 to 100 vendor booths, according to thechocolateexpo.com, where you can purchase tickets. The expo may also include demos, a Kidz Zone and more, the website said.

• The Biergarten Anheuser-Busch in Merrimack will host the Inaugural Budweiser Brewery Food Truck & Beer Festival on Saturday, Oct. 18, noon to 6 p.m. The day will feature food trucks, artisan vendors, craft beer and beverages, live music and more, according to budweisertours.com/mmktours, where you can purchase tickets.

• The New Hampshire Brewfest Craft Beer Festival will take place on Saturday, Oct. 18, with general admission at 1 p.m., noon for VIP ticket holders, at Smuttynose Brewery in Hampton, according to nhbrewfest.com, where you can purchase tickets.

• Taste of New Hampshire will be held Tuesday, Oct. 21, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord featuring entrees and desserts from local restaurants and shops, live music, samples of beverages, a silent auction and more, according to tasteofnh.com, where you can purchase tickets.

• This year’s NH PoutineFest is the PoutineFest Spooktacular on Saturday, Oct. 25, starting at 11:30 a.m. at the Biergarten Anheuser-Busch in Merrimack. See poutinefest.com/newhampshire for ticket information.

• Henniker Brewing Company will hold its BBQ Fest and competition on Saturday, Oct. 25, from 2 to 8 p.m. The New England BBQ Society sanctioned event will feature competition in chicken wings and ribs, according to the ticket website, which you can reach via hennikerbrewing.com. Taste the wings to vote for a people’s choice, the website said.

• The annual Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits will take place Thursday, Nov. 6, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown, according to distillersshowcase.com, where you can purchase tickets including tickets for early admission and for a room of ultrapremium products.

• The 13th Annual Fulchino Vineyards Wine and Cheese Festival will take place Saturday, Nov. 15, and Sunday, Nov. 16, at the vineyard in Hollis with tickets available for time slots on each day, according to fulchinovineyard.com. Taste wines, artisan meats, cheeses, oils, vinegars and desserts, the website said.

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Concerts

• Upcoming shows at the Tupelo Music Hall, 10 A St., Derry, 437-5100, tupelomusichall.com, include Ace Frehley performing KISS hits with Lone Wolf James opening on Sept. 4; Fortune on Sept. 5; Unforgettable Fire on Sept. 6; Tristan McIntosh performing the Linda Ronstadt Experience on Sept. 7; The Bacon Brothers on Sept. 12; Michael Schenker “My Years with UFO” with Jared James Nichols opening on Sept. 13; Sebastian Bach with Lone Wolf James opening on Sept. 17; Shaun Cassidy on Sept. 18; Guitar Monsters with Jon Butcher, Johnny A, Chris Anderson and James Montgomery on Sept. 19; Aldo Nova on Sept. 20; Cowboy Junkies on Sept. 26; John Cafferty and The Beaver Brown Band on Sept. 27; David Cook on Sept. 28; Little Lies: a tribute to Fleetwood Mac on Oct. 2; Kashmir: live Led Zeppelin tribute on Oct. 4; Eric Johnson: Texaphonic Tour on Oct. 5; Geoff Tate with Tomas McCarthy opening on Oct. 7; Great White with Under the Horizon opening on Oct. 9; F-J, a tribute to Foreigner and Journey, on Oct. 10 and Oct. 11; Buckcherry and Michael Monroe with Drew Cagle & The Reputation opening on Oct. 14; Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives on Oct. 16; King’s X with Shape and Sound opening on Oct. 17; Panorama and 4Play, tribute to The Cars and Boston, on Oct. 25; Tommy Emmanuel on Oct. 26; Story of a Song: ’90s Unplugged Experience on Nov. 6; Live and Let Die: the music of Paul McCartney with Tony Kishman on Nov. 8; Richie Kotzen and John 5 with Band Inc. opening Nov. 12; The Four Horsemen: tribute to Metallica on Nov. 14; Hollywood Nights: tribute to Bob Seger on Nov. 15; Glenn Miller Orchestra on Nov. 16 (two shows); Uli Jon Roth on Nov. 18; BeauSoleil with special guest Richard Thompson on Nov. 20; Anthony Gomes on Nov. 21; The British Invasion Years on Nov. 22; Adrenalize, Def Leppard tribute, Nov. 28; The Fools on Nov. 29; Chris Isaak on Dec. 2; Carbon Leaf on Dec. 6, and Thunderstruck, “America’s AC/DC,” on Dec. 12.

• LaBelle Winery,672-9898, labellewinery.com, has shows at both its Amherst (345 Route 101) and Derry (14 Route 111) locations. In Derry, shows include Outdoor Candlelight Strings Concert: Pop Hits on Sept. 4; Changes in Latitude: Jimmy Buffet Tribute on Sept. 11; Fleetwood Macked: a Fleetwood Mac tribute on Sept. 25; Bostyx: Boston and Styx tribute on Oct. 9; Draw The Line: Aerosmith tribute on Oct. 16, and Uncaged, a Zac Brown tribute, on Oct. 23.

In Amherst, shows include Mystic Highway: a tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival on Sept. 18; A Farewell to Kings: Rush tribute on Oct. 16, and Lovesexy, a Prince tribute, on Oct. 23.

• Jewel Music Venue, 61 Canal St., Manchester, 819-9336, jewelmusicvenue.com, has shows on the schedule including a night of New England doom with Churchburn, Vigil, Vacant Eyes and Conclave on Sept. 5; a Godsmack and Metallic Tribute show with Headsmack and Battery 401 on Sept. 20, and the Hachi Halloween Event with Lumasi, Okayjake, Voartyx, Nice Nadine B2B Disco Titz and Smokes Lets Go on Oct. 24.

• Concerts at the Palace Theatre,80 Hanover St., Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org, include Stayin’ Alive, one night of the Bee Gees, on Sept. 5, Sept. 6 (two shows) and Sept. 7; Remember John Denver with Ted Vigil on Sept. 25; Celebrating Celine with Jenene Caramielo on Oct. 9; Classic Albums Live performs Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon on Oct. 10; Shadow of the ’60s: Tribute to Motown’s Super Groups on Oct. 12, and So Good: The Neil Diamond Experience on Oct. 16 & Oct. 17.

Over at the Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St. in Manchester, the schedule includes Dueling Pianos on Sept. 5; The Shadow Riders: a tribute to the Marshall Trucker Band on Sept. 12; Yesterday Once More, a tribute to the Carpenters, on Sept. 14; Jeff Kazee & GE Smith on Sept. 18; The Space Cowboy, a Steve Miller tribute, on Sept. 19; Matt Axton on Sept. 24; The Kingston Trio on Sept. 25; Jon Nolan and the Good Co. album release on Sept. 26; New Hampshire Fiddle Ensemble on Sept. 28; Brennen Leigh on Oct. 2; Jon Abrams presents The Paul Simon Project onOct. 10; YellowHouse Blues Band on Oct. 11; Tim O’Brien with Jan Fabricius on Oct. 16; The Joshua Tree: a U2 tribute on Oct. 24; Redneck Castaway Band, a Kenny Chesney tribute, on Oct. 25; Beatlejuice, a Beatles tribute band, on Nov. 2; Damn the Torpedoes, a Tom Petty concert experience, on Nov. 8; A Yacht Rock Experience with The Full Cleveland on Nov. 15; The Corvettes Doo Wop Revue on Nov. 16; Moondance, a Van Morrison tribute, on Nov. 22; Blues Brothers the Next Generation on Nov. 29, and Back in Black, an AC/DC experience, on Dec. 5.

• Upcoming shows at Terminus Underground at New Hampshire Underground, 134 Haines St. in Nashua, newhampshireunderground.org/terminusunderground, include Zombtastic Ozzmosis with Visions of Ozz (an Ozzy Osbourne tribute band) and Lords of Salem (a Rob Zombie tribute band) on Sept. 6 and the End of Summer Luau on Sept. 12 with The Spot, 217 Main St. in Nashua, with music by Under the Horizon, Dead Harrison, The Whole Loaf, 6 Minds Combined and The Healer as well as art, vendors, mocktails, food trucks and more, according to the website.

• The Range, 96 Old Turnpike Road, Mason, 878-1324, therangemason.com, will finish out its summer of concerts with Joe Samba with Will Evans on Sept. 6; Pettybreakers: a Tom Petty tribute on Sept. 13, and Neighbor and Tom Hamilton with New Pond Fondle on Sept. 26.

• Capitol Center for the Arts’ Chubb Theatre, 44 S. Main St. in Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com, shows include Al Jardine and The Pet Sounds Band on Sept. 7; Deer Tick featuring Gym Shorts on Sept. 10; Emerson, Lake & Palmer on Sept. 12; Jason Robert Brown & Friends on Sept. 13; A Taste of Ireland on Sept. 14; Vitamin String Quartet on Oct. 2; Toad the Wet Sprocket with KT Tunstall & Vertical Horizon on Oct. 5; Laurie Berkner Halloween Concert on Oct. 26; Dark Star Orchestra on Nov. 17; Randy Travis on Nov. 21; Beatles vs. Stones: A Musical Showdown on Dec. 11, and The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight on Dec. 13.

At the BNH Stage,16 S. Main St. in Concord, the schedule includes Best of Broadway ’60s edition on Sept. 6 (two shows); Journeyman on Sept. 7; Save Ferris with opener MEST on Sept. 11; Echoes of Floyd on Sept. 12; Mullet on Sept. 13; The Starlight Honeys on Sept. 14; Motor Booty Affair on Sept. 27; Swing Dance night with the New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra on Sept. 28 and Nov. 23; Ranger Zone Open Mic with Andrew North and the Rangers on Oct. 1, Nov. 5 and Dec. 3; Opiate (a tribute to Tool) on Oct. 4; Both Sides Now (music and lives of Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen) on Oct. 10; Monophonics on Oct. 12; Live from Laurel Canyon on Oct. 16; Duunes on Oct. 17; Tom DiMenna on Oct. 19; Pizzastock with the New Limits, Vermillion and Sotah on Oct. 26 Mr. Aaron’s Halloween Bash on Nov. 1; Charlie Chronopoulos on Nov. 1; End of the Line on Nov. 6; Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas on Nov. 13; Mary Fahl with a band performing Dark Side of the Moon on Nov. 15; Jeremy Jordan & Age of Madness on Nov. 21; Spencer and the Walrus on Nov. 22, and Great Lake Swimmers with Abel Partridge on Dec. 10.

• Rock n Roll Meatballs, 179 Elm St., Manchester, rocknrollmeatballs.com, has upcoming shows including High N Dry; a Def Leppard experience, on Sept. 6; Emo Night Brooklyn on Sept. 13; Tantric with Lone Wolf James & Hollow Virtue on Sept. 19; Jordan Quinn and Crowned28 on Sept. 20; The Killing Devils and Westbound with Chad West on Sept. 26; The Warped Tour Band: a tribute to the music of Vans Warped Tour on Oct. 11; Bearly Dead: a Grateful Dead tribute on Oct. 18; Saving Abel on Oct. 24; Moonshine Bandits on Nov. 14, and Rotten Apple: a tribute to Alice in Chains on Nov. 22.

• Concerts at Averill House Vineyard 21 Averill Road, Brookline, 371-2296, averillhousevineyard.com, include Duquette on Sept. 7; Tom Feeley on Sept. 14; Andrea Paquin on Sept. 21; Side Effects on Sept. 28; Gus & Jean on Oct. 5; DJ Dee Kimble and D. Heywood joined by DEX on Oct. 12; Jiggery Pokery on Oct. 19, and Jae Mannion on Oct. 26.

• Fall concerts at theNashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St., Nashua, 800-657-8774, nashuacenterforthearts.com, include Tuba Skinny on Sept. 10; The Wallflowers on Sept. 14; Girl Named Tom on Sept. 18; Celtic Thunder on Sept. 21; Tusk on Oct. 3; The Robert Cray Band on Oct. 4; Pink Martini on Oct. 13; Phil Vassar Acoustic Duo on Oct. 25; Joanne Shaw Taylor on Nov. 1; Scott Bradlee’s Post Modern Jukebox on Nov. 7; Gaelic Storm on Nov. 15; Jim Brickman on Nov. 16; Jim Messina on Nov. 23, and The Four Tops on Dec. 6.

• Musicians for Meals, a benefit concert for Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County, will be held Saturday, Sept. 13, noon to 10 p.m., at Riley’s Place in Milford, according to a press release. Bands slated to appear include Granite Sunset, Creosote, Acoustic Beatles, Unnamed Trio, Violet Tendencies, ZeppHalen, Hot Velvet and Stone Hill Station, the release said. The event is free to attend with donations encouraged and the day featuring raffles as well as food available for purchase from Riley’s, the release said. See hcmow.org.

• Andres Institute of Art, 16 Route 13, Brookline, andresinstitute.org, will continue its 2025 Act II series of concerts with Nick Spencer & Willie J. Laws on Sept. 13; Diplomats of Funk on Oct. 5; Different Ships, Same Boat on Oct. 23; The Ballou Brothers on Nov. 15, and Compaq Big Band on Dec. 14.

• The Concord City Auditorium 2 Prince St., Concord, theaudi.org, features a lineup of concerts including “Halfway to St. Patty’s” with the Jordan Tirrell-Wysocki Trio on Sept. 17; “The Grand Ole Opry Through the Years” with Rob Azevedo on Oct. 1; Concord Coachmen Chorus “Fall Festival Show” featuring Catalyst and The NH Ukeladies on Oct. 19, and “Seasonal Bell Music” with the Granite State Ringers on Nov. 5.

• The Flying Goose, 40 Andover Road, New London, 526-6899, flyinggoose.com, has a fall concert lineup including Garnet Rogers on Sept. 18; Jon Pousette-Dart on Oct. 2; John Gorka on Oct. 8; Maia Sharp & Catie Curtis on Oct. 23; David Francey on Nov. 6; David Wilcox on Nov. 13; Freebo & Alice Howe on Nov. 20; Tom Rush on Dec. 7; Unsung Heroes Band on Dec. 11, and Harvey Reid & Joyce Andersen on Dec. 18.

• The Listening Room, Prayers of Nature Studio, 33 Howard St., Wilton, 732-3815, prayersofnature.com, has concerts on its schedule including Vampire Bird on Sept. 19 and Dylan Patrick Ward on Sept. 20.

• Mr. Aaron’s Kids Music Fest will take place Saturday, Sept. 20, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the State House Lawn in downtown Concord. The line-up includes Miss Alli (9:30 a.m.); Mr. Aaron Band (10:30 a.m.); Miss Julieann (11:30 a.m.); La La Squad and the Missing Piece, an interative puppet musical (12:30 p.m.); Himalayan Heritage Performing Arts Group (1:30 p.m) and Music at the Blissful (at 2:30 p.m.), according to mraaronmusic.com/kidsmusicfest.

• Dana Center at Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, tickets.anselm.edu, has a lineup including A Taste of Ireland on Sept. 20 and Mac McAnally on Nov. 14.

• Fulchino Vineyard, 187 Pine Hill Road, Hollis, 438-5984, fulchinovineyard.com, hosts a Sinatra Wine Pairing Dinner with Chris Jason and Joelle Righetti (the Sinatra Live Band) on Sept. 20; Frank Corso a Journey Through Italy on Sept. 28 and Jacob Tolliver on Oct. 21.

• Concerts at the Stockbridge Theatre (5 Pinkerton St., Derry, pinkertonacademy.org/stockbridge-theatre) include The Dreamboats on Sept. 27 and Neil Berg’s 50 Years of Rock And Roll Part 2 on Oct. 25.

• Concerts at SNHU Arena, 555 Elm St., Manchester, 644-5000, snhuarena.com, include Alabama with special guests John Cafferty and the Beaver Brown Band on Oct. 11, and A Day to Remember and Yellowcard with The Wonder Years and Dinosaur Pile-Up on Nov. 8.

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Art

• The Glimpse Gallery (Patriot Building, 4 Park St., Concord, theglimpsegallery.com, 892-8307) will continue its current exhibition through Tuesday, Sept. 9, featuring the art of Randy Wind, Emma Crisp, Lizzy Berube, Corey Garland, Elaine Packard, Joy Hamnqvist and Sharon Seaward, according to the website.

• “Jeanne Kunze: Color, Line and Thread” is on display at the Art Gallery at the Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St. in Nashua, nashualibrary.org, through mid-September.

• “Creativity Explored Outer Space Part II,” an exhibit featuring works by artists from the San Francisco-based Creativity Explored, which is “a celebrated nonprofit artist community and working studio where over 130 adult artists with developmental disabilities create, exhibit, and sell art,” is on display at Outer Space Arts, 35 Pleasant St. in Concord, outerspacearts.xyz, through Saturday, Sept. 20.

• “Old Friends, New Works” will be on display at Kimball Jenkins, 266 N. Main St. in Concord, kimballjenkins.com, through Saturday, Sept. 27 (see the website for gallery hours). There will be a public artist reception on Friday, Sept. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. Kimball Jenkins will also hold an open house on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with tours of the campus, interactive art activities, live demonstrations and performances including Alejandro’s Olde Tyme Magik Showe Presented by Andrew Pinard at 11 a.m. and musician Mr. Aaron at 2 p.m.

• Artists Carol Walser Robey, Peter Houde, Guy Riendeau, and Maxwell Irwin have their works on display at the Sandy Cleary Community Art Gallery at the Nashua Center for the Arts (201 Main St., Nashua, nashuacenterforthearts.com) through November, according to the Center’s Facebook page.

• The NH Audubon’s McLane Center, 84 Silk Farm Road in Concord, nhaudubon.org, presents the exhibit “Meditations in Ink” featuring nature portrayed via Asian brush painting by Bruce Iverson, with a reception Thursday, Sept. 4, from 5 to 7 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through Saturday, Oct. 18. The center is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Creative Ventures Gallery, 411 Nashua St. in Milford, will present Barbara Morse Art Show on Friday, Sept. 5, through Tuesday, Sept. 30, with an opening slated for Friday, Sept. 5, from 6 to 8 p.m. See creativeventuresfineart.com.

• The NH Audubon’s Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way in Auburn, nhaudubon.org, presents the exhibit “Nature’s Palette” with paintings and photography by John A. Webster through Thursday, Oct. 30, with an artist exhibit Saturday, Sept. 6, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The center is open Wednesdays through Saturdays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• League of NH Craftsmen Exhibition Gallery at League HQ, 49 S. Main St. in Concord, will open “A Change of Season” Thursday, Sept. 4, with a reception from 4 to 6:30 p.m. The exhibit will be on display through Friday, Sept. 26, with gallery hours Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• The Concord Arts Market, concordartsmarket.org, will continue its Saturday Micro Markets @ Arts Alley, which is at 20 Main St., from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 6 through Sept. 27. On Saturday, Oct. 11, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. catch the Market’s Arts in the Park at Rollins Park, 33 Bow St. in Concord. The Concord Arts Market will also be at the First Friday event on Nov. 7, 4 to 8 p.m., when the theme is Art Walk, according to the website.

• Manchester City-Wide Arts Festival will run Sunday, Sept. 7, through Saturday, Sept. 13. See page 29.

• “The Art of What’s Next” continues at Art 3 Gallery (44 W. Brook St., Manchester, art3gallery.com). On Monday, Nov. 17, the gallery will open the exhibit “Shifting Light”: “With the end of daylight savings, reduced daylight hours, and the angle of the sun, there is a literal shifting of light and shadows and this changes how we perceive our familiar yet transformed environment,” according to an email from the gallery. Art 3 is open Monday through Friday from 12:30 to 4 p.m. and by appointment.

• The New Hampshire Antique Co-Op, 323 Elm St. in Milford, will hold a reception for the exhibition “The American Still Life: Two Centuries of Timeless Tradition” celebrating still life painting from the 19th century through the present day on Sunday, Sept. 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. The exhibition will be on view through Dec. 31, according to a press release. The Co-op is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. See nhantiquecoop.com.

• The Currier Museum of Art, 150 Ash St. in Manchester, currier.org, will continue displaying the exhibit “Paintings From Tomie dePaola” through Oct. 19. On Thursday, Sept. 18, the Art Off the Walls from 5 to 8 p.m., when admission is donation-based, will celebrate the work of Tomie dePaola with local artists who create for young people and will participate in a sketch off, according to the website. On Thursday, Oct. 9, the exhibit “Joined Together: 30 Years of the Furniture Masters” will open and feature works of the New Hampshire Furniture Masters. On Thursday, Nov. 6, the exhibit “Embellish Me: Works from the Collection of Norma Canelas Roth and William Roth” will open; the show focused on artists in Los Angeles and New York in the 1970s will celebrate “this generation of trailblazing artists who championed color, pattern, and craft techniques traditionally associated with women artists,” the website said.

• Mosaic Art Collective, 66 Hanover St., Suite 201, in Manchester, mosaicartcollective.com, will open the exhibition “Full Circle 2025” on Monday, Sept. 8, and it will run through Friday, Sept. 26, with an artist reception on Saturday, Sept. 13, from 4 to 8 p.m. The show reflects “on growth, transformation, and creative milestones,” according to the website. The gallery will present “Exquisite Corpse,” “a group exhibition inspired by the surrealist game where hidden hands shape unexpected creations,” Monday, Oct. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 2, with calling hours Saturday, Oct. 11, 4 to 8 p.m., the website said.

• See Saw Art, a 120-square-foot exhibition space within Mosaic Art Collective at 66 Hanover St., Suite 201, in Manchester, will present “As a Bright Star Unseen” featuring works by Caleb Swann Saturday, Sept. 13, through Sunday, Sept. 28, with an opening reception Sept. 13 from 4 to 8 p.m.

• The annual Bridges and Connections International Sculpture Symposium at the Andres Institute of Art (106 Route 13, Brookline, andresinstitute.org, 673-7441) starts Saturday, Sept. 13, with an opening reception and a blues concert that night, according to the website, where you can check for updates on other events during the symposium including panel discussions, an artists showcase and more. The closing ceremony will be Sunday, Oct. 5, with a walking tour to the new sculptures in the spots on the trail and a concert that evening, the website said. See andresinstitute.org for a look at the artists’ past works as well as a trail map.

• Center for the Arts (centerfortheartsnh.org) will hold its Open Studios for artists in the New London area on Saturday, Oct. 11, and Sunday, Oct. 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. See the website for updates on participating art studios.

• Two Villages Art Society, 846 Main St. in Contoocook, twovillagesart.org, will present “Returning: Oil Paintings by Catherine H. Tuttle” Sept. 13 through Saturday, Oct. 11, with an opening reception Saturday, Sept. 13, from noon to 2 p.m. The next exhibit this fall will be “Color Vibrations: Paintings by Pamela R. Tarbell” Oct. 18 through Nov. 15, with an opening reception Saturday, Oct. 18, from noon to 2 p.m.

• Canterbury Shaker Village (288 Shaker Road, Canterbury, shakers.org, 783-9511) will hold its annual Artisan Market on Saturday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free to this event featuring handcrafted arts, music and family activities, according to the website.

• Monadnock Art Open Studio Tour runs Saturday, Oct. 11, through Monday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with more than 65 participating artists in Peterborough, Dublin, Jaffrey, Sharon, Harrisville, Hancock and Marlborough. Find a map with a listing of all the artists at monadnockart.org/ monadnock-art-open-studio-tour.

• Deerfield Arts Tour takes place Saturday, Oct. 18, and Sunday, Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nearly 20 artists are slated to participate, according to deerfieldarts.com where you can find a map of the studios.

• Queerlective will present Not Afraid to Fail Fest on Friday, Oct. 24, at 7 p.m. at BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St. in Concord, ccanh.com. “Not Afraid to Fail Fest is a one-night variety show spotlighting folks doing something for the very first time. It’s part open mic, part talent show, part joyful mess…. Whether it’s your first poem, first drag number, first song, or first time sharing your art in public, this is the space to try it out,” according to queerlective.com.

• “Small Works/BIG IMPACT” will open on Saturday, Nov. 1, at Creative Ventures Gallery, 411 Nashua St. in Milford, creativeventuresfineart.com. The show, which is still accepting entries from artists, will run through Sunday, Dec. 21.

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Theater

• The Palace Theatre, 80 Hanover St., Manchester, 668-5588, palacetheatre.org, begins its St. Mary’s Bank 2025-2026 Performing Arts Series with Dancing Queens: The Ultimate ABBA and Disco Tribute Sept. 12 through Oct. 5. Other shows in the series include The BodyguardThe Musical Oct. 24 through Nov. 16 andThe Nutcrackerperformed by Southern New Hampshire Dance Theater Nov. 20-23. Other theatrical productions at the Palace include two shows of The Vampire Circus on Oct. 11.

At the Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St. in Manchester, theatrical productions include The Edward Twins From Las Vegas present The Ultimate Variety Show featuring impersonations and impressions of celebrities of the 1970s and 1980s on Sept. 4; Archie Parish’s Parting Words, a one-man play written and performed by Ernest Thompson, on Sept. 7, andWitch Perfect, a live singing parody of Hocus Pocus, on Oct. 29.

• The Majestic Theatre, 880 Page St. in Manchester, 669-7469, majestictheatre.net, will kick off the fall season with the fundraiser The Fabulous Fifties, featuring performances by the company’s adult, teen and youth performers as well as Ted Herbert Music School faculty and students Sept. 19-20. Check the website for updates on fall shows, which will include a youthMonster Mash Cabaret on Oct. 25 and It’s a Wonderful Life, Southern Fried MurderOct. 31 through Nov. 2, a musical production, Dec. 12-14.

• The Nashua Theatre Guild will present The Tin Woman Sept. 19 through Sept. 20. See nashuatheatreguild.org for details.

• Theatrical presentations slated for the Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St. in Nashua, nashuacenterforthearts.com, include the Nashua Community Arts 2nd Annual Arts Ball “Let’s Sparkle” on Sept. 20; the Grand Kyiv Ballet presents Swan Lake on Oct. 22; the 360 Allstars, a circus-like performance featuring “BMX, basketball, breakdancing, acrobatics, drumming and more,” according to the website, on Nov. 13, and sleight-of-hand entertainer Jason LaDayne on Nov. 22.

• The Anselmian Abbey Players will present Oscar-Winning Cabaret 2025 on Sept. 26 at the Dana Center at Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, tickets.anselm.edu. The Players will also present Dracula Oct. 31 through Nov. 2. The Dana Center will also host The Aaron Tolson Institute of Dance Presents: Dance Now!, described as a multi-dance company extravaganza, on Nov. 23.

• Theatre Kapow (tkapow.com) will presentLemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons, a play by Sam Steiner, described this way on Kapow’s website: “Hilarious yet poignant, the play explores what happens when we can no longer speak freely and how humans continue to communicate through actions, body language, and the spaces between words.” The play will be presented Sept. 19 through Sept. 21 at the BNH Stage, 16 S. Main St. in Concord, ccanh.com.

• The Milford Area Players will present Clueat the Amato Center for the Performing Arts (56 Mont Vernon St., Milford, amatocenter.org/riverbend-youth-company) Sept. 26 through Oct. 5, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. See milfordareaplayers.org.

• The Capitol Center for the Arts (ccanh.com) has theatrical presentations scheduled at both the Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St., Concord) and the BNH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord). At the Chubb Theatre, catch Puppy Pals Live, an action-packed comedic stunt dog show, on Sept. 28; Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, a musical based on the children’s book, in two shows on Oct. 21; L’Chaim — A Toast to Jewish Composers of Broadway on Nov. 16, and The Giveron Nov. 18. At the BNH Stage, catch the Best of Broadway ’60s Edition on Sept. 6.

• The Community Players of Concord, communityplayersofconcord.org, will present The Addams Family Musical Nov. 21 through Nov. 23 at the Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St. in Concord. See the website for tickets. The company’s Children’s Project will present Something Rotten Jr.on Oct. 17 and Oct. 18. The Players will also participate in the One-Act Play Festival hosted by the New Hampshire Community Theatre Association the weekend of Oct. 3, at the Bedford Town Hall.

• Cue Zero Theatre will present People Like to Be Scared: An Exploration of Fear, described at cztheatre.com as “an original devised piece by Cue Zero Theatre Company under the direction of Dan Pelletier,” Oct. 3 through Oct. 5 at Arts Academy of New Hampshire in Salem. See cztheatre.com for tickets.

• Theatrical offerings at the Stockbridge Theatre (5 Pinkerton St., Derry, pinkertonacademy.org/stockbridge-theatre) include Broadway’s Next Hit Musical, a show of improv, comedy and music, on Oct. 4; Doktor Kaboom!, a blend of comedy and science, on Oct. 8; The Legend of Sleepy Hollow as presented by the Pinkerton Players Oct. 17 through Oct. 19, and the Magic of Bill Blagg Live on Nov. 8.

• The Manchester Community Theatre Players will present Shrek the Musicalat the MCTP Theatre at North End Montessori School (698 Beech St., Manchester) Oct. 17 through Oct. 19 and Oct. 24 through Oct. 26. See manchestercommunitytheatre.com.

• The Peacock Players will present High School Musical 2, with performers ages 6 to 14, Oct. 17 through Oct. 26 at Janice B. Streeter Theatre (14 Court St. in Nashua). The fall teen mainstage production will be CinderellaBroadway Version Nov. 14 through Nov. 23. See peacockplayers.org.

• Epping Community Theater (38 Ladds Lane, Epping, eppingtheater.org) will present the Dracula Radio Show Oct. 17 through Oct. 19. The company will also present Little MermaidNov. 7 through Nov. 16.

• Actors Cooperative Theatre will present A Clockwork Orangeat the Derry Opera House, 29 W. Broadway in Derry, Oct. 24 through Oct. 27. See kctnh.org/act.

• Lend Me a Theater will present the murder mystery dinner theater Deadly Dealat Tupelo Music Hall (10 A St., Derry, tupelomusichall.com) Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, with dinner and a show and show-only ticket options. See lendmeatheater.org for more on the show.

• The Riverbend Youth Company will present The Addams Familyat the Amato Center for the Performing Arts (56 Mont Vernon St., Milford, amatocenter.org/riverbend-youth-company) Nov. 7 through Nov. 9.

• Actorsingers will present The Producers at Keefe Center for the Arts (117 Elm St., Nashua) Nov. 7 through Nov. 9. See actorsingers.org.

• Bedford Off Broadway, which holds its performances at Bedford Town Hall, 3 Meetinghouse Road in Bedford, will present Icehouse: An Ice Fishing FantasyNov. 7 through Nov. 16, according to the Facebook page, where you can find updates on the show. Also see bedfordoffbroadway.com.

• Kids Coop Theatre will present Beetlejuice Jr. Nov. 21 through Nov. 23. Auditions for the show for performers 8 to 19 years old will take place Sunday, Sept. 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at The KCT Studio, 232 N. Broadway in Salem. See kctnh.org for details.

• Ovation Theatre Company, 61 Harvey Road, Londonderry, ovationtc.com, will present Freaky Fridayon Nov. 14 and Nov. 15 at the Derry Opera House, 29 W. Broadway in Derry.

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Classical music

• Evenings at Avaloch are held in the concert barn space at Avaloch Farm Music Institute with visiting artists and ensembles of different genres from around the world who are in residence at Avaloch Farm Music Institute (16 Hardy Lane, Boscawen, avalochfarmmusic.org). The Farm has a series of Friday evening events in September at 7:30 p.m. featuring a mix of musicians and pieces with a suggested donation of $10.

The Acronym Ensemble will perform Friday, Oct. 3, at an event that also contains a pre-concert talk and a dinner (tickets with just the concert and talk are also available). The Avaloch Annual Fall Gala featuring music, food and more will take place Saturday, Oct. 18, starting at 4 p.m.

• Concord Community Music School, 23 Wall St. in Concord, will hold an open house on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 10 a.m. to noon featuring a musical instrument “petting zoo,” free demo classes, free jam sessions and more, according to ccmusicschool.org. The school’s Bach’s Lunch series of lectures and performances (which runs the first and second Thursdays of the month, October through May, from 12:10 to 1 p.m.) begins for the season on Thursday, Oct. 2, with “La Femme Vaillante: Reviving the Musical Legacy of Augusta Holmès, Part 1” featuring a lecture and performance with vocalist Melissa Elsman and pianist Kathryn Southworth, the website said. Also at the school, the Fall Fiddle Workshops and Concert will run Saturday, Oct. 4, with workshops 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and a concert at 7:30 p.m.; see the website for concert tickets and workshop registration.

• The Manchester Choral Society will hold an open sing and auditions on Monday, Sept. 8, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Grace Epsicopal Church, 106 Lowell St. in Manchester, according to a press release. The Manchester Choral Society will hold concerts in December and in the spring. See mcsnh.org to register for an audition or for information.

• The New Hampshire Gay Men’s Chorus is holding auditions for its winter concert in September with the next audition held on Tuesday, Sept. 9, 6:30 to 7 p.m. at First Congregational Church, 508 Union St. in Manchester, followed by rehearsal from 7 to 9:30 p.m., according to nhgmc.com. Click on “Open Auditions” under the “Events” tab to get more details on the auditions.

• Concord Community Concert Association will open its season at the Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St. in Concord, on Friday, Sept. 12, with Bach & The Brandenburgs – Acronym Baroque Ensemble. The season continues with Spanish Brass on Oct. 24.

• Symphony New Hampshire will feature shows curated by the five musical director finalists through the 2025-2026 season. First up is finalist Tiffany Chang with “Unexpected Stories” featuring Gaetano Donizetti’s overture to Don Pasquale; Manuel de Falla’s “Nights in the Gardens of Spain,” and Jean Sibelius’ Symphony No. 3, according to symphonynh.org. The show will take place Saturday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Keefe Auditorium in Nashua. On Thursday, Oct. 16, the symphony will hold its 2025 Fanfare Celebration at Sky Meadow Country Club in Nashua. On Thursday, Oct. 30, Symphony NH will present “Halloween Pops” at the Capitol Center for the Arts in Concord at 7:30 p.m.

• The Capitol Center for the Arts (ccanh.com) has classical presentations scheduled at the Chubb Theatre (44 S. Main St., Concord) including Vitamin String Quartet on Oct. 2 and Symphony New Hampshire with Halloween Pops: A Spooky Symphony on Oct. 30.

• The Concord City Auditorium, 2 Prince St. in Concord, theaudi.org, will also host the Walker Lecture presentation “Classical Piano” with Mark Valenti on Oct. 29.

• Dana Center at Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, tickets.anselm.edu, will present Saeyoon Chon, an international prize-winning pianist, on Oct. 11.

• NH Philharmonic Orchestra starts its season with “History in Sound: From Ellis Island to the Russian Revolution” Saturday, Oct. 18, and Sunday, Oct. 19, at the Seifert Performing Arts Center in Salem. See nhphil.org.

• The Rex Theatre, 23 Amherst St. in Manchester, palacetheatre.org, will host Candlelight: Haunted Halloween Classics in two shows on Oct. 30; the Symphony New Hampshire Jazz Quartet will present “City Nights & Blue Lights” on Nov. 6; Candlelight: featuring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and more on Nov. 14 at 6 p.m., and Candlelight: a tribute to Coldplay and Imagine Dragons on Nov. 14 at 8:30 p.m.

• The First Church, 1 Concord St. in Nashua, will celebrate the 18th season of its First Music Concert Series starting on Sunday, Nov. 2, at 3 p.m. with “Organ Masters” featuring Denis Comtet. See first-music.org.

• The Nashua Chamber Orchestra will hold its fall concert on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 7 p.m. at Nashua Community College and Sunday, Nov. 23, at 3 p.m. at Milford Town Hall.

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Books

• Gibson’s Bookstore (45 S. Main St., Concord, gibsonsbookstore.com) has several author events on its schedule: Mel Allen, Yankee magazine editor, presents his story collectionHere in New England on Friday, Sept. 5, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Sarah Stewart Taylor will talk about her new mystery novel Hunter’s Heart Ridge on Thursday, Sept. 18, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; Sy Montgomery and Matt Patterson will talk about their new picture book The True and Lucky Life of a Turtle on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 11 a.m. to noon; Emily Prescott, a New Hampshire author, will talk about her debut novel, Henhouse, a reimagining of Pride & Prejudice, on Thursday, Sept. 25, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; fantasy author R.A. Salvatore returns for the launch day event for his newest series, The Finest Edge of Twilight, including an author talk, Q&A and signing line, on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; romance novelist Lyla Sage will be joined on stage at the Cap Center (44 S. Main St., Concord) talking about her new novel Soul Searching in conversation with romance novelists BK Borison and Chloe Liese on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2-3:30 p.m. ($29 tickets via ccanh.com); P. Djèlí Clark will talk about his dark fantasy historical novel Ring Shout on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 6:30-7:30 p.m.; and there will be a “rockstar Horror panel” on Wednesday, Oct. 22, at 6:30 p.m. featuring CJ Leede (author of Maeve Fly and American Rapture), Delilah S. Dawson (author of Star Wars: Phasma and the creator-owned comics Ladycastle and Sparrowhawk) and Clay McLeod Chapman (author of Wake Up and Open Your Eyes and What Kind of Mother).

• Barnes & Noble in Manchester (1741 S. Willow St., bn.com) has upcoming author events including these: Emily Siems, a local author, will sign copies of her novel Springhaven and its sequel on Saturday, Sept. 6, from noon to 3 p.m.; Kimber St. Lawrence, a NH author, will sign copies of her YA novel Thirsty Ground on Saturday, Sept. 13, between noon and 3 p.m.; Sarah Stewart Taylor will sign copies of her mysteries Agony Hill and its new sequel, Hunter’s Heart Ridge, on Saturday, Sept. 20, from noon to 2 p.m.; local author James Manganais, a local author, will sign copies of his book Upon a Star, on Saturday, Sept. 27, from noon to 3 p.m.; Kevin Martin will sign copies of his book Big Trees of Northern New England, describing 50+ hikes, bikes or paddles to find some of the largest trees on public land in the area, on Saturday, Oct. 25, from noon to 2 p.m.

• Balin Books (375 Amherst St., Nashua, balinbooks.com) has upcoming author events: Tony Martelli will talk about his self-help guide Become Unstoppable on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 2 p.m. and author Ana Hebra Flaster will talk about her new book Property of the Revolution, the story of her family’s journey from Cuba to a quiet New Hampshire mill town, on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 6:30 p.m.

• The Seacoast LitFest will run Sunday, Sept. 7, through Wednesday, Sept. 10, at the Music Hall in Portsmouth with a book fair on Chestnut Street on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and conversations with authors Jennifer Weiner (Sept. 7), Mary Gaitskill in conversation with August Lamm (Sept. 9) and Dan Brown (Sept. 10). See themusichall.org/seacoast-litfest.

• Bookery (844 Elm St., Manchester, bookerymht.com) will host author events: Chris DeFlorio will talk about his novel Called Into Darkness on Sunday, Sept. 7, 1-3 p.m.; E.H. Jacobs will talk about his novel Splintered River on Saturday, Sept. 13, 1-3 p.m.; authors Ian M. Rogers (Carcrash Parker and the Haven of Larpers) and Joshua Bresslin (Going Over) will talk about their books on Saturday, Sept. 26, 1-3 p.m., and John Turner and Jay Bouchard will launch their new book, Daddy Days: A Recipe for a Life of Adventure and Relationship with Your Family, on Saturday, Oct. 18, 1-3 p.m.

• Tessa Bailey will talk about her new romance novel, Pitcher Perfect,at Chubb Theatre at CCA (44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com) on Monday, Sept. 8, at 7 p.m. All seats $29 and include a copy of Pitcher Perfect. A photo line will follow the event, in lieu of a signing line.

• New Hampshire Book and Literary Festival starts with keynote addresses Friday, Oct. 3, and continues all day Saturday, Oct. 4, at venues in Concord, with author panels, book signings and interviews. Find a full schedule at nhbookfestival.org. Walter Mosley will be the keynote author in conversation with Hank Phillippi Ryan at Chubb Theatre at CCA (44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com) on Friday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. One admission and one copy of Mosley’s new book Gray Dawn $55; two admissions and one book $80. Tui Sutherland, author of the Wings of Fire series with its latest entry Wings of Fire: The Dragonet Prophecy, will be the children’s keynote speaker with an event Friday, Oct. 3, at 10:30 a.m. for $8 per person and speak at an event Saturday, Oct. 4, at 6 p.m. where tickets are $28.

• 2025 Annual Celebration of the Humanities featuring author and scholar Akhil Reed Amar in conversation with Laura Knoy about the foundations of American democracy on Thursday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. at BNH Stage (16 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com). The evening is co-hosted by NH Humanities and the Warren B. Rudman Center for Justice, Leadership & Public Service. Proceeds benefit NH Humanities. Tickets $40 standard, +$40 to add a copy of Born Equal: Remaking America’s Constitution. VIP tickets $166.

• Diane Wilson will talk about her novel The Seed Keeper on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2-4 p.m. at Nashua Public Library (2 Court St., Nashua). The novel is the 2025 Nashua Reads selection. Tickets are $10 plus fees via nashualibrary.org, or $15 at the door.

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Film

• In addition to the slate of current films at Red River Theatres in Concord, look for some throwback screenings including Jaws (1975) on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 4 p.m.; The Lost Boys (R, 1987) on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 6:45 p.m.; Dirty Dancing(PG-13. 1987) on Friday, Sept. 5, at 7 p.m., and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (PG, 1982) on Sunday, sept. 7, at 6:45 p.m., according to redrivertheatres.org. And on Saturday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m. catch a sing-along screening of Grease(1978).

• There are still some outdoor film screenings to wrap up summer movie series.IF(PG, 2024) will screen on Friday, Sept. 5, at 8 p.m. and Mufasa: The Lion King (PG, 2024) will screen on Friday, Oct. 10, at 7 p.m., both at the Auburn Safety Complex; see auburnnh.gov. Manchester will wrap up its summer movie series with Jumanji(PG, 1995) on Saturday, Sept. 20, at dusk; see the Manchester Economic Development Office’s Facebook page. A Minecraft Movie(PG, 2025) will screen Friday, Sept. 26, at dusk at the Riverfront Park in Tilton, hosted by the Hall Memorial Library (hallmemoriallibrary.org).

• The Nashua Center for the Arts, 201 Main St. in Nashua, will screenMinions (PG, 2015) on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 2 p.m. See nashuacenterforthearts.com.

• Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St., Concord, 225-1111, ccanh.com) will screen Stop Making Sense, the 1984 Talking Heads concert film by Jonathan Demme, on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m. in the Chubb Theatre with band member Jerry Harrison hosting and giving post-screening comments and audience Q&A, according to the website.

Evil Dead in Concert will feature the 1981 film screened with a live musical ensemble performing the score on screen on Wednesday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m.

Also at the Chubb Theatre, catch “John Cleese & The Holy Grail” featuring a screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail(1975) followed by a Q&A with Cleese on Friday, Oct. 17, at 7 p.m.

Stand By Me (R, 1986) will screen on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7:30 p.m., as part of the program “Stand By Me: The Film and Its Stars 40 Years Later” featuring a post-film conversation with Corey Feldman, Jerry O’Connell and Wil Wheaton.

At the Cap Center’s BNH Stage in Concord, catch The Met: Live in HD broadcasts of The Metropolitan Opera including La Sonnambulaon Oct. 18, La Bohemeon Nov. 8, Arabellaon Nov. 22 and Andrea Chenier on Dec. 13 (all Saturdays at 1 p.m.). The BNH Stage also features the National Theatre Live Broadcast ofNext To Normal on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 7 p.m.

• Fathom Entertainment,fathomentertainment.com, has several screenings on its fall schedule including anniversary screenings, horror films, religious programming and The Met: Live in HD broadcasts of The Metropolitan Opera including La Sonnambulaon Oct. 18, La Bohemeon Nov. 8, Arabellaon Nov. 22 and Andrea Chenier on Dec. 13 (all Saturdays at 1 p.m. with encore screenings the following Wednesdays). Other upcoming screenings include The Sound of Music (1965) screening at area theaters Saturday, Sept. 13, through Wednesday, Sept. 17; Howl’s Moving Castle (PG, 2004) with dubbed and subtitled screenings Saturday, Sept. 20, through Wednesday, Sept. 24; the aughts Spider-Mantrilogy — Spider-Man (PG-13, 2002) Sept. 26 and Oct. 3, Spider-Man 2.1(an unrated version of the 2004 film) on Sept. 27 and Oct. 4, and Spider-Man 3 (PG-13, 2007) on Sept. 28 and Oct. 5; The Devil’s Rejects (R, 2005) on Oct. 6 and Oct. 8; Spirited Away(PG, 2001) Saturday, Oct. 18, through Wednesday, Oct. 22, with dubbed and subtitled versions; Paranorman(PG, 2012) remastered in 3D Saturday, Oct. 25, through Tuesday, Oct. 28; Rocky IV: Rocky vs. Drago — The Ultimate Director’s Cut on Nov. 5 and Nov. 9, and The Boy and the Heron(PG-13, 2023) Nov. 15 through Nov. 19 in dubbed and subtitled versions.

• Telluride by the Sea, the film festival held at The Music Hallin Portsmouth featuring films from Colorado’s Telluride Film Festival, will run Friday, Sept. 12, through Sunday, Sept. 14, with ticket packages available for individual films as well as full festival passes. See themusichall.org.

• Jeff Rapsis, presenter of silent films for which he provides live musical accompaniment, has several screenings on the schedule this fall. He’ll appear at the Flying Monkey in Plymouth, flyingmonkeynh.com, with Seven Chances(1925) starring Buster Keaton, on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 7 p.m., and The Man Who Laughs (1928), an adaptation of Victor Hugo’s novel, on Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. He’ll be at Wilton Town Hall Theatre (find them on Facebook) with J’Accuse (1919) on Sunday, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m.; Faust (1926) a film by F.W. Murnau, on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m., andPaths of Paradise (1925) and Hands Up!(1926) a comedy double feature, on Sunday, Nov. 30, at 2 p.m. On Friday, Sept. 26, at 7 p.m., Rapsis will screen Fritz Lang’s Metropolis(1927) at the Derry Opera House, 29 W. Broadway in Derry, sponsored by the Derry Public Library (see derrypl.org). On Thursday, Oct. 16, at 6:30 p.m.,The Phantom of the Opera(1925) starring Lon Chaney, will screen at the Nashua Public Library, 2 Court St. in Nashua (nashualibrary.org). On Wednesday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m., Rapsis will bring live music to The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), also the Derry Opera House, 29 W. Broadway in Derry, sponsored by the Derry Public Library (see derrypl.org). See silentfilmlivemusic.blogspot.com for more details and for screenings around the greater New England area.

• The 23rd annual New Hampshire Film Festival will take place Thursday, Oct. 16, through Sunday, Oct. 19, and screen independent feature films as well as programs of short films at locations throughout downtown Portsmouth, according to an email festival organizers. The festival is a qualifying festival for Academy Award hopefuls in the short film categories, which means you could see live-action, animated or documentary shorts headed to Oscar nominations, the email said. See nhfilmfestival.com for film line-ups.

A look at some of the fair food classics

Theme of most fair foods is indulgence. Fair food is supposed to be deep-fried or covered in powdered sugar. Here’s a look at some of the dishes you might encounter on this season’s midways.

Apple Crisp

Pat’s Apple Crisp and Cider Donuts (patsapplecrisp.com)

Find them at this fair: Hopkinton State Fair, Deerfield Fair

Danielle Calkins’ family has been selling fair food for a long time.

“My dad and my mother started this business back in 1984,” she said. “We’ve been in business over 40 years. … They just started with the fair circuits like Topfield, Deerfield, Hopkinton, Rochester. Now, we do fall festivals and things like that, but we’re also now a mobile food truck business so we do private events as well. The cider doughnuts have been part of the operation for about 18 years out of those 40. My father passed away in 2010 and so my brother and I took over the business. My mom is still involved. She’s Pat.”

In classic fair food tradition Pat’s makes two foods, makes them extremely well, and tries to keep up with demand on fair weekends. Calkins said apple crisp is, for her, the quintessential New England fair food.

“I definitely think it’s just that feeling that New Englanders have at that turn of the fall season,” she said. “When we start to feel those leaves change and it starts to get a little cooler in the air, I just feel like people, New Englanders specifically, they just crave the sweaters and the scarves. You watch people at the fair, right? People are kind of bundled up in the evenings. It’s a little chilly. They want something hot and they want something that is homemade that they know.”

Calkins said while fresh hot doughnuts sell more at fairs, apple crisp has a special place in her heart.

“Just because it’s that mixture between French vanilla and when it melts a little bit into the crisp and the apples, it’s something special. I just think that everything kind of aligns for that Deerfield Fair weekend at the end of September. The apples are at peak, peak perfection at that time, just before October hits, and it’s probably about 50 degrees outside; it’s the best.”

Calkins and her family are traditionalists. They stick with McIntosh apples from one particular local orchard for their crisp.

”It’s completely dependable and it cooks well without becoming mush,” she said.

Extremely Large Doughnuts

Betsy’s Country Fair Donuts (facebook.com/betsysdonuts)

Find them at this fair: Hopkinton State Fair, Deerfield Fair, Sandwich State Fair

Cider doughnuts might be traditional, but enormous frosted doughnuts the size of hubcaps are the indulgence of choice for many younger fair-goers. Fully mature couples might need to split one between themselves.

Jamie Cross is the owner of Betsy’s Country Fair Donuts.

“We’ve been doing jumbo doughnuts at New Hampshire State Fairs since my grandfather started it in 1965,” he said. “We are third and fourth generation at the moment.”

Cross said his stand sells five varieties of doughnut, all of which are yeasted and leavened.

“We do five different varieties of jumbo doughnuts,” he said. “We do maple-frosted, chocolate-frosted, cinnamon-sugared, regular-sugared, and honey-dipped. Chocolate-frosted are usually the most popular in Hopkinton, honey-dipped in Deerfield, and usually maple-frosted up in Sandwich.” These are big doughnuts. “Ours are 8 inches across,” he said.

The doughnuts sell too quickly to keep track of, Cross said.

“As far as actual doughnuts, we don’t actually count. We usually measure by 50-pound bags of flour is how we usually count the day. And I think the best Deerfield Fair we ever had was probably 10 50-pound bags of flour, so 500 pounds of flour in a day. A Deerfield Saturday is usually the busiest day of any of the fairs.”

To be ready for the midway, the dry ingredients for Cross’ doughnuts are mixed off-site.
“We mix dried powdered whole eggs, powdered milk, our shortenings, sugars and flavors. We’ll mix that in a batch. So we call it our base. So we have buckets of that. When we are at the fair, we only have to measure out a certain amount of base, water and yeast, and then you put the flour in until the dough feels a certain way. Then you let it rise, cut it, let it rise again, and then fry it. And then you dress them all up. They’re all the same doughnut, they’re just dressed differently.”

Cross notes that, surprisingly, frosted doughnuts are not at their best right out of the fryer.

“The perfect doughnut is like 15 minutes out of the fryer,” he advised. “They need to set a little bit. You don’t want them to be too hot when you add the toppings. … You don’t want them running all down your shirt. A lot of people are like, ‘Oh, do you have a hot honey-dipped?’ I’m like, ‘I do, and if that’s what you want, you can wear it; that’s fine.’

Gluten-Free Fair Food

No Pain, No Grain

Find them at this fair: Hillsborough County Fair, Deerfield Fair

Tenley Pello developed celiac disease as an adult, but she grew up loving fair food. According to her the most unfair thing about her situation is that she was able to develop a passion for wheaty, starchy foods before her body decided she couldn’t eat them.

“So I went from knowing how good fair food is to not being able to eat it,” she said. After some consideration, she realized that that feeling of injustice was also an opportunity.

“The way I kind of look at it,” she said, “is when I go to a fair I don’t want a smoothie, I don’t want to go and get a rice bowl, I don’t want a healthy option, I want typical fair junk food — and I couldn’t eat that anymore. So I wanted to kind of bring back enjoyable fair food to people who don’t really have options. Because even when you go to places that have gluten-free foods, there can still be cross-contamination; they might use the same fryer for everything, or forget to wipe a counter down.”

The thing to keep in mind, Pello said, is that “gluten-free” does not mean “healthy.” The whole principle of fair food, she said, is to be able to provide greasy, carby, indulgent food.

“Every event we work at, we sell something different,” she said. “Our fried dough definitely took us a couple of attempts to get right. We finally found a recipe that we really, really like and we settled on. A lot of people tell us that they’ve missed it, that they haven’t been able to have fried dough since they were kids.”

Pello said anything she fries is popular on the fairgrounds.

“Our Fry Bowls [huge servings of loaded french fries] seem to sell the most,” she said, “but our chicken tenders are really great …” Most of the dishes on the No Pain menu at any given event are built on a foundation of French fries. A Chicken Parm Bowl, for instance, starts with garlic-parmesan fries, topped with chicken tender bites, marinara sauce, and more parmesan cheese. Other bowls might be topped with pulled pork, Buffalo chicken, or a classic fair combination of grilled sausage, peppers, and onions. Pello said that she is particularly proud of the chicken tenders she has been able to source, which find their way into more than half of her inventions. “We’ve managed to find a distributor who can get us the best of the best,” she said. They are incredibly high-quality, and they’re halal. It is definitely a comfort food.”

Maple Cotton Candy

Ben’s Sugar Shack (bensmaplesyrup.com)

There is probably no fair food more iconic than cotton candy.

The New Hampshire twist on cotton candy is to make it out of maple sugar. Ben Fisk is the owner of Ben’s Sugar Shack.

“I’ve been making maple cotton candy at the fair since I was 15 years old,” he said. “It’s just a pure maple flavor.”

The way a cotton candy machine works, Fisk said, is that it melts sugar and spins it very quickly.

“There are heating elements in there and it just melts the sugar out there and spins it out. [The sugar] comes out into the air as a liquid and when it hits the cooler air is when it turns into the sugar fibers.” In Fisk’s experience, it’s children who like traditional bright colors. “But definitely, more adults eat the maple cotton candy,” he said. Because, in the end, maple cotton candy has such a pure maple flavor, the maple sugar can come from many different batches of syrup. “It varies, it can be dark,” he said, “but usually a dark to amber rich syrup is really good for making maple sugar.”

Smoked Turkey Legs

Michael Raffalo has seen smoked turkey legs evolve as a fair food staple over the years.

“I started doing turkey legs [at fairs] around 1996,” he remembered. They seem to have started as a niche food at renaissance fairs, and took a while to develop a following. “They weren’t popular in the beginning as they are now at a fair, but I believe most fair foods that are popping off are because of the food channels, you know, Carnival Eats, several shows like that on TV. Sausage has been a staple since before I was born. Popcorn, cotton candy, that type of thing, fried dough. But now, with these shows, people are frying everything — this and that. But the turkey legs have come around, and I’ve stayed with it through all these years.”

Raffalo and his family live in Florida but work the fair circuit throughout the summer and fall. The Deerfield Fair is an important event on his family’s calendar.

“Deerfield’s a big staple,” he said, “and it’s a family affair. This year I believe is our 60th year at that fair. It’s now turned over to my son. I’m still here a little bit to help along, but the next generation is coming along now. He’s the fourth generation on his mother’s side; it’s the same business, but he’s third generation on his father’s side. He’s a good boy.”

The turkey legs themselves are straightforward, Raffalo said.

“They are turkey. It’s just smoking and it’s an easy preparation. That’s the one good thing about them. You don’t need bread, you don’t need peppers, onions, all that. It’s just boom, here’s your meat. It’s meat on a stick.We’re into smokers, we’re into picking up wood, making sure it’s the right wood. You can just use oak, it’s fine, but if you want a little sweeter taste to the leg — I mean, it’s just like a barbecue process.”

Raffalo said that while many turkey leg vendors fry their turkey legs he and his family are committed to cooking theirs in a smoker, which requires organization and planning.

“If we were in a hurry we could get a batch out quickly in three hours for production,” he said, “But we let them go a little longer if we have time.”

A turkey leg is bigger than most first-timers expect, Raffalo said.

“They roughly range from 18 ounces to 36 ounces. Some of the legs in a box are twice the size of others, but they are all no less than 18 ounces. If you’re going to call it ‘jumbo,’ we want it to be 18 ounces or more. [A turkey leg] is a walk-around-with-a-hunk-of-meat-in-your-hand meal in itself. It’s just a big old hunk of meat and deliciousness. The flavor’s simple — simple smoke. [Customers] love it.’

Deep-Fried Oreos

Brothers Concessions

Find them at this fair: Hopkinton State Fair, Deerfield Fair

If New England fair food has a specialty, it’s almost anything deep-fried. Fried dough springs to mind immediately, of course, and then there are french fries, cottage fries, curly fries, spiral fries, corn dogs, fried clams, even fried ice cream. But the quintessential decadent fried fair food has to be the fried Oreo.

Matt Reed is one of the owners of Brothers Concessions, which specializes in fried foods.

“Fried Oreos started in about 2002,” he remembered. “I think we started doing fried Oreos in 2003. My brother and I started as soon as I got out of high school. We started with fried Twinkies, fried candy bars and funnel cakes. And then the following year we added a couple other items, but an Oreo was the biggest one that we added. It’s been one of the long-term stays that we’ve had.”

Reed said that timing is everything when it comes to eating a fried Oreo.

“You really need to let them cool a little bit,” he advised. “You’ll burn your tongue if you don’t, but they are best fresh. If you let them sit and kind of sit for too long — half an hour or so — they’ll go stale. I do know several people who have told me that they were taking them home and reheating them in the oven, but for the most part hot and fresh is the way to go.”\

The secret to a good fried Oreo is to not cheap out, Reed said.

“When we first started doing it, when we were getting our original trailer ready, we had neighborhood kids come over to try out different things. And we had done Oreos, just regular … Oreos. And then we tried Double Stuf Oreos and they were so much better! Like so much better that we’ve always used Double Stuf Oreos for probably 23 years now. And I’ve never seen any other vendors do that. … The filling in an Oreo will kind of melt into the batter a little bit, so more is better.”

“With a Twinkie,” Reed continued, “the way we do it, it’s actually got a cool taste in the middle, but the outside is nice and warm. It’s kind of like a baked Alaska type of sensation. We do fried ice cream as well.” That has to be very cold when it goes into the hot oil, he said. The concept is to have different flavors, textures and temperatures in the same treat.

Reed has seen a growing acceptance of decadent fried fair food.

“When we first started doing it, it tended to be something for a young adult crowd,” he said. “But, you know, now, I have grandparents buying fried Oreos, fried cookies, fried candy bars. Early on, parents were not as excited about serving their kids fried desserts, but over time they’ve become more of a standard fair food. They’re everywhere now.”

Three upcoming fairs

Hopkinton State Fair
Fairgrounds, 392 Kearsarge Ave., Contoocook
Dates: Thursday, Aug. 28, through Monday, Sept. 1
Hours: Thursday 5 to 10 p.m., Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Monday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
There will be livestock shows, a demolition derby, carnival rides, monster trucks, live entertainment, a farmers market, and a petting zoo. Expect stunt riders, horse-pulls and, of course, fair food. Visit hsfair.org.

Hillsborough County Fair
New Boston 4-H Youth Center, 15 Hilldale Lane, New Boston
Dates: Friday, Sept. 5, through Sunday, Sept. 7
Hours: Friday noon to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Expect livestock showing, ox-pulls, carnival rides, tractor-pulls, sheep-herding demonstrations, live music, fireworks and fair food. Visit hcafair.org.

Deerfield Fair
Deerfield Fair Grounds, 34 Stage Road, Deerfield
Dates: Thursday, Sept. 25, through Sunday, Sept. 28
Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Billing itself as “New England’s Oldest Family Fair,” the Deerfield Fair is a lot to take in. Expect horse and cattle pulls, a pig scramble, giant pumpkins, circus performers, live music, horticultural and dairy judging, sheep sheering, rides, dog shows, a women’s Fry Pan Toss, and, of course, an almost overwhelming amount of fair food. Visit deerfieldfair.com.

Featured Image: Apple crisp from Pat’s. Photo courtesy Danielle Calkins.