Category: Cover Stories

Why races are great fundraisers and what it takes to make them succeed, plus fun runs for the end of the year

When the board of the Bow Athletic Club was brainstorming fundraising possibilities, they loved the idea of a community block party, but they needed another element that would draw people to the party. They decided on a 5K fun run and walk, and the first annual BACtoberfest 5K and Block Party was held last month.

“It was off-the-charts great,” Bow Athletic Club President Bryce Larrabee said. “It went better than our wildest expectations.”

Larrabee said that about 75 percent of the people who went to the party participated in the run first.

“The run brought people out,” he said.

Not only that, but about 80 percent of the work that went into putting on the fundraiser was for block party logistics. Putting together the 5K, Larrabee said, was “surprisingly easy.”

The club raised more than $10,000 to add to its coffers, which they draw from to support causes and needs in the community.

“We made a lot more money than we expected,” Larrabee said.

The BACtoberfest 5K and Block Party joins hundreds of other run-centric events that are raising money for charities throughout the state. Find out what makes runs good fundraisers, what it takes to make them successful and which upcoming runs you should sign up for, whether you want to support a specific charity, dress up as a turkey or get through a few miles for the post-race beer and pizza.

Money makers

“Fundraisers come in a lot of different shapes and sizes,” John Mortimer, founder of Millennium Running in Bedford, said, joking that “it’s probably easier to have a bake sale.”

But runs are profitable, as evidenced by the inaugural BAC 5K. A more established race, the Jingle Bell Run in Manchester, put on each December by the Arthritis Foundation for the past 30 years, raised well over $30,000 last year.

And then there are organizations like Millennium and Total Image Running in Manchester, which put on their own signature runs and provide services to other organizations that need support with logistics to put on a race.

“For every single one of [the signature races], we pick a nonprofit charity partner,” Mortimer said. “We’ve donated just north of $1.1 million.”

According to Christine Lewis, co-owner of Total Image Running, since it started in 2018, Total Image has donated and helped raise more than $200,000 for local charities. And Seacoast-based Loco Races has contributed more than $1 million to nonprofits and running clubs in the past decade, according to its website.

Charities like Veterans Count reap the benefits of these donations. Last weekend’s Manchester City Marathon, which Millennium owns and operates, has been supporting Veterans Count for several years and is just shy of raising $100,000 for that nonprofit alone.

“The expenses are so small compared to [the profit],” said Julia Moore, associate director for the Arthritis Foundation New England. “It’s maybe 10 percent to 15 percent of the event money that we raise.”

Raising awareness

For nonprofits like the Arthritis Foundation, an event like the Jingle Bell Run is a fun way to draw attention to a cause that affects more people than many realize — 1 in 4, with 54 million people diagnosed each year, according to Moore.

“It’s really a great way to champion those who [live with arthritis],” Moore said.

The Jingle Bell Run is also an opportunity to shine a light on some of the “amazing people” who have been touched by arthritis or helped those who have it, Moore said. Ella Souza is the youth honoree this year; she was diagnosed with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis when she was 7 and now at 14 plays at the highest levels of hockey and lacrosse (she was playing on the high school varsity hockey team when she was in 7th grade). Dr. Neil Dion, an orthopedic surgeon, is this year’s medical honoree.

“One of his patients who he performed surgery on will run with him at the event,” Moore said.

For Lewis and her Total Image Running partner, Lisa Misiaszek, helping charities is personal.

“Lisa and I are both cancer survivors, we both lost parents to cancer … [and] my brother’s fighting prostate cancer,” Lewis said.

Being able to give back to the nonprofits that have helped them during difficult times is especially meaningful, but Lewis said they support all kinds of charities, not just those that fight cancer.

“People are struggling everywhere,” she said.

Several upcoming turkey trots are asking participants to bring canned goods to donate to local pantries, bringing awareness to food insecurity.

Millennium has donated to — and promoted — nearly 100 charities, from New Horizons to the New Hampshire Food Bank.

“All of these are special in so many different ways,” Mortimer said.

How to get started

There are a couple of ways to go about organizing a fundraising race. One is to do it entirely on your own: your own marketing, finding sponsors, registrations, course setup and road closures, aid and water stations, timers, swag, volunteer recruitment. It’s a lot of preparation. Though Larrabee said the BACtoberfest 5K was easy to plan, his team has a lot of experience with fundraising, including finding sponsors and volunteers, and with marketing — plus they got a little help from Total Image Running.

That leads to the next option, which is to hire a company like Total Image or Millennium to take care of some of the logistics.

“Having a company that is so experienced in doing timing and working with you for your event, I definitely think it’s worth it,” Moore said.

The Arthritis Foundation hires Millennium to help with the Jingle Bell Run, but the cost is covered by the event’s presenting sponsor, Northeast Delta Dental, which allows more of the profits to go right to the Foundation.

“The cost [for Millennium] is less than $6,000,” Moore said. “We truly believe that it’s beneficial to hire a timing company to manage our run because they are professionals and have a lot of experience with road races.”

Moore said the Arthritis Foundation covers the cost of medals, T-shirts and swag.

“We tend to be very conservative when it comes to spending and plan to spend less,” Moore said. “Last year we raised $36,264.45 gross [and] our expenses were less than $3,000.”

“Expenses are going to be [any nonprofit’s] No. 1 concern, so getting sponsorships is always great,” Lewis said.

Larrabee also reached out to Northeast Delta Dental, specifically to CEO Tom Raffio, who is a runner himself — his first race was actually the Jingle Bell Run, according to Moore — and is part of races throughout the state. With advice from Raffio and a quick Google search of how to host a road race, Larrabee and his team moved forward with hiring Total Image Running, which handled the timing and registrations.

Mortimer noted that someone who’s never organized a run before might not think about things like portable toilets and permits for road closures.

“We have the know-how, the expertise,” Mortimer said.

For those who want to put on a race for the first time, he says to plan for several months of preparations, like doing research on the course, getting permits, marketing the event and finding volunteers.

“We always recommend having a confident race director, someone that understands the sport and wants to do it, first and foremost, and then surround themselves with great people [to help with things like] marketing and volunteerism,” Mortimer said.

Moore echoed the importance of having good people who are willing to help; the Arthritis Foundation has a run committee that handles the sponsorships, reaches out to businesses, schools and running clubs to encourage them to create teams, and does volunteer recruitment.

“I think having a great committee who really supports the run … really helps, [and] our ability to get new volunteers is extremely important,” Moore said.

Make it a success

If you want to raise money, you have to draw in as many people as possible, and doing that is all about providing a quality experience.

“We don’t produce races — we produce events,” Mortimer said. “We like to provide our customers, our runners, with the best possible experience.”

That experience includes everything from when and where the race takes place to swag and after-parties.

One of Millennium’s signature events is the Santa Claus Shuffle, which includes a full Santa suit with registration and has stops along the course with samples of holiday sweets.

“Part of the equation on some events is, what does the runner want? Sometimes it’s the bling, or sometimes it’s the swag: the Santa suit, the kilt for our Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day [race],” Mortimer said. “Other people get that medal and it’s the most important thing — it’s their Olympic medal.”

And sometimes it’s not about the material things.

“Location and course is a big thing for people,” Lewis said. “We did a survey once and swag was actually not the No. 1 thing.”

To make these events a full experience, they usually don’t end when the runners cross the finish line, like the block party after the BACtoberfest 5K, and pretty much any signature run from Total Image or Millennium.

“Before Covid, we always had a huge after-party wherever the finish line was,” Lewis said.

Total Image’s Ugly Sweater 4-miler is a fan favorite, Lewis said, and this year she’s expecting it to be especially fun since it’ll be the first event with a real after-party since Covid started.

The last two months of the year tend to be especially festive.

“We really love to do [the Jingle Bell Run] because it’s so festive and fun,” Moore said. “People dress up and get really into the holiday spirit. … It’s such a great family-friendly event.”

Runners talk races
We reached out to runners via Millennium Running Club’s Facebook page to find out what it is about a race that draws them to it. The race environment is huge, and yes, the swag matters too. Here are some of the responses we got from local runners.

“Unique courses [are] a must for me. I’m particularly drawn to races along water or with nice scenery. I love the Stonyfield Earth Day 5K because they have the best T-shirts and free yogurt. Nice shirt that I will actually wear is a big plus.” — Sarah Goodrum

“I run in races that hold some level of significance for me and that I can connect with on a personal level. I ran a 10k earlier this year because it supported building sidewalks in my daughter’s community. … Running has had such a profound impact on my life, my recovery and my mental health, so it’s usually something about the race I connect with on a personal level that draws me to it.” — Stephan Burdette

“[A] well-run event with accurately measured course and female sizing swag.” — Maureen Sproul

“As a ‘runner’ who does it for the exercise rather than the enjoyment, this is what motivates me to do certain races:
1. Motivation to exercise/meet a training goal
2. Swag! Particularly the long-sleeved quarter zips.
3. Big races that have lots of pre-race and post-race excitement and festivities!
4. Millennium’s Anytime 5k let me run in the evening when I’m at my best! There aren’t many nighttime races out there and for us night owls [so] it was awesome!” — Joy Junior

“A road race is one BIG fitness party. There’s some pretty kewl swag, medals and bib designs, too. Who doesn’t like a nice T-shirt or fleece-lined quarter zip-up with thumb holes?” — Donna Dostie

“Short answer: the environment! … There’s an energy that can’t be described! Whether you’re an elite runner or a walker completing your very first 5k, there’s an excitement and even more, there’s a community … a community where we all share a common goal, cross that finish line and celebrate!” — Krystal Bessette Jervis

“I will run any race because I love the race environment. It really is amazing to run a race with hundreds of people [of] all paces and most are people that you know who cheer each other on.” — Tracy Dunchus Lennon

“I am a back-of-the-pack runner. Races are a way of motivating myself to keep moving and the swag/rewards for mileage and completion are huge in building my confidence.” — Kathleen Olden

“My 12-year-old daughter … loves the race environment, she loves running against the adults, and yes, she loves the swag!” — Jess Janowski

Runs for the rest of the year

Pre-Thanksgiving runs

The annual Walk and Wag for Veterans 5K will be held at Mine Falls in Nashua on Saturday, Nov. 13, starting at 9 a.m. The cost is $35, or $30 for the virtual option. There will be awards for top finishers and light refreshments after the event. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit Operation Delta Dog. Visit walkandwagforveterans.com.

The Deerfield Community School (66 North Road, Deerfield) hosts its Turkey Trot 5K on Sunday, Nov. 14, at 9 a.m. The cost is $25 for pre-registration or $30 day of. The top three overall male and top three overall female runners will each take home a frozen turkey. Funds raised support the 8th-grade class trip to New York City. To register ahead of time, visit running4free.com and search for the race.

The Gobble Wobble 5-Miler will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 20, at Goffstown Parks and Recreation (155 S. Mast Road). Registration is $40 for ages 12 and up and $35 for runners under 12, with prices increasing after 9 a.m. on Nov. 19. The cost is $40 for the virtual option, with registration open through Nov. 27. The official charity of the Gobble Wobble is American Legion Auxiliary Wesley Wyman Unit 16. Visit totalimagerunning.com.

The 23rd annual Novemberfest for Nashua Children’s Home will be held Sunday, Nov. 21, at 11:33 a.m. at Mines Falls Park in Nashua, near the Pine Street Extension entrance. The 4-mile race is followed by post-race fun at Martha’s Exchange (185 Main St., Nashua). The race benefits the Nashua Children’s Home. Registration is $25 and closes on Nov. 19. Visit gatecity.org.

Thanksgiving Day runs

The Bow Turkey Trot 5K will be held at Bow High School (55 Falcon Way) starting at 8 a.m. Sign up before Nov. 13 to get an official BAC Turkey Trot Dri Fit Hoodie. Day-of registration will be available for $30. Visit runsignup.com and search for Bow Athletic Club Turkey Trot.

The Dover Turkey Trot 5K will be held at 8:30 a.m. at Shaw’s Lane in Dover to benefit the Garrison School PTA. The cost is $20, or $10 for grade 4 and under; both prices increase by $5 on race day. Visit doverturkeytrot.com.

The Free Fall 5K, hosted by the Rochester Runners of NH, will be held at the James W. Foley Memorial Community Center (150 Wakefield St., Rochester), starting at 8:30 a.m. Registration is $25 for ages 18 and up, $20 for ages 13 to 17 and $15 for ages 7 to 12, with prices increasing by $5 on race day. Kids 6 and under run free. Race proceeds benefit the Homeless Center for Strafford County, Gerry’s Food Pantry, End 68 Hours of Hunger. and SOS Recovery. Visit freefall5k.com.

The Fisher Cats Thanksgiving 5K will start at 9 a.m. at Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive, Manchester). Registration for ages 12 and up is $30 until Nov. 12 at 11:59 p.m. and $35 until Nov. 24, and $30 for the virtual option. Registration is $15 for kids 11 and under, for both virtual and in-person. Race day registration is not available. Registration includes one free ticket to Fisher Cats Opening Day for the first 1,500 registrants, and a T-shirt for the first 750 adult runners. The race’s official charity is the New Hampshire Food Bank. Visit millenniumrunning.com.

Derry’s 48th annual Turkey Trot 5K Road Race starts at 9 a.m. at Gallien’s Town Beach on Beaver Lake. Shuttles will be available to the race site from the parking area at Pinkerton Academy (no parking along Route 102). Face coverings are required on the buses. Pre-registration for ages 13 and older is $25, and $10 for kids 12 and under. A non-perishable canned good or dry food item, or small cash donation, is requested for all entries, with food donations going to food pantries in the Greater Derry area. Visit runningintheusa.com and search for the Derry Turkey Trot.

The Hampstead Turkey Trot 5K starts at St. Anne’s Church (26 Emerson Ave.) at 8:30 a.m. Registration is $15 for ages 5 to 17 and for seniors 62 and up, and $20 for ages 18 to 61. Day-of registration is available between 7 and 8:15 a.m. at the Hampstead Meeting House next to the starting line. Non-perishable food for the St. Anne’s Food Bank will be collected on the day of the race. Leashed animals are welcome.

The 15th Lake Sunapee Turkey Trot at the Ben Mere Gazebo in Sunapee Harbor features a 1K Chicken Run for kids starting at 8:15 a.m. and a 5K Turkey Trot starting at 9 a.m. The cost for the Turkey Trot is $20 for ages 13 to 64, $10 for ages 65 and older and free for kids under 13. The Chicken Run is $10 for ages 13 and up and free for kids under 13. Proceeds will benefit the Sunapee Recreation Department’s new skateboard park on Route 11. The Sunapee Parent Teacher Organization will also hold a pie sale, with pies for $10 each. Visit sunapeeturkeytrot.com.

The Gilford Youth Center Turkey Trot 5K Race and Family Walk begins at 9 a.m. (8:45 a.m. for walkers) at the Gilford Youth Center (19 Potter Hill Road). Registration is $26 per person or $90 for a family of up to five. The first 100 registered participants will get a long-sleeve T-shirt. Visit gilfordyouthcenter.com.

The Rotary Club of Merrimack’s 5K Turkey Trot starts at 8 a.m. at Merrimack Middle School (31 Madeline Bennett Drive). Advance registration is $20 for adults and $15 for ages 13 and under. Online registration ends at 6 p.m. on Nov. 21. Race day registration is available (price increases to $25 for adults). The first 160 registrants receive a free T-shirt. Proceeds from this year’s event will be used to purchase coats for kids, holiday gifts for those less fortunate and for soup kitchen donations. Participants are encouraged to bring a canned good for donation. Visit merrimack5k.com.

The Seacoast Rotary Club Turkey Trot will be held at Strawbery Bank (66 Marcy St., Portsmouth) at 8:30 a.m. Registration costs $35 for ages 20 and up, $25 for ages 13 to 19 and $15 for ages 12 and younger. Online registration deadline is Nov. 23. Day-of registration is an additional $5. Visit runreg.com and search for the race. Proceeds benefit Connor’s Climb Foundation, which provides suicide prevention education, and the Seacoast Repertory Theatre.

The Thanks for Giving 5K and 10K, presented by the Exeter Run Club, starts at the Talbot Gymnasium Lot (40 Linden St., Exeter) at 8 a.m. The $30 for the 5K and $40 for the 10K. Online registration is available until Nov. 21. The race benefits Annie’s Angels Memorial Fund, Red’s Good Vibes and ERC community initiates for all ages. Visit exeterrunclub.com.

The Windham Turkey Trot features a 1-, 3-, or 5-mile walk or run. It starts at 74 Blossom Road at 9 a.m. The cost is by donation, and past donations have ranged from $10 to $1,000 (event expenses are covered by our generous sponsors). All proceeds benefit the Shepherd’s Pantry. Visit windhamturkeytrot.org.

Final runs of 2021

The Amherst Junior Women’s Club is hosting its annual Trot Off Your Turkey 5K and 1-mile Fun Run on Friday, Nov. 26, with the Fun Run starting at 9 a.m. and the 5K starting at 9:30 a.m. at the Amherst Town Green (11 Church St.). Registration is $10 for the Fun Run and $25 for the 5K. Online registration closes at noon on Nov. 23. The first 300 registered runners get a free mug.

Bishop Brady High School (25 Columbus Ave., Concord) will host its Galloping Gobbler 4-Miler on Saturday, Nov. 27, starting at 9:45 a.m. The cost is $20 for ages 15 and under and $30 for ages 16 and up. The first 300 registrants get a free T-shirt. To register, visit raceroster.com and search for the event. Proceeds benefit the tuition assistance program at Bishop Brady.

The Jingle All the Way 5K returns on Saturday, Dec. 4, at Cisco Brewers in Portsmouth. The Greg Hill Foundation hosts this event, which starts at 10 a.m. Holiday outfits are encouraged and best dressed runners will be awarded. Standard registration is $40 and includes a race long-sleeve shirt and medal, while the $100 Santa Special adds a quarter-zip pullover to the swag. There is a $30 virtual option that also includes the long-sleeve shirt and medal. Visit ghfjingle5k.com.

The Santa Claus Shuffle will be held Saturday, Dec. 4, at Veterans Park (889 Elm St., Manchester). The Lil’ Elf Runs start at 2:30 p.m. and the 3-mile Shuffle starts at 3 p.m. The run precedes the Manchester City Christmas Parade, which starts at 4 p.m. The cost for adults ages 12 and up is $30, youth ages 12 to 20 is $25 and kids ages 11 and younger is $10. Registration closes at 9 a.m. on Dec. 3. The virtual option is $25. Santa hats and suits are included with registration. The official charity of the Santa Claus Shuffle is Safe Sports Network. Visit millenniumrunning.com.

The 2021 Jingle Bell Run will be held Sunday, Dec. 5, at 8:30 a.m. at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium (1 Line Drive, Manchester). Registration is $35 and includes a T-shirt and jingle bells. A virtual option is available for $30. All proceeds benefit the Arthritis Foundation. Visit events.arthritis.org.

Run through the Gift of Lights display during the Yule Light Up the Night 2.1-mile run at New Hampshire Motor Speedway (1122 Route 106, Loudon) on Sunday, Dec. 12, at 4:30 p.m. Registration is $25 for ages 12 and up, $15 for ages 4 to 11 (costs for those age groups increase $5 on race day) and $10 for kids 10 and younger. Proceeds benefit Speedway Children’s Charities NH.

The 6th annual Ugly Sweater 4 Miler will be held Saturday, Dec. 18, at 9 a.m. at Backyard Brewery (1211 S. Mammoth Road, Manchester). Wear your ugliest sweater for the 21+ event. The cost is $40 and includes a Tito’s Handmade Vodka ugly sweater for the first 75 registrants. All registrants get a unisex fit long-sleeve shirt and one Tito’s Handmade Vodka signature cocktail. Proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Greater Nashua, the Animal Rescue League of NH and Pope Memorial SPCA Concord. Visit totalimagerunning.com.

The What’s Perry’s Age Again 4-mile run will be held Saturday, Dec. 18, at Bishop Brady High School (25 Columbus Ave., Concord) at 11 a.m. The cost is $25; register by Nov. 19 to get a long-sleeve T-shirt. The run supports Bishop Brady Habitat for Humanity. Visit runreg.com and search for the run.

Featured photo: Photo courtesy of Millennium Running.

How the princesses, clowns, jugglers and other performers are keeping the party going

Everyone could use a little magic these days, and these local entertainers are up to the task of bringing that magic to New Hampshire communities and families. We talked via phone and email with eight entertainers — two princesses, two clowns, an old-time magician, a fire-breathing juggler, one of Santa’s helpers and even a unicorn queen with “real” unicorns — about how they got into the business of making kids’ dreams come true, what goes into becoming a character and how they’ve adapted throughout the pandemic.

Andrew Pinard, Absolutely Magic

Pinard is a magician and variety performer offering entertainment for private and public events throughout the state. He has a number of original shows, including a family-friendly vaudeville-style magic show called Alejandro’s Olde Tyme Magik Showe. Visit absomagic.com.

What is your stage persona or character?

While the name of my family audience show is Alejandro’s Olde Tyme Magik Showe, my character is still named Andrew. Alejandro was a name that I first encountered as a child, and it sounded mystical. With my name starting with an ‘A,’ it seemed a natural fit.

Is this your main occupation or something you do on the side?

Until the pandemic hit, performance was my full-time job, [and had been] for 30 years. I’m mainly performing part-time right now while serving as Executive Director of the Claremont Opera House, but I expect [performance] will always be a part of my life.

How did you get into this?

I’ve been interested in performance, specifically theater, since I was a young child. I got interested in magic and gave my first magic show at a school assembly show when I was in second grade. I started performing music in fifth grade and theater in sixth and haven’t looked back. At one time, I had the notion of being a music teacher, but theater and variety [performance] put out its siren song, and by 1990 I was performing full-time.

Describe your costume and process of getting ready.

I wear a pretty basic costume: a custom waistcoat, collarless shirt — I have around 60 in about 20 different colors and patterns — and dark slacks. … I would say the aesthetic is vaudeville-meets-barbershop-quartet.

How do you get into character?

Part of it is putting on the costume; part of it is loading in and setting up my show; and the final part is breathing in just before stepping on stage and reminding myself how much I love playing with my audiences. They’re giving me a gift of their time whenever they come to see a show, and I want that time to be well-spent. At the end of every show, I want my audiences walking away delighted and excited to tell others of the experience they had.

How have events and your relationship with your audience changed over the course of the pandemic?

I did a few live public performances, mostly last summer, but for the most part I pulled back from performing as I wanted to be safe and … my audiences to be safe. I avoided livestreamed or virtual performances as I struggled to feel a real connection. … The technology got in the way of my goal of sharing a moment in time with audiences. I’m grateful to have a monthly show in a small theater and to see gigs starting to come back. … Some of the mechanics have changed, especially with mask use and less contact in the show. … I feel I have to exude more energy to make up for the muted responses caused by mask wearing. … I also try to [perform] in a way that helps [the audience] forget the conditions we’re in and transports them to a place where they’re simply existing and enjoying.

What do you enjoy most about this work?

There are two things, really: the opportunity to travel all around the world seeing the sights, coupled with the opportunity to celebrate the people I meet along the way. There are far more things that connect us than those that divide us, and laughter is universal.

What is one of your favorite memories from on the job?

At almost every performance, there is at least one individual who will be completely swept up, to the point where they gasp or respond physically to the experience. I love, love, love those moments. Those moments are precisely what keep my love for the performance of magic alive. As the performer … I never get to experience the magic until I get to see it through my audience’s eyes. That’s a true gift they give me every single show.

What do the next few months look like for you?

I have a few shows lined up, but we’re all kind of waiting to see what will happen next. I’m hoping 2022 will be much more like the past, but I am resolved to commit to the process. We all need a little magic in our lives right now, and I feel a responsibility to share my gifts as long as I may.

Jason Tardy, Jason Tardy Productions

Tardy is an entertainer specializing in juggling, comedy, fire performance and circus arts. Based in Maine, he does much of his performing in New Hampshire, for both private and public audiences. Visit jasontardy.com.

What is your stage persona or character?

Mostly I’m just an exaggerated version of myself, since most of my shows are my high-energy juggling performances. … I do sometimes perform in variety shows where I do need to play a character. … I just created The Dragon Man character, [which is] a costume I wear while doing fire demonstrations.

Is this your main occupation or something you do on the side?

Believe it or not, this is the only job I’ve ever had. I’ve been performing since I was 15 years old, and when I graduated high school I made enough [income] to make a living. As you get older you get more bills, and luckily I’ve [continued to make] enough money to keep up with all that.

How did you get into this?

When I was 15 my brother Matt and I met a professional juggler, Michael Miclon, at our town’s variety show. Basically, everyone in the town would come out and sing or dance or tell jokes. Michael was a full-time professional juggler and comedian and was kind of a guest performer in the show. He saw my brother and me and another friend doing an act where we lip-synced Weird Al Yankovic music and wore crazy costumes. He thought we had great energy. I mostly think he [was impressed that] we weren’t afraid to look dumb in front of a lot of people and [didn’t] take ourselves too seriously. He asked us if we would like to apprentice with him, which basically meant we would travel with him and help him set up [for shows], and he would teach us juggling and how to get into the business. Michael was also an apprentice when he was in middle school, so it was something he always wanted to pass on. I also took on an apprentice a few years back, and now he is a full-time performing artist.

Describe your costume and process of getting ready.

The costume I wear for most of my shows is just comfortable black pants that don’t wrinkle, which is important when traveling a lot, and usually a very bright pixelated T-shirt made of tech fabrics. My juggling show is very high-energy and physical, so I need to be comfortable during the show.

How do you shift into your stage persona?

I take the parts of me that are high-energy and silly and just dig into that side of my personality. … Since [The Dragon Man] is pretty new, I’m not totally sure how I’m going to play that character. … A lot of times I feel like the costuming of the character really helps me get into that personality. … The main thing I do before my performances … is remind myself to have fun. I learned a long time ago that the audience puts themselves in the performer’s shoes, so if I’m nervous or shy, the audience will feel that, but if I’m having fun and not worrying about making mistakes, the audience will have fun as well.

How have events and your relationship with your audience changed over the course of the pandemic?

I was able to adapt and do virtual performances. I quickly learned how to use Zoom and bought a good webcam and even turned my garage into a performance space. The garage has lighting and even a curtain on the back wall. I think I lost about two-thirds of my work that year, but I was able to make enough money to get by. I also made a few pre-recorded shows I could sell over and over again for a lower price, which worked out really well, and I’m still selling those to this day. … Now, [doing live shows,] I’m just a little bit more aware of when I bring people on stage, and schools sometimes still make you wear a mask while setting up for the show. Once the show starts, the audience is just into the show, and it doesn’t feel that different [from pre-pandemic shows]. At some of my first shows after the pandemic, it felt like the audience was really ready to have fun and maybe even more energetic than before.

What do you enjoy most about this work?

Getting to be creative and really challenging myself creatively and physically. I love that my job challenges me in those ways. Also, one of the most special things about [being a performer] is that my job is to make people happy, and what could be better than that?

What is one of your favorite memories from on the job?

One of the best things about this job was getting to do it with my brother for so many years. When we first started we would sometimes fight and get into arguments as all brothers do, but you learn pretty quickly to get along if you’re going to be throwing knives at each other. My brother has since retired from performing because of an illness, but getting to spend 25 years with him as my performing partner is something I’ll never forget.

What do the next few months look like for you?

I definitely have less work than during the summer. The summer is usually pretty insane, with almost no days off, and sometimes three different shows in three different states in one day, so I kind of look forward to winter, but also dread the lack of work. … I do have a few virtual shows and in-person shows booked … [and] a few winter festivals.

Savannah Bernard, Once Upon a Tea Room

Opened in August, Once Upon a Tea Room is a party service with its own event venue in Newport. It specializes in princess parties with costumed performers and currently offers around 30 different characters. Visit onceuponatearoom.org.

What characters do you play?

Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, Snow White, Majestia the Unicorn Princess, Evie, Dorothy, Holly the Christmas Elf, Rapunzel, Hogwarts student, Elsa, Anna and Barbie. Most of the characters have stories already — they’re just the traditional Disney stories — but there are a couple that we make up stories for, and I tend to do that based on what the child likes.

Is this your main occupation or something you do on the side?

This is a part-time job for me. My full-time job is [working as a] behavioral interventionist in the Claremont School District.

How did you get into this?

That’s actually a funny story. Katlynn, the owner, ran into my best friend at Walmart and invited her to join the team. I was actually pretty skeptical, but after meeting Katlynn and talking to her, I knew that working with her would be a lot of fun. Who doesn’t want to be a princess? Now, Katlynn and everyone I work with has become family, on the job and just in life.

Describe your costume and process of getting ready.

I start by doing my makeup, and that takes about 20 to 30 minutes. Then, with some help, I’ll put the hoop skirt and petticoat and dress on, depending on the character I’m playing for that event … and then jewelry. Lastly, Katlynn will help me with pinning my wig on.

How do you get into character?

I personally like to watch all the movies and short films [featuring] the character and listen to all that character’s music on repeat. Knowing their stories is key to making the kids’ experiences magical.

How have events and your relationship with your audience changed over the course of the pandemic?

I didn’t work at Once Upon a Tea Room [during the pandemic] — I was actually still in high school at the time — but events are picking up, and each one is an absolute blast every time.

What do you enjoy most about this work?

I love my coworkers — they are my second family — and I love knowing I’m making some little girl’s or boy’s fairytale dreams come true. I love seeing their faces as they are completely enthralled with the character.

What is one of your favorite memories from on the job?

Actually being with the kids and seeing their smiles … [and] coming together with the other cast members and setting up for the events. That’s where real relationships are built, spending those hours together. I’ve probably met some of my forever friends that way.

What do the next few months look like for you?

The next few months are packed with parties on the weekends, and I couldn’t be more excited.

Alora Bowers, Once Upon a Tea Room

What characters do you play?

Snow Princess, Peasant Belle, Rapunzel, Tail Ariel, Snow White, Majestia the Unicorn Princess, Dorothy, Mal, Poppy, Barbie, Jessie and fairies.

Is this your main occupation or something you do on the side?

This is part-time. I work full-time as a resource tech at a pharmacy.

How did you get into this?

This has always been such a huge passion of mine. I volunteer for some nonprofits doing character calls, but I wanted to do more. I’ve always heard of these [party services] but could never find one near me. I kept searching and found Once Upon a Tea Room. I nearly screamed. I applied right away.

Describe your costume and process of getting ready.

Thé process can be long, but, honestly, [it should] when you’re starting out, because you’re learning … what the process will be for you, what’s good for your skin and how to apply the makeup yourself. The more you do it, the faster and more comfortable [it becomes]. We arrive [to an event] an hour early. … Our costumes are beautifully designed, and they fit the period, so … the classical princesses like Belle and Cinderella have hoop skirts and corsets. I absolutely love it.

How do you get into character?

It’s understanding [the character’s] motivation and mannerisms. I try to think of situations and how she would feel … and respond. … Singing their songs always helps me get in their mindset, too.

How have events and your relationship with your audience changed over the course of the pandemic?

We always state that masks are optional, and we are very flexible with how the family wants to proceed. We respect the family’s comfort level and how they feel about the pandemic, making sure everyone feels safe. We still have games and activities … and we still make sure each child gets that personal connection [with the characters] and enjoys themselves.

What do you enjoy most about this work?

There are no words to describe how it feels seeing kids so excited and like their dream came true. … To see the kids’ eyes light up during a party is the absolute best. … Another thing is just practicing, honestly — having fun before events, loosening up, dancing and laughing. … We are truly a family here.

What is one of your favorite memories from on the job?

[While playing] Rapunzel, [I] was told by a birthday princess that she had the best birthday and [was given] a big hug.

What do the next few months look like for you?

We’re hoping to do some events for the holidays and back-to-school. … Majestia the Unicorn Princess will be visiting our Tea Room soon for some parties. … We also have new characters in the works … [including] a fire fairy I am [playing].

Barbara Foristall, Cracker Jacks the Clown

Foristall of Merrimack is a professional clown with more than three decades of experience. She is a member and the former president of Granite State Clowns, a group of local clowns that works to promote the art of clowning in New Hampshire. Visit crackerjackstheclown.com.

What are your stage personas and characters that you play?

I do many characters: Cracker Jacks, Maggie May, Twink the Elf, Esmeralda the Witch, Do Fuss the Magic Clown, Melanie the Elegant Clown and Mrs. Barbara Claus. Cracker Jacks is a zany little boyish character, best geared for children up to age 7, but she can handle most any crowd. … Maggie May is suited for older [audiences]. … [She] collects [information] from family and friends [of the guest of honor] and uses that in a roast-like form to put the guest of honor on the spot. It’s hysterical. … I mimicked Carol Burnett, Lucy Ball, Red Skelton and other great comics to develop Maggie May, and added all my clowning experience so that I could basically fly by the seat of my pants at functions.

Is this your main occupation or something you do on the side?

This is a part-time job. I’m also currently a nursery school teacher.

How did you get into this?

I began my clowning career 35 years ago. … I was a nursery school teacher … but had to get a corporate job because I couldn’t survive on nursery school pay. I missed the kids, so I … started clowning around. I found other clowns in the area who guided me in the proper techniques. I attended many conventions and groups to learn more, and I still do. You can always learn something new.

Describe your costume and process of getting ready.

Cracker Jacks wears big clown shoes, pants with suspenders, a shirt and bowtie and a baseball hat. Maggie May … [wears] a dress [with] patches, a cape and a hat with a dirty old flower. … It takes me a few minutes to get really ugly. … I take out my teeth — well, most of them — and glue on a nose.

How do you get into character?

I’m kind of a character [in real life] anyway, so that part is easy. … Cracker Jacks is who I am, exemplified. … [For Maggie May,] on my ride to the event, I go over the information I got on the guest so if an opportunity comes up, I can use it to embarrass them — all in good fun.

How have events and your relationship with your audience changed over the course of the pandemic?

I didn’t work during the pandemic. I didn’t get calls, and I wasn’t comfortable, due to my age, 72 years young. Events are very slowly picking up. My hope is that in 2022 everyone will feel safer and we as performers can strut our stuff again.

What do you enjoy most about this work?

Cracker Jacks can [interact] with a child who may be fearful [of clowns] and win them over. … I love it when there’s a child [who is] fearful [at first], but by the end of the event they are my best friend. … [As Maggie May,] I adore causing laughter by doing the unexpected. … I never know what I’m walking into, which makes it exciting for me and for the audience. I’m quite quick-witted. … I surprise the guest of honor with all kinds of personal gags and jokes. It thrills me when a performance comes together.

What is one of your favorite memories from on the job?

I also use my Maggie May character at clown conventions in skit competitions, and I love being on stage in front of my peers and causing them to laugh. It’s the ultimate compliment.

What do the next few months look like for you?

A very slow return of more jobs. I’m part of Granite State Clowns in Nashua, a group that meets to teach the art and love of clowning. … We’ll be holding a six-week clown school in March, and we hope to bring more interest to clowning and the joy it brings to all. Let’s face it — we need more laughter, especially today.

Deanna Levesque, NH Unicorns

Levesque is the founder and owner of NH Unicorns, an entertainment service offering parties, special appearances and photoshoots with horses and ponies, transformed into “unicorns.” Visit nhunicorns.com.

What character do you play?

I’m not always in costume at NH Unicorn parties, but when I am, we call [the character] the Unicorn Princess. She’s a princess who grew up in a castle where the unicorns are from. We thought it would go along great with the unicorns since a lot of people associate unicorns with fairy tales and magic and princes and princesses.

Is this your main occupation or something you do on the side?

It was intended to be a part-time thing, but is definitely more full-time than I ever thought it would be.

How did you get into this?

I’ve been working with horses my whole life. I’m a professional horse trainer … and I own Bella Vista Stables in Barnstead, which is a competitive equestrian facility. … NH Unicorns came about as a way to fulfill a child’s dream of meeting a unicorn. I have a niece who was born with heart complications and had many heart surgeries and a pacemaker by the time she was 3 years old. We asked her, ‘What do you want most in life?’ and she said she wanted to meet a unicorn. I got a little white pony and turned it into a unicorn, and it grew from there into a business.

How do you get into character?

It’s pretty easy because I love the job. The character feels very natural to me.

Describe your costume and process of getting ready.

The princess costume is fairly simple. I slap on a princess dress, do my hair up big and curly, do a little bit of light makeup and I’m ready to go. [Getting ready] is much more intense for the unicorns. The majority of our unicorns are all white … so they have to go through a rigorous grooming routine to maintain their cleanliness and softness. … Then, they get their hooves polished and their horns shined up for every event.

How have events and your relationship with your audience changed over the course of the pandemic?

Pre-pandemic, our events were pretty crazy; we had to start limiting [the number of] guests because the events got overcrowded. … We didn’t really do anything during the pandemic. … Post-pandemic, we’ve stayed pretty busy … but our crowds are a lot smaller. The vast majority of parties over the last year have been for one kid or a couple of kids and their immediate family.

What do you enjoy most about this work?

Getting to work with animals, getting to work with kids and getting to make so many people happy. I can’t even count the number of people who have told us that we’ve made their dreams come true when they get to meet our unicorns.

What is one of your favorite memories from on the job?

When my niece first got to sit on one of the unicorns. Her face lit up, and I see that beautiful smiling face on every kid that sits on a unicorn.

What do the next few months look like for you?

We do slow down a little bit in the winter; we won’t have parties every single weekend, but we have enough on the schedule to stay mostly busy. We also have some photo shoots scheduled for the next couple of months.

Kristi Parker, Krickey the Clown

Parker is a trained, professional clown and currently serves as president of Granite State Clowns, a group of local clowns that works to promote the art of clowning in New Hampshire. Visit krickeytheclown.com.

What characters do you play?

My main character is Krickey the Clown. When I was young, my mom used to call me Krickey as a nickname for Kristi, so that’s how Krickey was born. I also do Mrs. Wickywacky, the Not-So-Scary Witch during October. At Christmastime I work alongside one of my Santa Claus friends as Cookie the Elf.

Is this your main occupation or something you do on the side?

It’s on the side. I’m a full-time middle school teacher, and I also teach some quilting classes. … When I first became a clown I didn’t even know I could get paid. Now I put whatever money I make back into clowning; I use it for attending conferences and trainings and buying balloons and supplies and materials to make costumes.

How did you get into this?

I’ve always loved theater and entertaining people, and I was always involved in plays when I was in school. … I first learned about clowning around 15 years ago when the Granite State Clowns did a program at the library. They encouraged me to come to a meeting, and I got sucked right in. … From there I actually went to clown school and have been to several trainings and conventions throughout the country. I’ve put a lot of time into learning my craft.

Describe your costume and process of getting ready.

I love costuming. I sew, so I make my own costumes. … There are different kinds of makeup for different kinds of clowns. I’m what’s called an auguste clown, which has a white muzzle, red lips and some white or some kind of accent near the eyes. … It takes me almost an hour to put on my costume, makeup and wig.

How do you get into character?

My clown persona is really just an extension of my own persona. I’m naturally a shy and somewhat reserved person, so I don’t do a lot of slapstick or physical [performance]. … I don’t juggle; I’ve tried to learn, but I’m not very good, but that’s OK, because I have other talents. … My focus is more on making a connection with a child and making them smile, and I don’t do that in a loud or boisterous way.

How have events and your relationship with your audience changed over the course of the pandemic?

Last year was pretty devastating; I think I had two gigs in the entire year. … I’ve been getting more gigs lately, primarily outside gigs. … I am being more cautious about getting too close to people. Instead of doing face painting, where I’m right up next to their face, I’ve been doing glitter tattoos, applied on the back of the person’s hand. … The younger kids don’t always understand that they shouldn’t get too close, so sometimes I’ll have to say, ‘Everyone, take one giant step back.’

What do you enjoy most about this work?

It fills my heart and soul seeing a child smile and giggle and their eyes get wide. … This is my way of spreading joy and helping people forget about their troubles and things that are weighing them down and just let loose and laugh.

What is one of your favorite memories from on the job?

I did a birthday party where one of the children was deathly afraid of clowns. Her grandmother said to me, ‘Can you please make sure that you don’t scare her?’ … I was making balloon animals, and the grandmother brought her up to me, holding her hand, and I made her a balloon animal. When it was time for me to pack up and say goodbye, she came running up to me, hugged me around my knees, looked up at me and said, ‘I love you, clown.’ I guess I had won her over. It melted my heart.

What do the next few months look like for you?

I’ve only been doing outdoor [events], so when things move inside for the winter I won’t be doing a lot, but I do have a couple of outdoor things coming up, like the Concord Tree Lighting and the Christmas Parade.

Ernie Rousseau, Santa’s Den

Rousseau, also known as “Santa Ernest,” is a professional Santa from Hudson. His services include home visits, photo shoots, video messages and letters from Santa. Visit santasden.com.

What character do you play?

My character is Santa Claus. Of course, there are all kinds of stories about Santa Claus, so you learn about the history of St. Nicholas, from the beginning up to modern times, and you add your own spin to it, and that’s how you develop your Santa persona. … Mine is based mostly on Santa as he’s known in the United States — the kind, generous gift-giver.

Is this your main occupation or something you do on the side?

This is part-time. My main employment is working as a city bus driver.

How did you get into this?

I also work part-time at a haunted house, primarily doing security, but I also play a few different characters there. … That got me thinking, and a couple years ago I said, ‘I’m going to become Santa Claus.’ I started doing a bunch of research and then became a member of the New England Santa Society.

Describe your costume and process of getting ready.

It usually takes me about an hour to get ready. … I have four different types of suits … for different types of events. I get [suits and accessories] from a Santa company out of Michigan … and a seamstress in Texas … and a craftsman in North Carolina. I do a lot of research to find the best-looking stuff.

How do you get into character?

I have a room designated as my ‘Santa den.’ It has the smell of Christmas and a Christmas tree that stays up all year round. … I sit in there and take in the scent of the tree and the decorations, and then I’m ready to put my suit on.

How have events and your relationship with your audience changed over the course of the pandemic?

I worked at Bass Pro Shops during the pandemic. There was no contact; we had face shields and plexiglass between me and the visitors, and we cleaned everything between each visitor. … I also did social-distanced private visits where I’d stand out in the [family’s] front yard and they would drive up and have a brief interaction with me from their vehicle. It was great that the children still got to see Santa. … We don’t use face shields or plexiglass anymore, but there’s still no contact; the families sit on a bench and chat with me. … I’ve also been doing virtual visits from my Santa den.

What do you enjoy most about this work?

Watching the children’s eyes get wide when they see Santa. When you bring a child joy, and that in turn brings joy to the parents, how can you not feel good about what you’re doing?

What is one of your favorite memories from on the job?

There was a little boy who had been in some kind of burn accident and was all bandaged up. … When he got to me, he looked at me, and there wasn’t any pain in his face — just pure joy and happiness to see Santa Claus. I had to keep myself from crying.

What do the next few months look like for you?

Very, very busy. From October through December I’m working nonstop, doing everything from private events where I go to people’s homes; [public] events with a Santa visit; [charity] events; and some virtual visits.

Featured photo: Savannah Bernard as Ariel from The Little Mermaid, a princess from Once Upon a Tea Room. Courtesy photo.

How the versatility of agave is gaining tequila and mezcal a new following.

Eddie Leon of La Carreta in Derry and Londonderry is one of several Granite Staters who has flown down to Mexico to hand-select their own single-barrel tequilas. He first learned of the opportunity about eight years ago through a barrel buying program from Brown-Forman Corp., the owner of Tequila Herradura in Amatitán, Jalisco.

“We did it a few times with Herradura and it was very, very popular. … Then we opened it up to other brands like Patrón and Casa Noble,” Leon said. “People really liked the idea of being able to try something different that is not available in the normal stores.”

Over the years, pre-pandemic, Leon has since been joined by owners of some other local eateries and bars, including Cask & Vine in Derry, New England’s Tap House Grille in Hooksett, and 815 Cocktails & Provisions in Manchester. Even New Hampshire Liquor Commission spirits marketing and sales specialist Mark Roy has followed suit.

The group lands and stays in the state capital of Guadalajara, taking day trips to nearby tequila distilleries. Tequilas are bottled before they cross the border, shipped to New Hampshire through a local broker and then purchased from the state to pour at each establishment.

“I’ve kind of become the tour guide for them, and I end up being the translator for a lot of things,” Leon said. “Guadalajara is actually the area where my parents came from originally, so it’s a really great experience. We’ve probably done at least eight or nine trips now.”

More and more premium barrel-aged selections of both tequila and its cousin, mezcal, have become available in New Hampshire in recent years, thanks to a continuously growing demand.

“We’re definitely seeing a huge upswing,” Roy said of tequila sales in Liquor & Wine outlets. “I think when you ask a lot of people who say that they’ve had a bad experience in the past with tequila, it usually ends up being a lower end or even a mixto, which is technically a tequila but is sometimes a blend of liqueur and tequila with higher sugar. … So I really try to encourage people not to associate tequila with the experience they’ve had before and to try to reintroduce themselves and come into it with an open mind. It’s an incredible experience and I think people could be missing out on a category of spirits that they’ve kind of pushed to the side.”

As part of New Hampshire Distiller’s Week, returning for its third year, the Liquor Commission will host “Hold the Lime and Salt: Exploring Premium Tequila and Mezcal,” a tasting seminar on Wednesday, Nov. 3, at the Manchester Country Club in Bedford. The event will feature a panel of five brand ambassadors of premium tequilas and mezcals from multiple regions of Mexico.

Here, local restaurateurs and Distiller’s Week presenters talk about the types of tequilas and how they differ from mezcals.

“Ultima Palabra” cocktail
Courtesy of Kendra Malone of the 7-20-4 Lounge in Londonderry

1½ ounces Casa Noble joven tequila
¾ ounce green Chartreuse liqueur
¾ ounce luxardo maraschino liqueur
¾ ounce lime juice

Shake and strain. Garnish with luxardo cherries.

Tequila time

Kurt Kendall of Twins Smoke Shop and the 7-20-4 Lounge in Londonderry, who has accompanied Leon on the trips to Mexico, agrees that tequila can be somewhat misunderstood.

“Tequila truly is a premium spirit that is meant to be sipped and enjoyed,” Kendall said. “We’ve turned on many customers that typically would enjoy Scotch or bourbon to these ultra-premium tequilas, and it really starts with a little bit of education to understand what it is, how to drink it properly and what you’re discovering. … Once people go through that little process, they become tequila sippers. It’s pretty amazing.”

Both tequila and mezcal are made from the agave plant, of which there are dozens of varieties that are indigenous to Mexico. The main difference between the two spirits, Leon said, is that tequila is made from only one species — the blue Weber agave, or agave tequilana. Mexican laws decree that tequila can only be made in certain regions of the country, he added, including in the state of Jalisco and a few limited areas in other states.

The agave plant can take anywhere from seven to 10 years to reach maturity. A farmer called a jimador harvests the plant by pruning it down to the piñas, or the agave hearts. Those hearts are then chopped up, cooked and juiced before the fermentation process begins.

There are four categories of 100 percent blue agave tequila: blanco (or silver), reposado, añejo and extra añejo. Their differences, Kendall said, have to do with how long each one is aged for.

A blanco or a silver is either unaged or aged for a very short time, depending on the brand, while a reposado could be aged anywhere from a few months to a year. Añejo tequilas are typically aged a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years, and the extra añejo can be aged for three years or longer to reach a greater complex flavor profile.

According to the website of the Tequila Regulatory Council, the governing body for tequila in Mexico, a blend of aged and unaged tequilas is known as a joven, which means “young” in Spanish. The aging process also gives each tequila a distinct color, ranging from a clear silver to a golden yellow, a lighter brown, and finally a dark amber.

Graciela González, a fourth-generation distiller and the brand ambassador of her family’s company, El Mayor tequila, will be one of the featured presenters at the New Hampshire Liquor Commission’s “Hold the Lime and Salt” seminar. El Mayor features a full line of tequilas, each of which is distilled with agave grown on its own plantation just outside of the city of Arandas.

To demonstrate the evolution of each of her family’s products, González said she plans to showcase El Mayor’s blanco, reposado and añejo tequilas. She’ll also be offering samples of a new cocktail they’ve never done before: a spiked tepache, featuring their añejo tequila as the base.

“It’s going to be very unique and very fresh,” she said of the cocktail. “We’re using pineapple and tamarind … so with the tamarind having a tart flavor and the pineapple being more on the sweet side, it balances out perfectly well.”

Spiked tepache
Courtesy of Graciela González, fourth-generation distiller and brand ambassador of El Mayor tequila in Jalisco, Mexico

2 ounces El Mayor añejo tequila
1 ounce pineapple juice
1 ounce tamarind syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters

All about mezcal

Leon remembers a time in the not so distant past when he could find only one brand of mezcal in the entire state. Now he estimates there to be well over 20 of them across store shelves.

“We’re starting to carry more because there has definitely been a growing call for it,” he said.

Even though mezcal is an agave-based spirit just like tequila, there are several distinct differences between the two. While tequila is made only from the blue Weber agave variety, mezcal can be made from combinations of dozens of other agave species, all with their own sizes, flavor profiles, growing conditions and maturation periods.

A majority of mezcal comes from the state of Oaxaca, several hundred miles southeast of Jalisco, but agave varieties used to make the spirit are also known to grow in Durango, Guerrero, Zacatecas and a few other states. Eric Timmerman, national sales manager of the Sonoma, California-based 3 Badge Mixology, will be participating in the “Hold the Lime and Salt” Nov. 3 seminar with selections of the company’s Bozal mezcal brand.

“A lot of people think about mezcal as a smoky tequila. … Tequila for the most part is done in steam and ovens and autoclaves … but mezcal primarily is done in an underground pit oven, or above ground and covered with dirt. It’s almost like barbecue, is what I like to equate it to,” Timmerman said. “Those piñas are roasting slow and low and they are absorbing that smoke, so that’s why obviously mezcal has that smokier profile.”

Mezcal is also known for being much older than tequila, dating back at least to 9th- or 10th-century Oaxaca with the Zapotec culture, Timmerman said. Many of the practices that have been in place for hundreds of years are still in use today for Bozal products, including the use of the tahona, a stone wheel pulled in a circle by a donkey or horse to mash the agave hearts.

“It truly is one of the last handmade spirits in the world,” Timmerman said.

About 90 percent of all of the mezcal coming to the United States is crafted using the espadín agave plant, a variety characterized by its rich, smoky flavor profile, according to Timmerman. Bozal mezcal products, however, are distilled with all kinds of other agave species. Its Ensamble mezcal, for instance, features a blend of espadín, barril and Mexicano agave plants, while the Cenizo mezcal comes from a variety that grows in cool conditions and high altitudes in Durango.

During the seminar, Timmerman said he plans to showcase a Oaxacan margarita using

Bozal Ensamble mezcal, a riff on the classic cocktail with a bit of smokier profile.

“Obviously, everyone loves a good margarita and it’s such a universal cocktail, so we’re going to show them how it’s done with mezcal versus tequila,” he said.

Bozal Oaxacan margarita
Courtesy of Eric Timmerman of 3 Badge Mixology in Sonoma, California

2 ounces Bozal Ensamble mezcal
1 ounce fresh lime juice
¾ ounce agave nectar

Add all ingredients in a shaker filled with ice. Shake for 10 seconds and strain into a double rocks glass over ice. Garnish with sal de gusano (agave worm salt) and a dehydrated citrus wheel.

Your guide to Distiller’s Week

Eighth annual Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits

When: Thursday, Nov. 4, 6 to 8:30 p.m.

Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown, 700 Elm St., Manchester

Cost: $60 per person; “sip and stay” packages are also available to purchase through the hotel

Visit: distillersshowcase.com

Event is 21+ only.

More New Hampshire Distiller’s Week happenings

The third annual New Hampshire Distiller’s Week will take place from Monday, Nov. 1, through Friday, Nov. 5 — check out this list of events and happenings for the week. For the most up-to-date calendar of Distiller’s Week events, visit distillersshowcase.com/events or follow New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlets on Facebook @nhliquorwine.

• National Hockey League Hall of Famer and Belfour Spirits owner-operator Ed Belfour will participate in multiple bottle signing and tasting events this week, including at New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet No. 38 (100 Rotary Way, Portsmouth) on Tuesday, Nov. 2, from 5 to 7 p.m., and at New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet No. 50 (294 Daniel Webster Hwy., Nashua) on Wednesday, Nov. 3, from 5 to 7 p.m. Admission is free, and bottles of Belfour’s rye and Texas pecan-finished bourbon will be available for purchase.

• Get your tickets before they’re gone to a Casa Noble tequila dinner scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 2, at 6 p.m. at The Birch on Elm (931 Elm St., Manchester). The dinner will feature five courses paired with Casa Noble tequila-infused cocktails. Tickets are $99 per person. Visit thebirchonelm.com/tequiladinner to make reservations.

• The Birch on Elm is also hosting a New Riff Distilling Kentucky bourbon dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 5 p.m., another five-course meal prepared by chef Nick Provencher that will feature cocktail pairings from New Riff bourbons. Tickets are $99 per person. Visit thebirchonelm.com/bourbondinner to make reservations.

• The New Hampshire Liquor Commission will host Hold the Lime and Salt: Exploring Premium Tequila and Mezcal on Wednesday, Nov. 3, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Manchester Country Club (180 S. River Road, Bedford). Five leading industry experts will present their tequilas and mezcals during this exclusive seminar-style tasting. Each panelist will talk about three of their products and offer a signature cocktail sample during the event’s reception. At the conclusion of the seminar each product that was presented will be available for purchase. Tickets are $60 per person and can be purchased through Eventbrite.

• Brain Brew Custom Whiskey founder and former Nashua resident Doug Hall will host a seminar at New Hampshire Liquor & Wine Outlet No. 50 (294 Daniel Webster Hwy., Nashua) on Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 6 p.m. Participants will learn about the history of whiskey, how New Hampshire wood is used in different products and the use of woodcraft finishing. Featured products will include Dexter three wood straight bourbon whiskey, Paddle Wheel triple oak bourbon, and Brain Brew’s custom bourbon blending kit. Tickets are $12 and can be purchased through Eventbrite.

The Distiller’s Showcase

First introduced in 2013, the Distiller’s Showcase of Premium Spirits is now the flagship event of New Hampshire Distiller’s Week and one of the largest tasting events for spirits on the East Coast. After the pandemic caused it to transition into a series of virtual tastings in 2020, the Showcase is back in full force — the event returns for an 8th year on Thursday, Nov. 4, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Downtown.

“We’re hoping to get back to some sense of normalcy,” said Mark Roy, spirits marketing and sales specialist for the New Hampshire Liquor Commission. “We were blown away by the response to some of the virtual programs last year, [but] the goal is to go back to the regular forte of the Showcase and the different events leading up to it.”

Roy said the idea of the event came after he attended the Winter Wine Spectacular, normally held in late January. Like during its Wine Week counterpart, brand ambassadors and industry leaders from all over the world come to the Showcase to present their products. Attendees are given a program booklet with a full map of the dozens of tables of spirits that are featured, totaling more than 700 premium whiskeys, bourbons, tequilas, rums, vodkas, gins and other spirits to try. Because of the large volume of products available, Roy said, it’s always a good idea to go into the Showcase with a game plan, by seeking out what you may be most interested in or curious about.

This is the first year that Eric Timmerman, national sales manager of the Sonoma, California-based 3 Badge Mixology, will be participating. He’ll talk about and offer samples of the company’s lineup of products, which include Uncle Val’s botanical gin, Benjamin Chapman whiskey and Kirk and Sweeney rum, in addition to its Bozal mezcal and Pasote tequila.

“As much as I enjoy doing talks on Zoom, there’s still something to be said about being able to have those conversations with people and seeing their reactions when they try the samples,” Timmerman said. “[The Showcase] is a really great opportunity to try a lot of really great products that are on the market … and it gives people a chance to experience things that they may not necessarily have otherwise tried. So we’re excited to be part of it.”

Other participants will include National Hockey League Hall of Famer Ed Belfour, who owns and operates Belfour Spirits; Graciela González, a fourth-generation distiller and the brand ambassador of El Mayor tequila in Jalisco, Mexico, who will be one of the five panelists at the Hold the Salttequila and mezcal seminar the evening before; and Tim Smith, founder of Tim Smith Spirits and star of the Discovery Channel reality series Moonshiners.

The Showcase wouldn’t be complete without its lineup of Granite State spirits purveyors, either — Charles “CJ” Lundergan of Steadfast Spirits Distilling Co. in Concord will be pouring his moonshine-mixed cocktails at the event for the first time, while Brian Ferguson of Flag Hill Distillery & Winery in Lee is also expected to return with his bourbon and rye whiskeys.

More than two dozen New Hampshire restaurants and catering companies will have tables of their own, offering various hors d’oeuvres and appetizers. Several are first-time participants, including Manchester’s Elm House of Pizza, and Red Beard’s Kitchen, a takeout business that chef Matthew Provencher launched earlier this year featuring ready-to-eat comfort meals. Returning businesses will be The Crown Tavern, the Hanover Street Chophouse, The Common Man, Stark Brewing Co., and Twins Smoke Shop and the 7-20-4 Lounge.

If you sample something during the Showcase and decide you want a whole bottle of it, you can purchase it at the conclusion of the event and arrange to pick it up at any one of the 68 New Hampshire Liquor and Wine Outlet stores in subsequent days. The hotel is also once again offering “sip and stay” packages, which include tickets to the event along with a room.

Proceeds from the Showcase will benefit the New Hampshire Food Bank, a new partner for 2021. Last year the New Hampshire Food Bank distributed more than 17 million pounds of food to its hundreds of partner agencies statewide. Executive director Eileen Liponis said there were 71 mobile food pantries held in 2020 — compared to only around a half dozen during a normal year pre-pandemic — serving just under 30,000 New Hampshire families.

“We’re extremely delighted to be part of such a premier event, and we think it’s very important to come out and support the New Hampshire Liquor Commission,” Liponis said. “I think if there’s one thing that Covid may have given us as a silver lining, it’s that our biggest enemies are always shame and stigma. … I think in everyone’s social circle they saw someone being challenged by the effects of the pandemic on them … and I hope that because of that we have more empathy for the fact that food is a basic necessity we all deserve.”

Featured photo: Spiked Tepache Courtesy of Graciela González, fourth-generation distiller and brand ambassador of El Mayor tequila in Jalisco, Mexico.

Your guide to fun scares and Halloween happenings

It’s the scary season — you know, fun scary.

If worrying about the real world has you frazzled, take some time out to enjoy the intentional spookiness, the costumes, the jack-o’-lanterns and of course the candy of Halloween. Though some events are still on hold or modified for the year, a lot of the seasonal fun is back. Find events geared toward kids (including, of course, trick or treating), plus movie screenings, music and costume parties for the older crowd and haunted houses and attractions for those who dare.

More treats than tricks

Halloween events for kids and families

Compiled by Angie Sykeny

Bring the kids for some Halloween fun at these family-friendly events, where they can trick-or-treat at downtown business, do spooky (and not-so-spooky) activities at the museum, show off their costumes in a parade and more.

• There’s a Halloween Dance Party with a DJ at George B. White Basketball Court (8 Raymond Road, Deerfield) on Friday, Oct. 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., open to kids in grades 3 through 5. Prizes will be awarded for the most creative, scariest and best-overall costumes. Admission costs $5. Visit deerfield.recdesk.com.

• Join the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St., Dover) for its Not So Spooky Weekend, happening Friday, Oct. 22, through Sunday, Oct. 24. There will be Halloween-themed educator-led programs and self-led drop-in activities each day. Costumes are welcome, but regular masks are still required. The Halloween festivities are included with regular admission to the museum, which costs $11 for adults and kids over age 1, and $9 for seniors. Register online in advance. Visit childrens-museum.org.

• Chunky’s Cinema Pubs (chunkys.com) has some screenings on the schedule geared at younger movie goers. On Saturday, Oct. 23, at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m., the theaters in Nashua (151 Coliseum Ave.) and Manchestser (707 Huse Road) will offer an all-ages friendly screening of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (PG, 2001), with costumes encouraged. Tickets cost $5.99. Take the kids for a “Little” Lunch Date to see the 2019 animated movie The Addams Family (PG) at Chunky’s Cinema Pubs in Manchester, Nashua and Pelham (150 Bridge St.) on Friday, Oct. 29, at 11:30 a.m. Tickets are free but reserve a spot with a $5 food voucher.

• Paint a Halloween owl at The Canvas Roadshow (25 S. River Road, Bedford) on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 10 a.m. The cost is $25 for the step-by-step workshop and 11”x14” canvas painting. Registration is required by Aug. 21. Then, on Sunday, Oct. 31, at 1 p.m., there’s a Halloween candy charcuterie tray and pumpkin painting workshop, recommended for kids ages 5 through 10. Tickets, which include admission for one adult and two children, one charcuterie and two small pumpkins, cost $75. Register by Oct. 28. Visit thecanvasroadshow.com.

• DeMeritt Hill Farm (20 Orchard Way, Lee) presents its Storybook Halloween Hayride on Saturdays, Oct. 23 and Oct. 30, and Sundays, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31. The event is designed for elementary school-aged children, featuring storytelling with characters like Snow White, Cinderella, Superman, Belle and others along the hayride. Each child will receive Halloween goodies and a pumpkin. The hayride lasts about 30 to 45 minutes and departs every half-hour. The cost is $14 per child and $5 per adult. Reservations are recommended. Visit demeritthillfarm.com.

• The YMCA’s Trunk-or-Treat will be held at Camp Sargent (141 Camp Sargent Road, Merrimack) on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The free outdoor event will feature crafts, games and snacks. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Visit bit.ly/3EtsieG for the EventBrite page.

• Derry will have its Halloween festivities on Saturday, Oct. 23, including the Spooktacular Costume Parade and Contest at Hood Park (4 Rollins St.) from 11:30 a.m. to noon, with categories for kids ages 12 and under and families; and the Downtown Trick-or-Treat from noon to 3 p.m. Visit derrynh.org.

• Hopkinton’s Halloween Holler is on Saturday, Oct. 23, at Harold Martin School (271 Main St.). A kids costume parade will take off from the parking lot at 11 a.m. and proceed down Main Street to Hopkinton Village Store, then back to the school. Following the parade there will be games, crafts, s’mores over the campfire, hot cocoa and cider and more. Admission is free. Visit hopkintonrec.com.

• The Aviation Museum of New Hampshire (27 Navigator Road, Londonderry) is issuing free “Broomstick Pilot Licenses” to kids age 12 and under on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The experience lasts about 20 minutes and includes a “ground school” where the ghosts of aviation pioneers from history will talk about their achievements and teach about the basic principles of flight. Then, applicants will then have their headshots taken and receive their license, as well as some Halloween treats. The regular museum admission charge of $10 will still apply for visitors age 13 and up. Visit aviationmuseumofnh.org or call 669-4820.

• Charmingfare Farm (774 High St., Candia) continues its Children’s Trick-or-Treat experience on Saturdays, Oct. 23 and Oct. 30, and Sundays, Oct. 24 and Oct. 31. The experience includes costumed characters handing out candy in the barnyard; a tractor train or horse-drawn wagon pumpkin patch ride; a cow milking contest; pumpkin decorating; and pony rides. The cost is $22 per person and free for children under age 2. Visit visitthefarm.com to register for a timeslot.

• With its mix of candy and fear, Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (G, 1971) captures the Halloween spirit. The movie will screen on Sunday, Oct. 24, at 3 p.m. at the Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; 668-5588, palacetheatre.org). Tickets cost $12; a portion of the proceeds goes to the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth.

• Milford’s Trick-or-Treat on the Oval is on Friday, Oct. 29, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. The town Recreation Department and businesses on the Oval will be handing out candy and small toys to kids in costume. Visit milfordrec.com.

• Canterbury hosts its Wicked Weekend on Friday, Oct. 29, and Saturday, Oct. 30. The Canterbury Woods Trick-or-Treat will take place on Friday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Then, on Saturday, there’s the Sherwood Forest Trick-or-Treat from 2 to 5 p.m.; the Town Center Trick-or-Treat from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; and a Haunted Trail at 224 Baptist Road at 6:30 p.m. See the “Canterbury, NH” group on Facebook.

• Wear your costumes and trick-or-treat at Manchester City Hall (1 City Hall Plaza) on Friday, Oct. 29, from 3 to 5 p.m. Meet Mayor Craig, pick up a book from the library’s Bookmobile, then do some trick-or-treating at the businesses on Elm Street. Visit manchesternh.gov.

• The CHaD Storybook Tablescape Tour comes to the Bedford Event Center (379 S. River Road, Bedford) on Saturday, Oct. 30, with tours starting at 11:30 a.m. Guests will receive a red carpet welcome by costumed characters who will guide them through a storybook experience, ending with sweet treats. Tickets cost $10 per person, free for kids age 2 and under, and must be purchased in advance. Masks are required. Visit getinvolved.dartmouth-hitchcock.org.

• Come in costume and get ready to sing and dance at the Mr. Aaron Band Halloween Bash, happening at the Kimball Jenkins Estate (266 N. Main St., Concord) on Sunday, Oct. 31, with shows at 10 a.m. and noon. The outdoor shows will include some Mr. Aaron favorites as well as some Halloween songs. Bring a blanket or lawn chairs. Tickets $10. Visit mraaronmusic.com.

• Deerfield’s Tailgate Trick-or-Treat and Costume Parade returns to the Deerfield Fairgrounds (34 Stage Road) on Sunday, Oct. 31, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Visit deerfield.recdesk.com.

• Tilton’s Downtown Trunk-or-Treat and Children’s Costume Parade will take place on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. on Main Street. There will be a costume contest, music, family activities and more. See the “Tilton Downtown Trunk or Treat 2021” event on Facebook.

• Bow’s Trunk-or-Treat will take place on Sunday, Oct. 31, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Bow High School (55 Falcon Way). Visit bownh.gov.

• Head to the Village Green in Amherst for the Halloween Doors trick-or-treating event on Saturday, Oct. 31. Register online in advance for a time slot between 1 and 4 p.m. Visit amherstnh.myrec.com.

Trick or Treat

When do adults need to stock up on mini Snickers and Reese’s (or full-size bars, if you want to be a hero) so costumed kids can hit the streets to look for candy? According to town websites, social media pages and/or town officials, the following are the scheduled trick-or-treat times. In case of the odd Halloween snow storm or other strange weather, check with your town on the day to make sure trick-or-treat is still on.

Saturday, Oct. 30

Barrington: 5 to 7 p.m.
Boscawen: 5 to 8 p.m. (The Boscawen Police Dept. is slated to hold a Trunk or Treat event from 5 to 8 p.m. at Boscawen Elementary School.)
Canterbury: Canterbury does a trunk-or-treat/Halloween celebration in the Town Center from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., according to the police department.
Dover: 5 to 8 p.m.
Durham: 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Greenland: 5 to 7 p.m.
Hampton Falls: 5 to 7 p.m.
New Castle: 5 to 7 p.m.
Newmarket: 5 to 7 p.m.
North Hampton: 4 to 7 p.m.
Portsmouth: 3 to 6 p.m. (The police department is giving away free bright yellow Halloween bags to Portsmouth residents.)
Rollinsford: 5 to 7 p.m.
Seabrook: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Strafford: 5 to 8 p.m.
Stratham: 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Tilton: 6:30 to 8 p.m. (The Trunk or Treat and children’s costume parade will run from 4 to 6:30 p.m.)

Sunday, Oct. 31

Allenstown: 5 to 7 p.m.
Amherst: 6 to 8 p.m. (Halloween Doors on the Green will also offer trick-or-treating from 1 to 4 p.m.; register for a specific time slot at amherstnh.myrec.com.)
Antrim: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Atkinson: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Auburn: 1 to 4 p.m.
Bedford: 6 to 8 p.m.
Belmont: 4 to 8 p.m.
Bennington: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Bow: 5 to 8 p.m. (Bow Parks & Recreation will hold Trunk or Treat at Bow High School from 2 to 3:30 p.m.)
Bradford: 5 to 8 p.m. (Main Street will be closed during this time.)
Brentwood: 6 to 8 p.m.
Brookline: 6 to 8 p.m.
Candia: 5 to 8 p.m.
Chichester: (The PTO is holding a trunk-or-treat event on Sunday, Oct. 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Carpenter Park.)
Concord: 5 to 7:30 p.m.
Danville: 6 to 8 p.m. (The Danville Police Department is handing out free glow bracelets to anyone who plans to trick-or-treat. The Recreation Department will host a trunk-or-treat at the Community Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Deerfield: 4 to 7 p.m. (The Parks & Rec department is holding a tailgate trick-or-treat and costume parade for town residents at the Deerfield Fairgrounds from 1 to 2:30 p.m. with parking beginning at noon. See deerfield.recdesk.com for ticket info.)
Deering: 5 to 8 p.m.
Derry: 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Dunbarton: 4 to 7 p.m.
Epping: 5 to 7 p.m.
Epsom: 4 to 8 p.m.
Exeter: 4 to 7 p.m.
Francestown: (Main Street trick-or-treating and Horse Sheds Trunk or Treat will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m.)
Franklin: 4 to 7 p.m.
Goffstown: 6 to 8 p.m.
Hampstead: 6 to 8 p.m.
Hampton: 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Henniker: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Hillsborough: 5 to 8 p.m.
Hollis: 6 to 8 p.m.
Hooksett: 6 to 8 p.m.
Hudson: 6 to 8 p.m.
Kingston: 5 to 8 p.m.
Laconia: 5 to 8 p.m. (Laconia Parks & Rec will host trick-or-treating in Opechee Park from 5 to 8 p.m.)
Lee: 5 to 7 p.m. (Lee’s Fireman’s Association will hold drive-thru Trunk or Treat at the Lee Safety Complex Oct. 31 from 5 to 7 p.m.)
Litchfield: 6 to 8 p.m.
Londonderry: 5 to 7:30 p.m. (Starting Oct. 27, trick-or-treaters can pick up a glow necklace at the police department lobby.
Lyndeborough: 6 to 8 p.m.
Manchester: 6 to 8 p.m. (Halloween at City Hall/Downtown Trick or Treat is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 29, from 3 to 5 p.m. Visit City Hall Plaza for a free book and then participating downtown businesses for treats.)
Milford: 6 to 8 p.m.
Mont Vernon: 5 to 8 p.m. (Trick or Treat in the Village will run from 6 to 8 p.m.)
Merrimack: 6 to 8 p.m.
Nashua: 6 to 8 p.m.
New Boston: 6 to 8 p.m. (A trunk-or-treat event will start at 5:30 p.m. at New Boston Town Hall.)
New Ipswich: 5 to 7 p.m.
New London: 4 to 6 p.m.
Northfield: 5 to 8 p.m.
Nottingham: 5 to 7 p.m.
Pelham: 5 to 8 p.m.
Pembroke: 5 to 8 p.m.
Pittsfield: 5 to 7 p.m.
Plaistow: 5 to 7 p.m.
Raymond: 5 to 7 p.m.
Salisbury: 5 to 8 p.m.
Sanbornton: 4 to 7 p.m. (Trunk or Treat will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. at Sanbornton Central School.)
Sandown: 6 to 8 p.m.
Warner: 5 to 8 p.m.
Washington: 5 to 8 p.m. at the town commons
Weare: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Wilton: 6 to 8 p.m.
Windham: 5 to 8 p.m.

Enter if you dare

Haunted houses, barns and dark woods to explore

By Matt Ingersoll

Chad Zingales remembers his brother and father presenting “The Haunted Barn,” a Halloween-themed attraction that was attached to his childhood colonial home in Hollis.

“That’s what kind of started my love for it all,” he said. “I’m a very right-brained individual, so I’ve always enjoyed the entertainment side of Halloween and entertaining people.”

For 14 years Zingales ran The Dark Crop over several weeks in October, a “haunted” corn maze at Lavoie’s Farm featuring a cast of scary costumed characters. Now he has a new annual haunt — The Dark Woods, a dimly lit trail behind the farm stand at Trombly Gardens in Milford.

The self-guided tour is decked out with all kinds of unique sets as you make your way through. Costumed characters, each with their own names, voices and props, will be lurking in the shadows, and you’ll never know what types of people you’ll be meeting. For Zingales it’s that theatrical aspect of Halloween attractions that makes putting them on so much fun. Actors — he fondly refers to them as “creeps” — aim for at least two to four scares per group.

“You could build this beautiful haunted house, but if you don’t have any good actors it’s a hard sell,” he said. “We’ve taught our actors how to be creepy and how to scare people, and that timing is everything. … We also strive to have everybody have a backstory. There’s a reason why this character is out in the woods, and why you encounter this particular person.”

Haunted houses have also been a lifelong love for Tim Dunne, owner of Fright Kingdom in Nashua. Now in its 17th year of serving up scares, Fright Kingdom features five uniquely themed attractions for each visitor to go through. He described “Apocalypse Z,” for example, as a scenario straight out of The Walking Dead, while “Bloodmare Manor” is inspired by an old 19th-century Victorian mansion, with family mysteries and secrets to discover.

“It’s definitely an immersive experience. We try to start scaring people as soon as they get into the parking lot,” Dunne said. “The people on our team could be bagging your groceries or handling your finances. … The one thing they all have in common is that they love Halloween.”

Each year Dunne and his team try to think of new ways to scare people, through the inclusion of new rooms or hallways, soundtracks, or costumes or makeup artistry. Fright Kingdom is also unique because the haunts don’t stop after Halloween is over.

“We do a Krampus-themed event during Christmas, and then we do a catered dinner inside the haunted house for Valentine’s Day that always sells out,” Dunne said.

You’ll also encounter spooky sets and costumed characters at The Salisbury Woods, a haunted barn and trail staffed entirely by volunteers on the Salisbury property of Brett Walker.

“On a normal night we can have anywhere from 60 to 70 actors out there in various spots, and there are quite a few animatronics out there as well,” Walker said. “The animatronics kind of act as a distraction for the actors to come out and get another good scare.”

The Salisbury Woods first launched eight years ago as a short walk through the barn. But over the years, Walker said, more and more sets have been added. The production is a fundraiser for several Salisbury-area organizations, like the town’s parent-teacher group and the Fire Explorers.

In Litchfield, Spooky World Presents Nightmare New England is celebrating its 30th year in business. It’s been at Mel’s Funway Park for just over a decade, according to co-owner Mike Accomando, but originally opened in Berlin, Mass., back in 1991.

“It’s a massive show that you can spend the entire night coming out to enjoy,” he said. “We tell people to definitely plan on staying for at least a couple of hours.”

Like at Fright Kingdom, new features are always being added to Spooky World’s repertoire. A haunted hayride spanning more than 80 acres of the property was introduced a few years ago. New to this year’s Spooky World experience is a haunt called “Asylum 47.”

“It’s an entirely new medical scene that we’ve designed,” Accomando said. “As you’re leaving one room and going into another, everything is changing, from the sounds to the lights to the smells, and so everything is constantly working in your head. … We’re also constantly changing scare zones, so you may know what’s going to happen if you were there before but we make sure it’s something different that you see each time you’re there.”

A host of haunts

There are plenty of opportunities for a frightful Halloween in New Hampshire this year. Check out this list of local haunted houses, barns and outdoor trails through the woods.

The Dark Woods at Trombly Gardens

150 N. River Road, Milford, 465-DARK (3275), thedarkwoodsnh.com

Hours: Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 22 and 23, and Oct. 29 and 30, and Sunday, Oct. 31; gate opens at 7 p.m., with the last ticket sold at 10:30 p.m.

Cost: $21 general admission; advance ticket purchasing online is encouraged

During this self-guided tour through the woods behind the farm stand at Trombly Gardens in Milford, you’ll find a cast of creepy characters and misfits, each with their own props, stories and reasons for being there.

Fright Kingdom

12 Simon St., Nashua, 809-1173, frightkingdom.com

Hours: Fridays and Saturdays, 7 to 11 p.m., and Sundays, 7 to 10 p.m., now through Nov. 6 (haunts close after the last ticket holder goes through)

Cost: $29 general admission; purchase advance tickets online

Now in its 17th year of serving up scares, Fright Kingdom features five haunted house attractions, each with their own unique themes, from “Psycho Circus” to “Bloodmare Manor.” Special “In the Dark” experiences are set for Friday, Nov. 5, and Saturday, Nov. 6, when attendees will be given a single light source per group as they attempt to navigate their way out.

Haunted Overload

DeMerritt Hill Farm, 20 Orchard Way, Lee, 868-2111, hauntedoverload.com

Hours: Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, now through Oct. 31, beginning at 7 p.m. and ending at 8:30 or 9:30 p.m., depending on the night. Day walks are also available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Cost: Main event admission is $28 and day walk admission is $8. Other rates apply for special themed events, including a Fright Night Lite on Thursday, Oct. 28 ($14.50 per person; no scares), a Glow Stick Night on Saturday, Oct. 30 ($18 per person), and a Black Out Night on Sunday, Oct. 31 ($17 per person). All tickets must be purchased in advance.

Located on DeMerritt Hill Farm in Lee, Haunted Overload has multiple types of shows to choose from. Its main event features a full cast of actors, complete with theatrical lighting and special events, as attendees traverse through a spooky wooded trail. You can also enjoy the lighting and effects without the scares during Fright Night Lite, or visit the trails and see the props during any of the day haunts.

The Salisbury Woods

19 Franklin Road, Salisbury, 496-2334, facebook.com/thesalisburywoods

Hours: Fridays and Saturdays, Oct. 22 and 23, and Oct. 29 and 30; 7 to 10 p.m. each night

Cost: $10 admission; advance ticketing online is strongly recommended (choose your own timed ticket slots), but cash tickets will be sold at the gate if they are available.

The Salisbury Woods is a haunted barn and trail, staffed entirely by volunteers and featuring dozens of costumed actors and animatronic setups. It’s also a fundraiser for several local organizations, including the Salisbury Parent Teacher Group and the Salisbury Fire Explorers.

Screeemfest

Canobie Lake Park, 85 N. Policy St., Salem, 893-3506, canobie.com/screeemfest

Hours: Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, now through Oct. 30; hours are 6 to 11 p.m. on Fridays, 3 to 11 p.m. on Saturdays and 1 to 8 p.m. on Sundays

Cost: General admission rates are $46 on Fridays and Sundays, and $55 on Saturdays. Admission is $32 all three days for kids under 48 inches tall and seniors over 60, and free for kids ages 3 and under. Group rates are also available. Advance reservations are required.

For six weeks, Canobie Lake Park transforms into Screeemfest, a Halloween-themed destination featuring five themed haunted houses, plus a full schedule of live shows, games, rides and more. Indoor haunts open at 6 p.m. on Fridays and 5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, while outdoor haunts open as soon as it gets dark (typically around 6:45 p.m.).

Spooky World Presents Nightmare New England

Mel’s Funway Park, 454 Charles Bancroft Hwy., Litchfield, 424-7999, spookyworld.com

Hours: Regular season now runs Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, through Oct. 31. Shows begin at 7 p.m. each night and end around 9:35 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays, and 11:05 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Two special events will close out the season, including a TikTok Meet & Greet on Friday, Nov. 5, and a Lights Out event on Saturday, Nov. 6.

Cost: Rates vary; general admission starts at $41.49 on Thursdays and Sundays, $46.49 on Fridays and $51.49 on Saturdays. VIP rates are also available (varies before or after 9:30 p.m.)

Spooky World is celebrating its 30th anniversary in business this year — the haunted attraction originated in Berlin, Mass., in 1991 before briefly moving to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, eventually landing at its current spot at Mel’s Funway Park in 2009 when it joined forces with Nightmare New England. In 2015, Spooky World added a 1-mile-long haunted hayride, and it has a new attraction for 2021 called “Asylum 47.”

Haunted happenings

All-ages Halloween fun

Compiled by Angie Sykeny

From costume contests to hikes and parades, these all-ages Halloween events have something for everyone.

• Join the NH Audubon (84 Silk Farm Road, Concord) for an Enchanted Forest experience on Friday, Oct. 22, or Saturday, Oct. 23, with tours offered between 5 and 7:45 p.m. Follow a forest trail, illuminated by jack-o-lanterns, and encounter creatures, plants and characters along the way, who will perform skits. The walk ends with a storytime at a campfire. This family-friendly experience is open to kids ages 4 and up and adults. The cost is $15 per person, and pre-registration is required. Visit nhaudubon.org.

• The Haunting of Wilton will take place on Saturday, Oct. 23, with downtown merchants trick-or-treating from 2 to 4 p.m., a costume parade down Main Street at 4:30 p.m., and a costume dance in the park with a DJ from 6 to 9 p.m. Visit visitwilton.com.

• Deerfield hosts its 5th annual Haunted Stables on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Deerfield Fairgrounds (34 Stage Road). Residents of Deerfield and surrounding towns are invited for a night of spooky fun and tasty refreshments. Visit facebook.com/deerfieldpolicenh.

• Intown Concord’s Halloween Howl returns to Main Street in the Capital City on Friday, Oct. 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Come in costume and enjoy trick-or-treating, Halloween decor, and games and activities for all ages in downtown. Admission is free. Visit intownconcord.org.

• There’s an all-ages Zombie Walk in Dover on Saturday, Oct. 30. The walk starts at 2 p.m. at the Dover Chamber of Commerce parking lot (550 Central Ave.) and will proceed down Central Avenue, ending at Rotary Arts Pavilion. Participants will receive goodie bags and raffle tickets to win gift cards for downtown Dover businesses and other prizes. Non-zombie costumes are also welcome. Visit dovermainstreet.org.

• Deering’s Trunk-or-Treat will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Deering Fish and Game (Fish and Game Road). In addition to the trunk-or-treat, there will be games, hay rides, a campfire, snacks and a jack-o’-lantern contest (bring your own, pre-carved). The event is BYOB for adults. Visit deering.nh.us.

• Meet at Keach Park in Concord for an all-ages Halloween Hike on Saturday, Oct. 30, starting at 1 p.m. There will be games, songs, books, crafts and more. Costumes are welcome. Visit concordnh.gov.

• Merrimack will have its 29th annual Halloween Party, Sparkly Spooktacular, on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Wasserman Park (116 Naticook Road). Festivities will include free games, crafts, entertainment and food vendors from 2 to 5 p.m.; a concert by the Whiskey Business Band from 5 to 6:30 p.m.; and fireworks at 6:30 p.m. Visit merrimackparksandrec.org/halloween-party.

• Allenstown’s Townwide Halloween Lighting Contest is going on now, with winners to be announced at an awards ceremony at Blueberry Express Park (16 School St.) on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 4 p.m. First-, second- and third-place prizes will be awarded for the houses with the best Halloween decorations. Visit allenstownnh.gov for a list of participating residences.

• The Exeter Halloween Parade and Costume Contest will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30, with the parade starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Water Street end of Swasey Parkway and proceeding to the center pavilion, where there will be refreshments and awards for the best costumes. Additionally the Downtown Trick-or-Treat will be going on from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Visit exeternh.gov.

• Head to the Brown Lane Barn at Beaver Brook Nature Center (52 Brown Lane, Hollis) for a Halloween Enchanted Forest Walk on Saturday, Oct. 30, with time slots from 3 to 5 p.m. The non-scary self-guided walk will include educational stations along the way where participants can learn about New England wildlife, and will end at a campsite with cider and s’mores over a campfire. The cost is $12 per person. Visit beaverbrook.org.

• Head to the JFK Coliseum (303 Beech St., Manchester) for a Halloween Skate Party on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 2 to 4 p.m. Enjoy ice skating, a costume contest and a photo booth. Wear your costume and get a goodie bag at the door. Tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for children and seniors (cash only). Skate rentals will be available for $5. Visit manchesternh.gov.

• The Amherst Orthodontics Trick or Trot 3k takes place on Sunday, Oct. 31, at 11 a.m., in Arms Park (10 Arms St., Manchester). The course goes up to the Notre Dame Bridge, crosses the bridge, then returns back across the bridge to Arms Park. The Stonyfield Lil’ Pumpkin Fun Runs for kids age 8 and under will proceed the race at 10 a.m. Registration costs $25 for adults age 21 and older, $20 for youth ages 12 through 20 and $15 for kids ages 9 through 11 for the 3k, and $10 for the Lil’ Pumpkin Runs. The registration deadline is Oct. 29, at 9 a.m., and race-day registration will not be available. Visit millenniumrunning.com/trick-or-trot.

• Don’t miss the Portsmouth Halloween Parade on Sunday, Oct. 31. All are welcome to come in costume and march in the parade; meet at Peirce Island by Prescott Park at 6 p.m. No sign-up is required. The parade will begin at 7 p.m. and march through downtown. Visit portsmouthhalloweenparade.org.

• Head to McIntyre Ski Area (50 Chalet Way, Manchester) for its Witch of Weston Tower experience, happening every weekend in October on Fridays, from 4 to 8 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 8 p.m., and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. (last ride is at 30 minutes before closing). The experience includes transportation up the mountain and a hayride to the tower, where participants can meet the witch, play games and more. The cost is $15 for kids and adults age 9 and up, and free for kids under age 9. Visit manchesternh.gov.

• The Harvest Festival at Applecrest Farm (133 Exeter Road, Hampton Falls) is going on every Saturday and Sunday in October, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., with pick-your-own opportunities, a corn maze, live music, tractor rides, barnyard animals and more. Admission is free. Stop by on Sunday, Oct. 24, to see the Great Pumpkin Carve, where a master carver will take on an 800-pound jack-o-lantern. Visit applecrest.com.

• The corn maze at Coppal House Farm (118 N. River Road, Lee) is open through October. Farm hours are Monday, Thursday and Friday, from noon to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last admission at 4:30 p.m. The cost is $9 per person; $7 for kids ages 5 through 12, seniors age 65 and up, and military; and free for kids age 4 and under. A flashlight night maze will be open on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., (BYO flashlight), with tickets priced at $12 per person, ages 5 and up. Tickets for the flashlight maze must be purchased online in advance. Visit nhcornmaze.com.

Also check out the corn maze at Riverview Farm (141 River Road, Plainfield), open through October, Tuesday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The cost is $5 per person and free for kids age 4 and under. Visit riverviewnh.com.

• O’neil Cinemas at Brickyard Square (24 Calef Hwy. in Epping; 679-3529, oneilcinemas.com) continues its Film Frenzy $5 series of classic films with some Halloween appropriate titles: The Shining (R, 1980) which screens through Thursday, Oct. 21; Beetlejuice (PG, 1988) which screens Monday, Oct. 25, through Thursday, Oct. 28, and A Nightmare on Elm Street (R, 1984), Monday, Nov. 1, through Thursday, Nov. 4. The films are screened multiple times each day.

• Jeff Rapsis will present The Phantom of the Opera (1925), the silent film starring Lon Chaney, with live musical accompaniment on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Flying Monkey (39 Main St. in Plymouth; 536-2551, flyingmonkeynh.com). Tickets start at $10. He will also perform live music to accompany the film on Wednesday, Oct. 27, at Park Theatre at 7 p.m. (19 Main St. in Jaffrey; theparktheatre.org). Admission costs $12 per person and tickets are available online or at the door.

• The Rex Theatre (23 Amherst St. in Manchester; 668-5588, palacetheatre.org) will offer a classic 1980s horror film and a classic silent era horror. On Thursday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m., see A Nightmare on Elm Street (R, 1984). Tickets cost $10 ($8 with student ID). On Thursday, Oct. 28, see Nosferatu (1922), the silent film directed by F.W. Murnau, at 7:30 p.m. The presentation features live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis. Admission costs $10.

• Red River Theatres (11 S. Main St. in Concord; 224-4600, redrivertheatres.org) continues its series of horror films screened on Thursdays in October at 7 p.m. On Oct. 21, catch 1972’s Frenzy and on Oct. 28, see 1982’s The Thing.

• Chunky’s Cinema Pub in Manchester (707 Huse Road), Nashua (151 Coliseum Ave.) and Pelham (150 Bridge St.) will screen Psycho (1960), starring Anthony Perkins and Janet Leigh) on Friday, Oct. 29, at noon, as part of a senior showing. Admission is free; secure a seat by purchasing a $5 food voucher at chunkys.com

Boootiful music

Costume parties & more for the grown-up Halloween fan

Compiled by Amy Diaz

For the older crowd, several area breweries, restaurants and other venues have parties, often with costume contests planned this Halloween season. Because the holiday itself falls on a Sunday, some parties are happening Saturday or even earlier in the week, giving you more opportunities to dress up and head out. (Note: Some events are 21+. Information here comes from the venues’ websites and social media.) Know of a party not listed here? Let us know at [email protected].

In the days before Halloween…

• Jewel Music Venue (61 Canal St. in Manchester; 819-9336) will host a Pop Punk Halloween on Thursday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. featuring Big Smile, Driveways, Rematch, Promise Game, 20 Something and Day Trip. Tickets cost $12 in advance, $15 at the door, for this 18+ event.

• Twin Barns Brewing (194 Daniel Webster Hwy. in Meredith; 279-0876) will host a pumpkin painting party on Friday, Oct. 22, at 5 p.m.

• Averill House Winery (21 Averill Road in Brookline; 371-2296, averillhousevineyard.com) will hold a Spooktacular Halloween Comedy Show with headliner Mike Koutrobis on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 7 to 8 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets cost $15 in advance.

• Head back to Jewel Music Venue (61 Canal St. in Manchester; 819-9336) on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. for the Halloween Bash featuring tribute sets with bands performing the music of Slipknot, Deftones, Vanna and Hawthorne Heights, free candy, a costume contest with prizes and more. Tickets cost $12 in advance, $20 the day of (or $15 day of with a costume) to this 18+ show.

• Monique Toosoon will co-host a Halloween-themed “Life’s a Drag” show at Chunky’s Cinema Pub in Manchester (707 Huse Road) on Saturday, Oct. 23 at 9 p.m. (doors open at 8 p.m.). Tickets cost $25 and are available at chunkys.com. “The shows are high energy, funny, diverse and interactive. Performers dance, lip-sync and some even sing live,” Monique said in an email.

• Copper Door restaurants in Bedford (15 Leavy Dr.; 488-2677, copperdoor.com) and Salem (41 S. Broadway; 458-2033) will hold Wicked Scary Week Oct. 24 through Oct. 31, with special lunch and dinner menus, drinks, games and live music on Oct. 24 (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), Oct. 28 (7 to 10 p.m.) and Oct. 31 (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.).

• Sea Dog Brewing Co. (5 Water St. in Exeter; 793-5116, seadogbrewing.com) will hold a Mug Club Social Halloween Bash on Monday, Oct. 25, from 5 to 8 p.m. RSVP and find out more about joining the brewery’s Mug Club at [email protected]. The night will feature live music, food, raffles and more.

• Last in Linewill play The Big House (322 Lakeside Ave. in Laconia; bighousenightclub.com) on Friday, Oct. 29, at 6 p.m. for a Halloween Party, costumes encouraged. Tickets cost $25 in advance, $30 at the door.

• Chop Shop Pub (920 Lafayette Road in Seabrook; 760-7706, chopshoppub.com) will hold a Halloween Extravaganza Costume Party with music by FastTimes (playing 1980s music) on Friday, Oct. 29, at 6:30 p.m.

• Chunky’s Cinema Pub in Pelham (150 Bridge St.; chunkys.com) will hold a live, 21+ Ghouling Pianos Halloween Bash on Friday, Oct. 29, at 8:30 p.m. featuring the Dueling Pianos. Costumes are encouraged; tickets cost $20.

• Wally’s Pub (144 Ashworth Ave. in Hampton; 926-2801) will host Prospect Hill’s 12th annual Halloween Bash, featuring special guests Lansdowne, Sleepspirit and Psycle, on Friday, Oct. 29, starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for this 21+ event cost $20.

• Lynn’s 102 Tavern (76 Derry Road in Hudson; 943-7832, lynns102.com) will hold a karaoke costume party on Friday, Oct. 29, starting at 8 p.m. with gift certificates for the best costume.

Saturday, Oct. 30

• Millyard Brewery (25 E. Otterson St. in Nashua; 722-0104, millyardbrewery.com) will host Bradley Copper Kettle and Friends at 3 p.m.

• Chunky’s Cinema Pub in Nashua (151 Coliseum Ave.) and Manchester (707 Huse Road; chunkys.com) will hold a live, 21+ Ghouling Pianos Halloween Bash on Saturday, Oct. 30, at 8:30 p.m. featuring the Dueling Pianos. Costumes are encouraged; tickets cost $20.

• Cercle National Club (550 Rockland Ave. in Manchester; 623-8243) will start its Halloween party at 5 p.m. with Off Duty Angels.

• The Polish American Club (15 School St. in Nashua; 821-7535) will hold a karaoke Halloween Party starting at 6 p.m., with prizes for best costumes, food and more.

• Shane’s BBQ (61 High St. in Hampton; 601-7091, shanes-texas-pit.com) will hold a costume contest starting at 6 p.m, with prizes for first and second place.

• Head back to Chop Shop Pub (920 Lafayette Road in Seabrook; 760-7706, chopshoppub.com) at 6:30 p.m. for a second night of celebrations with Halloween Bash with a costume party with prizes and bands including Notley Crue (a Motley Crue tribute band), Band Inc. and Casual Gravity.

• Area 23 (254 N. State St. in Concord; 881-9060, thearea23.com) will hold a Halloween party with a costume contest and the band Holy Fool from 7 to 11:47 p.m.

• The Purple Pit Coffee Lounge (28 Central Sq. in Bristol; 744-7800, thepurplepit.com) will feature The Krimson Krewe from 7 to 9 p.m., with a Mardi Gras costume contest. Doors open at 6 p.m.; admission costs $15 per person.

• High Octane Saloon (1072 Watson Road in Laconia; 527-8116, highoctane603.com) will kick off its Halloween party at 7 p.m. with music by EXP Band, a costume party with prizes and an entry fee of $5.

• Long Blue Cat Brewing Co. (298 Rockingham Road in Londonderry; 818-8068, longbluecat.com) will hold a Halloween party at 7 p.m., with costumes encouraged (and prizes for the best costumes) and beer and drink specials and a DJ and dancing.

• Boston Billiards Club & Casino (55 Northeastern Blvd. In Nashua; 943-5630, bostonbilliardclubcasino.com) will hold its annual Halloween Bash starting at 8 p.m. featuring the band Plan B and a costume party with prizes.

• The Gas Light (64 Market St. in Portsmouth; 430-9122, portsmouthgaslight.com) will host Nightmare on Market Street Halloween Party, which starts at 8 p.m. with a DJ, dancing, drink specials, costume contest with prizes and more. Tickets in advance cost $12 (plus fees) for general admission and $30 (plus fees) for VIP tickets.

• Head back to Lynn’s 102 Tavern (76 Derry Road in Hudson; 943-7832, lynns102.com) today for a Halloween Bash at 8 p.m. featuring Sindicate and a cash prize for best costume.

• The Peddler’s Daughter (48 Main St. in Nashua; 821-7535, thepeddlersdaughter.com) will kick off its party at 8 p.m. Check with social media closer to the date for updates.

• Saddle Up Saloon (92 Route 125 in Kingston; 369-6962, saddleupsaloonnh.com) will hold its Halloween party starting at 8 p.m. with Bite the Bullet, drink specials, giveaways and a costume contest.

• Tower Hill Tavern (264 Lakeside Ave. in Laconia; 366-9100, towerhilltavern.com) will hold a karaoke costume party with DJ Tim starting at 8 p.m.

• The Big House (322 Lakeside Ave. in Laconia; bighousenightclub.com) will hold a costume party featuring DJ Kadence starting at 9 p.m. with a $5 entry fee and a costume contest featuring prizes.

Halloween, Oct. 31

• The Big House (322 Lakeside Ave. in Laconia; bighousenightclub.com) will host the Weirs Drag Brunch on Halloween morning starting at 9:30 a.m. Tickets cost $25.

• Smuttynose Brewing (105 Towle Farm Road in Hampton; smuttynose.com, 436-4026) will hold a Mutt-ster Mash from 1 to 4 p.m. The afternoon will include a dog costume contest with prize, treats for humans and pups and Smuttynose Beer, with proceeds to go to Pope Memorial Humane Society.

• The Village Trestle (25 Main St. in Goffstown; 497-8230, villagetrestle.com) will hold a Halloween Party, costumes encouraged, featuring music from Bob Pratte and Steve Roberge on sax and harp starting at 3:30 p.m.

• The Alamo Texas Barbecue & Tequila Bar (99 Route 13 in Brookline; alamobarbecue.com, 721-5000) will celebrate its three-year anniversary and Halloween with live music starting at 4:30 p.m. by Ralph Allen, raffles and giveaways and more.

• Fody’s Tavern (9 Clinton St. in Nashua; 577-9015, fodystavern.com) will have a Halloween party featuring DJ Mark Allen starting at 8 p.m.

And beyond…

• On Saturday, Nov. 6, Liquid Therapy (14 Court St. in Nashua; 402-9391, liquidtherapynh.com) will hold a Halloween Trivia ExtravaganzaSaturday, Nov. 6, from 1 to 4 p.m.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.

Arcades, bowling alleys and game shops to level up your game night

High scores

Classic video gaming at New Hampshire’s arcades

by Matt Ingersoll

Portsmouth native Sean Greenlaw grew up playing retro video games, thanks in part to his father’s managing the former Dream Machine arcade at the Fox Run Mall. So when he learned that Manchester’s Electric Avenue Arcade was up for sale, he saw a unique opportunity.

“I was definitely here pretty regularly. This was a place that I loved to come to and remembered having an amazing community to participate with,” Greenlaw said. “I’ve wanted to start my own business, and this pandemic really taught me that there were opportunities out there for me and that I needed to take chances. … So I threw my hat into the ring to purchase the arcade.”

Last month Electric Avenue fully reopened under Greenlaw’s ownership after an extended absence. All of the arcade’s more than two dozen games are available to play once again, from timeless classics like Pac-Man and Galaga to Donkey Kong, Space Invaders and many others, plus multiple pinball machines and a few Skee-Ball lanes. Greenlaw is looking into adding a few more games on the floor too, including one he acquired that used to be at the Dream Machine.

Arcades were products of their time, before the age of the internet and smartphones, when gamers would gather around hunched over a machine and attempt to surpass the high score. It’s all part of that nostalgic factor Greenlaw hopes to carry on at Electric Avenue.

“You can play a game on your computer or your phone, and that’s a very solitary experience,” he said, “but when you come into an arcade you hear the classic sounds that you grew up with. You’re able to meet up and challenge other folks face to face, which is something that has kind of been lost. … So I really appreciate the feeling of the arcade bringing everyone together. That’s the vibe I’m going for here, is that you feel like you’re walking into your friend’s basement.”

Indeed, when Greenlaw reopened the doors, many of the arcade’s faithful regulars returned.

“There were people who hadn’t seen each other since the pandemic began who were able to meet up again, and for me that was the best part,” he said. “It’s a testament to [former owners] Chuck and Sara [Vorias], and that’s something that I want to continue.”

In the spirit of starting fresh, Greenlaw is resetting the high scores of each of the machines and is also working toward adding a token dispenser. The bar side of the arcade, meanwhile, will continue to feature a rotating selection of local brews and light food options.

At Block Party Social in Hooksett, formerly the Space Entertainment Center, there are dozens of new arcade games to play in its recently renovated space. Each game operates using preloaded funds on a game card, which you can also use to accumulate points and win prizes.

While there are several iconic games that are represented, many have their own modernized twist. If you love to play Pac-Man or Galaga, for example, you can experience them on a giant LED video billboard. Space Invaders Frenzy combines the classic gameplay of the original Space Invaders with ray gun-like controllers in place of traditional joysticks and buttons. There are also multiple interactive arcade experiences, such as Jurassic Park and Halo.

“The games all kind of have that physical experience to them. It makes for more of an immersive environment,” Block Party Social marketing director Ron Weinberg said. “In a certain sense it is a throwback to maybe when you used to go to the arcade at the beach and play Skee-Ball, but this is almost like a little more high-tech version of it.”

Weinberg said the new games were all part of a complete rebranding of the business that took place last year. Other attractions, like indoor ropes courses, zip lines and an axe-throwing lounge with multiple games to choose from using superimposed screens, have all been added.

In Concord, Wow Fried Chicken & Subs owner Maher Abbas recently turned the adjacent vacant building space on the corner of Main and Pleasant streets into Wow Chicken Arcade, which officially opened to the public on Oct. 1.

Abbas said kids of all ages enjoying the few games he has inside in his restaurant made him realize that there wasn’t any central arcade in town for them to go to. Unlike at Electric Avenue, which currently utilizes special tokens to play the games that are sold in bagged quantities at the counter, machines at Wow Chicken Arcade are quarter-operated.

Games include many of the classics, as well as a few pinball machines, racing simulators, ice hockey tables and basketball shooting machines. Abbas is making the downstairs space available to rent as a function room for family-friendly private parties and gatherings and has plans to offer entertainment outings like open mic or karaoke nights in the near future.

Visit an arcade

From Pac-Man to Space Invaders and dozens of other classics in between, here’s a list of some spots in southern New Hampshire where you can get your retro video gaming on.

Block Party Social

51 Zapora Dr., Hooksett, 621-5150, blockpartysocial.com

Hours: Sunday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to midnight

Formerly the Space Entertainment Center, Block Party Social features a newly renovated arcade space with more than 100 types of video games to enjoy, in addition to an in-house restaurant, a revamped 5,000-square-foot laser tag arena, ropes courses, and an axe-throwing lounge with a variety of game formats.

Dave & Buster’s

1500 S. Willow St., Manchester, 506-3100, daveandbusters.com

Hours: Sunday and Monday, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The Granite State’s first Dave & Buster’s location, which arrived in the Mall of New Hampshire plaza in August 2020, features a large arcade with chances to win prizes, plus a sports bar and virtual reality gaming.

Electric Avenue Arcade

24 Bridge St., Manchester, 518-5770, electricavearcade.com

Hours: Thursday, 6 to 11 p.m.; Friday, 6 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, noon to midnight, and Sunday, noon to 7 p.m. (may be subject to change)

Reopened last month under new ownership, Electric Avenue is back with all of the same arcade games as before, including Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Paper Boy, Galaga, Q*Bert and more, plus a rotating offering of local brews and a light food menu.

Funspot

579 Endicott St. N., Laconia, 366-4377, funspotnh.com

Hours: Monday through Friday, noon to 10 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Billing itself as the “largest arcade in the world,” Funspot features several hundred classic arcade games, as well as other activities like indoor mini-golf, bowling and cash Bingo.

FunWorld

200 Daniel Webster Hwy., Nashua, 888-8735, funworldnh.com

Hours: Friday, 3 to 8 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 8 p.m. (hours are temporarily reduced due to the pandemic and may be subject to change)

This Nashua center features more than 250 video games for all ages, plus a three-story playground and three indoor amusement rides.

Hilltop Fun Center

165 Route 108, Somersworth, 742-8068, hilltopfuncenter.com

Hours: Monday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m.; Friday, noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Arcade games are just one of the attractions at Hilltop Fun Center, which also features mini-golf, laser tag, batting cages and more.

Mel’s Funway Park

454 Charles Bancroft Hwy., Litchfield, 424-2292, melsfunwaypark.com

Hours: Friday, 5 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, noon to midnight, and Sunday, noon to 7 p.m.

One of several attractions to enjoy at Mel’s Funway Park, the indoor arcade is expected to remain open through the end of Spooky World’s annual run this Halloween season, according to co-owner Mike Accomando.

Tokens Taproom

284 Central Ave., Dover, 343-2879, tokenstaproom.com

Hours: Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Friday, 4 a.m. to 1 a.m.; Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Sunday, 4 to 11 p.m.

Known as a “barcade,” a combination arcade and bar, Tokens Taproom has classic arcade games and pinball machines that have been collected over the years by owner Josh Hynes. It’s open to visitors ages 21 and up, but minors are allowed in on Saturdays, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., with accompanying adults.

Wow Chicken Arcade

2 N. Main St., Concord, find them on Facebook @wowchickennn

Hours: Monday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, noon to midnight (may be subject to change)

New to the local arcade scene, Wow Chicken Arcade opened Oct. 1 on the corner of Main and Pleasant streets in downtown Concord. Games include pinball, ice hockey, simulated racers, Skee-Ball and more, while a function space is available to rent.

Right up your alley

Bowling still fun for all ages

By Meghan Siegler

The game of bowling hasn’t changed much in the past few decades. You lace up your well-worn rental shoes, grab a ball — a big one with finger holes if you’re playing 10-pin, a much smaller one with no holes if you’re playing candlepin — and send it down the lane, aiming for the pins at the end and hoping the ball stays out of the gutters. But not everything has stayed the same.

“What has come a long way is the technology,” said Kelly Cross, manager of Yankee Lanes in Manchester.

There are two basic kinds of bowling centers, Cross said: traditional league houses that are focused on league bowlers and tournaments, and the centers that are geared more toward family entertainment. She said Yankee Lanes falls somewhere in the middle, with league-based play during the weekdays and non-competitive players coming in on nights and weekends.

“After 9 it’s really geared more toward the casual bowlers,” Cross said. “We crank up the music and turn on the glow-in-the-dark lights.”

Cross has been working at Yankee for 20 years, so she’s watched the scene evolve in that time.

“The swing toward a more casual bowler has been the most dramatic change,” she said.

There are also two main kinds of bowling: candlepin and big-ball, the former of which is really only a thing in New England, Cross said.

“It’s a pretty niche market,” she said.

With candlepin, you’re using a smaller ball and aiming for skinnier “candlesticks,” so named because the pins are tapered and resemble candlesticks. The lane conditions are different too; there’s a protective coat of oil that goes on big-ball lanes that’s not used on candlepin lanes.

With its smaller balls, candlepin might seem like a better choice for kids and families, but most bowling centers that have 10-pin offer lighter-weight balls for kids. They also have ramps for really young kids, and bumpers help minimize the frustration of gutter balls.

“There are no benchwarmers in bowling,” Cross said. “Everyone can participate. … We have bowlers who are 2 or 3, all the way up to 90.”

Go bowling

Candlepin

Boutwell’s Bowling Center

152 N. State St., Concord, 224-0941, boutwellsbowl.com

Hours: Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

King Bowling Lanes

751 Mast Road, Manchester, 623-9215, kinglanes.com

Hours: Sunday 1 to 6 p.m., Monday 3 to 9 p.m., Tuesday noon to 9 p.m., closed Wednesday, Thursday 1 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 1 to 10 p.m.

Lakeside Lanes

2171 Candia Road, Manchester, 627-7722, lakesidelanes.com

Hours: Sunday noon to 9 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday noon to 10 p.m.

Leda Lanes

340 Amherst St., Nashua, 889-4884, ledalanes.com

Hours: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily

Park Place Lanes

16 Rockingham Road, Windham, 898-4422, parkplacelanes.com

Hours: Closed Monday, open Tuesday through Saturday noon to 9 p.m., Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

Ten-pin

Merrimack Ten Pin

698 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 429-0989, merrimacktenpin.com

Hours: Sunday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Strikers East Bowling Center & Function Room

4 Essex Dr., Raymond, 895-9501, strikerseast.net

Hours: Sunday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday 5 to 10 p.m., Tuesday 5 to 9 p.m., Wednesday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Thursday 5 to 10 p.m., Friday 2 to 11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Yankee Lanes

216 Maple St., Manchester, 625-9656, yankeelanesentertainment.com

Hours: Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to midnight, Saturday noon to midnight, Sunday noon to 11 p.m.

Really Retro

King Bowling Lanes in Manchester has been around since 1939, according to its website. When it first opened, there were “pinboys” who would set the pins because there were no automatic pinsetters — those weren’t added until 1954. In 1989 King Bowling upgraded to automatic scoring, which is now the norm at most bowling centers.

Well-played

Local game shops host tabletop games, old and new

by Angie Sykeny

Tabletop games are alive and well, from the ones you played as a kid to new ones being released all the time. Many local game and comic book stores double as venues where people can gather for open-play gaming and organized gaming events.

The fantasy tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, or D&D, has been a household name in the game world since the 1980s, but some local game shop staff said it’s starting to break into the mainstream.

“D&D has really come out of the basement and into the spotlight in the last few years, with shows like The Big Bang Theory,and shows that stream D&D games, like Critical Role, where you see Hollywood voice actors playing the game,” said Jay Ribak, owner of Relentless Dragon, a game store in Nashua. “I think the demographic [of players] is growing.”

Megan Kilar, who works at Collectibles Unlimited, a game store in Concord, said the pandemic was also responsible for a “Dungeons & Dragons renaissance.”

“There are a lot of board games that you can really only play in person, but D&D is one that you can play together online, so for many people, playing D&D was a way to connect with their friends during Covid,” she said.

Relentless Dragon hosts organized D&D games three nights a week that are open to anyone with any level of interest in the game.

“People are welcome to drop in and sit in on a session to observe, or to join,” Ribak said. “You don’t really need anything except a willingness to try things out. … We’ll help you get an introduction to the game.”

Another game that has stood the test of time and continues to attract new players is Magic: The Gathering, a fantasy trading card game that came out in the early 1990s.

“Magic is great, because the rules haven’t changed,” Kilar said. “If you knew how to play Magic 10 or 15 years ago, you still know how to play Magic, and if you don’t, it’s easy enough to pick up.”

You can find weekly Magic games at both Collectibles Unlimited and Relentless Dragon as well as other local game shops.

If you like games involving strategy and games that allow you to be creative, Warhammer, a medieval-fantasy war game played with custom miniatures, has the best of both worlds, Kiler said. Around since the 1980s, Warhammer has maintained a following and is, according to Kiler, the most popular game at Collectibles Unlimited.

“There’s a lot to it,” she said. “You paint your miniatures on your own however you want to, and then you have to think about how you’re going to use your army and what each of your units is going to do.”

Your tabletop game options don’t end with the classics; Matt Summers, owner of Game Knight, a BYOB game shop and gaming lounge in Manchester, said there’s “a pretty decent market” for tabletop games, and that it’s growing all the time.

“A lot of people think board games have gone by the wayside, but they’ve actually been evolving,” Summers said. “There’s brand new games — all kinds of crazy games — coming out almost every month.”

Modern games have expanded into many different themes and genres beyond fantasy, Summers said, such as cyberpunk, outer space, crowd games and games based on anime series like Cowboy Bebop and My Hero Academia.

Every Saturday, Game Knight opens a game that’s new to the store and teaches people how to play it.

“We don’t want to be a niche-type store,” Summers said. “The sky’s the limit in [the game] world — if you can think of it, there’s probably a game for it — and we want to do it all so that anyone can come and game the way they want.”

If your post-pandemic social life could use a boost, Riback said, playing games at your local game store is a great way to get out of the house and engage with other people in a relaxed atmosphere.

“It’s really important, especially now, to be able to step away from our screens for a bit and get some face time with our fellow humans,” he said. “[The store] provides a place where people can do that, and everyone is welcome.”

Play tabletop games

Here are some local game shops and gaming lounges where you can play tabletop games.

• Awesome Cards, Collectibles, & Games (123 Nashua Road, Unit 14, Londonderry, 404-6996, awesomeccg.com)

• Boards and Brews Board Game Cafe (941 Elm St., Manchester, 232-5184, boardsandbrewsnh.com)

• Collectibles Unlimited (25 South St., Concord, 228-3712, collectiblesunlimited.biz)

Weekly events:

Warhammer – Tuesday, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.

Magic: The Gathering – Friday, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.

• Diversity Gaming (1328 Hooksett Road, Hooksett, 606-1176, diversitygaming.store)

Weekly events:

Dragon Ball Super – Monday, 6 to 10 p.m.

Dungeons & Dragons – Tuesday, 6 to 10 p.m.

• Double Midnight Comics (245 Maple St., Manchester; 341 Loudon Road, Concord; 669-9636, dmcomics.com)

Weekly events at Manchester location:

Heroclix – Sunday, 1 p.m.

Dragonball Super – Sunday, 1 p.m.

Digimon – Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Dungeons & Dragons – Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Magic: The Gathering (modern) – Tuesday, 7 p.m.

Yu-Gi-Oh – Wednesday, 7 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m.

Magic: The Gathering (Commander) – Thursday, 7 p.m., and Saturday, 3 p.m.

Magic: The Gathering (draft) – Friday, 7 p.m.

Flesh & Blood TCG – Friday, 7 p.m.

Cardfight Vanguard – Saturday, 3 p.m.

Weekly events at Concord location:

Flesh & Blood TCG – Sunday, 1 p.m.

Magic: The Gathering (Commander) – Thursday, 7 p.m., and Saturday, noon

Magic: The Gathering (draft) – Friday, 7 p.m.

• Game Knight (North End Shops at Livingston Park, 545 Hooksett Road, Manchester, 232-4813, gameknightnh.wixsite.com)

Weekly events:

Dungeons & Dragons – Wednesdays, 6 to 10 p.m.

Magic: The Gathering (Commander) – Thursday, 5 to 10 p.m.

Magic: The Gathering (Draft) – Friday, 7 p.m.

Ultimate Day of Gaming (the shop introduces a new game)

• The Relentless Dragon Game Store (483 Amherst St., Nashua, 204-5275, relentlessdragon.com)

Weekly events:

Dungeons & Dragons – Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m.

Magic: The Gathering – Friday, 5 to 11 p.m.

• Merrymac Games and Comics (550 Daniel Webster Hwy., Merrimack, 420-8161, merrymacgc.com)

Weekly events:

Magic: The Gathering (Draft) – Wednesday, 6 to 10 p.m.

Magic: The Gathering (Commander) – Thursday, 6 to 9 p.m.

Magic: The Gathering (Modern) – Friday, 6:30 to 10 p.m.

• Midgard Comics and Games (55 Crystal Ave., No. 21, Derry, 260-6180, midgardcomicsandgames.com)

Weekly events:

Digimon – Thursday, 6:30 to 10 p.m.

Magic: The Gathering – Friday, 6:30 to 10 p.m.

• Tactical Tabletop Gaming (940 Suncook Valley, Epsom, 736-0411, tacticaltabletopgaming.com)

Free RPG Day

Free RPG Day, an annual worldwide promotional event for role-playing tabletop games, will take place on Saturday, Oct. 16. Participating game, comic book and hobby retailers partner with participating game publishers to provide free content for RPGs, including booklets with exclusive adventures, campaigns, guides, character profiles and previews, as well as RPG accessories and swag, like special-edition dice. This year’s featured RPGs will include Twilight Imperium, Talisman Adventures, Fabula Ultima, Warhammer, Victoriana, Achtung! Cthulhu, Pathfinder, Zombicide, Blue Rose, Vast Grimm, Humblewood, Epic Encounter, Iron Kingdoms and Dungeons & Dragons. More may be announced. For more information and updates about Free RPG Day, visit freerpgday.com or find them on social media @freerpgday.

Here are the local retailers officially registered as Free RPG Day participants. Other retailers may be hosting unofficial celebrations with special activities and promotions of their own.

• Awesome Cards, Collectibles, & Games (123 Nashua Road, Unit 14, Londonderry, 404-6996, awesomeccg.com)
• Game Knight (North End Shops at Livingston Park, 545 Hooksett Road, Manchester, 232-4813, gameknightnh.wixsite.com)
• Jetpack Comics (37 N. Main St., Rochester, 330-9636, jetpackcomics.com)
• Pop Culture Cards, Comics, Collectibles, and Gaming (66 Route 27, Raymond, 244-1850, popculturenh.com)
• The Relentless Dragon Game Store (483 Amherst St., Nashua, 204-5275, relentlessdragon.com)

Featured photo: Electric Avenue Arcade in Manchester. Courtesy photo.

CELEBRATE YOUR FAVORITE GOURD AT LOCAL PUMPKIN FESTS PLUS WHERE TO PICK YOUR OWN

Flavors of fall

Milford Pumpkin Festival returns

by Matt Ingersoll

When longtime Milford resident Wade Campbell learned that the town’s annual pumpkin festival was at risk of not continuing in 2018, he and several volunteers, local organizations and community members set out to take it over. Three years later, Campbell is now director of the Granite Town Festivities Committee, carrying on the decades-long tradition of the Milford Pumpkin Festival in partnership with the Milford Rotary and Lions clubs.

The three-day event will return to the Milford Oval and surrounding areas from Friday, Oct. 8, to Sunday, Oct. 10, featuring local food vendors, beer and wine tastings, live music and family-friendly activities.

This will be the first in-person version of the Milford Pumpkin Festival in two years, although a scaled back virtual event mainly highlighting local musicians took place in 2020.

“I’m really excited. I’ve been looking forward to this ever since we ramped it back up,” Campbell said. “We did cancel the variety show and we have a few less vendors in the town hall, but overall there really isn’t much of a difference between this year and 2019.”

Friday evening’s opening festivities will include a pumpkin lighting ceremony at the Milford Town Hall, while on the Oval honorees for Milford’s Citizen of the Year will be announced.

At the nearby Community House Lawn, the Milford Rotary and Lions clubs are presenting two nights of beer, wine and spirit tastings on Friday and Saturday from more than two dozen local and regional vendors. Admission is available at the gate either night beginning at 5:30 p.m. — attendees are given a total of 10 tasting tickets, which are redeemable for a four-ounce sample of beer, a one-ounce sample of wine or a ½-ounce sample of liquor per vendor.

Pumpkin Fest Tasting

Beer, wine and spirits tastings

When: Friday, Oct. 8, and Saturday, Oct. 9, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Milford Community House Lawn, 5 Union St., Milford
Cost: $20 per person; includes 10 tasting tickets, each for a four-ounce sample of beer, a one-ounce sample of wine or a ½-ounce sample of liquor
Visit: milfordpumpkinfestival.org/bws-tastings
Free parking and shuttle bus services will be available at Milford Middle School (33 Osgood Road) on Friday and at Milford High School (100 West St.) throughout the weekend. Per federal regulations, face masks are required while riding the shuttle bus regardless of vaccination status.

This will be the first official festival participation for Concord’s Steadfast Spirits Distilling Co. since it opened in early 2020. Lori Lundergan, whose husband, CJ, is head distiller, said they will likely be pouring their fan-favorite Apple Pie moonshine-mixed cocktail — better known under the name Trouble’s Moonshine — in addition to some other flavors of their signature selections.

Averill House Vineyard of Brookline will be there with its barrel-aged True Blue blueberry wine and its Little Secret Nebbiolo wine, owner Bob Waite said. The winery will also be promoting a unique Halloween-themed twist for its igloo experiences, which are being transformed into “wine caves” with blacklights and decorative spider webs throughout the month of October.

Of course, in keeping with the festival’s theme, you can expect pumpkin brews. The Loft Brewing Co. of Milford will offer its OMG pumpkin ale, while on Friday only, Martha’s Exchange of Nashua is expected to bring its PumpkinWeizen, in addition to other selections.

“We have a few vendors who couldn’t physically make it but are donating product, so there will be a couple of tables where we’ll have volunteers, Rotarians or Lions doing the pouring,” said Tim Finan, former Milford Rotary Club president and coordinator of the tastings.

Dozens of local vendors, from restaurants and food trucks to crafters and artisans, will be set up at multiple spots throughout the weekend. On Friday night Papa Joe’s Humble Kitchen of Milford will be serving burgers at the Community House Lawn. Then on Saturday, members of the Milford Rotary and Lions clubs will team up to offer burgers, homemade sausages and more.

Rotarian Janet Langdell added that The Memo Foundation, a Milford-based nonprofit, will be back to serve Frito Pie, featuring homemade chili and cheese served in a Fritos corn chip bag.

More than 20 bands and singers will hold performances across two stages throughout the weekend. The Flying Gravity Circus will be there on Saturday afternoon, while the Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley’s competitive dance team will perform on Sunday morning.

Other featured activities during the festival will include pumpkin and face painting, a “haunted trail” at the nearby Emerson Park, a pumpkin weigh-in contest and a pumpkin catapult.

32nd annual Milford Pumpkin Festival

Official Milford Pumpkin Festival hours are Friday, Oct. 8, 5 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 9, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit milfordpumpkinfestival.org.

Friday, Oct. 8
• Live music performances: 5 to 9 p.m. on the Oval and Community House Lawn stages
• Opening ceremonies and Town Hall pumpkin lighting: 6:30 p.m.
• Haunted Trail: 6 to 9 p.m. at Emerson Park (6 Mont Vernon St.); tickets are $5 for adults and $1 for children under 10

Saturday, Oct. 9
• Milford history walking tour: 8 or 9:30 a.m.; begins at the Carey House (6 Union St.) and goes around the Oval and nearby sites
• Live music performances: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the Oval and Community House Lawn stages
• Scarecrow making, pumpkin painting and face painting: 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the Community House Lawn ($15 per scarecrow, $5 per pumpkin painting, $1 per face painting cheek and $5 for full face painting)
• Pumpkin catapult: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the lower parking lot of TD Bank (57 South St.); the cost is $3 for one pumpkin shot and $5 for two shots
• Eye-Spy scavenger hunt: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the Carey House (6 Union St.)
• Pumpkin carving: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Oval
• Great Pumpkin Weigh-In contest: Noon on the Oval
• Flying Gravity Circus performance: 3 to 6 p.m. along Union Square, near the intersection of Union and Elm streets
• Haunted Trail: 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Emerson Park (6 Mont Vernon St.); tickets are $5 for adults and $1 for children under 10

Sunday, Oct. 10
• Milford history walking tour: 8 or 9:30 a.m.; begins at the Carey House (6 Union St.) and goes around the Oval and nearby sites
• Pumpkin catapult: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the lower parking lot of TD Bank (57 South St.); the cost is $3 for one pumpkin shot and $5 for two shots
• Scarecrow making, pumpkin painting and face painting: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on the Community House Lawn ($15 per scarecrow, $5 per pumpkin painting, $1 per face painting cheek and $5 for full face painting)
• Boys & Girls Club of Souhegan Valley’s competitive dance team performance: 10 a.m. on the Community House Lawn stage
• Live music performances: 10:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Oval and Community House Lawn stages
• Rubber duck race: 1 p.m. on the Souhegan River; ducks can be purchased at the Milford Ambulance Association’s booth on Middle Street, starting Friday at 5 p.m. and ending on Sunday at noon ($5 per duck, or $20 for five ducks)

Boatload of fun

Enormous pumpkins the star of Goffstown’s annual event

by Angie Sykeny

Goffstown Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off and Regatta

Where: Downtown Goffstown and the Piscataquog River
When: Saturday, Oct. 16, and Sunday, Oct. 17
Cost: Free admission
More info: goffstownmainstreet.org/pumpkin-regatta

There are a lot of creative uses for pumpkins, but it’s hard to top Goffstown’s Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off and Regatta.

The two-day fall festival will return on Saturday, Oct. 16, and Sunday, Oct. 17, with all kinds of pumpkin-related fun in the downtown area and, of course, the regatta, where teams from local community groups, schools and businesses will race down the Piscataquog River in boats made from giant pumpkins.

It all started in 2000 when Jim Beauchemin, a member of the New Hampshire Giant Pumpkin Growers Association, was thinking about what to do with his giant pumpkins once the pumpkin weigh-offs were over. His idea was to use the pumpkins as boats and create a community event centered around a pumpkin boat race on the river. It was a hit, with around 500 people attending the inaugural regatta.

“It’s a tradition and a really special thing … not just for Goffstown but for New Hampshire and even for New England, especially now, being able to come together again when we haven’t been able to for so long,” said Tracey Hutton, executive director of Goffstown Main Street Program, which hosts the event.

Members of the New Hampshire Giant Pumpkin Growers Association will present their pumpkins at the weigh-off on Saturday and compete to be the grower with the heaviest pumpkin. Then, all of the pumpkins that are structurally sound enough to be used as boats — Hutton said she’s expecting around six this year — will be handed over to the regatta teams to be converted.

For a pumpkin to function as a boat, it must be carved out, then filled with sandbags to ensure that it’s balanced and won’t roll over when it’s in the water. Once that’s done, the teams will get to work painting and decorating their boats based on this year’s chosen theme, “Back to the Future.”

“We thought that was an appropriate theme after having to skip last year’s event because of the pandemic,” Hutton said. “It’s like, we’re ‘back to the future’ of the regatta; the regatta is back.”

The regatta itself will take place on Sunday. Each team designates a captain, who is usually in costume fitting the theme, to race their pumpkin boat. Spectators gather along the perimeter as the captains use kayak paddles to float down the river, about 100 yards, to the Goffstown bridge. The team with the first boat to make it under the bridge wins the race and receives a trophy. The team with the best pumpkin boat design will also be awarded, with a travelling trophy to keep until next year’s regatta.

Another highlight of the event, Hutton said, is the pumpkin drop on Sunday.

“We take one of the giant pumpkins and drop it from a crane,” she said. “It’s always exciting to see that big pumpkin go ‘kersplat’ and explode.”

New this year, the event will also feature a fireworks show on Saturday night.

“We’re really excited to be doing something that we’ve never done before,” Hutton said. “I think people will really enjoy that extra bit of festivity.”

Other festivities happening throughout the weekend will include a mini pumpkin race on the river, pumpkin carving demonstrations, a pie eating contest, a dog costume contest, yoga and fitness classes, a scarecrow contest, a 10k road race, activities for kids, street vendors and food concessions.

“There are so many different things going on,” Hutton said. “It’ll be a great time to get something good to eat, buy a few things and just relax and enjoy each other’s company.”

Schedule of events

Saturday, Oct. 16
• 10K Race check-in (behind the Village Trestle) – 7 a.m.
• Giant pumpkins arrive on the Common – 9 a.m.
• Vendors, demonstrations and activities – starting at 9 a.m.
• Doggie costume contest – 10 a.m.
• Pumpkin Weigh-off on the Common – 10:30 a.m.
• Kids pumpkin dash (Mill Street) – 11 a.m.
• Crowing of the Prince and Princess (on the Common) – noon
• Giant pumpkin boat building begins (Mill Street) – 2:30 p.m.
• Fireworks – dusk

Sunday, Oct. 17
• Giant pumpkin carving demonstration (on the Common) – 10 a.m.
• Giant pumpkin drop (Citizens Bank Field) – noon
• Pie eating contest – 1 p.m.
• 50/50 mini pumpkin race (Piscataquog River) – 2 p.m.
• Arrival of the Pumpkin Princess and Prince (parade on Mill and Main streets) – 2:45 p.m.
• Pumpkin Regatta (Piscataquog River, Mill Street and Village Bridge) – 3 p.m.

Fields of orange

How pumpkin crops have fared this year

by Angie Sykeny

It’s been a challenging year for growing produce, and pumpkins were no exception.

Holly Kimball, a family owner of Beech Hill Farm in Hopkinton, said the farm had “some disappointments” with its pumpkin crop this year, particularly the gourds and mini pumpkins, due to the large amounts of rain and not enough sunny days.

“Gourds will usually grow pretty much anytime, anywhere, but the one thing they really don’t like is a lot of moisture,” she said, “so they didn’t do very well.”

Beech Hill’s pumpkin crop was at a disadvantage from the start. The rain was particularly heavy in early May, which is when the farm normally plants pumpkins, Kimball said. The ground was too soggy for the farmer to take the tractor out, so they had to hold off on planting the pumpkins until the end of the month.

“If you plant too early or too late by even one week, that can affect your crop,” she said.

Harvesting at the right time is also critical. Beech Hill had to pick their pumpkins prematurely this year, which “wasn’t ideal,” Kimball said, but, if they were to allow the pumpkins to grow for a few more weeks in order to reach full maturity, the farm would be risking a frost, which would wipe out the entire crop.

“It’s tricky, but it is what it is,” she said. “When you’re a farm in New Hampshire, you have to take your losses, because every year is different.”

In the past Beech Hill has invited visitors to pick their own pumpkins right from the patch, but this year, with growing the pumpkins being such a challenge, preservation is the priority, Kimball said, and the farm will be able to preserve more pumpkins if they handle the harvesting.

“If someone steps on a vine, you lose [all of the pumpkins] that are on that plant,” she said, “and if we leave them out in the field [for pick-your-own] there’s a greater chance of them getting frosted, or of animals getting to them, and we just can’t risk losing all those pumpkins.”

There was one upside to this year’s growing conditions. Unlike gourds, the regular orange pumpkins love water; the more rain they get, the bigger and plumper they grow. Kimball said she estimates this year’s pumpkins to be between 20 and 30 pounds, making them the heaviest pumpkins the farm has grown since she’s been there.

“They’re beautiful,” she said. “They’ve got thick, strong stems and nice ridges all the way around, and you can put your arms all the way around them; they’re a perfect armful.”

When you go to pick out your pumpkins, consider what you want to do with them.

As you can gather from their name, sugar pumpkins — the smaller orange ones that you can hold on one hand — have higher sugar content than other kinds of pumpkins.

“Those are the ones that you want to get for eating,” Kimball said. “You can roast them or cook with them or make a pie.”

If it’s the pumpkin seeds you’re after, go for the bigger orange pumpkins.

For decor, the best pumpkins are simply a matter of personal preference, Kimball said. Though the big orange pumpkins are the most popular choice for carving and using as jack-o’-lanterns, other kinds of pumpkins are just as suitable.

“People choose all sizes and shapes and for carving,” Kimball said. “Some people like tall, thin ones, some people like warty ones, and then, there’s the colored pumpkins, too, which are really trendy.”

Pick your own pumpkin

Head to the pumpkin patches at these farms to find your perfect pumpkin. Picking hours and pumpkin availability are subject to change, so call or check the farm’s social media for updates before you go.

• Applecrest Farm Orchard (133 Exeter Road, Hampton Falls, 926-3721, applecrest.com) has PYO pumpkins, including field pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns for 75 cents per pound, sugar pumpkins for 95 cents per pound, and specialty heirloom gourds and pumpkins for $1.25 per pound. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather-dependent.

• Butternut Farm (195 Meaderboro Road, Farmington, 335-4705, butternutfarm.net) has PYO pumpkins for 60 cents per pound, open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Mondays. An “All You Can Haul” pumpkin carrying challenge is tentatively planned for the weekend of either Oct. 16 or Oct. 23, TBD. The cost for the challenge will be $25 per person.

• Charmingfare Farm (774 High St., Candia, 483-5623, visitthefarm.com) has PYO pumpkins for 50 cents per pound, starting at $6, during its Pumpkin Festival, which runs from Saturday, Oct. 9, through Monday, Oct. 11. Admission costs $22, free for children age 23 months and under.

• DeMeritt Hill Farm (20 Orchard Way, Lee, 868-2111, demeritthillfarm.com) has PYO pumpkins, open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call for pricing.

• J&F Farms (124 Chester Road, Derry, 437-0535, jandffarmsnh.com)has PYO pumpkins until Oct. 31, open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call for pricing.

• Lavoie’s Farm (172 Nartoff Road, Hollis, 882-0072, lavoiesfarm.com) has PYO pumpkins through October, open daily from 8 a.m. wto 7 p.m. Call for pricing.

• Mack’s Apples (230 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, 434-7619, macksapples.com) has PYO pumpkins through the end of October, open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call for pricing.

• Moulton Farm (18 Quarry Road, Meredith, 279-3915, moultonfarm.com) has PYO pumpkins through October, open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call for pricing.

• Scamman Farm (69 Portsmouth Ave., Stratham, 686-1258, scammanfarm.com) has PYO pumpkins for 60 cents per pound, fancies for $1 per pound, Jack B Littles for $1 each, and gourds for $1.50 per pound under 20 pounds or $1 per pound over 20 pounds, through Oct. 31, open weekdays from noon to 5 p.m., closed Tuesday, and open on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Sunnycrest Farm (59 High Range Road, Londonderry, 432-7753, sunnycrestfarmnh.com) has PYO pumpkins through Oct. 31, open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., weather-dependent. Call for pricing.

• Trombly Gardens (150 N. River Road, Milford, 673-0647, tromblygardens.com) has PYO pumpkins as well as specialty pumpkins, gourds and mini pumpkins, open Sunday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Celebrating Pumpkins

• Charmingfare Farm (774 High St. in Candia; visitthefarm.com) holds the last weekend of its Pumpkin Festival this Columbus Day weekend on Saturday, Oct 9, through Monday, Oct. 11. Tickets cost $22 per person (for everyone ages 24 months old and older). Take a tractor train ride to the pumpkin patch to pick your own or get one at the farm stand. The event also includes horse-drawn wagon rides, live music (Lynda Nelson and Dan Morgan, described as having “notes from country, folk and bluegrass”), a cow milking contest, a take-home pumpkin art project (for $8 when purchased online), costumed characters, pony rides (also $8 when purchased online) and visits with the barnyard animals. Purchase tickets online for the specific day and time.
• Applecrest Farm Orchards (133 Exeter Road in Hampton Falls; 926-3721, applecrest.com) will hold another Great Pumpkin Carve Sunday, Oct. 10, when a master carver will work with an 800-pound pumpkin. The day is part of live music (on Sunday, hear Unsung Heroes), pumpkin picking and more.
• The Somersworth Festival Association’s Pumpkin Festival will take place Saturday, Oct. 9, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Somersworth Plaza on Main Street. A $10 bracelet gives kids access to multiple activities including pumpkin decorating and other pumpkin crafts, scarecrow making, hayrides, photos and more, according to a press release, which said the day will also feature a bouncy house and games. Kids in costume get a $1 discount. The event will also feature live entertainment, a food court and raffles.

Pumpkin cookies

This recipe for pumpkin cookies came from Michelle Moulin, who used to own Michelle’s Bakery in Manchester, and first ran in the Hippo years ago. Somewhere between a little pumpkin cake, a cookie and a mini-scone, this pumpkin treat gets much of its sweetness from its icing. Halved, the recipe makes a little more than three-dozen, teaspoon-sized cookies.

1 pound of butter (4 sticks), softened

2 cups of brown sugar

2 eggs

2 cups pumpkin

4 cups flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

½ teaspoon cloves

For icing:

1½ cups confectioner’s sugar

½ teaspoon cinnamon

¼ cup water

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.

Cream softened butter and sugar.

Add eggs and pumpkin and mix until blended.

Stir together dry ingredients (flour, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves) and add slowly, with mixer set on low, until blended.

Scoop teaspoon-sized dough scoops and bake for 10 to 12 minutes until firm. Cool.

Mix together icing ingredients (confectioner’s sugar, cinnamon and water) until smooth.

Spoon onto cookies and let sit for glaze to harden.

Featured photo: Courtesy photo.