Category: Cover Stories

A talk with comedians Jody Sloane and Jimmy Dunn plus a look at upcoming shows

Last summer, the official story was that Jimmy Dunn skipped his own comedy festival due to a dream-come-true gig headlining at Casino Ballroom. That much was true. What didn’t make press reports was the bigger reason he was missing. Two days after that big show, Dunn checked into Massachusetts General Hospital to have his spine rebuilt.

“I was essentially laid up waiting to do the Casino, and then they wanted to do the surgery like two days before, and I said I can’t do that because I have to be able to stand on stage,” Dunn recalled by phone from his home in Hampton Beach recently.

He made it, walking out under the lights the way he’d visualized since he was a kid who’d sit on the venue’s back stairs to listen to Buddy Hackett and George Carlin. Then after what Dunn calls as a career highlight, surgeons were putting $30,000 worth of titanium into his back.

“That was just the parts,” he said with a wry laugh. “It’s a bad joke, but I was a stand-up comedian who couldn’t stand up, so that’s not good.” A year later, Jimmy Dunn is back, and by his own account, firing on all cylinders in a way that he hasn’t in two decades.

“I feel great, man. I haven’t felt this good in 20 years. I’m open ocean swimming and walking every day,” he said. The Hampton Beach Comedy Festival, the institution he built from scratch 19 years ago, returns with Dunn fully mobile again after a stretch where the injury quietly reshaped what he could do on stage.

“It was really tough to be on stage for about a year because of this back injury, and it limited my movement and just what I could do creatively,” he said. “But now I can fly around on stage again, and I love it.” The Casino Ballroom night itself, he admits, ran largely on adrenaline and painkillers.

“I would have done that show with one leg,” he said. “I’ve been waiting 30 years to do that show, and to be a headliner at the Casino Ballroom was just a dream come true.” Local radio helped fill the room, and while Dunn won’t swear it was a total sellout, “it was packed.”

This year’s festival — the 17th edition, missing two along the way to Covid and an earlier back surgery — comes with a lineup change Dunn is clearly proud of. In past years, he says, the show ran long because organizers kept squeezing in new comics eager for stage time, which meant rushing seasoned headliners off before they got going.

This year, the roster is smaller and the sets are longer for the veteran Boston comics who don’t just tell good jokes. “Any good comic can get a laugh, but the ones that can just hammer laugh after laugh, that’s what Boston has always been known for; that’s what Boston comics do best.”

Dunn is also handing off hosting duties so he can do a 20-minute set each night, which allows him to actually hang out with his friends instead of running the show.

“I just don’t like breaking up my thoughts,” he said of hosting. “I’m going to go in there and have fun with my friends … just tell some jokes and hang with the gang like I used to.”

Among this year’s hammers: Will Noonan, whom Dunn remembers showing up to the festival’s earliest years at the old Ashworth venue “in a suit … looking like a young Elvis Costello,” and who’s since become, in Dunn’s words, a true Boston headliner.

There’s also Andrew Della Volpe, Karen Morgan — fresh off a viral run on social media and a national touring schedule — Ken Rogerson, Mike Donovan, Brian Glowacki and Paul D’Angelo.

A notable thread running through this year’s bill: two father-son comedy pairs. Tony V, Dunn’s best friend and longtime collaborator — the man who helped him pick material for his Letterman audition — shares the stage with his son Gus, who started doing stand-up at Emerson College before moving to Los Angeles.

“They look alike and they sound alike, but they’re talking about completely different things,” Dunn said. “It’s really fun.” The second pairing features Ethan Printz, son of veteran comic Robbie Printz, a friend of Dunn’s for three decades.

“Robbie called and asked, ‘Hey, can you get my son on the festival?’ With a friend like that, that’s all I need,” Dunn said. New comics get one shot to prove themselves in front of an audience that, in Dunn’s words, isn’t a young comedy-club crowd — it’s real Hampton Beach tourists who “will let you know real quickly if you’re not funny.”

Festival lore runs deep for Dunn: cash Pachinko games at Playland with Tony V, Danny Miller, Gus, Dave Rattigan and Steve Bjork; a homemade ice cream sundae bar on his back deck; a banner plane he hired to fly over the beach reading “Hampton Beach Comedy Festival Tonight.”

Marketing, even now, stays defiantly old-school — hand-to-hand flyers on the sand, because half the audience is tourists who won’t see a Facebook ad. “The only way to market to the beach is to be on the beach,” he said.

Dunn is also branching out this fall in a new direction: teaching. Starting Sept. 23, he’ll lead a four-week stand-up comedy course in the Cantin Room of Concord’s BNH Stage. He’ll walk students through finding their comedic voice, writing jokes that land and performing them with confidence, capped by a mainstage graduation set Oct. 15.

It’s the first time Dunn has put together anything like it, and he says the idea had been around for a while waiting for a good moment.

“People have been asking me forever to teach a class,” he said. “It seemed like the right time and the perfect venue.”

Off stage, Dunn is also finishing a book about his comedy career, aiming for a Thanksgiving release alongside a show at Portsmouth’s Music Hall Lounge, and still looks back fondly on his two seasons on Frasier, including one surreal week trading lines with Kelsey Grammer and Bebe Neuwirth.

The combination of surgery and weather nearly ended the festival for him. Last year, lying in a hospital bed listening to pouring rain and wondering whether to cancel a night of the festival, Dunn wondered if he should carry on. Then his back healed, and his head cleared like a summer thunder buster.

“Of course I want to keep it going,” he said.

Holding the field (and the crowd)

Comedy veteran writes her own advice book

As a standup comic, Jody Sloane is adept at reading a room — it’s a means to survival. Recently she wrote a book that places that and other life skills in the context of mental well-being. It’s called Hold the Field — A Practice for Staying Present Without Disappearing.

The book grew out of her own lifelong habit of feeling responsible for defusing tense situations, even if her help was never requested, a form of social diplomacy that quickly becomes conscription. It’s a reflex, she believes, that most people recognize in themselves if they’re honest.

“Everybody who does it thinks they’re coming from a helpful place, and often they are,” she said in a recent Zoom meeting. The trap, as she describes it, is that they end up fully responsible for the problem, absorbing a job that was never theirs to begin with, often at the cost of their own presence. It’s its own kind of vanishing act.

To deal with it, Sloane created the APART™ framework: Awareness, Permission, Attunement, Restraint, and Trust. In a classic self-help format, she describes the toxic behavior and ways to address it. Real life examples, many that are deeply personal, illustrate corrective work.

It all begins with a bad tattoo.

Sloane stresses that she isn’t writing as a professional or offering a therapy substitute. Rather, she’s someone who’s “read all the books,” but didn’t find one that spoke to her. She’s there for people who “need a way to notice tension without absorbing it,” and avoid vanishing into a fog of good intentions.

She spent years in therapy herself to deal with PTSD, every modality from IFS to cognitive behavioral and EMDR. All valuable, she said, but not definitive.

“What it did was tell me why I am the way I am, and not necessarily how to be in the world with these things I was dealing with,” she said. “I didn’t really find a book like that.”

So Sloane wrote it herself, believing she wasn’t alone in knowing that compulsively trying to lower everyone’s emotional temperature was fruitless. “The most important takeaway is, you do it at the expense of yourself,” she said. “You’re not helping yourself … and that’s the opposite of what you were hoping for.”

What, then, is this … Field?

It’s not the room, but rather what happens inside it, specifically its collective energy and tension. In comedy, it gives Sloane cues for things like dealing with a heckler, owning a joke when it triggers one audience member but makes everyone else laugh — or introducing a slate of comics.

That’s something she’ll do when she returns to the Hampton Beach Comedy Festival to host its final night on Aug. 23. It’s a job she describes, only half-joking, as one she doesn’t even like.

“I hate hosting, too,” she said, echoing fellow comic Jimmy Dunn, who said the same thing in an interview to preview the festival he launched in 2010.

Her job as host is to gauge the temperature of the room and follow its flow, comedian by comedian. If a high-energy act is coming up, she’ll ramp up the crowd’s energy up to meet them. If it shifts down — for example, with a Stephen Wright type following Bobcat Goldthwait — her task then is to ride it, so the next comic lands on their own terms.

A few days prior to HBCF, Sloane will be at Beans & Greens Farm in Gilford, this time not as the person running the whole show but as part of Frank Santorelli & Friends. There she’ll perform an extended set, longer than the 20 minutes she’ll lead with at McGuirk’s Ocean View before yielding to six more comics, including closer Dunn.

Sloane’s 29-year-old daughter is woven into the act these days, a way to examine the friction between Gen X and Gen Z sensibilities. It’s a reluctant choice.

“I normally hadn’t brought her in,” she said. “I was worried she’d be sensitive about what I’d say about her, but what I say is fun and sweet. And it’s true.”

Now that Hold The Field is out — it’s on sale at Sloane’s shows, by the way — she’s exhaling, happily.

“The experience of doing it, and fulfilling it, has been huge,” she said. “There are a lot of people who are willing to support me in this endeavor, and that’s been the most heartening thing, I think — that people are like, ‘go, go, go!’ It’s been awesome.”

Night after night

The Hampton Beach Comedy Festival runs six nights at McGuirk’s Ocean View, in their outdoor Post 8 bar and restaurant. Festival creator Jimmy Dunn will do a 20-minute set to close each show, with Dave Rattigan also telling jokes nightly.

A big change from previous years is fewer comics with more stage time. Dunn wants The Hammers — his name for the veteran comics who’ve anchored the festival since it began 19 years ago — to have room to stretch out. In past years, packed lineups precluded that.

“Mike Donovan would get up there and just start murdering the crowd, and I’m like, I don’t want to give him the light, I want him to keep going,” Dunn said. “So some of the bigger names, or the more experienced comics, or my friends that I just find funnier, we’re going to let them go a little bit longer.”

All shows are scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. (doors 5:30 p.m.) weather permitting, with rainouts announced 2 p.m. day of show. Shows are 21+ and include adult content. “No, your kids can’t come even if they’ve heard it all,” reads the festival website, hampton-beach-comedy-festival.weebly.com, where you can purchase tickets. “Send your child to Playland with a handful of quarters like a good parent.”

Tickets remain $20 per show, something Dunn is quite proud of. “Most of these comics you can’t see on their own for $20,” he said. “I’ve been working hard with my management [to] lower those ticket prices. People are feeling it, and I want them to be able to come out and have a good time.”

Tuesday, Aug. 18

Paul D’Angelo

Once an assistant district attorney and criminal-defense trial lawyer, D’Angelo is a comedy veteran with nearly four decades of standup under his belt. He’s the author of six books and appeared in the Showtime standup concert film The Godfathers of Comedy. He’s performed at venues ranging from New York’s Friars Club to the Waldorf Astoria ballroom, as well as Harrah’s and Caesars Palace.

Paul Nardizzi

A winner of both the HBO U.S. Comedy Arts Festival and the Boston Comedy Festival, Nardizzi has appeared on Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Comedy Central, NESN and Fox Sports’ Best Damn Sports Show Period. He offers observational humor about his family life, sports, and more, and is touring New England through 2026 with a parenting-focused show, including a September date at Cary Hall in Lexington, Mass.

Mike Hanley

He’s opened for Jay Mohr, Tom Arnold, David Koechner and Jessica Kirson. One of his best bits is about being the father of an infant girl and accidentally brushing his teeth with Desitin and calling for emergency medical assistance. He became the funniest thing the help line encountered that evening. He’s been on the Today show and Good Morning America, and his 2014 daddy/daughter dance YouTube clip topped 24 million views.

Wednesday, Aug. 19

Mark Riley

He was once a professional ice hockey referee (with a very short stint in the NHL) who also ran a Gymboree. He headlines in Boston as well as playing in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Atlantic City, and he’s a former first runner-up at the Boston Comedy Festival. Also a school teacher, he co-authored a movie script, Penalty Box, drawn from his hockey-reffing days, and is finishing his first book, Not Every Kid Should Get a Trophy.

Mike Donovan

A mainstay in the Boston comedy world who’s also written several books, including one on U.S. history that began as a manuscript twice as long as the Bible. “He’s not a normal guy,” comic Steven Wright once said of Donovan. “His head is not a casual head. He’s got like 18 Harvards up there.” His writing has appeared in the Boston Globe, the Boston Herald and Sports Illustrated as he continues to headline New England rooms in 2026.

Mitch Stinson

Ex-Navy jet pilot with more than 200 carrier landings during his career, he’s now a comedian. Stinson’s material frequently touches on the transition from military to civilian life. He appears at comedy clubs all over New England. He’s the winner of Rhode Island’s Funniest Stand-Up and a Boston/Rhode Island Comedy Festival performer. Still a fixture on the New England club circuit in 2026, including dates at Nick’s Comedy Stop.

Ethan Printz

16-year-old comic turning his teen years into laughs, frequently performing with his father, a multi-decade standup veteran. He frequently tours with his comedian father Robbie in their joint A Night with the Printzes shows, while building a following on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for his insights into coping with his voice and body changing, while entertaining crowds in rooms he won’t be able to drink in until five years from now.

Robbie Printz

When he shares the stage with his son Ethan, it will be a rare gig on land for the seasoned comic, as he’s spending most of August and September telling jokes on cruise ships. He’s been a headliner aboard Princess Cruises since 2004, and in 2016 he earned the line’s Entertainer of the Year. He still splits his year between cruise ship gigs and land dates with son Ethan.

Thursday, Aug. 20

Ken Rogerson

A veteran of Rescue Me and When Standup Stood Out, the superb documentary about Boston’s comedy heyday in the 1980s. “I legitimately find him one of the funniest people on the planet,” Dunn said of Rogerson. “I would put his Zookeeper bit up there in the top five or 10 comedy bits of all time.” Other TV credits include “Pat the Cop” on It’s All Relative, plus Conan O’Brien, Letterman and Comics Come Home.

Paul Gilligan

This perennial Boston headliner likes to riff on family life and his pale Irish heritage. “On summer vacations,” goes one joke, “I hide under the deck in a ski mask with 68 sunblock, wrapped in a towel.” Gilligan is a solid draw throughout New England clubs. He’s also a licensed electrician who emcees the Boston Construction Awards, as well as a regular on NESN’s Charlie Moore Outdoors and Dirty Water TV.

Harrison Stebbins

Observational comic who created his persona following a family tragedy when his teen brother was disabled in a car accident. He’s shared the stage with Lewis Black, Mitch Hedberg and Bill Burr, and is a winner of the Sam Adams Best of Boston Comedy Festival. Other credits for the New England funny man include Comedy Central and Comcast Comedy Spotlight.

Friday, Aug. 21

Brian Glowacki

He’s headlined Boston’s Wilbur and the Cape Cod Melody Tent. Glowacki has a secret weapon: a face that telegraphs mischief. When he pauses with a sly smirk during a joke setup, it’s like watching a Mento dropped into a bottle of Coke; audience laughter builds, then explodes. A few years ago, he was the first independent local comic to headline Boston’s Wilbur Theatre.

Andrew Della Volpe

A Boston Comedy Festival finalist and a regular all over New England for the past six years, Volpe has appeared at Boston’s Comedy Attic as well as Manchester’s Shaskeen and Rex Theatre. From 2021 to 2023, he co-hosted a podcast, The Soft Boys, with HBCF favorite Will Noonan. Recently named a Boston Globe “Comedian on the Rise.” Now newly married, with 2026 dates at the Spire Center and Music Hall Lounge.

Kristy Kielbasinski

Boston-based stand-up comedian and author, drawing inspiration from her life as a stay-at-home mom and housewife. Her children’s book, I Don’t Know, combines her comedic sensibilities with a love of reading. Won the 2025 Mohegan Sun Comix Contest (Feature Division) and has opened for Bobcat Goldthwait, Matt Rife and Natasha Leggero. Continues touring New England clubs through 2026.

Jeff Koen

He regularly supports Juston McKinney at his shows, and performs throughout New England. Koen’s self-deprecating humor lands well with audiences, and some may remember him from his role as Uncle Rick in the 2011 cult film Heavy Times. Won $10,000 on America’s Funniest Home Videos in 2015 and co-starred with Juston McKinney in the short film “Suck It Up.” Still a frequent support act for McKinney’s shows.

Saturday, Aug. 22

P.J. Thibodeau

Comedian, basketball coach, sports official and New England comedy circuit veteran known for blue-collar charm, easy stage presence, and observational storytelling frequently drawn from family life, aging and athletics. He’s now among the Northeast’s upper-tier headliners, having grown from the college circuit into opening for major national acts and headlining clubs throughout the region in 2026.

Karen Morgan

Former trial attorney who got her start as a finalist on Nickelodeon’s Search for the Funniest Mom in America. “Fortunately she’s a dear friend who’s right up the street; otherwise I wouldn’t be able to get her at something like this,” Dunn said. In 2024, her third album, Shiny Happy People Laughing, arrived. Her two Dry Bar Comedy specials, Go Dawgs! and Rub Some Dirt On It, have millions of online views, with her third due soon.

Dan Miller

According to his bio, Boston native Miller was “born a comedian but made it official in 1992.” He’s shared stages with local and national headliners including Lenny Clarke, Dane Cook and Dave Attel. Dunn calls catching up with Miller one of his favorite things about the HBCF. He remains a regular headliner at Nick’s Comedy Stop and Giggles Comedy Club at Prince Pizzeria.

​Sunday, Aug. 23

Tony V.

A Boston comedy legend and Dunn’s best friend. “Tony V. and I will probably be walking through the gates of Hell together at some point,” Dunn said. Voted “The Funniest Man in Massachusetts” by Showtime back in 1986, he’s a national headliner who’s been on late night television and shared stages with everyone from Steven Wright to Adam Sandler.

Jody Sloane

Doing a sit-down shtick as a cheeky “conducktor” named Penny Wise on more than 4,000 Boston Duck Tours was the perfect tee-up to becoming a stand-up comic for Sloane, who now tours regularly from New York to Maine. Sloane also authored Hold The Field, a self-help book. “It was something I needed that no one else wrote,” she said. She’s been invited back to host and perform at HBCF multiple times.

Will Noonan

Noonan self-released his Live in Boston special on YouTube rather than waiting on a streaming deal, part of a wave of Boston comics producing their own specials. He made an impression on the festival organizer at his initial HBCF appearance, and now he’s a regular. “The first time Will came up, he was wearing a suit,” Dunn recalled. “I was like, ‘Oh, I like this kid’s style already.’”

Carolyn Plummer

She appeared at Denis Leary’s annual Comics Come Home benefit in 2022, along with the far-flung Burbank Comedy Festival on the West Coast. A New Hampshire native — she grew in Wolfeboro, a minister’s daughter — Plummer got into comedy after responding to an ad. Now 25 years into her comedy career, Plummer’s also a Woody Herman Jazz Award-winning trumpet player.

Gus V.

Comedian, writer, playwright and a graduate of Emerson College in Boston, he’s now based in Los Angeles. Gus has worked on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Cobra Kai, and When Stand Up Stood Up. In addition to his writing credits, he runs a monthly show in L.A. called Bughouse with Ben Zieper at the Yard Theater. His appearance with dad Tony V. is one of two father-son HBCF combos.

Upcoming comedy shows

Averill House Vineyard 21 Averill Road, Brookline, mikedupcomedy.com
Saturday, Aug. 15 – Carolyn Plummer

Beans & Greens Farm (Notch Biergarten) 245 Intervale Road, Gilford, strideevents.com
Thursday, Aug. 13 – Lenny Clarke
Saturday, Aug. 15 – Frank Santorelli & Friends w/ Jody Sloane

BNH Stage 16 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com
Friday, Aug. 28 – NightOUT with Bunny Butchers Broadway
Saturday, Aug. 29 – Dulcé Sloan
Wednesday, Sept. 23 – Jimmy Dunn Comedy 101

Capitol Center for the Arts – Chubb Theatre 44 S. Main St., Concord, ccanh.com
Saturday, Aug. 22 – GenX Takeover Comedy Tour
Thursday, Sept. 3 – Jerry Seinfeld
Friday, Sept. 11 – Maria Bamford
Saturday, Sept. 26 – Jessica Kirson

Chunky’s 707 Huse Road, Manchester, chunkys.com
Friday, Sept. 11 – Tom Cotter

Colonial Theatre 609 Main St., Laconia, etix.com
Saturday, Aug. 15 – Juston McKinney

Earth Eagle Tavern 350 Route 108, Somersworth, eventbrite.com
Saturday, Aug. 22 – Anders J Nielsen, Katy Coughlin, Zach Valencia
Friday, Sept. 11 – Emily Ruskowski

The Flying Monkey 39 Main St., Plymouth, etix.com
Friday, Aug. 14 – Peter Antoniou
Saturday, Sept. 19 – Bob Marley

Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom 169 Ocean Blvd., Hampton Beach, ticketmaster.com
Sunday, Sept. 27 – Terry Fator
Friday, Oct. 16 – Kathleen Madigan

Headliners Comedy Club 700 Elm St., Manchester, ovationtix.com
Saturday, Sept. 19 – Tim McKeever
Saturday, Sept. 26 – Rob Steen
Saturday, Oct. 3 – Jody Sloane
Saturday, Oct. 10 – Steve Bjork
Saturday, Oct. 17 – James Dorsey

McCue’s Comedy Club 580 Portsmouth Traffic Circle, Portsmouth, eventbrite.com
Saturday, Aug. 15 – Rodney Norman

Moka Pot 8 Hanover St., Manchester, eventbrite.com
Friday, Aug. 21 – Robby Slowik
Saturday, Sept. 19 – Sarah Tollemache, hosted by Ethan Cannon and featuring Dan Doherty
Saturday, Sept. 26 – Josh Day & Friends

The Music Hall Lounge 131 Congress St., Portsmouth, themusichall.org
Sunday, Aug. 30 – Dulcé Sloan
Saturday, Oct. 3 – Heather Shaw

Nashua Center for the Arts 201 Main St., Nashua, nashuacenterforthearts.com
Thursday, Sept. 24 – Natalie Cuomo
Monday, Oct. 5 – Nurse Blake

Newmarket Millspace 55 Main St., Newmarket, portsmouthnhtickets.com
Friday, Aug. 21 – Lamprey River Comedy Competition

Palace Theatre 80 Hanover St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org
Thursday, Oct. 1 – Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood
Friday, Oct. 9 – Juston McKinney

Players’ Ring 15 Marcy St., Portsmouth, portsmouthnhtickets.com
Friday, Aug. 14 – Stranger Than Fiction Improv

Queen City Center 215 Canal St., Manchester, wickedjoyful.com
Saturday, Sept. 19 – Jay Chanoine, Matt Barry, Brienna Woodward (comic-con event)

Rex Theatre 23 Amherst St., Manchester, palacetheatre.org
Friday, Sept. 18 – David Nihill
Saturday, Oct. 3 – Frank Santos, Jr.

Rockingham Ballroom 22 Ash Swamp Road, Newmarket, portsmouthnhtickets.com
Saturday, Sept. 5 – Jim Colliton

Sunstone Brewing Co. 298 Rockingham Road, Londonderry, eventbrite.com
Saturday, Aug. 22 – Amy Tee, Matt Barry, Alex Giampapa

Tupelo Music Hall 10 A St., Derry, tickets.tupelohall.com
Friday, Aug. 14 – Orlando Baxter, Kristy Kielbasinski and Ethan Printz
Saturday, Sept. 12 – Pete Correale

Zorvino Vineyards 226 Main St., Sandown, eventbrite.com
Thursday, Aug. 13 – Steve Bjork & Friends, Tim McKeever and Pat Napoli

Featured photo: Jody Sloan. Courtesy photo.

On enjoying one of New England’s seafood treats

Fred Fullerton is the owner of Freddie’s Fish in Manchester. According to him, he’s sold more lobsters than anybody on the planet.

“Well, maybe …,” he said. “I’m not 100 percent sure, but it’s not that far from the truth. I’ve been dealing with lobsters since I was 10 years old. My father had a boat. My brother and I were fishing on a boat, and the boat caught fire one night, so I ended up going to work for the largest live lobster company in the world, and he ended up going fishing with my cousin….”

The point is that Fullerton has spent decades working with lobsters. Like most seafood markets, Freddie’s sells lobster meat, whole cooked lobsters and live lobsters. For lobster fans who want to make sure they get the highest possible quality of lobster Fullerton recommended buying and cooking live lobsters.

“The reason supermarkets [precook] lobsters, he said, “is because what ends up happening is they’re selling lobsters that, you know, aren’t in the best shape. … Lots of people think, ‘Oh, they’re cooking a lobster for me!’ They don’t necessarily know what they’re getting.”

Lobster shopping

Fullerton explained that all the lobsters in the Northeast — the ones with two claws — are the same species, so a consumer should look at the condition of individual live lobsters.

“You want to look for hard-shell lobsters,” he said. Because lobsters grow throughout their lives, but their shells do not, they moult once a year or so. After they’ve shed their old shells, they are referred to as “soft-shell” lobsters, until the new shell hardens up.

“Hard-shell lobsters are the best bet,” Fullerton said. “They’ve got the most meat content inside. That’s where [a customer is] going to get the best bang for their buck. You’re going to pay more money if you buy a soft-shell lobster because there’s less meat inside. You’re not eating the shell, right? You’re only going to get [each lobster] a dollar, maybe two dollars cheaper. But there’s probably half as much meat.”

(If you’re worried about how much pain a lobster will experience as it is boiled, most chefs recommend dropping the lobster into the water head-first, which they say will kill it instantly. Some chefs will quickly cut through the lobster’s head with a sharp chef’s knife before dropping it into the boiling water. The website getmainelobster.com advises chilling the lobster before cooking: “We recommend killing the lobster humanely just before cooking. Place lobster in freezer for 2 hours. Remove from freezer, making sure it is no longer moving. Push the tip of a skewer or large, sharp, heavy knife into the center of the cross on its head.” Contrary to what your brothers or cousins might have told you when you were little, the whistling sound a cooking lobster makes is not “screaming”; it is the sound of steam escaping the shell.)

Actually cooking a live lobster is easy, Fullerton said. If you’re cooking a lot of lobsters at the same time, he recommends steaming them.

“It’s a little faster,” he said. “It just takes less time for the water to heat up. And that way you don’t have water spilling out, like I did the other day. I had water spilling all over my stove.” Either boiled or steamed, he said, cooking lobsters doesn’t take long.

“Hard-shell lobsters take 16 minutes after you boil them. So as soon as the water boils, throw them in — 16 minutes. Two to three takes 18 minutes. And there’s an easy way to check … take it by the antenna. Give the antenna just a little tiny pull. If the antenna pops off, it’s done. … that’s good to know. Soft shell lobsters take way less time to cook — eight minutes,10 minutes.”

Mark Merrik is the warehouse manager for Shyer’s Lobster Pound in Salem. He’s worked there for more than 30 years. Shyer’s has a retail store that sells lobster and other seafood, but the bulk of the business is shipping lobster around the country and around the world, he said.

“We ship lobsters, primarily. Seventy to 85 percent of the business is wholesale shipping into places like Florida and Texas. We do some stuff to casinos out in Nevada, but we primarily go into Fort Lauderdale and then the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Our big orders we ship basically through truck as well as via air out of Boston.”

According to Merrik, the idea of a “lobster season” is a bit of an illusion.

“Summertime prices for lobsters tend to come down a little bit — we are bringing in soft-shell lobsters now, since they do moult every year, and there’s less meat, so the prices do come down a little bit through that.” But from a wholesale perspective, he said, lobsters ship out throughout the year. “We’re generally busy during the holidays — Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Fourth of July and stuff like that, but apparently lobster is a traditional present on Mother’s Day. For some people, anyway. In the old days we used to have people come in at Thanksgiving, instead of getting a turkey. We used to bring in, you know, jumbo lobsters and … it used to be a tradition with a couple of New England families who used to come here. We’d get them a 16-, 17-pound lobster and that would be their turkey dinner. But it would give you a nice look, like a roast, a roast of a lobster tail.”

Merrik said lobsters are picky about their water. It has to be very cold salt water.

“If they’re actually in water, it’ll kill them if they’re in warm water.” It has to be 40 to 45 degrees, he said. So surprisingly, lobsters are shipped dry. “As long as they’re cool and dry, they’re good for two or three days during transit.” They are packed into compartmentalized coolers that look like wine cases. “We ship them overnight to Florida. We’ve got three-pound gel packs we use to keep them cool. You keep them cool and when they get to their destination the following day some of the companies we ship through have their own tanks with refrigerated water down there where they put them.”

Lobster dinner

Andy Day, chef at Cask & Vine in Derry, described lobster as “New England soul food.”

“It’s one of those things,” Day said, “where if you’re from this area you want lobster. You want a lobster bake. You want to crack them. You want to make a mess. You want the butter. You want all of that experience. And it is fairly unique to this area. It’s our thing.”

While restaurants add lobster to a great number of dishes, Day prefers simple preparations that showcase the flavor and texture of the lobster itself.

“Personally,” he said, “one of my favorite things to do is butterfly the tail — take the tail off, butterfly that — and then if I’m feeling fancy I’ll … take some of the claw and knuckle meat and after I’ve butterflied it I’ll stuff some of that in there so it’s kind of like a double stuffed tail so you’re getting a little bit more meat, a little bit of the knuckle and a little bit of the tail. I might do something with risotto, with some sort of green sauce. But at the end of the day, I am, yes, I’m pouring some garlic butter over it, and then maybe another sauce with it. Something that complements it.”

Paul Saella, who describes himself as the “Head Bottle Washer” at Makris Lobster and Steakhouse in Concord, said that although his restaurant makes any number of lobster dishes, the most popular one is a traditional steamed whole lobster, which can be intimidating to some customers at first, but he and his staff are happy to guide them through it.

“We shuck hundreds of pounds of lobster a day,” Saella said, “and we’re more than happy to show anybody who comes in how to do it.”

“We crack off the arms first,” he said, “then the tail off of the body. Then we crack the tail in half so that we can rip it in half to get the meat out. And then we crack the claws and get the meat out of the claws. And if the lobster is big enough we even take the meat out of the body. We use rolling pins to get the meat out of the legs.” That’s more of a professional technique, he said, better suited for in the kitchen than at the table. “If you come to my establishment,” he said, “it’s even simpler. All of our placemats have a how-to guide on them. It gives the breakdown right there.”

Because of its rich taste and firm texture, lobster lends itself to a host of rich dishes, Saella said.

“We make a lobster and asparagus fettuccine; that’s with an alfredo sauce. It’s very popular. We do lazy man lobster — we take it out of the shell. And to get eight ounces of lobster meat, we’re probably looking at about three pounds of lobster in the shell. We get about a third of the weight out of the lobster. A one-pound lobster gives us about four ounces of meat.” That’s enough for a small lobster roll, he explained. “With a four-ounce lazy man’s lobster, we use a simple lemon butter and crumbs and we bake it.”

“We stuff lobster,” Saella continued. “We stuff it with sea scallops, shrimp, haddock, and crab. And our lobster stew is very popular — it’s the best. We make everything from scratch here, so we can make [the lobster stew] with stock that doesn’t have anything but lobster bodies in it.”

Saella views lobster as the perfect complement for rich foods. “I think that just the texture of it and the flavor goes well with natural fats and butters. Like with bacon, it goes wonderful. With cream, it goes wonderful. It goes great with eggs. But just as a lobster cocktail, cold is great too if you like lobster.”

Lobster roll

Perhaps the quintessential summer lobster dish is a classic New England lobster roll.

Chrysanthi’s Restaurant in Belmont is well-known for its lobster roll, co-owner Evan Gerekos said.

“We are worth traveling for, for a lobster roll, 100 percent,” he said. “We have people that come from all over the place for ours. It is a half-pound lobster roll, seasoned with a light mayo and a little bit of lemon — not overly powered — and we do it in a nice buttered roll.”

There are two schools of thought about the lobster salad that goes into a classic lobster roll, Gerekos said. “We only do one type of lobster roll here. Many do a buttered lobster roll. Our lobster salad only includes lobster and some lemon and that’s about it. And mayo of course.” The other type is butter-based, he said. “People take hot liquid butter and they pour it on top of the roll. Clarified butter, or ‘drawn butter’ as the lobster people like to call it.”

Lobster rolls at most restaurants use either a four-ounce or an eight-ounce portion of lobster.

“We use eight ounces of claw and knuckle lobster meat for our lobster roll,” Gerekos said. “There’s no cutting corners; it’s a whole lobster. And we don’t use a hot dog bun either. We use a brioche roll. We bake it in-house and then we butter the inside and then we grill it and then we fill it with a lobster. We heat the roll up, which makes the bread just easier to eat and also makes it more malleable, so it contours to the lobster meat. That way when you bite it, it doesn’t just all fall out. Have you ever had an overstuffed anything? The moment you bite it, it all comes out of the roll. So if the bread has more elasticity to it when we heat it up, it makes it possible to hold the food inside.”

While there really isn’t a season for lobster, lobster rolls definitely have one, Gerekos said.

“We only do it seasonally,” he said. “We start in May, right around Mother’s Day. And we run it till the end of August, beginning of September. It’s definitely a summertime season. And that’s pretty much the case — I’m not going to say everywhere — but that’s a rule of thumb in the industry. I think it’s one of those things that, in February, you would prefer something like beef stew in New Hampshire. In July, you wouldn’t mind a light lobster roll.” (“Light” for half a pound of lobster meat, dressed in mayonnaise, being a relative term.)

Because of its richness, Gerekos suggested something sharp-tasting to drink with a lobster roll. “Probably some sort of beer,” he suggested, “an IPA of some sort. We like one by Great North Brewing out of Manchester. For non-drinkers, such as myself, I’d suggest something carbonated — Coca-Cola is always a good choice.”

Gerekos said most restaurants in New England get their lobsters from the same sources.

“We all use a pretty similar lobster or lobster meat,” he said. “So from the coast of Maine to even here in interior New Hampshire, you’re getting a quality product as long as it’s treated with respect.”

Spend some summer at NH’s lakes, beaches and caves

New Hampshire’s summers are getting hotter, stickier and, this year especially, wetter. It’s the kind of weather that makes a person start eyeing every pond, quarry and roadside dam as a potential escape hatch. The good news is that the Granite State is, without much exaggeration, one of the best places in the country to jump into a body of water.

The state routinely ranks among the nation’s top three to five for water clarity and water quality, according to Amy Smagula, the Chief Aquatic Biologist with the state’s Department of Environmental Services, as well as Director of the Jody Connor Limnology Center.

Smagula has spent 29 years with NH DES — starting as an intern, running the Exotic Species Program for years, and now overseeing 13 staff and 22 programs that monitor lakes, ponds, rivers and beaches across New Hampshire. If anyone’s an authority on where it’s safe to swim this August, and how to know where it isn’t, it’s her.

“New Hampshire has very good water quality overall,” Smagula said by phone recently — with a caution: “However, these are natural systems, so things do happen.”

Both the National Weather Service and the Old Farmer’s Almanac expected this summer to run hotter than average, and so far that’s happened. Overall, summers here are trending warmer and more humid — which makes this less a lifestyle diversion than a genuine survival guide.

In other words, a pool membership or a $50 water park ticket isn’t required to cool off in the dog days of August. New Hampshire is stitched with public lakes, ponds and rivers. Getting wet isn’t a necessity, either, with a trio of genuinely strange and wonderfully cold cave systems left behind by the last Ice Age.

But natural water isn’t a chlorinated backyard pool, so a little bit of homework — the kind Smagula and her team at NHDES have made pretty easy — helps ensure a cool-down doesn’t turn into a rash, a stomachache, or worse.

Where to swim

Before picking a spot, begin with the NH Healthy Swimming Mapper. It monitors roughly 70 bodies of fresh water and 16 coastal beaches for bacteria. It’s updated at least once a day, and during bloom season sometimes multiple times a day, for fecal bacteria and cyanobacteria samples as they come back from the lab.

NHDES (des.nh.gov) introduced this oh-so-useful tool a few years ago, and Smagula calls the current version “the best iteration that I’ve seen of it.” It’s the closest thing New Hampshire has to a real-time weather report for water safety, and it’s free.

However, Smagula stressed that the mapper can’t cover everything.

“We can’t possibly sample 950 lakes and ponds and 11,000 miles of rivers and streams every single day in New Hampshire,” she said.

That’s why it’s essential that swimmers conduct what Smagula calls a “self-risk assessment.”

That’s a 30-second check before jumping into any body of water, mapped or not. Steps include scanning the sand for waterfowl or pet waste, then looking at the water itself. Is it clear, or does it look like a shaken snow globe, with flecks or scum floating in it?

Ask Smagula what she wishes she could correct about how people think about lake safety, and she doesn’t hesitate: the assumption that every beach is being watched.

“Anybody anywhere in the state could jump into a surface water,” she said — and plenty of people do, at ponds and river bends that appear on no list or map at all.

The other misconception is subtler: that showing up and jumping in is itself the plan.

It isn’t, in her view — the plan is showing up, looking around, and deciding.

“We have many beaches around the state that they could go to if the beach that is their first choice has something going on with it,” she said, “so they can have a plan B to go to another beach if they need to.”

Science aside, talking with Smagula reveals a sentiment that has little to do with algae counts or cell thresholds, that New Hampshire residents genuinely love their lakes. This dedication helps shape how the state agency charged with overseeing them approaches its task.

“A lot of people spend a lot of time growing up on lakes, going to camps on lakes, living on lakes, visiting lakes,” she said. “They’re meaningful to people.” Beyond that, tourism and recreation are a real economic engine for the state, one that depends on keeping the water clean enough to jump into.

All about algae
Cyanobacteria, commonly called blue-green algae, are native and normally present in trace amounts in nearly every water body in the state. However, they’re only a problem when they bloom. Even then, not every bloom is toxic, and NHDES has a reliable testing program to suss out potential danger.

“When we see a bloom, we collect a sample,” Smagula said. “Our threshold in New Hampshire is 70,000 cells per milliliter.” Above that density, the risk that toxins are present becomes significant enough to matter.

One more wrinkle is that blooms move.

“A place could be really unsafe in the morning because of high cell density, and then the wind blows,” Smagula said. “It shifts the bloom to another part of the lake.” Cyanobacteria cells can float, so a lake can look clean at 9 a.m. and develop a visible scum by afternoon, especially after hot, still weather.

Most blooms in New Hampshire last from an hour to a few days, but some lakes with heavier nutrient loads have bloomed for what amounts to an entire summer. The good news, reports Smagula, is that the algae gods have been kind so far.

“This has been a really quiet summer,” she said. “We don’t have any [active blooms] right now.”

With that in mind, here’s the list.

Per nhstateparks.org, this information is current for the 2026 season. Most beaches have no lifeguards, so it’s swim at your own risk. Costs at all parks are $2 for ages 6 to 11, $4 or $5 for ages 12 and up, free for NH residents 65 and older.

Bear Brook State Park — Beaver Pond & Catamount Pond (157 Deerfield Road, Allenstown / 485-9874)Hours: Open daily June through September

New Hampshire’s largest developed state park at over 10,000 acres offers two swimming areas: Beaver Pond, with a campground beach, and Catamount Pond, which offers a day-use area and pavilion. Canoe and rowboat rentals are available at both ponds on weekends. Pets are allowed in the campground and on trails, not on the beach. The park is also home to the NH Antique Snowmobile Museum, a cool indoor option for a break from the sun.

Clough State Park — Everett Lake (455 Clough Park Road, Weare / 529-7112) Hours: 9 a.m.–7 p.m. (through early Sept.); 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (Sept. 8–Oct. 13)

A 900-foot sandy beach on 150-acre Everett Lake, formed by a dam on the Piscataquog River. The park store rents boats, paddleboards and floats, and sells snacks and ice cream. No pets on the beach. Carry in, carry out — no trash receptacles on site. Weekend and holiday reservations are strongly recommended, as the beach can reach capacity. Note: GPS can be wonky, and it’s recommended to use Everett Dam Road in Weare as a destination.

Contoocook Lake — Lake Contoocook (Squantum Road, Jaffrey / 532-8100) Hours: 11 a.m.–5 p.m. daily (lifeguard hours); facilities open 8 a.m.–dusk

A classic small-town public beach on clear, quiet Contoocook Lake at the foot of Mount Monadnock, making it a popular post-hike cool-down destination. There’s a lifeguard on duty during posted hours, bathrooms, picnic tables, a concession stand, a covered pavilion and changing rooms. No floatation devices, alcohol, glass containers or loud music. Non-residents park at Humiston Field (31 Howard Hill Road) and walk approximately 0.8 miles to the beach.

Ellacoya State Park – Lake Winnipesaukee (280 Scenic Drive, Gilford / 293-7821) Hours: Daily 9 a.m.–6 p.m., After Sept. 20, unstaffed and weekends only through Oct. 24

A 600-foot sandy beach on the southwest shore of New Hampshire’s largest lake, with views across the water to the Sandwich and Ossipee mountains, one of the few state park beaches with a lake view on that scale. It offers picnic pavilions, an accessible bathhouse and a playground. Parking is limited and fills fast on nice weekends and holidays, but reservations can be made up to 30 days ahead. Pets are not allowed anywhere in the park.

Greenfield State Park – Otter Lake (52 Campground Road, Greenfield / 547-3497) Hours: Open daily late June through mid-October; generally 10 a.m.–7:30 p.m.

Reopened last year after renovations, this 400-acre park sits on the shore of Otter Lake. Its Picnic Beach has a small sandy swim area, picnic tables with grills, restrooms, and a small store selling snacks and camping supplies. Kayak and canoe rentals available. The park is the state’s largest campground, so it sees traffic, but the lake itself remains undeveloped and peaceful. It’s close enough to Mount Monadnock to pair a morning hike with an afternoon swim.

Kingston State Park – Great Pond (124 Main St, Kingston / 642-5471) Hours: Daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m., weekends 8 a.m.–7 p.m., through Labor Day

Situated in the state’s southeastern corner, its beach is flanked by two bath houses, one near the park office, another by the store, along with picnic tables, a playground, and a snack stand. On nice weekends the beach routinely fills to capacity by mid-morning, so an early arrival or an online day-use reservation (nhstateparks.org) can be worth it. No alcohol or smoking anywhere in the park; no pets on the beach or in the picnic area.

Mt. Sunapee State Park – Lake Sunapee (86 Beach Access Road, Newbury / 763-5561) Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. through Oct. 24.

The state beach sits on Lake Sunapee with a view of the mountain’s base, with a wide grassy lawn, a bathhouse, a store, a playground, and canoe/kayak rentals. Hiking trails leave from the beach area up toward Lake Solitude and the summit, making it an easy pairing of a morning hike and an afternoon swim. A restricted boat launch is on site. The beach reliably sells out by late morning on nice summer weekends and holidays, so reserve ahead if you can.

Pawtuckaway State Park — Pawtuckaway Lake (128 Mountain Road (Main Entrance) or 7 Pawtuckaway Road, Nottingham / 895-3031)Hours: 8 a.m.–7 p.m. daily

An 800-acre glacial lake with a 600-foot sandy beach, playground and new restroom building, set against a densely forested 5,500-acre park. The beach faces west and gets full afternoon sun. The beach area reaches capacity by mid-morning most summer weekend days, so arrive early. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the camp store. Alcohol and pets are prohibited in the beach area. Oh, and prepare to untether — there is limited to no cell service inside the park.

Silver Lake State Park – Silver Lake (138 Silver Lake Road, Hollis / 465-2342) Hours: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, all season long, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

An 80-acre park with a 1,000-foot beach curved along a 34-acre lake. Only open Friday through Sunday during the season, so a weekday drive out will find it closed. The park store rents canoes and kayaks, also selling snacks, ice cream and beach supplies. A short loop trail starts at the beach, with more hiking into the adjoining Spalding Town Forest. The restrooms are portable toilets rather than a bathhouse this year. No pets, no alcohol.

Wadleigh State Park – Kezar Lake (78 Wadleigh State Park Road, North Sutton / 927-4724) Hours: Open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. through Labor Day

Tall pines and hemlocks shade the picnic grove right up to the sandy beach on Kezar Lake. Canoes and kayaks are available to rent, and paddlers can cross to a small island loaded with wild blueberries, or follow a 3-mile loop trail around the lake with views of Mount Kearsarge. Amenities include a bathhouse, picnic tables, a playground, a baseball field across the street, and a boat ramp near the entrance. No pets.

Wellington State Park – Newfound Lake (614 West Shore Road, Bristol / 744-2197) Hours: Daily 8 a.m.–6 p.m. through Sept. 20, weekends only through Oct. 11

One of New Hampshire’s deepest, clearest lakes, Newfound is the largest freshwater swimming beach in the entire state park system. A peninsula nature trail runs along the shore with picnic areas, fishing spots, and views across to Cliff and Belle Islands; longer trails connect out to Mt. Cardigan, Welton Falls, and the Sugarloafs. The snack bar sells ice cream and beach gear, and there are volleyball and horseshoe courts. No pets.

Wentworth State Park – Wentworth Lake (297 Governor John Wentworth Hwy., Wolfeboro / 569-3699) Hours: 9 a.m.–6 p.m. through Labor Day

Allen Albee Beach is a small, quiet 50-acre beach on the north shore of Wentworth Lake, often called the quiet sister of Lake Winnipesaukee, which it connects to. Amenities are simple, with picnic tables, flush toilets, and a group-use area, which makes it a good pick on a summer weekend when the bigger Lakes Region beaches are full with the seasonal crowds. No pets.

Where to hit the beach

New Hampshire’s ocean coastline is the shortest of any non-landlocked state. But there are still 16 beaches and a separate NHDES program monitoring them for the same bacteria that show up in the state’s lakes. Smagula’s title covers fresh water, but she’s monitoring the coastal side while the state looks for a new beach program coordinator.

She says the calculus for salt water isn’t much different: Watch for crowds and waterfowl congregating on the sand, since both can signal higher bacteria levels, check the mapper, and run the same self-risk assessment.

Hampton Beach State Park 160 Ocean Blvd., Hampton / 227-8722 Hours: Parking area 8 a.m.–midnight; lifeguards on duty 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m. (10:15 a.m.–4:45 p.m. Sept. 2–Oct. 5).

New Hampshire’s best-known coastal attraction, it’s also been recognized by the Natural Resources Defense Council as a “Superstar Beach” for consistently clean water. It pairs a mile of wide sand with a boardwalk full of arcades, ice cream stands, restaurants and shops. In other words, it’s a festive, resort-town beach rather than a quiet escape. Beach amenities include a bath house and food vendors, with metered parking.

Jenness State Beach 2280 Ocean Blvd, Rye / 227-8722 Hours: Parking area 8 a.m.–midnight; lifeguards on duty 10:15 a.m.–4:45 p.m. daily through late August.

A half-mile stretch of sand in Rye, Jenness is a favorite among surfers and local families who prefer it to Hampton’s larger crowds. The beach has a small bathhouse with restrooms and outdoor showers, plus a snack bar in season. Its consistent wave breaks make it one of the seacoast’s more popular surf spots outside of lifeguard hours. Street-side metered parking lines Route 1A. It offers a more laid-back, neighborhood feel while still being fully equipped for a day at the shore.

North Beach 920 Ocean Blvd, Hampton / 227-8722 Hours: Parking meters active 8 a.m.–10 p.m.; lifeguards on duty 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily through mid-to-late August.

The northern end of Hampton Beach State Park along Ocean Boulevard, North Beach is quieter than the Main Beach strip a mile south, with fewer commercial distractions. It’s a favored spot for surfers and long-boarders thanks to its more open swell. Parking is metered street-side along the seawall, with head-in-only spaces from 6th to 19th Street and no overnight parking. Facilities are limited compared to Main Beach, making it better suited to visitors who want sand and surf without the boardwalk scene.

North Hampton State Beach 27 Ocean Blvd., North Hampton / 227-8722 Hours: Parking area 8 a.m.–midnight; lifeguards on duty 10:15 a.m.–4:45 p.m. daily thru late August.

A small, low-key beach in North Hampton, this spot draws mainly local residents and surfers rather than tourists. It has minimal amenities — no boardwalk, concessions or bath house — just sand, surf, and roadside parking along Ocean Boulevard. Pets are prohibited here year-round, unlike most other state beaches. Its modest size and quieter crowds make it a good choice for visitors seeking a simpler, less commercial beach day on the seacoast.

Odiorne Point State Park (Rye) 570 Ocean Blvd, Rye / 436-7406 Hours: Typically 8 a.m.–8 p.m. in summer, shorter in spring and fall; check current schedule before visiting.

The largest stretch of undeveloped shoreline on the New Hampshire coast, Odiorne Point offers tide pools, salt marsh, and a mostly rocky and pebble shoreline rather than open sand. Swimming is allowed in a designated area but unguarded, so it’s swim-at-your-own-risk. The park includes walking trails, picnic areas, WWII-era bunker remnants, and the Seacoast Science Center. It’s better suited to exploring tide pools, birdwatching and picnicking than traditional beach lounging, appealing to visitors who want nature and history alongside ocean views.

Rye Harbor State Park (Rye) 1730 Ocean Blvd, Rye / 227-8722Hours: Parking area open 8 a.m.–8 p.m. daily.

Rye Harbor is more working harbor than swimming beach, with a boat ramp, commercial wharf, and public dock alongside picnic tables and salt-water fishing access. Whale-watching and deep-sea fishing charters depart nearby. There’s no lifeguarded swimming area, so it’s best for anglers, boaters, and anyone wanting harbor views and sea breeze rather than sand time. Its small size and working-harbor character make it a quick, scenic stop rather than a full beach-day destination.

Seabrook Beach (Seabrook) Runs along Ocean Boulevard/Route 1A in Seabrook Beach village. Call 474-3252.Hours: Open year-round; no official gate hours, though parking is restricted seasonally.

New Hampshire’s southernmost coastal beach, Seabrook Beach sits in a quiet, largely residential beach town backed by protected dunes. From Memorial Day weekend through mid-September, beachfront parking is limited to residents with a permit, so most visitors park along Route 1A and walk to public access points. The vibe is low-key and cottage-community rather than commercial, with fewer amenities than Hampton just to the north. It suits visitors looking for open sand and a quieter, small-town coastal feel.

Wallis Sands State Park 1050 Ocean Blvd., Rye / 436-9404 Hours:Parking area open 8 a.m.–midnight; lifeguards on duty 10 a.m.–5 p.m. daily, June 1–September 1.

Wallis Sands offers a 700-foot sandy beach that widens to about 150 feet at high tide, making it one of the more spacious swimming spots on the seacoast. It has a full bathhouse with showers and restrooms, a snack bar, a playground, and lifeguard coverage through the summer. Day-use parking reservations are available online, which helps manage the popular summer crowds. Its combination of amenities and swimmable sand makes it a solid family-friendly choice between the busier Hampton Beach and quieter Jenness Beach.

Into the Earth: NH’s caves

If checking a bacteria map before swimming sounds like too much homework for a beach day, here’s a pivot: New Hampshire has three genuinely excellent cave systems, all of them naturally, permanently, gloriously cold, no water-quality mapper needed.

All three cave systems are, geologically speaking, cousins — talus caves formed when retreating glaciers left massive granite boulders stacked against each other roughly 10,000 to 20,000 years ago. According to Dr. Simon Pendleton of Plymouth State University, a few factors keep these caves cold through summer. One is thermal mass.

“It takes them a long time to heat up or cool down, so the boulders themselves act like cold packs well after the cold winter temperatures have gone,” he wrote in an email. “The boulders also insulate the cold air pockets below them very well from the warm air temperatures.”

In nearby Polar Caves Park, boulders and trees also minimize solar radiation, which keeps the talus field shaded, he continued. “Also, the air in these boulder pockets is cold coming out of the winter and this cold air is denser than the warm summer air above it, which prevents mixing and keeps cold air trapped … in the voids between boulders.”

Asked about the effects of climate change on these geological marvels, Pendleton said warmer air will affect cold boulder pockets, “but due to all the factors keeping them cool, the impact will be muted.”

Polar Caves Park (705 Route 25, Rumney, 536-1888, polarcaves.com) is the state’s original cave attraction. Family-owned since 1922, it’s unmistakably built around a single selling point: cold. Nine glacially formed granite boulder caves sit beneath Hawk’s Cliff in the Baker River Valley, linked by a network of boardwalks and stairs.

The deepest of them, aptly named the Ice Cave, holds frozen water even while temperatures rise outside. The others have self-explanatory names like Fat Man’s Misery, Lemon Squeeze, Orange Crush and Polar Pinch. Bypass routes exist at every cave for anyone who’d rather not squeeze through granite. Wear closed-toe shoes with real traction, and bring a light layer even on a 90-degree day — the cold air is the entire point.

Open daily from mid-June through Labor Day weekend (Wednesday through Sunday in the shoulder seasons); tickets run about $24.50 for adults and $15.50 for youth ages 4-11 when booked online, with kids 3 and under free.

Lost River Gorge and Boulder Caves (1712 Lost River Road, North Woodstock) offers a different flavor of the same phenomenon: a place where a river literally disappears underground. A one-mile wooden boardwalk winds through Kinsman Notch past nearly a dozen glacially formed boulder caves, including Lemon Squeezer and Bear Crawl, along with cascading waterfalls and towering rock walls.

Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours to enjoy a shaded gorge and dark cave interiors that create a genuine micro-climate much cooler than the surrounding forest. The site is only closed during lightning,. Thanks to bypass routes throughout, most of the trail can be walked without entering a cave — but why skip chilling? Gemstone panning, a nature garden, a gift shop and café round things out.

Open daily through October, though the current schedule runs Monday and Thursday through Sunday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday); tickets run $25 online, $29 walk-up, with kids 3 and under free.

Loon Mountain’s Glacial Caves (60 Loon Mountain Road, Lincoln, 745-8111) Ride the White Mountain Express, New Hampshire’s longest enclosed gondola, up to the summit of Loon Peak, then walk a short distance to explore boulder caves formed by the same Ice Age geology as Polar Caves and Lost River. Cave access is included with a Skyride ticket, making this a genuine two-for-one — mountain views and underground chill in a single trip.

Athletic footwear is required, and the caves can close temporarily during or after wet weather when the rocks get slick, so check the Loon Mountain Report before heading out. The gondola can accommodate folded wheelchairs, walkers and strollers. One practical note: Missing the last gondola means a hike down, so keep an eye on the clock.

Open daily from late May through mid-October, with the gondola typically running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Window tickets are about $45 for adults (ages 13–64), purchase online a day early to drop the price to $35.

Top 10 things to keep in mind

1. Do a risk assessment, every time. Before wading in the water, look at the beach for animal or waterfowl waste, and check the water for scum, film or flecks that resemble a shaken snow globe.
2. New Hampshire’s water is genuinely excellent. The state consistently ranks in the top three to five in the country for water clarity and quality.
3. It’s not all watched. New Hampshire has roughly 950 lakes and ponds and 11,000 miles of rivers and streams; the state actively monitors about 70 freshwater beaches and 16 coastal beaches. Exercise good judgment for the rest.
4. The Healthy Swimming Mapper (des.nh.gov/water/healthy-swimming/healthy-swimming-mapper) is invaluable and is updated at least once daily for bacteria and multiple times a day during active cyanobacteria sampling.
5. Cyanobacteria are normal until they’re not. There are trace amounts almost everywhere. The concern is when they bloom and cross the state’s safety threshold of 70,000 cells per milliliter. Then toxins become a real possibility.
6. Blooms float and can move around. Within hours, wind can push a bloom from open water onto a beach, or clear a beach by blowing it elsewhere. Most blooms last from an hour to a few days; the worst last 90 to 120 days.
7. If you swim into a bloom, get out immediately, move away quickly and then shower without delay — dogs too. Watch for skin rashes, gastrointestinal upset, headache, dizziness or fatigue. Seek medical attention if symptoms escalate.
8. Rivers aren’t exempt — look below. They rarely get water-column blooms, but benthic cyanobacteria mats — fuzzy, dark green or blackish carpets on the river bottom — are a growing concern, and they can produce the same toxins.
9. Be part of the monitoring system. NHDES’s Look, Check, Report campaign relies on the public, so anyone who spots a suspected bloom can fill out a report and trigger an inspection.
10. Hold off after heavy rain. Bacteria can survive outside a human or animal for about 24 hours. Waste, runoff and sewage overflow wash downhill into the nearest body of water during a storm.

Runs, walks and other races to keep you moving

Time to take your run on the road.

From now through Thanksgiving, there are oodles of runs and run/walks to help you stay motivated. Know of one not mentioned here? Tell us all about it at adiaz@hippopress.com. Here are some of the races on the upcoming schedule.

Millennium Running

Millennium Running, which has a store at 138 Bedford Center Road in Bedford, has Millennium Running Signature Events and events it manages, according to millenniumrunning.com, where you can register (registration costs usually vary based on age) and get bib pick-up information, see race maps and get more details about each run. Here are some of the races on its schedule:

Signature events

• Delta Dental/Elliot Corporate Road Race takes place Thursday, Aug. 6, at 6:20 p.m. with a 5K “loop starting at Stark and Elm Streets, heading north on Elm, west on Thayer, south on River Road and Canal Street, then turning onto Stark and Elm Street before finishing on Elm Street, next to Veterans Park,” the website said. Solinsky Cancer Center is listed as the event’s official charity.

• The Rockland Trust and Bank Boot Scootin’ Boogie 5K & Brewfest takes place Saturday, Aug. 15, with the race start time at 6:30 p.m. and a brewfest and concert that runs from 6:45 to 9 p.m. at the Londonderry Athletic Field Complex, 98 Sargent Road in Londonderry, according to the website, which describes the course as starting on Sargent Road and heading “north onto Mammoth Road before turning onto Otterson Road for an out and back loop to finish at the Londonderry Athletic Fields.” Registration for the race includes entry to the brewfest and concert; tickets to the brewfest and concert only are also available. The first 1,200 adult and youth runners to register can get a “Live Free and Run” tank top, according to the website, which listed Girls on the Run New Hampshire, Londonderry Athletics and Londonderry Lions Club as the event’s charities.

• The Autofair New Hampshire 10 Miler takes place Sunday, Aug. 23, at 8 a.m. with an out-and-back route described as a “flat & fast course along the banks of the picturesque Piscataquog River” in New Boston, the website said. This event offers 10-mile, relay and 5K options (5K has an 8:15 a.m. start time), according to the website, which lists Girls on the Run New Hampshire as the official charity.

• Two races remain in Millennium Running’s Happy Hour Hustle five-race series: Thursday, Aug. 27, at 6 p.m. at North Elementary School in Londonderry to benefit Wesley’s Way Foundation, and Thursday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m. at McIntyre Ski Area in Manchester to benefit NH Campaign for Legal Services, according to the website, where you can find details on the series.

• Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Seafood Fest 5K takes place during the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival (to which racers can receive free entry) on Sunday, Sept. 13, at 9 a.m. with Yoga on the Beach at 8 a.m. and Lil’ Lobster Fun Run at 8:30 a.m., according to the website. The Hampton Beach Seafood Festival runs from Friday, Sept. 11, through Sunday, Sept. 13, according to seafoodfestivalnh.com, where you can find details on that event. The website describes the course as an out-and-back run “along Route 1A on New Hampshire’s beautiful seacoast” that finishes on the sand at Hampton Beach. The first 1,000 adult and youth runners to register can get a race shirt, according to the website, which listed Girls on the Run New Hampshire as the event’s charity.

• Footrace For the Fallen takes place Sunday, Sept. 27, at 9 a.m. with a 5K route that “starts at the Manchester Police Department and finishes inside Gill Stadium,” the website said. The first 1,000 adult and youth runners to register can get a Footrace for the Fallen race shirt, according to the website, which listed Manchester Police Athletic League as the event’s charity.

• Delta Dental New England Half Marathon takes place on Sunday, Oct. 18, with the race starting at 8 a.m., according to the website, which describes the 13.1-mile route as a downhill “course starting at Gould Hill Farm, a quintessential New Hampshire apple orchard with views of fall foliage and running scenic country roads to finish at the NH Statehouse.” The first 1,200 adult and youth runners to register can get a long-sleeve performance fleece, the website said. The event’s official charity is Girls on the Run New Hampshire, the website said.

• The All Star Smiles Orthodontics Trick or Trot 3K will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m. at Backyard Brewery and Kitchen in Manchester with an out-and-back route on South Mammoth and Lucas Roads, the website said. The event starts at 9:30 a.m. with a Kids Halloween Festival and magic show (at 10 a.m.), followed by Lil’ Pumpkin Fun Runs starting at 10:30 a.m. in age-based groups, according to the website, which encourages wearing costumes for the race. The first 1,000 registered runners can receive running gloves. The event’s official charity is Girls on the Run New Hampshire, the website said.

• The Elliot Manchester City Marathon takes place Sunday, Nov. 8, with marathon, half-marathon, relay and 5K options, according to millenniumrunning.com/marathon-2, where you can also purchase marathon merch. The event’s official charity is Run with a Mission, the website said.

Millennium Running-managed events

• The final two races of the Capital Area Race Series will take place Saturday, July 25, at 9 a.m. (the Canterbury Woodchuck Classic 5K at Canterbury Elementary School on the day of the Canterbury Fair; see www.canterburyfair.com) and Saturday, Aug. 15, at 8 a.m. (Celebrate Tom Walton 5K & 6-Miler). See runcarsnh.com for details about the series.

• Rotary Trails 2 Ales 5K, presented by the Rotary Club of Bedford, will take place Thursday, July 30, at 6 p.m. “The event is a trail race designed for individual runners of all ages on the cross-country ski trails and features an after-run event with refreshments of grilled burgers and ales from local breweries,” according to the Rotary’s website (portal.clubrunner.ca/2908).

• His Mansion Ministries Run for Recovery 5K Run/Walk will take place Saturday, Aug. 8, at 8:30 a.m. on the New Boston Rail Trail in New Boston, according to hismansion.com/hm-5k.

• Pinkerton Academy 5K Astro Run will take place Saturday, Aug. 8, at 9 a.m. at the Pinkerton Academy campus in Derry to “support the Pinkerton Fund, with proceeds going directly back to benefit the students” according to pinkertonacademy.org/alumni/upcoming-events.

• Race to the Ledges 5K at the Granite Ledges in Concord will take place Saturday, Aug. 8, at 9 a.m., according to graniteledges.com/events/granite-ledges-of-concord-annual-5k, where you can see a race route.

• Veterans Count Nashua 5K Fun Run & Walk will take place Saturday, Sept. 5, at 9 a.m. according to the website, where you can purchase race merch. See vetscount.org/events/veterans-count-nashua-5k to see a route for the race, which begins and ends at Stellos Stadium in Nashua.

• D.A.R.E. Classic 5K, presented by the New Hampshire State Police and D.A.R.E. New Hampshire, will take place Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon with options for a one-mile fun run (starting at 5:30 p.m.) and a 5K (at 6:25 p.m.), according to the website, where you can find race merch.

• The Mile for Mentoring 2026 Race and Fun Run, held by Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire and Vermont, is one of the few single-mile runs and it takes place Sunday, Oct. 4, 9:30 a.m. at Gunstock Mountain Resort in Gilford, according to bigsnhvt.org (look under “Events”).

• St. Gianni’s Place Family First 5K Run/Walk takes place Saturday, Oct. 17, 9:30 a.m. in Londonderry. See stgiannasplace.org for more on the organization and the Millennium Running website to register.

• The Runaway Pumpkin 10K & 5K Run/Walk presented by WOW Trail,will take place on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 9 a.m. and begin and end at Smith Track at Opechee Park in Laconia, according to wowtrail.org/runawaypumpkin, which said a kids’ fun run will take place at 10 a.m. on the track. Register by Oct. 10 to receive an event shirt, the website said.

• The Salem Animal Rescue League’s Howl’ween 5K will take place Saturday, Oct. 31, at 9 a.m. in Salem. “Whether you’re a seasoned runner, casual walker, or want to bring your four-legged best friend along for the fun, this family-friendly event is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween while supporting homeless animals. Enjoy a 5K course, costume fun, vendors, music, and more,” according tosarlnh.org/events.

More runs & races

• The Christmas in July 5K Running Race takes place Sunday, July 26, at 9 a.m. (a children’s Tunnel Run takes place at 8:45 a.m.) at Two Delta Dental in Concord, according to runsignup.com/Race/NH/Concord/ChristmasInJuly5KRunningRace, where you can register.

• The Mine Falls Summer Trail Series in Nashua continues with races on Mondays, July 27, Aug. 3 and Aug. 10, all starting at 6:30 p.m. (with a 5:30 p.m. in-person registration) with 5-mile and 5K options, according to posts on the series Facebook page, where you can also find the list of themes for each week (July 27 is “We Rock Socks”). The series is an event by the Gate City Striders; see gatecity.org.

• This one is just for the athlete ages 4 to 15 years: the Kid’s Try-athlon featuring swimming, biking and running will take place on Sunday, Aug. 2, at 8 a.m. at the Bedford Town Pool and Bedford High School, according to friendsofaine.com/get-involved/events/kids-try-athlon. Kids are grouped into ages 4 to 10 and ages 11 to 15, with different distances for each, the website said. The event benefits the Friends of Aine.

• The Pittsfield Balloon Rally’s Frank H. Donovan 5K will take place Sunday, Aug. 2, at 9 a.m., according to nhballoonrally.org, where you can register for the race and see the course map. “The starting line is just beyond the bridge on Barnstead Road, and the finish line is in the center of Drake Field,” the website said. The Suncook Valley Rotary’s 44th annual Hot Air Balloon Rally takes place Friday, July 31, through Sunday, Aug. 2, the website said.

• The Belmont Old Home Day 10-Mile Road Race takes place Saturday, Aug. 8, at 7:30 a.m., part of a line-up of Old Home Day events, according to belmontnh.gov/old-home-day, where you can see the route map and register. The sign-up page describes the race as “one of the oldest and most challenging hilly 10-mile races in New England!”

• The Sabine Strong Foundation 33 will hold the Sabine Strong 3.3 & Kids Dash on Sunday, Aug. 9, in Newington, according to sabinestrong.org, where you can see a map of the 3.3-mile course.

• Anna’s Run 4-Miler will take place Thursday, Aug. 13, with the race starting at 5:30 p.m. (a children’s race starts at 5 p.m.) in Contoocook, according to runsignup.com/Race/NH/Contoocook/AnnaSRun, where you can register.

• The Granite Man Triathlon will take place Saturday, Aug. 15, at 9 a.m. beginning and ending at Carry Beach on Forest Road in Wolfeboro, according to wolfeboronh.us/304/Granite-Man-Triathlon, where you can find links to register (there is no race-day registration). The event features “a ¾-mile swim, 15-mile bike ride and a 4.2-mile run,” the website said.

• The Wanakee Wilderness 5K will take place Saturday, Aug. 15, at 9 a.m., according to wanakeewilderness5k.com. The course is described as “a challenging and exciting course traversing through the beautiful hills and woodland valleys of our 227-acre site. As a race participant you’re sure to enjoy the varied trail terrain through northern hardwoods and evergreens, running over the granite rocks and woodland paths toward Lemon Squeeze, enjoying the breathtaking view from Look Out Point, or feeling the cool breeze along the path at the Waterfront,” according to the website, where you can register for the race and find out details about the Homecoming BBQ and other events after the race.

• The Run Your Buns Off 4.2 Miler comes with a treat: a post-race sticky bun after the race on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 8:30 a.m. at Newfound Lake in Bristol, according to runyourbunsoffnh.com, where you can register for the race (there is no same-day registration).

• The Colon Cancer Coalition Get Your Rear in Gear New Hampshire 5K Run/Walk will take place Saturday, Sept. 12, at 9 a.m. (preceded by a kids’ fun run) at Gould Hill Farm in Contoocook, according to coloncancercoalition.org/event/get-your-rear-in-gear-new-hampshire, where you can register.

• The Healthy Kids Running Series for ages kindergarten through 8th grade kicks off its fall season on Sunday, Sept. 13, according to healthykidsrunningseries.org, which lists fall information for series in Amherst, Litchfield, Manchester and Peterborough. Check back for updates.

• The Run to Fall 5K will take place on Coe-Brown Northwood Academy’s campus on Sunday, Sept. 13, according to event organizers. See runtofall5k.com for updates.

• The Hooksett Kiwanis 5K Trail Race will take place Saturday, Sept. 19, from Heads Pond Trail to the Hooksett Library with an 8:30 a.m. start time for the race (a kids’ fun run in front of the library starts at 9:15 a.m.), according to k16021.site.kiwanis.org/hooksett-kiwanis-5k-trail-race, where you can register (the first 100 registrants get T-shirts).

• The 8th Annual Rock Steady Boxing Lakes Region Parkinson’s 5K will take place Saturday, Sept. 19, at 9 a.m. in Laconia, according to runsignup.com/Race/Events/NH/Laconia/RSBLakesRegionforParkinsons5k, where you can register for the race.

• Miles for Meals 5K, held by Meals on Wheels of Hillsborough County, will take place Saturday, Sept. 19, at 9:30 a.m. in Mine Falls Park in Nashua, according to hcmow.org/miles-for-meals, where you can register. Register before Aug. 14 to get a T-shirt, the registration website said.

• The Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire & Vermont will hold the 18th Annual Stiletto Sprint, presented by LeMay Family Goodworks, on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 2 p.m. on Pleasant Street in Portsmouth. The race is a “40-yard sprint or strut in heels” according to give.bigsnhvt.org/event/stiletto-sprint-2026/e771570, where you can register.

• Operation Delta Dog’s 5K Run to the Rescue will take place Sunday, Sept. 20, at 9 a.m. in Mile Falls Park in Nashua, according to the registration page, which you can reach via operationdeltadog.org. “The first 200 registrants by August 16th will receive a commemorative Operation Delta Dog Run to Rescue T-shirt,” according to the race page, which explained that you can register to run with or without your dog.

• The 13th Annual Seacoast Cancer Run/Walk 5K will take place Sunday, Sept. 20, at 9 a.m. and the “festivities will be held at the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute at the Wentworth-Douglass Portsmouth Outpatient Center – located on the Pease Tradeport at 121 Corporate Drive, Suite 100 in Portsmouth, NH. Join us for that block-party feel while making an impact on local cancer patients and their families — and bonus — a much flatter 5K course!” according to seacoastcancer5k.org, where you can register. Register by Aug. 22 to get a race shirt, the website said.

• The 2026 5K and Family Walk for Connor’s Climb Foundation will take place Sunday, Sept. 20, at 9 a.m. at the Seacoast School of Technology in Exeter, according to connorsclimb.org/2026-5k-family-walk, where you can register for the race.

• Southern New Hampshire Health will hold its Run/Walk 5K on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 9 a.m. at Holman Stadium in Nashua, according to Southern New Hampshire Health’s Facebook page. The event will also include a kids’ fun run, according to the post, which includes a link to register.

• The Dover Race Series has four more races on its schedule before the end of the year: the Frances G. Hopkins Elementary School at Horne Street 5K and Fran’s Fitness Walk on Sunday, Sept. 27, at 9 a.m.; the Apple Harvest Day 5K on Saturday, Oct. 3; the Pumpkin Dash 5K at Dover Middle School on Sunday, Oct. 25, at 9:30 a.m. (a costume contest will take place at 9 a.m.), and the Dover Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26, at Garrison Elementary School, according to doverraceseries.org, where you can find links to details on each race and how to register. The Apple Harvest Day 5K will kick off at 8:30 a.m. at 32 St. Thomas St. in Dover; registration is open at dovernh.org/ahd5k.

• Gourdy’s Pumpkin Run 5K takes place on Saturday, Oct. 3, with a 9 a.m. race time, in Veterans Memorial Park in Manchester, according to gourdyspumpkinrun.com/event/manchester-5k-2026, where you can register. Registration gets you a lightweight tech hoodie, a cup of apple cider, a small pumpkin and more, the website said.

• The New Hampshire Marathon at Newfound Lake in Bristol takes place Saturday, Oct. 3, at 9 a.m., according to nhmarathon.com, where you can register for a marathon, half marathon, 10K or kids’ race. Register before Aug. 27 to get a race shirt, according to the website, where you can see the race maps. You can also buy tickets for a pasta dinner on Friday, Oct. 2, at Union Lodge in Bristol.

• The Smuttynose Rockfest Half Marathon and 5K will take place Sunday, Oct. 4, with an 8 a.m. start for half marathoners and an 8:40 a.m. start for 5K runners, according to hamptonrockfest.com, where you can register and purchase food and beer tickets as well as merch. The event also features a “race within a race”: “We’ve partnered with our friends at Coastal Run to bring you a race within the race. The Mile Madness is a 1-mile section of the course that is timed separately from the overall and age group categories where runners are encouraged to throw down their best mile,” the website said.

• The Second Annual New England Ostomy 5K takes place Sunday, Oct. 4, with the race starting at 10 a.m. in Wallis Sands Park in Rye Beach, according to the race registration page, which can be reached via ostomy.org/5k. The event will feature a 5K fun run and walk and a kids’ fun run, the website said. Registration includes a T-shirt.

• The Third Annual Pumpkinfest 5K & Fun Run will take place Saturday, Oct. 10, at 9 a.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley, 56 Mont Vernon St. in Milford, which is hosting the event, according to svbgc.org (the event is the same weekend as the Milford Pumpkin Festival; see milfordpumpkinfestival.org). Sign up for the 5K run/walk or the Kid 1 Mile Fun Run by clicking on the “See Last Year’s Fun” button, where you can also find the course map.

• The Warner Fall Foliage Festival 5K Race takes place Saturday, Oct. 10, at 9:30 a.m., winding from Main Street to the Rail Trail toward Denny Hill Road, through a forest and then eventually headed back to the center of town, according to wfff.org/warner-5k-race, where you can find a link to register. The first 130 registrants get free race shirts, the website said. The 5K takes place during the Warner Fall Foliage Festival, which runs Friday, Oct. 9, through Sunday, Oct. 11. See wfff.org for more event details.

• Howl-O-Ween 5K to benefit the Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire in Bedford will take place on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m. at the Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester and is a dog-friendly 5K run/walk (you can purchase a dog bib for a participating dog), according to rescueleague.org/events. The event will include vendors, prizes and post-race refreshments, the website said. Register before Sept. 10 to receive an event T-shirt, the website said.

• The 12th annual James W. Foley Freedom Run will take place Saturday, Oct. 17, at 10 a.m. in Rochester (a kids’ fun run starts at 9:15 a.m.), according to foleyrun.org, where you can register for the New Hampshire run, a Washington, D.C., run or a virtual run.

• The Great Bay 5K takes place in Stratham Hill Park on Saturday, Oct. 24, with a 9 a.m. start for runners and walkers and an 8:45 a.m. start for wheelchair racers, according to greatbay5k.org, where you can register (register by Oct. 1 to get a shirt). The race is described as a “fun, fast, scenic, and mostly downhill event” and proceeds “go to the non-profit Great Bay Stewards, which supports conservation, education, community outreach, stewardship, and research of the Great Bay Estuary,” the website said.

• The Seacoast Half Marathon will take place Sunday, Oct. 25, with walkers starting at 8 a.m. and runners starting at 8:30 a.m., according to seacoasthalfmarathon.com, where you can register and see a map of the route, which begins and ends at Portsmouth High School. The website describes the course as “fabulous, fast, and mostly flat with rolling hills.”

• Second Annual Run to Remember Brandi will take place Sunday, Oct. 25, at 9 a.m. in Mine Falls Park in Nashua with 5K run, 5K walk and virtual options, according to runsignup.com/Race/NH/Nashua/RunToRememberBrandi, where you can register.

• Live Free Animal Rescue will hold the Franken Paws 5K & Fun Run on Saturday, Oct. 31, at 10 a.m. at Stumble Inn in Londonderry, according to an event post on Live Free’s Facebook page, where you can register. Leashed dogs are welcome and costumes are encouraged, the post said. Register by Oct. 9 to get a T-shirt; there will be prizes for first-place finishers and for best costumes, the post said. See livefreerescue.com for more on the organization.

• The Hugs For Vets Trail 10K-ish will take place Sunday, Nov. 1, at 10 a.m. “starting and finishing at Henniker Brewing Company and American Legion Post 78,” according to runsignup.com/Race/NH/Henniker/HugsForVetsTrail10kishm, where you can register. The race is described as “a fun and challenging race that combines scenic trails, country roads, community spirit, and support for our local veterans,” according to the website, which said the field is limited to 150 participants.

• The Pope Memorial SPCA will hold its Frosty Paws 5K on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 9 a.m. for a dogs-welcome running or walking race, according to pmspca.org/frosty-paws-5k-run, where you can register and see the course map. “Course begins at the Banks Humane Education Center at 95 Silk Farm Road, Concord (across from the shelter), taking you to the grounds of St Paul’s School and back,” the website said.

• The Novemberfest Race in Nashua, described as a “4-mile race through Mine Falls Park and raffle at Martha’s Exchange for the Nashua Children’s Home,” will take place on Sunday, Nov. 22, at 11:33 a.m., according to the event’s Facebook page. “The start finish area is near the Pine Street Extension Entrance into Mine Falls Park about 200 yards west of the Millyard Smokestack,” the post said. “New this year, you can purchase a Novemberfest T-shirt for $20 each. All profits go directly to Nashua Children’s Home.” For more information on the race, see gatecity.org/novemberfest.

Enjoy fresh flavors and community at area farmers markets

Change is a constant at farmers markets.

Whether it’s the seasonal change in the produce offerings — blueberries today, tomatoes in a month — or changes in the market itself, the markets are never quite the same.

Nashua’s farmers market has been growing and expanding over the past several years, said Elaina Bedio of the Downtown Nashua Association.

“For a long time the Farmers Market was managed by the City,” she said. “And then the Great American Downtown — which is what our group used to be known as — took it over. It was still over by the library, but this year we moved it to the new Riverwalk, so we’re excited about that. We’ve got lots of new vendors that people are excited about. And that has led to a lot of interest from people who want to be vendors next year. People seem to like the changes; we’re pretty excited about it.”

Bedio said the Nashua Farmers Market has about 30 vendors.

“They’re not all there every week, but some of them are seasonal vendors who are there every week. We make a priority of having farms — I would say the most represented groups would be the farms. And agricultural vendors — that would include people who are selling flowers and plants and things like that. And then we have craft beer vendors and craftspeople who are making things like jewelry and soap and fidgets and all sorts of things, art, photography. And then we have a significant number of bakeries as well.”

One of those bakeries is Crumbs on Cambridge. Amy Casella is the owner of the home-based bakery and sells her all-natural treats at three different area farmers markets: Nashua’s, Bedford’s and the Merrimack Valley Farmers Market in Milford. She said meeting her customers face to face is what she likes most about selling at market.

“I love talking to the people,” Casella said. “And every town has different types of people who come, different conversations. The flavors are different depending upon each town I go to and each market I go to.”

One of the main benefits of selling directly to customers, Casella said, is being able to answer their questions. Many food vendors have found a growing interest from customers who are curious about where their food comes from, said Amy Fecteau, who specializes in raising animals for meat at Cedartree Farm. She has found that in recent years customers have wanted to know more about where their food comes from, and that is especially true about the animals they eat.

“We raise pork, goat, chicken and lamb,” Fecteau said.

Her goat meat has gained a following, she said, but for many customers it’s been a new experience.

“I did some research [when I started my farm] and found out that there weren’t a lot of people producing meat goats and that a market was there,” she said “It took a while for me to find it. I’m still finding people that are like, ‘Oh my goodness, you have goat! I didn’t know.’ But now there are more people receptive to it and want to try it.”

“It’s a wonderful meat,” Fecteau said. “It’s very versatile. A lot of people probably think of like a curry, like goat curry, but you can do pretty much anything. I have the goat legs cut into steaks and you can cook it just like you would do a beef steak. And they’re very tender and very flavorful. And it’s grown in popularity.”

She said most of the questions she gets asked at farmers markets are about what life is like for the animals. “They live pretty good, stress-free lives,” she said.

Diane Souther of Apple Hill Farm, who sells at the Concord Farmers Market on Saturday mornings, agrees that teaching customers can be gratifying.

“If they have questions, we can answer them, and vice versa,” Souther said. “They can ask us what variety of tomatoes we have this week, and they know that they came fresh from the farm within a day or two, so that they’re the freshest possible.”

A farmers market gives Souther and her staff a chance to educate customers about the seasonality of their food, and when it is at its best, she said.

“You know, they’ll walk in now, in the middle of July, and go, ‘So where are the apples today?’ Well, it’s only July. They won’t be here till September. And then, you know, different varieties of apples as well. … And that’s part of the fun of coming to the farmers market, because you never know what you’re going to see that day that you’re there. Something that you might have got two weeks ago that was in season, like strawberries, are now done.”

That seasonality extends to what customers will find throughout a given market at different times over the season. Even though the public refers to these seasonal markets as “farmers markets,” there are times — especially early in the season — when fresh fruit and vegetables take a back seat to other locally produced foods and crafts.

“We always try to strike a balance of about 60 percent food-based vendors — that includes local farmers, fish mongers, and bakers who work with local ingredients — and about 40 percent other vendors — crafters and other people who provide services,” said Craig Cunningham of the Derry farmers market. That can even extend to businesses you might not expect.

“That includes Mr. Joe,” Cunningham said. “He’s a balloon artist from Silly Solutions. He can make a balloon version of any animal. I haven’t seen him stumped yet. He’s always swamped with kids.”

While many farmers markets are set up in parking lots, there is a lot of variety in where in a town they might be.

“We’re lucky,” Craig Cunningham said about the location of the Derry market, “in that Benson Lumber and Hardware on Broadway has a big grass lot in front of the store that they let us use, so we’re right there and easy to find.”

In Concord — at least during the summer — Capitol Street, a small side street next to the Statehouse, is blocked off for foot traffic during market hours. Selling at the market can be a very different experience than her everyday sales at her farm, said Diane Souther.

“We have a farm stand,” she said. “We also do pick-your-own at the farm. So with the farm, you can get the full farming experience. It’s quiet, it’s nice, you’re out in nature, you can sit down and watch the clouds blow over. When you go to the farmers market, it’s a different story, because it’s busy, it’s active. Last week we had the 250th celebration, so we had a cannon shooting off and muzzle loaders shooting off. We had a parade. The weekend before that, they had another event at the Statehouse. So it’s a little bit different. It’s noisy, but it’s great.”

Find your market

The New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets and Food has a list of New Hampshire farmers markets at agriculture.nh.gov (click on “Find NH Agriculture” under “Consumers,” where you can also find farm stands and CSAs), which lists markets (as reported by their managers) throughout the state.

Here are some area farmers markets, with information according to the markets’ own websites and social media.

Tuesdays

• The Bedford Farmers Market is located in the parking lot of Murphy’s Taproom, 393 Route 101 in Bedford, Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. through Oct. 13. This year’s vendors include Arbor Grove Scents (small-batch soy candles, goat milk soaps and clean skin care), Bee the Buzz (ecological planting and design services as well as organic program services ), Berkshire Gold (maple syrup), Cedartree Farm, Crumbs on Cambridge, Delicious Alternatives, DJ’s Pure Natural Honey, Familia Baking Co. (Latin bakery), Flour Garden Bakery, Fresh Start Farms, Galomine Farm Too, Granite State Flower Farm, Holy Moly Snacks, Jack’s Crackers, Jajabelles Coffee and Bakeshop, Junie Bee Designs (pottery, jewelry and wearables), Rich Bro Salmon, Lakonian Olive Oil, Ledge Top Farms, Live Free and Bark, Mind Body Snack, My Country Mushrooms, New England Wagyu, Pet Education Technologies, Pup’s Cider, Real Soap, Spiczka Farm, Stoykovich Designs, The Potting Shed and Woodman Artisan Bakery, according to bedfordnhfarmersmarket.org.

• The Tilton Farmers Market takes place Tuesdays from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. through Sept. 29 at the 321 Ballfield/Tilton Police Department at 45 Sanborn Road (Route 132) in Tilton, according to tiltonfarmersmarketnh.com, where you can find a list of each week’s vendors. July 14, for example, included vendors offering chicken, pork, eggs, baked goods, flowers, photography, seedlings, gluten-free baked goods and bread, chocolate-dipped sweets as well as cookies and cupcakes, pet treats, tarot readings and decks, vegetables, bread, maple syrup, nut-free baked goods, produce, plants, pickles, salsa, veggies, herbs, fruit, berries, honey, woodworking and Taylor’s Sizzle and Serve with burgers, tenders, hot dogs, fries and more, the website said.

Wednesdays

• The Derry Homegrown Farm & Artisan Market takes place Wednesdays from 3 to 7 p.m. through Sept. 30 at 1 West Broadway, according to derryhomegrown.org. Find a list of the coming week’s vendors and musical performer on the market’s Facebook page. The 2026 vendors include Country Dreams (veggies and fruits), Food & Blooms Farm (cut flowers an plants), Forest Fed Farmstead (vegetables), Fresh Start Farms (veggies), Meta Microgreens, DJ’s Pure Natural Honey, New England Wagyu, New England Fish Mongers, Pepper & Row Co. (hot pepper products and seasonal harvests), Singing Pond Farm (produce, pottery), The Laurels Farm, 603 Perfect Blend (loose leaf tea), Debbie D’s (jams, jellies, pickles, relishes), Holy Moly Snacks (similar to beef jerky), Cucina Aurora (cooking products), Ken’s Corn (popcorn), KRM Chocolates, La’Peony Desserts (baked goods, French-inspired desserts), Lush Confections, Mimi Rae’s Gluten Free Bakery, Nomad Bakery (bread), The Stand “Shaken Not Stirred” (Lemonade), Sweet Dreams Confection (sourdough), Roy’s Empanadas, Kerry’s Katering, Wood Shack Juices of New England, 603 Candle, Burnham Woods (wood, fiber arts, houseplants), Sheila’s Essentials (goats milk soap, salves, balms, sprays), Royal Tallow (tallow items, soap trays), Live Free and Bark (dog chews), Yellow Shed Pottery, On a Roll Blankets, Full Sun Ceramics, Cathedral Ledge Distillery, Doire Distilling/Daydreaming Brewery/ Meadow Vineyards and Rockingham Brewery Co., the website said.

• The Canterbury Community Farmers Market runs Wednesdays from 4 to 6:30 p.m. through Sept. 30 next to the Elkins Public Library with special programing each week of the month: a kids’ activity the first Wednesday, NH Master Gardeners the second Wednesday, “Fruit & Jam SLAMS” the third Wednesday and “Fill Mary Ellen’s Basket” (a charitable giving program) on the fourth Wednesday of each month, according to canterburyfarmersmarket.com, where you can also find the lineup of live music (scheduled for July 22 is 2nd Time Around). Vendors for 2026 include Auntie B’s Greek Pastries, Big Trees Bread Co., Brookford Farm (cheeses, dairy, cured meats, eggs, veggies), Cathedral Ledge Distillery, Crock & Scythe Farm (greens, veggies, root crops, eggs, coffee), Fen Ridge Farm (wine-based jams and jellies), Fresh Start Farms (vegetables and flowers), Just Like Lydia’s (sweets and baked goods), Lakonian Olive Oil, North Family Farm (maple syrup and maple products, honey, cut flowers) Peace Ledge Baking Co. (baked goods, bagels, bialys), Roy’s Empanadas (empanadas and medialunas), Schrock Farm (lamb, yarn and wool, wool items), Someday Farm (animal fiber products, baked and preserved items, eggs, cheese), Sugar Bones Farm (maple syrup & products, ground beef), Terra Basics (culinary and medicinal herbs and edible flowers, seasoning blends, teas), The Blossom Shed (veggies, herbs, cut flowers), The Burstin’ Kernel (kettle corn), The Late Bird Baked Goods (gluten-free and organic, with some dairy-free options), Warner River Produce (greens, herbs, apples, fruit, tomatoes, honey, mushrooms, chicken and more), Zulip Farms (mushrooms, berries, jam, honey), Dragonfly West Design (seasoning blends, note cards, paper flower earrings), Miss Catherine’s Threads (wool yard and knitted items), Old Ways Traditions and Petals in the Pines (flowers, bird baths, planters, Swedish almond cakes, eggs, and more), the website said.

• Sandown Farmers Market takes place Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. through Sept. 23 at Zorvino Vineyards, 226 Main St. in Sandown, according to sandown.us/1342/Sandown-Farmers-Market and the Sandown Recreation Commission’s Facebook page, where you can find updates about vendors coming to the upcoming market. For example Bookish Bliss (a mobile bookstore) and Scattergood Farmstand (baked goods and sourdough bread) were listed as attending in a July 7 post.

• The Manchester Farmers and Makers Market describes itself on its Facebook page as ”a vibrant, face-to-face community that fosters health, wealth, and a strong sense of belonging through providing high-quality, locally produced goods, engaging performances, & a network of tangible value trade.” Another post said the market features “live music, activities, hot food, and performances, too! We believe in freedom, free trade, and great, local food and products.” The market runs Wednesdays, 4 to 7, until September in Arms Park, according to the Facebook page, where you can find upcoming vendors and performers.

• The Lee Farmers’ and Artisans Market is located at Little River Park, 28 North River Road, Lee, and will run on upcoming Wednesdays (July 22, Aug. 12, Aug. 26, Sept. 9 and Sept. 23) from 3 to 6:30 p.m., according to facebook.com/LeeFarmersMarket. “Fresh fruits and veggies, baked goodies, handcrafted candles, jewelry, wooden kitchenware, plus live local music sponsored by the Rotary Club of Durham-Great Bay,” according to a post on the page.

Thursdays

• The Merrimack Valley Farmers Market runs Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m. through Nov. 5 in the parking lot of the St. John Neumann Parish Catholic Church at 708 Milford Road in Merrimack, according to merrimackvalleymarket.com and the market’s Facebook page, where you can find a map and parking information as well as information about upcoming markets. Vendors at the June 25 market, for example, included The Sunflower Bakery & Cafe, Rich Bro Salmon Co., On a Roll Handmade Chunky Knit Blankets, DJ’s Pure Natural Honey, Fresh Start Farms, MolaFoods, Crumbs on Cambridge, Pup’s Cider, Real Soap and Blackeyed Susan Sheep Dairy.

Fridays

• Fried Fridays Community Market held weekly at the Tractor Supply Co. at 307 Dover Road, Chichester, Fridays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.-ish, according to a post on the Facebook page for Normans FoodTruck, which is one of the regular vendors at the event, based on their posts. See the page for upcoming vendors.

• The 2nd Annual Dunbarton Farmers Market will run at Stark Farm, 30 Stark Lane in Dunbarton, Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m. through Aug. 28, according to starkfarmblueberries.com/farmers-market. See the farm’s Facebook page for updates. According to the farm’s website, vendors will include Bela Brook Farm (beef and chicken), Bizzy Bee Books, Blakeney’s Bread, Bunny Bee Cotton Candy, Clapp Family Farm (veggies, fruit, eggs), Clayton Soaps, Four Legged World, Generation Farm (salad greens), Jacqui’s Glassicles, Log Home Herbs and Crafts, Maeve + Enya LaMarque (crocheted items, bracelets), Matt Forrest Esenwine (children’s books), Niamh Stevin with a lemonade stand, Southern Charm Cheese, Nature’s Dreamscape (isopods and plants), Trusted Essential Services and Stark Farm itself, which offers blueberries, honey, jams, doughnuts, whoopie pies, maple syrup and Amish popcorn.

Saturdays

• The Concord Farmers Market runs Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon through Oct. 31, on Capitol Street next to the New Hampshire Statehouse in downtown Concord and “is one of the oldest markets in … New Hampshire. During the peak season we have 40+ vendors at the market,” according to concordfarmersmarket.com, where you can find a map of vendor spots as well as parking in the area. Vendors include Abbot Creamery (cheese), Auntie B’s Greek Pastry, Apple Hill Farm, Bardo Farm (dried meats), Blakeney’s Bakery, Blasdell Body Care, Birch Rise Farm (chicken, pork, turkeys, eggs), Bread Peddler, Celeste Oliva (oils, balsamic vinegars, spices), Chichester Country Store (doughnuts, baked goods), Clayton’s Way Farm (soaps), Coffin Cellars Winery, Concord Bee Co. (honey, bee products), Community Supported Cold Brew, Down Home with Dee (mushrooms), East Coast Sales (dog chews and bones), Fresh Start Farms, Garrison City Nut Co., Grand View Farm (cut flowers), Granite Ledge Coffee, Hickory Nut Farm (goat milk products), Hop N Hen Farm (vegetables, fruits, eggs, poultry), Kearsarge Gore Farm (vegetables, flowers, lamb, beef, pork), KYS Food For Dogs, Lindon Garlic Farm, Live Free and Bark, Meadowview Farm (lamb, chicken, beef, honey, maple, pickles, jellies & jams, eggs, fruit), Meta Micro Greens, Morrill Farm Dairy (beef, flours), Mt. Dearborn Farm (pork, chicken lamb, eggs, soaps and shampoo, alpaca yard and balls), New England Fish Mongers, NOK Vino, Potter Beef Farm, Potter’s Farm (maple, vegetables, berries), Prodigal Brewing, Rocky Ole Farm (vegetables, berries, farm crafts, eggs), Sun Fox Farm (sunflower oils, herbs, spices), Twisted Mallow Co., Savvy Sweets & Treats, Sayde & Georges (Middle Eastern dips), Southern Charm Farm (cheese), Swallow Ridge Farm (cheese), Sound Roots Farm (vegetables, mushrooms, flowers), Tamworth Distillery, TerraBasics (herbs and herbal items, seasonings, edible flowers), Tilton Hill Goat Farm, Wiggle Butt Bites (pet treats), Wild Berry Farm (maple syrup and products, fiber products), Woodman’s Bakery and Yakum Hill Farm (soy products), according to the website.

• The Contoocook Farmers Market is open in summer on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon through October at the Riverway Park Gazebo, 896 Main St. in Contoocook, according to facebook.com/ContoocookFarmersMarket, where you can find updates on vendors and events.

• The Warner Area Farmers Market is located at 5 E. Main St. in Warner and runs Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 3, according to facebook.com/warnerareafarmersmarket, where you can find updates on vendors and special events, such as Kid’s Day featuring a kids’ craft fair on Aug. 8, and musical performers. Vendors include KGF, Kate’s Wicked Bakes, Alyssa Kreilick, Liberty Bakes, Bella Wilson, Good Rhubarb Soap, Lesvia de King, Horner Hollows Homestead and Blaisdell Hill Farm, according to warnerfarmersmarket.org.

• The Milford NH Farmers Market takes place Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., through Oct. 31, at Blue Seal, 351 Elm St. in Milford, according to milfordnhfarmersmarket.com. Vendors include Fresh Start Farm, Hungry Bear Farm (vegetables, herbs, berries, salsa), Begin Family Farm, Ledge Top Farm (vegetables, fruits, eggs), Liberty Fish, G3 Bakery, Hulda’s Swedish Baked Goods, Les Bonnes Miches, Sunflower Bakery & Cafe, Berkshire Gold, Highland Apiaries, Lone Wolf Cheese, Maple Lane Farm (pies, nut brittles, cookies, whoopie pies, jams, pickles), Old Ivy Farm (cut flowers, preserves, pies), Mola Foods, Joyberry Farms (mushrooms and mushroom products), Lakonian Olive Oil, Miss Judy’s Salsa, Nonnies Bolognese, Lux Lifestyle (skin care products), Bubble Factory (goats milk soaps and lotions), Lavender FIelds, Kawa Roasters, Pup’s Cider, 603 Perfect Blends (loose leaf teas), Averill House Vineyard, Cooper & Sophie’s Kitchen (pet treats), Lissa Malloy Art, Everything Alpaca, Grammy’s Needles & Threats, TH Custom Woodwork, The Pearl Shop and Claudia’s Jewelry, the website said. See the market’s Facebook page for updates on vendors and musicians for a specific week.

• New Boston Farmers Market is open Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the Town Common in New Boston through Oct. 10, according to facebook.com/NewBostonFarmersMarket, which says that “All products are made/grown in NH by local farmers and artisans.” Vendors listed for the July 11 market included Charmed, Fresh Start Farms, Wildflour Breads & Bakes, Clearly Balance Days, Caleb’s Cookies, Sweet Pumpkins Farm, DJ’s Pure Natural Honey, 2 Good 2 Be Baked, Juniper & Joy Collective, The Cupcake Porium, Karen’s Touch, Meadowgate Farm, C. Paige Creations, La Brioche Gourmande, Little Dumpling House, Bunny Bee Cotton Candy, KC’s Enchanted and Joe English Grange No. 53, according to a post.

• Pelham NH Farmers Market is located at 3 Main St. in Pelham and runs Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. into October, according to facebook.com/PelhamNHFarmersMarket. Saturday, July 18, is the market’s blueberry festival: “Come enjoy farm fresh blueberries and other blueberry goodies from our vendors,” a post said. Other upcoming events include a Children’s Day Aug. 22 and Apple Pie Day on Oct. 3, according to posts. See the Facebook page for updates on vendors each week; the July 4 vendors included Darlene’s Dinners, Doherty Farm, Kahn Landscaping, CT Jitters, Black Sheed Craft Ice Cream, Breaking Bread, Sewing by Jessica, Motherland Olive Oil, Spring Pepper Design and Nassamat, the post said.

• The Market at the Weirs takes place in Weirs Community Park, 49 Lucerne Ave. in Laconia, Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through Oct. 3, according to themarketatweirs.com, where you can find the upcoming week’s vendor list. The Saturday, July 18, vendor list includes Arándano Farm (chicken, pork, eggs), Canterbury Soapworks, Gluten Free or Die Bakery, Goodies 4 Good (cupcakes and cookies, chocolate tipped treats, pet treats), Little Moose Crafts, Maggi’s Menu (sourdough, baked goods), Mel’s Sweet Treats (coffee, boba drinks, cupcakes), Papa’s Kitchen (hamburgers, hotdogs, tenders, fries and more), Still Seeking Farm (vegetables, bread, maple syrup, jam), Stockla’s Farm (produce, plants, maple products, pickles, salsa, baked goods), Warner River Produce and WildLore Studio (herbal products, jewelry, prints and photos), the website said.

• Blooms Market takes place at Deerfield Community Church, 15 Church St. in Deerfield, from 8 to 10:30 a.m. on upcoming Saturdays including July 25, Aug. 8, Aug. 22, Sept. 12, Sept. 26, Oct. 10 and Oct. 24, according to bloomsandbrewscafe.com/bloomsmarket. Vendors include Baked by Elizabeth, Batchelder Farm (beef, chicken, pork), Bee Thankful Farm (vegetables, fruits), Crook and Scythe (greens, vegetables, flowers, coffee), Dill Family Farm (maple syrup and maple products, eggs), Epoch Prints, K Taylor Co (cookies, brownies, lemonade), Kind Goat Soap, The Late Bird Baked Goods (gluten free), North Road Bread Box, Patten Hill Wild (honey, honey products, herbs), Stay Golden Tallow, Sunfox Farm and Sweet Escape Doughnuts and Bakery, the website said.

• The Candia Farmers Market runs on the third Saturday of each month through October from 9 a.m. to noon, at 55 High St. in Candia, according to candiafarmersmarket.org, where you can see the dates for upcoming fairs and special events planned. The July 18 fair is a July Farmers Market and Artisan Fair, the website said. According to the market’s Facebook page, the July market will be “our biggest market of the summer! With 60+ local vendors, you’ll discover everything from farm-fresh foods and handmade artisan goods to delicious prepared foods, local wine, beer, spirits, and so much more.” July attractions will include “living history with the Royal Irish Artillery, featuring historical reenactments and exciting cannon demonstrations”; the music and stories of Papa Joe, “Kids can plant and take home their own microgreens at our free Young Farmers Club, plus enjoy our monthly scavenger hunt and a visit with our animal guests (as long as they cooperate!),” and more, according to a post for the event.

• The Francestown Community Market is located at the Francestown Recreation Fields on Old Country Road in Francestown and is open every other Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to facebook.com/francestowncommunitymarket, where you can find updates on market dates. “Experience a convergence of artisanal vendors, our new REC sponsored food tent, and live music,” a post said about the market.

Sundays

• The Nashua Farmers Market runs Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. until Oct. 18 at the Nashua Riverwalk in Renaissance Park, according to downtownnashua.org/nashua-farmers-market. Find updates about each week’s vendors and musical performances on the Downtown Nashua Association Facebook page. Seasonal vendors include Bee Wild Flowers, Casa Arreyto, Crumbs on Cambridge, DJ’s Purnatural Honey, Donna Issa, Fresh Start Farms, Jajabelles Coffee & Bake Show, Nestxpressions, Real Soap, Realm of Media Possibilities, Spiczka Farm, Sunfox Farm and Wildpower Botanical, according to the website.

• Salem NH Summer Farmers Market is located next to The Field near Dick’s House of Sport at the Mall at Rockingham Park, 77 Rockingham Park Blvd. in Salem, and is open every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to salemnhfarmersmarket.org, where you can sign up for a newsletter to get updates on what vendors will be at the market each week. Year-round and summer market vendors include Abbott Hill Creamery (cheese), Farmer Dave’s (fruits, vegetables, flowers), New England Fish Mongers, Anderson Mini Maples, Fresh Start Farms, Orazio’s Family Dinners (frozen pot pies), Baked Bliss Cookies, Flying M Farm (poultry, rabbit, eggs), Root & Bloom Flower Farm, Big Rich’s Gourmet Hot Sauce & Marinade, Graze and Go NH, Roy’s Empanadas, Bookworms Bakery, Holy Moly Snacks, Sayde & Georges, Brookford Farm (veggies, meats, dairy, kraut and kimchi), September Farm (baked goods, including gluten free and dairy free), Cathedral Ledge Distillery, Hurd Farm (beef, turkey, chicken, pork), Slipper Soap Co., Coffin Cellars Winery, Coffee and Biscotti, Joyberry Farm (mushrooms), Sweets by Shannon (gluten-free), Cosmic Happiness (jewelry), Terra d’Amuri (Sicilian arancine and desserts), Cucina Aurora (olive oils), Kirasole Studio (jewelry, wearables, home decor), Tewksbury Honey, Curtis Fontaine and Ali Cafaro Ceramics, KRM Chocolates, The Good Llama Co. (soy candles), Live Free & Bark, The Lemon Babe (Lemonade), Earth Cut Pottery, Meatball King, The Prodigal Brewing Co., Meta Microgreens, Tummy Full (Indian food), F-Word Farm (vinegars), Middle Sister Candle Co., Twisted Mallow Co. and Woodman’s Artisan Bakery, according to the website.

A look at the creations that take ice cream to another level

There is, of course, no single surefire guaranteed way to put somebody in a good mood. But ice cream comes close and an ice cream sundae adds even more deliciousness.

Perhaps a sundae even helps sell the idea that ice cream is a meal unto itself? Karissa Grey, a scooper at Cremeland Drive In in Manchester said that while scooped ice cream and sundaes sell about equally well, as the day gets later customers are more likely to order sundaes. “Some days it’s just scoops, other days I get a lot of orders for sundaes, but we definitely sell more sundaes in the afternoon than we do in the morning.”

How to sundae? Here are some ideas from some area sundae purveyors.

• Rhubarb Sundae

$4.35 from Richardson’s Farm (170 Water St., Boscawen, 796-2788, richardsonsfarmnh.com)

“It’s a standard sundae,” owner Jim Richardson said, “two scoops of ice cream, whatever kind of sauce, whipped cream, nuts, and cherry. But in this case the sauce is our homemade rhubarb. Several years ago a woman came running up to the front door, pointing at our rhubarb, going, ‘Is that rhubarb?’ I wondered what was wrong with her — it’s obviously rhubarb, but she said she’d never seen it before. I asked her where the heck she came from, and she said, Maryland. I just shook my head.”

Richardson admitted that rhubarb is a bit old-fashioned.

“When I was a little kid,” he said, “my grandmother always had a rhubarb sauce on the stove in the springtime. And you had to have it to thin your blood. If you didn’t thin your blood in the springtime, you’d overheat in the summertime. So anyway, after the Maryland lady left, I thought, ‘Geez, I haven’t done that in years,’ so I made a big pot of rhubarb sauce.”

The rhubarb sauce was popular enough that Richardson added strawberry-rhubarb and blueberry-rhubarb ice creams into his rotation. “It sells better than plain strawberry does,” he said. “We have a constant demand for it.”

• Strawberry sundae

$6.75 for a small at King Kone (366 DW Highway in Merrimack, kingkonenh.com)

Known for their massive soft-serve ice cream cone, which you can get dipped or with toppings, King Kone also offers banana splits and sundaes, which are equally generous in size. Sundae offerings include hot fudge, peanut butter, pineapple, hot butterscotch, brownie and, for your berry cravings, a Strawberry Sundae, which you can get with your choice of soft-serve. At a recent visit, options included vanilla, chocolate, peanut butter, blueberry and, for maximum flavor, strawberry. The strawberry soft-serve was topped with syrupy strawberries, whipped cream, nuts and cherry.

• The Dudley Special

$7.98 at Dudley’s Ice Cream (846 Route 106, Loudon, 783-4800, facebook.com/dudleysicecreamshop)

“It’s like a banana split, without the banana,” said scooper Damaris Gilbert. “There’s three scoops of ice cream, and three — all of the toppings match up to the flavors, so there are strawberries on the strawberry [ice cream] and hot fudge on the chocolate ice cream, but what kind of topping matches up to vanilla? Well, pineapples are kind of the same color.”

Gilbert said that in her professional opinion the Dudley’s Special should be split between two or more people. “If I was going to eat a banana split or a Dudley’s Special or either of them, I would bring a team, personally,” she said, “but loads of people eat it by themselves. The Dudley’s Special is one of those mysterious types of things with aura where you remember when someone orders one. You remember the specific person who ordered it.”

• Ice Cream Sundae (bespoke)

A small for $6.50 at Granite State Candy Shoppe (13 Warren St., Concord, 225-2591; 832 Elm St., Manchester, 218-3885, granitestatecandyshoppe.com)

“I wanted to make you happy today,” said scooper Tasha Ross, “so I made you a lovely small sundae which consists of two scoops. I added one scoop of fudge brownie and another scoop of our peanut butter cup ice cream. On top, I put a little bit of chocolate fudge, and peanut butter sauce. The toppings I added were mini peanut butter cups and I also added some almonds since how can you have fudge brownies without almonds? And then I finished it off with some rainbow sprinkles and topped it with whipped cream and cherries.”

Granite State Candy sells more than 25 flavors of hard ice cream at any given time, Ross said. “If you order a large [sundae], you can add an extra flavor. We have four vegan flavors that are available in kinder, small, large, pint, or quart-sized. And our sundaes come in micro, small, and large sizes.”

“Because,” she repeated, “we want you to be happy.”

• Medium Three-Topping Sundae

$9.76 at Social Club Creamery (138 N. Main St., Concord, 333-2111, socialclubcreamery.com)

At the Social Club Creamery there are two ice cream menus. One menu is permanent, featuring always-there, familiar flavors, like double chocolate, maple latte, honeycomb or gooey butter cake. Additionally there is a second, smaller menu of seasonal flavors that changes each month. In July, for instance, it’s possible to order black raspberry chip, blueberry cheesecake, raspberry-brownie batter, or strawberry lemonade sorbet, which is vegan.

Asked to make a “very good sundae,” scoopers Maddie Dwyer and Chloe MacNevin consulted briefly and made a medium sundae with three toppings — a scoop each of Patty’s peppermint and double chocolate ice cream, with hot fudge, whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles. This particular sundae has not been named yet, they said, but if it were, it would be a staff favorite.

• Happy Cake Bowl

$6.51 from Sweet Bel’s Ice Cream & Dessert Creations (608 DW Highway, Merrimack, 670-2161, sweetbels.com)

A Happy Cake Bowl is a sort of hybrid sundae, said Sweet Bel’s owner Jennifer Belmore.

“We cut cake up into cubes, and we put it in the bottom of a bowl and then you get to pick your ice cream. You get to pick your hot topping and then it’s covered in whipped cream and sprinkles and a cherry. It’s kind of like a throwback to your younger days when you had a birthday and you had your cake and ice cream. We’ve got away from that for some reason. And who doesn’t love cake and ice cream?”

• Fried Dough Sundae

$10.95 at Cremeland Drive In (250 Valley St., Manchester, 669-4430, see page on Facebook)

“The Fried Dough Sundae is pretty popular,” said Cremeland scooper Karissa Grey, “but not as much as the banana split, which is the favorite, especially in the afternoon. But the Fried Dough Sundae is literally just exactly what it says. It’s a piece of fried dough with ice cream, liquid topping, with cream and a cherry.”

The number of flavors of ice cream Cremeland carries depends on the time of year, Grey said. “It really depends on the time of the season, because we’re seasonal. So sometimes we have just our bare-bones flavors, like at the beginning of the season, at the end of the season. And other times, like right now, I think there’s 27 on the board.”

The secret to making a good sundae, Grey said, is attention to details.

“It’s my favorite thing to do,” she said, “making them look nice. It’s important not to rush, honestly. A lot of people, when it gets busy, will just rush to get things out. But you eat with your eyes first, not your mouth, and that plays a big part in — I feel like, that’s one of the things that make people want to come here or not.”

• Large Hot Fudge Sundae

$9.95 at The Big 1 (185 Concord St., Nashua, thebig1icecream.com)

Jeanne Marquis, the owner of The Big 1, said a traditional hot fudge sundae is far and away the most popular of her treats.

“The classic vanilla hard ice cream with hot fudge is the most popular,” she said. “Our parfaits run second to that. We have hot caramel and hot butterscotch sauces as well. They all sell extremely well. And they’re all kind of classics, really.”

• Brownie Sundae

$7.83 at The Inside Scoop (260 Wallace Road, Bedford, 471-7009, theinsidescoopnh.com)

According to scooper Courtney Winands, the brownie sundae is the most popular enhanced ice cream dish at the Inside Scoop.

“It’s a fudge brownie on the bottom, with ice cream and a topping,” she said. While you can get any flavor ice cream, she recommends Maine blackberry: “It’s a red raspberry base, with chocolate raspberry truffles. That goes really well with hot fudge, whipped cream and rainbow sprinkles.” She said that when ordering for themselves most customers order a single scoop of ice cream or a kid’s size ice cream. Full-sized sundaes are generally a team effort, she observed.

• Classic Banana Split

$11.94 at Moo’s Place Homemade Ice Cream (27 Crystal Ave., Derry, 425-0100, moosplace.com)

Moo’s has more than 30 flavors of ice cream — not counting soft-serve, frozen yogurt, sorbets and other frozen treats — all made on the premises. One of its most popular sundaes is a classic banana split, with three scoops of ice cream, a banana, three toppings, whipped cream, chopped walnuts and a cherry, according to its website.

• Small Banana Boat

$12 at Hayward’s Ice Cream (364 DW Highway, Merrimack, 424-5915; 7 DW Highway in Nashua, 888-4663; haywardsicecream.com)

You are pretty much spoiled for choice with ice cream flavors at Hayward’s in Merrimack and Nashua. There are always at least 45 flavors of hard ice cream, which is made in house. A small banana boat has two scoops of ice cream, two types of sauce, a banana, whipped cream, chopped walnuts and a cherry. Like the ice cream, the sauces can be customized. The choices include strawberry, hot fudge, marshmallow and pineapple.

• Banana Float Sundae

$10 at Trombly Gardens (150 N. River Road, Milford, 673-0647, tromblygardens.net)

Trombly Gardens is better known as a farm stand and garden nursery but has a steady stream of ice cream customers, said scooper Mackenzie Burke. One of the most popular sundaes is Trobley’s Banana Float Sundae.

“It has three scoops of strawberry ice cream,” she said, “hot fudge, caramel, and butterscotch toppings, with walnuts on it, whipped cream and cherries. Strawberry is our most popular flavor for our banana float sundaes, especially now, during strawberry season.”

Burke said her personal favorite is “chocolate with chocolate on chocolate.”

• Cookie Monster Sundae

$9.75 at Hayward’s Family Ice Cream of Milford (383 Elm St., Milford, 672-8383, haywardsfamilyicecream.com)

A Cookie Monster Sundae is made with bright blue Cookie Monster ice cream, marshmallow sauce, and frozen nuggets of cookie dough, topped with more Cookie Monster ice cream, more marshmallow, and even more frozen cookie dough.

• King Shake

$12.95 at Lickee’s & Chewy’s Candy and Creamery (53 Washington St., Dover, 343-1799, lickeesnchewys.com)

Meaka Cruz is one of the managers at Lickee’s & Chewy’s. She said the store focuses on King Shakes, though the two are very similar.

“We offer a lot of creative sundaes, I suppose,” she said, “but we’re probably more about the King Shakes, which can be made as sundaes. They have chocolate rims on the side and fun toppings to mix with the ice cream, like Nutella, hot fudge, and then nuts and sprinkles. They all have kind of intricate toppings and themes that we typically strive for. A new one that we have right now … [has] Nutella and strawberries. Our chocolatiers decorate the cups with hard chocolate syrup on the side [and] top it with frozen strawberries and a Kinder Bueno bar.”

Cruz has a theory about why ice cream places develop such elaborate desserts with their ice creams.

“I think it’s to be creative and draw people in,” she said. “Everywhere else does something cool and unique, so I feel like each store wants to express themselves and tries to put something great out.”

SUNDAE PANEL
The Big 1 185 Concord St., Nashua, thebig1icecream.com
Cremeland Drive In 250 Valley St., Manchester, 669-4430, see page on Facebook
Dudley’s Ice Cream 846 Route 106, Loudon, 783-4800, facebook.com/dudleysicecreamshop
Granite State Candy Shoppe 13 Warren St., Concord, 225-2591; 832 Elm St., Manchester, 218-3885, granitestatecandyshoppe.com
Hayward’s Ice Cream 364 DW Highway, Merrimack, 424-5915; 7 DW Highway, Nashua, 888-4663; haywardsicecream.com
Hayward’s Family Ice Cream of Milford 383 Elm St., Milford, 672-8383, haywardsfamilyicecream.com
The Inside Scoop 260 Wallace Road, Bedford, 471-7009, theinsidescoopnh.com
King Kone 366 DW Highway in Merrimack, kingkonenh.com
Lickee’s & Chewy’s Candy and Creamery 53 Washington St., Dover, 343-1799, lickeesnchewys.com
Moo’s Place Homemade Ice Cream 27 Crystal Ave., Derry, 425-0100, moosplace.com
Richardson’s Farm 170 Water St., Boscawen, 796-2788, richardsonsfarmnh.com
Social Club Creamery 138 N. Main St., Concord, 333-2111, socialclubcreamery.com
Sweet Bel’s Ice Cream & Dessert Creations 608 DW Highway, Merrimack, 670-2161, sweetbels.com
Trombly Gardens 150 N. River Road, Milford, 673-0647, tromblygardens.net