Queen City Pride hosts arts-based events to celebrate June as Pride Month
By Delaney Beaudoin
June is pride month, and Queen City Pride, Manchester’s regional pride celebration recently turned nonprofit, is celebrating in style. Following a week of events packed full of DJs, drag and dancing, Queen City Pride has a full itinerary planned for this weekend.
Starting off with Studio 54 at the Currier, an event in collaboration with the Currier Museum of Art and Queen City Pride, on Friday, June 17, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Currier Museum (150 Ash St, Manchester). The event, which takes inspiration from the “Warhol Screen Tests” exhibit currently on display now through July 24, will occur in the gallery’s space, which according to Corinne Benfield, Director of Membership and Community Partnerships, is something the museum has not done before.
“We’re super excited to be able to offer that to our community and utilize the museum in a different way than we have in the past,” she said. “This mission, our exhibition parties that are after hours and more loosely themed with our exhibitions, are also programmed to be more of a party. That partnership, that relationship with art, brings in a completely different audience and allows for us to open the doors to folks that may have had barriers in the past.”
The event will feature drag performances by the Marvel House of Entertainment and will be MC’ed by drag queen ChiChi Marvel. Guests can expect dancing, disco, a “best-dressed contest,” raffle giveaways, hors d’oeuvres and a full cash bar.
“We’ll have a really interesting atmosphere that is very much a nod to the Studio 54 aesthetic. So definitely bring your dancing shoes. It will be a raucous affair,” Benfield said.
The exhibit displays Andy Warhol’s “screen tests” of several recognizable celebrity figures from the ’70s and the Studio 54 scene including Lou Reed, Bob Dylan, Salvador Dali, and Edie Sedgwick. The videos are projected onto the walls of the darkened gallery, creating a hypnotic effect that makes it hard to look away.
“Warhol’s screen tests are a bit eerie in that you’re kind of voyeuristically looking at an intimate moment of the subject and the camera. Because the imagery is very slowed down and very motion-heavy, you get an intimate experience with some of the time’s most prolific artists and celebrities,” Benfield said.
In addition to famous celebrities, the tests feature drag performer Mario Montez and Black supermodel Donyale Luna.
“Andy Warhol is one of the most prolific queer artists in our zeitgeist. He was very much so an advocate for other queer artists and highlighted them in his work and celebrated them in his work. The tie-in with Queen City Pride and June being Pride Month is very strong and one that the museum is so honored to be able to bring attention to and provide a celebratory platform,” Benfield said.
Randall Neilsen, the Art Committee Chair for this year’s Queen City Pride Festival, commented on the collaboration, “There are a lot of elements about Studio 54 and about the fact that they’re debuting this party in the Andy Warhol exhibit that really lends itself to the queer experience. … What we have here is a great opportunity to use Studio 54 to represent the bigger community that we have here in Manchester, especially the queer community. … It’s very exciting to be able to collaborate with them to help put that together,” he said.
Courtesy of Queen City Pride.
Queen City Pride will also be hosting a Pride Parade on Saturday, June 18, from 10 a.m. to noon on Commercial Street in Manchester. Following the parade, there will be a Pride Festival from noon to 6 p.m. Nielsen, who was in charge of coordinating arts events for the festival, noted the large expected turnout for this year’s festival,
“Queen City Pride has become much bigger than it has been in the last couple years. We’re expecting over 5,000 people this year,” he said.
As part of the festival planning, Nielsen helped execute an “artists alley,” a space where more than 25 artists will be showcasing and selling their work.
“[It is] a place for people to come meander and enjoy the arts that we have here in Manchester…. There will be other fun interactive things, like a live painting and some other stuff that some of our artists are putting on,” he said.
The festival will offer events for all ages, including a youth tent that will feature interactive activities being sponsored by FIRST Robotics. Other activities include a beer garden, a food truck area, over 120 local vendors and live entertainment including drag performances.
Queen City Pride is also hosting an after-party following the festival, at 8 p.m. for VIP entrance and 9 p.m. for general admission at the Masonic Temple (1505 Elm St., Manchester). The event will feature live performances, food, drinks and dancing.
Nielsen highlighted Queen City Pride’s recent transition to a nonprofit, saying, “We’re definitely going to be much more involved in the community going forward, especially with organizations like the Currier. … This is really just the start of a lot of fantastic opportunities for us, [both] with them and other organizations going forward.”
Pride-packed weekend
Studio 54 at the Currier Where: The Currier Museum (150 Ash St, Manchester) When: Friday, June 17, from 7 to 11 p.m. Tickets: $50 general admission Visit: currier.org
Pride Parade Where: Commercial Street, Manchester When: Saturday, June 18, 10 a.m. to noon Visit: queencitypridenh.org
Pride Festival Where: Arms Park in Manchester When: Saturday, June 18, noon to 6 p.m. Visit: queencitypridenh.org
Pride After-Party Where: Masonic Temple (1505 Elm St., Manchester) When: Saturday, June 18, 8 p.m. (VIP entrance), 9 p.m. (general admission) Tickets: $15 general admission, $25 VIP Visit: queencitypridenh.org
• The Touch-a-Truck and Food Truck Festival in the parking lot of Hopkinton High School (297 Park Ave. in Hopkinton) will feature trucks to check out (fire truck, police cruiser, etc.) and trucks selling eats on Saturday, June 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for kids, with proceeds benefiting the Library of Things at the Hopkinton Public Library. See hopkintonpubliclibraryfoundation.org.
Grow gardeners
• New Hampshire Audubon McLane Center (84 Silk Farm Road in Concord) will hold a “Buds & Blooms: Beginner Botany” program geared toward kids and families, all about native plants and pollinators, on Saturday, June 11, from 10 to 11 a.m. The event is free but register in advance at nhaudubon.org. Head back to the McLane Center the next day, Sunday, June 12, from noon to 4 p.m. for a native plant sale.
Game on!
• Concord Skate Park (15 Loudon Road, Concord) will host its second annual Rumble in the Rubble Skate Jam on Saturday, June 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. In addition to skating, there will be prizes, raffles, food, music and more. Skaters of all experience levels are welcome. See concordskatepark.com.
• The 78th annual New Hampshire Soap Box Derby race will be held on Sunday, June 12, at 120 Broadway in Dover, with races running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free for spectators. Kids ages 7 and older can create a gravity-powered car and race it down a track in hopes of making the All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship. See soapboxderby.org/new-hampshire.aspx.
• The next home games of the Nashua Silver Knights (a team in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League) at Holman Stadium (67 Amherst St. in Nashua) are Tuesday, June 14, at 6 p.m. against the New Britain Bees and Thursday, June 16, at 6 p.m. versus the Brockton Rox. See nashuasilverknights.com for tickets.
• The New Hampshire Fisher Cats will return to Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in downtown Manchester with a game on Tuesday, June 14, at 6:35 p.m., the first of six days of games against the Somerset Patriots. Wednesday, June 15, will feature two games, with the first starting at 5:05 p.m. See nhfishercats.com.
On with the show
• Catch the first of nine movies the Prescott Park Arts Festival has on the schedule for screening in Prescott Park in Portsmouth this summer with the screening of Pixar’s Soul(PG, 2020) on Friday, June 10, at 8:30 p.m., screened in collaboration with the Black Heritage Trail of New Hampshire. A $5 per person donation is suggested to make a reservation (with other options for a table or blanket). See prescottpark.org/events/category/movie or blackheritagetrailnh.org/events.
• Get your little dancers excited about taking some lessons. The Martin School of Dance in Bedford is presenting its recital Toy Story on Sunday, June 12, at the Capitol Center for the Arts (44 S. Main St. in Concord; ccanh.com) at 2 p.m. Doors open at 1 p.m. Tickets cost $33; see martinschoolofdance.com for more about the school.
And speaking of kid fare on the Cap Center stage, Blippi the Musical, based on the Blippi educational character that got its start on YouTube (according to Wikipedia), will come to the Cap Center on Friday, June 17, at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5 p.m. and tickets start at $39.50 plus fees (an extra $50 gets you the photo experience package), according to the Cap Center website.
• The Palace Teen Apprentice Company, which features student actors ages 12 through 18, will present Seussical Jr. at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588) on Wednesday, June 15, and Thursday, June 16, at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $12 to $15.
Buy less plastic, stay away from chemical fertilizers and compost
Do you want to be a better steward of the environment? If so, the first step is to be a gardener: Grow some of your own vegetables and plant some native trees, shrubs and flowers while using no chemicals. But there is even more to think about than what kind of tomatoes to plant, and how many.
First, what should you do with all those black plastic pots that come with the plants? Most recycling facilities do not accept black plastic pots, but some pots are numbered #2 or #5 and can be recycled. A few have no numbers. Plastic pots are made from oil in factories around the world. I imagine that these factories spew and spill a certain amount of chemicals, and create waste and byproducts that are bad for the environment.
My mantra for plastic is this: Refuse, Re-use, Recycle. So how do you refuse to buy plants in plastic pots? Start your own plants. If you save plastic pots and rinse them out, you can reuse them. Some for years. You can also buy peat pots and coir (palm fiber) pots. Some companies, like Gardener’s Supply, sell sturdy flats to use instead of those flimsy six-packs, strong enough to be used many times.
Trees and shrubs are most often sold in big black plastic pots. But they are also sold “balled and burlapped.” Those are usually bigger trees that are dug up and wrapped in burlap after years growing in the ground. Some local nurseries still dig their own plants, and I recommend supporting them. When you plant, be sure to take off any burlap and wires that may be holding the root ball together. And beware of any “fake” burlap made of plastic. Don’t buy it.
For years we have been offering sturdy plastic pots to our local, family-owned garden centers. Most just want them cleaned before you drop them off. I find it easiest to do that right after planting, before the soil bakes on. Reusing pots saves the garden centers money, assuming they have the time to sort and store them. Tell those that do how happy you are with them.
Recycling is really not the answer: Many loads of plastic at the recycling center are contaminated and end up in the landfill or incinerator. Too much dirt, food or items of the wrong number can condemn a whole Dumpster of plastic.
I was pleased to learn that most Home Depot stores now accept all kinds of plastic pots. I went to the one near me in West Lebanon, New Hampshire, and there was a rack outside with the plants just for returned pots. The pots don’t even need to have come from them.
We recently took a big step forward toward being “green.” We bought an electric lawn mower. I’ve read that the EPA estimates that using a lawn mower is 11 times more polluting than driving a new car. One hour of mowing, apparently, is equal to driving 93 miles. Of course, these statistics are not perfect, as they do not indicate what kind of mower or car is being compared. Older, bigger mowers are worse.
We bought a 21-inch, self-propelled battery-powered lawn mower on sale for $500 at our local True Value Hardware store. It has a quick-charge battery charger that takes an hour or less to recharge the 54-volt battery, which is good for an hour of mowing. The mower has plenty of power and is so much quieter than our old gas mower. Our lawn takes more than an hour to mow, but so what? I have plenty of other garden chores to do while the battery recharges. The technology in batteries in electric mowers really has improved just in the last few years.
Being green also means using no chemicals in the garden. That’s an easy one. I don’t use herbicides, insecticides or chemical fertilizers. I don’t want something to kill dandelions or moss, neither of which I consider a problem.
There are perfectly wonderful organic fertilizers that offer so much more than the chemical ones. Instead of just offering three plant nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium), they offer calcium, magnesium and many more nutrients plants use. They do this because they are manufactured using natural ingredients like seaweed, cottonseed meal, ground oyster shells and ground peanut hulls.
Organic fertilizers are also slow-release fertilizers. Pro-Gro, made in Vermont, has about 25 percent soluble nitrogen that is ready right away. The rest is released slowly as microorganisms break it down and make it usable by plants. And it will not damage root hairs the way some of the chemical fertilizers can if too much is applied.
Compost is one of the best things you can add to your soil. It helps sandy soils hold moisture and loosens up heavy clay-based soils. You can buy it by the bag or, better yet, by the truck load. Even though my soil is terrific, I add compost every year. It is not a fertilizer, but it feeds the microorganisms that work with our plants. And if you get a good grade of compost, it will improve the texture of your soil, no matter what it is.
Lastly, speak up. If your suppliers are trying to reduce use of plastic, or are taking it back to reuse it, tell them that is why you are buying from them. If they’re not? Ask them to! Every voice counts. We gardeners should be on the cutting edge of reducing plastic and chemical use.
Featured photo: Electric mowers have improved greatly in the past few years. They are quiet and non-polluting. Photo by Henry Homeyer.
We have found the Jacob Chase Horse Block — a large, low rock in front of Chester’s Town Hall — but my daughter is having none of it.
This is a real puzzler to her. I brought her out here to learn about a towering figure in greater Chester history, and maybe get a little hike in. She and I have been working on a field guide to famous or historic memorial stones around New Hampshire, and the Chase Block, to my eyes, fit the bill.
Born in Newbury, Mass., on Christmas Day 1727, Jacob Chase moved to Chester in 1751 and built the Chase Home at the junction of what are now Manchester and Candia roads. The horse block dates from that move and is even inscribed with the date, 1752. A few years later, Chase served in the Battle of Bennington and ran an important saw mill. His son, Stephen, made the first survey map of Chester, and his grandson, Benjamin, wrote the first book on the town.
Heady stuff for a historian nerd like me. But to my daughter?
“Daddy,” she says, hopping down off the rock, “how would you even tie a horse to this thing.”
“You didn’t, Little Bean,” I explain. “It’s a block, like a step in front of someone’s house. The carriage would ride up, and people would step down onto the block.”
“Like a stool,” she says.
“Well — ”
She’s giving me a look I’m well familiar with. It’s time to move on.
Fortunately, Chester comes to the rescue.
Just east up Route 102 in front of Chester Academy we make a pit stop at the Little Free Store. A variation of the Little Free Library idea, Chester’s Little Free Store is a small structure filled with notebooks, pens, toothpaste, soap and a whole host of other items for community use. Little Bean takes a pencil and notebook.
And then we’re off to our true destination, Wason Pond Conservation and Recreation Area. Not every New Hampshire outdoors recreation area needs to be steeped in history to be an idyllic natural draw, and the pond and nearby covered bridge certainly fit the bill.
In January 2003, the Town used conservation funds to purchase the 105 acres of land surrounding the small pond and set about creating a mixed-use recreation area. A conservation easement protects the property from development and is overseen by a Recreation Commission.
Nearly 20 years later, the area is a small testament to what can be accomplished with some long-range vision and some hard work: ball fields, a playground, trails around the pond, and the centerpiece of the area, a 2011 handmade timber covered bridge designed and built by the community with direction from the Timber Framers Guild.
Little Bean heads straight for the bridge, its soft brown colors gleaming in the afternoon sun, only a short walk of 100 feet or so from the parking lot. The structure is based on an 1850s-style covered bridge model that was popular back then, and even features a center cross-beam sign that reads “Chester, NH 2011.” Dozens of volunteers over the course of several months prepared for the bridge raising, but most of the bridge was raised over the course of one weekend.
There’s a trail that skirts the pond and there are plenty of interesting rocks and shoreline to explore. A few dragonflies are flitting about. Despite the pond and bridge’s proximity to the state road, squint just right and the area feels more off the beaten path.
“Daddy, look!”
She’s found a memorial stone, a low-to-the-ground granite slab about 10 feet from the bridge that reads, “This bridge was built in 2011 by volunteers from the town and Timber Framers Guild.”
“This is our stone,” she declares. “Isn’t it pretty?”
What’s old can be new. Tradition can exist where cars fly by on modern roads. A simple hike around a tiny pond can capture, like a memory photograph, a way that things were and are at the same time. And a little girl can crawl atop a brand-new rock, declare the granite to be special, and so it becomes.
The Jacob Chase Horse Block and Wasson Pond Covered Bridge If You Go: The Jacob Chase Horse Block is located on the grounds of Stevens Memorial Hall, home of the Chester Historical Society at 1 Chester St. The block is directly in front of the hall, right at the corner of Routes 121 and 102. Parking can be found next to the hall.
Wason Pond Conservation and Recreation Area is located at 603 Raymond Road (Route 102). From the Jacob Chase Block head east on Route 102 for about 3 miles and then turn left into the parking area for the Wason Pond Community Center. The bridge and trails lead off from there.
Summer is full of 5Ks and other opportunities to get off the treadmill and take your run outside. Find some races that fit your schedule and skill level. But first, thinking about new sneakers?
Find your sneakers
If you’re looking to lace up this summer, here are some helpful things to keep in mind before you visit your local athletic shoe store.
Fit for comfort
Foot comfort is something that John Mortimer of Millennium Running in Bedford emphasizes to his customers. Many people who decide to buy running shoes, he said, whether for casual wear or professional competitions, have the tendency to pick a size that fits and make a purchase based solely upon looks, oftentimes leading to physical injury.
“Like any athletic endeavor that you want to be successful at … the first step is often having the right equipment,” Mortimer said.
Mortimer has been a runner since he was in middle school and has owned Millennium Running for the past 10 years. Millennium produces running events throughout the Granite State such as the Cigna/Elliot Corporate 5K Road Race and the Citizens Shamrock Shuffle.
Over at Joe King’s Shoe Shop in downtown Concord, assistant manager Rachel Halverson said it’s important for running shoe buyers to understand the risks associated with simply picking a pair up off the shelf without taking the proper measurements down.
“Making sure you have the correct size is very important, especially because sizing from one style can change from each sneaker, even in the same brand,” Halverson said. “We want at least a thumb’s width in the front, because our foot does move imperceptibly back and forth in the shoe when we are very active.”
Black and blue toenails, as well as hammer toes, a condition in which the toe is abnormally bent at the middle joint, can be possible down the line if a sneaker is not fitted appropriately. For example, Halverson said that prospective runners should look to take the time to pick out their sneakers based on the length, width and other conditions and characteristics of their feet.
Easy steps
There is such a thing as a perfect sneaker, and there are several effective ways to evaluate a legitimate fit. “Fitology” is the term Mortimer uses to describe his process in properly fitting customers within his specialized store.
The first step of this process is a simple consultation which helps in seeing where a customer may be in their fitness journey. When consulting with customers, it’s also crucial in understanding what they hope to achieve when purchasing their new sneakers.
Next, Mortimer said, is the static digital analysis, which is a three-dimensional scan of the foot measuring the arch height, foot length, foot girth and determining if the customer is a runner who puts weight on heels or toes. The last step in the fitting process is a video analysis of a customer running on a treadmill to study how the feet look while in motion.
“We want our runners and walkers to be successful, [just like] if you are going to drive a racecar, you need good tires, [and] if you are going to play baseball, you need a bat and a glove,” Mortimer said.
After completing these steps, Millennium Running store associates will bring out a few sneakers in the category the customer’s foot belongs to.
Local shoe stores • Alec’s Shoes (1617 Southwood Drive, Nashua, 882-6811, alecs-shoes.com) • Fleet Feet Sports (4 Coliseum Ave., Nashua, 598-1500, fleetfeet.com) • Joe King’s Shoe Shop (45 N. Main St., Concord, 225-6012, joekings.com) • Millennium Running (138 Bedford Center Road, Bedford, 472-7867, millenniumrunning.com) • Runner’s Alley (669 Elm St., Manchester, 606-6949; 142 N. Main St., Concord, 715-5854; 104 Congress St., Portsmouth, 430-1212; runnersalley.com)
B.J. Bottomley is the owner of Fleet Feet Sports in Nashua. Bottomley takes pride in also having a 3-D fit ID machine, which shows the true characteristics of clients’ feet up close. Once measurements are taken, it becomes easy to find a shoe for those looking for one that is stable, has a snug fit, or even a trail shoe perfect for cross-country running, Bottomley said. He suggests runners of all levels use non-cotton moisture-wicking socks to help your feet breathe and avoid the onslaught of constant blisters.
Additionally, Bottomley said there is a window between 300 and 500 miles for when someone should change sneakers, depending on the mileage and terrain of their runs.
— Jack Walsh
5Ks And Other Races
Once you get those new sneakers, take them out in public at one of the many 5K runs and run/walks scheduled this summer. Know of a race not mentioned here? Let us know at news@hippopress.com. Many races have virtual participation options. Often races also charge additional fees for registration close to or on race day. See the individual event pages for details.
Millennium Running races
These races are run by Millennium Running. See millenniumrunning.com (where the following information is from). For most races, unless otherwise stated, register online by noon on the day before the event or at the race site from 90 minutes before the race to 15 minutes before the race (though some races do sell out), according to the website. Some of these races also have virtual options.
• The Windham Rail Trail Flat N Fast 5K takes place Saturday, June 11, at 8:30 a.m. on the paved rail trail starting at the Roulston Road entrance. Registration costs $25 per person, $100 for a family of up to five members, $20 for 65+. See windhamrailtrail.org.
• The Over the River and Through the Woods 5K & Fitness Walk takes place Saturday, June 11, at 9 a.m. at Northeast Delta Dental in Concord. The race is part of the Capital Area Race Series (see runcarsnh.com). Registration costs $20 per person (for in person or virtual).
• The Brewery Chase Relay will take place on Saturday, June 18, with start times from 7:30 to 11 a.m. The 26.2-mile, six-leg race will begin and end at the Backyard Brewery in Manchester and travel through Derry and Londonderry, hitting six breweries along the way. The cost in advance is $55 per person on the relay team (which can be split between two to six people). Register online through Friday, June 17, at noon or register on site on race day (if there is availability) from 6 to 7:15 a.m. for an extra fee.
• For the Veterans Count Pack & Boots 5K Road Race and 1 Mile Survival Run on Monday, July 4, in Portsmouth participants of the survival run will need to provide a pack of about 10 percent of their body weight. You can run either or both. The survival run starts at 8 a.m., the 5K run/walk at 8:30 a.m. and a kids’ fun run at 9:30 a.m. Registration for adults costs $30 for either event or $45 for both. (The kids’ fun run is free.) Register online by Friday, July 1, at noon.
• The Ribfest 5-Miler takes place on Sunday, July 17, at 9 a.m. as part of the Great American RibFest at the Anheuser-Busch complex in Merrimack. The event also features a 100-yard Stoneyfield Lil’ Piglet Race at 8:15 a.m. Races get early admission to the ribfest as part of their registration, which costs $40 for adults, $35 for 20 and under and $10 for kids age 8 and under in the Piglet race.
• The Canterbury Woodchuck Classic 5K, another in the Capital Area Race Series, takes place Saturday, July 30, at 9 a.m. at Canterbury Elementary School. Registration costs $20; $1 for a kids 2K fun run. See runcarsnh.com/canterbury-woodchuck-5k.
• The Cigna/Elliot Corporate 5K Road Race takes place in downtown Manchester on Elm Street (and surrounding streets) on Thursday, Aug. 11, at 6:20 p.m. The cost is $25 per person and you can register as an individual or as part of a corporate team.
• The 5K Race to the Ledges on Saturday, Aug. 13, at 9 a.m. features a course behind Concord Hospital that is part trail and part road, according to genesishcc.com/gl5k. Registration costs $20 (kids 6 and under are free). Participants will get “brunch to go” boxes, the website said.
• The Veterans Count Wolfeboro Pirates Cove 5K Run & Walk is on Saturday, Aug. 13, in Wolfeboro and 2021’s race featured two courses, one for more competitive runners and one for participants looking for something a little more relaxed. The race starts at 9 a.m. and registration costs $25 for 13+ and $25 for kids 12 and under.
• The Bedford Rotary Trails to Ales takes place on the cross-country ski trails at Legacy Park in Bedford on Thursday, Aug. 18, at 6 p.m. according to rotarytrails2ales.com. Runners and walkers can pick a 5K or 2K course and there will be burgers and drinks (including craft beer and wine for 21+) and cornhhole. Registration costs $30 for 21+ and $15 for ages 13 to 20 (kids 12 and under can run for free). Register online by Sunday, Aug. 7, for a discounted registration fee.
• The Loudon Lions Club will hold its Angels 5K Road Race & Fitness Walk at Merrimack Valley High School in Penacook on Saturday, Aug. 20, at 8 a.m. Registration costs $25. The race is part of the Capital Area Race Series.
• The Boot Scootin’ Boogie 5K & Brewfest will take place Saturday, Aug. 20, at 6:30 p.m. at the Londonderry Athletic Field Complex (98 Sargent Road in Londonderry). Registration costs $35 for 21+ (and includes entry to the Brewfest), $25 for ages 12 to 20 and $10 for ages 11 and under.
• The NH 10-Miler, which you can run individually or as part of a two-person relay, will take place Saturday, Aug. 27, 8:30 a.m. Registration costs $40 per person.
• The Veterans Count Nashua 5K Fun Run & Walk takes place Sunday, Sept. 11, at 9 a.m. (register online by noon on Friday, Sept. 9). Registration costs $30 for ages 13 and up.
2021 Brewery Chase Relay. Photo courtesy of Millennium Running.
• The Seafood Fest 5K, part of the Hampton Beach Seafood Festival that runs Sept. 9 through Sept. 11 (see seafoodfestivalnh.com), will take place on Sunday, Sept. 11, at 9 a.m., preceded by Yoga on the Beach at 8 a.m. and a Lil’ Lobster Fun Run (100-yard kids’ run) at 8:30 a.m. Registration for adults costs $25 until Aug. 25 and includes Seafood Festival admission ($30 afterward; $35 on race day); youth (ages 12 to 20) cost $20 until Aug. 25 and kids (ages 11 and under) cost $10 until Aug. 25.
• The Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day race begins on Elm Street and ends at the Wild Rover in downtown Manchester on Sunday, Sept. 18, starting at 10:15 a.m. There are 5K and 10K options. Register online by Saturday, Sept. 17; registration for adults costs $35 for the 10K and $30 for the 5K. For kids, registration is $25 for ages 12 to 20 and $10 for 11 and under. The event is part of a larger Celtic Festival, featuring food and music. The first 500 registrants will get a free kilt.
Total Image Running races
See totalimagerunning.com for more on these races.
• The Lite Up the NiteRun/Walk for Mental Health 5K will step off at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, June 9, at McIntyre Ski Area in Manchester. For registration costs on the day and more, see mhcgm.org.
• Bring your dog to Bagels and Biscuits 5K on Sunday, June 12, at 9 a.m. in Derryfield Park in Manchester. The event supports Animal Rescue League of NH and Temple Adath Yeshurun and costs $25 for 20+ (until June 10) and $20 for 19 and under. See runsignup.com/Race/NH/Manchester/BagelsandBiscuits5K.
• The Christmas in July 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 10, at the Stumble Inn (20 Rockingham Road in Londonderry). Enjoy a post-race party with costume contest and entertainment. Registration in advance costs $30 for adults, $25 for youth. The race benefits Catholic Charities of New Hampshire. See totalimagerunning.com/christmas5k.
• The LaBelle Winery Wine Run will take place Wednesday, Aug. 10, at 6 p.m. at the winery’s Derry location. Runners 21+ get a glass of LaBelle wine after the run. Registration in advance costs $35 for adults, $30 for youth. The race benefits the Moore Center.
• The Manchester Fire Cross-Country 5K takes place Saturday, Sept. 10, at 5 p.m. The cost is $30 until the day before the event ($20 for kids). The event is dog-friendly. See runsignup.com/Race/NH/Manchester/ManchesterFireCrossCountry5K.
• Hunger is the Pitts 5K BBQ, Bash & Bonfire will take place Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 6 p.m. at Auburn Pitts (167 Rockingham Road in AUburn). The cost in advance is $30 for adults, $25 for youth. The post-race party will feature barbecue eats available for purchase.
• The Hillsboro Fire Fighters Association Five Alarm 5K will take place Sunday, Sept. 18, at 10 a.m. at Rear Grimes Field in Hillsborough. Registration for adults is $25 in advance ($30 on the day of the race); youth registration costs $20 in advance, $25 on the day.
More races
• The Amherst Lions Club will hold its 1st Annual 5K Race and Family Fun Day on Saturday, June 11, with the race starting at 10 a.m. Registration costs $25 through Thursday, June 9, online and $30 on site (until 30 minutes before the race). There will be food, entertainment and games post-race from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. See e-clubhouse.org/sites/amherstnh.
• Plaistow Old Home Day will hold a 5K run/walk on Saturday, June 18, at 9 a.m. Registration costs $20 in advance ($16 with no shirt) and $25 on the day. See running4free.com and search for Plaistow.
• Marina’s Miles, a 5K that begins at Oyster River High School in Durham, will take place Saturday, June 18, at 9 a.m. Registration costs $25 in advance or $30 in cash on race day. See marinasmiles.org.
• Go running with Dad at the Father’s Day 5K on Sunday, June 19, at 9 a.m. at the Margaritas in Dover. Registration costs $25. See goodwinch.org/events/fathers-day-5k.
• The Smuttynose Will Run for Beer 5K is slated for Sunday, June 19, at 9:30 a.m. at Smuttynose Brewing in Hampton. After the flat race, runners (who are 21+) get complimentary beers. The post-race celebration will also include food and live music. See smuttynose5k.com.
• The Downtown Gym in Laconia will hold its summer event in its Pay It Forward 5Kseries on Saturday, June 25, at 9 a.m. The run/walk will begin at The Downtown Gym (171 Fair St. in Laconia). Registration costs $25. See downtowngymlaconia.com.
• The Eddie Chambers 5K Run/Walk, in memory of Manchester student Eddie Chambers to benefit Mental Illness Awareness and Suicide Prevention, will take places Saturday, June 25, at 10 a.m. on the campus of Southern New Hampshire University. Online registration costs $25. See miasp.org/News/2022-eddie-chambers-5k-runwalk.
• The Milford Recreation Department will host the Star Spangled 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, July 2, at 9:30 a.m. starting in Keyes Park Register by June 14 for $20; same-day registration costs $25 ($10 for ages 12 and under). Kids 12 and under can also run in a 1K race for free. Strollers and dogs on leashes welcome, according to milfordnh.recdesk.com.
• The Greater Derry Track Club of Southern New Hampshire will host the Run for Freedom 5K & 10K on Monday, July 4, at 7:30 a.m. to support Liberty House in Manchester. The courses, maps of which are available at gdtc.org/run/index.php/run-for-freedom, wind through residential roads in Derry, the website said. Registration costs $30 for the 5K and $35 for the 10K.
• Hillsboro Summerfest will host a 5K Road Race on Friday, July 8, at 6:30 p.m. along the Contoocook River in Hillsborough. Registration costs $20 before June 18 (afterward, same-day registration costs $25 from 5 to 6:15 p.m.). See hillsborosummerfest.com/activity/5k-road-race.
• The Bill Luti 5 Miler, part of the Capital Area Race Series, starts Saturday, July 16, at 8 a.m. at Memorial Field (70 S. Fruit St. in Concord). There will also be kids’ fun runs starting at 9:15 a.m. Register online by Thursday, July 14, at 9 a.m. for $20; see gsrs.com/luti for information on late registration.
• Dancers Dash 5K Run/Walk is slated for Saturday, July 16, at 8 a.m. beginning and ending at Campbell High School in Litchfield. Registration costs $30; see dancersatheart5678.org/events/dancers-dash-2022.
• The Cathy Cray 5K will be Saturday, July 16, at 9 a.m. at the Congregational Church in Amherst, according to runsignup.com/Race/Info/NH/Amherst/TheCathyCray5k. Registration costs $25 and proceeds support The White Ribbon Project, a lung cancer awareness organization (see thewhiteribbonproject.org).
• The Live Free or Die 5000 is a 5K described as “suitable for runners and walkers of all skill levels” according to the registration page, which can be found at livefreeordie5000.squarespace.com. The race takes place on Saturday, July 16, at 9 a.m. in Atkinson (the registration page also features a map of the race route). Registration in advance costs $30.
• The Chester 300th Anniversary Committee is holding a Tricentennial 5K Race on Saturday, July 23, at 9 a.m. on the conservation trails at Wason Pond in Chester. Registration costs $25. The day will also feature a Fireman’s Muster. See chesternh300.org/5k.htm
• The Get Your Rear in Gear 5K run or 1.5-mile walk to raise money for colon cancer will be held Saturday, Sept. 10, at 9 a.m. at Gould Hill Farm in Contoocook. A kids’ run for 10 and under takes place at 8:45 a.m. Registration costs $28 for adults in advance and $15 for youth ages 12 and under (kids’ run runners cost $12 per person). See donate.coloncancercoalition.org/newhampshire.
• The Jack Sharkey 5K Knockout the Hills Highnote takes place Saturday, Sept. 10, at 10 a.m. at 173 Prescott Road in Epping. Registration costs $20 in advance, $25 on the day. See running4free.com/RaceDetails.aspx?raceid=457.
• The Hooksett Kiwanis Club will hold its 11th annual 5K Trail Race on Saturday, Sept. 17. Last year’s race included a kids’ fun run and goodie bags. See hooksettkiwanis.org/kiwanis-5k.
• The 6th Annual Greenfield Fire Department Road Race takes place Saturday, Sept. 17, at 9 a.m. at Oak Park in Greenfield. The event will include a 10K, a 5K, a half marathon and a race for kids; registration costs vary by event. Find information on the fire department’s Facebook page.
• Saturday, Sept. 17, is Old Home Day in Pelham. A 5K run and walk will take place at 10 a.m. See pelhamoldhomeday.org for information on Old Home Day.
• The Pant for Paws 5K to raise money for Darbster Rescue is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 18, at 10 a.m. at Rollins Park in Concord. The event is family- and pet-friendly. Registration costs $30. See darbsterfoundation.com/events/ or runsignup.com/Race/Info/NH/Chichester/PantforPaws.
Clubs, ongoing events & more
• The Millennium Happy Hour Hustle takes place many Thursdays at 6 p.m. with courses near downtown Manchester through Sept. 29. The cost is $25 per race; advance registration required. See millenniumrunning.com/happyhour.
• The Millennium Running club costs $75 for annual membership and is open to all levels of fitness, according to millenniumrunning.com. Upcoming events include the Pub Run at the Fisher Cats game on Thursday, June 23.
• The Women Run NH is an event held by the Bedford girls cross-country program that will feature workshops for all ages and abilities on Saturday, Aug. 20, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Bedford High School. Admission will be available for individuals as well as teams of all ages. See womenrunnh.org.
Recommended running spots
We asked local experts to recommend a few of their favorite spots for a run.
Goffstown Rail Trail Recommended by John Mortimer, owner of Millennium Running in Bedford Where: Goffstown Length: 7.5 miles Difficulty level: Easy Trail info: The Goffstown Rail Trail is a 7.5-mile point-to-point trail that begins in Goffstown Village and ends at the Manchester city line. The trail is suitable for walking and running, and has relatively flat terrain.
Les Clark Nature Trailhead Recommended by Gabe Ouellette of Joe King’s Shoe Shop in Concord Where: Concord Length: 1.5 miles Difficulty level: Easy Trail info: Located on Portsmouth Street near the headquarters of the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, the Les Clark Nature Trailhead is a mostly flat route that’s perfect for beginner trail runners.
Piscataquog Trail Recommended by John Mortimer, owner of Millennium Running in Bedford Where: Manchester Length: 2.1 miles Difficulty level: Easy Trail info: Located on Manchester’s West Side, this 10-foot-wide paved recreational trail crosses the Piscataquog River and connects runners and walkers from the Queen City to Goffstown.
Rockingham Rail Trail Recommended by John Mortimer, owner of Millennium Running in Bedford Where: Multiple towns from Manchester points east Length: 25 miles Difficulty level: Moderate Trail info: This multi-use trail begins at Page Street in Manchester and ends at Ash Swamp Road in Newfields.
Mine Falls Park Recommended by B.J. Bottomley, owner of Fleet Feet Sports in Nashua Where: Nashua Length: 9.7 miles Difficulty level: Easy Trail info: Mine Falls Park is a roughly 300-acre park located in Nashua with 9.7 miles of trail options for runners to choose from. It’s directly beside the Nashua River and is known for the forest-like trees overlooking the park. There are sports fields, fishing spots, and trails full of wildlife. “It’s far and away the best spot in Nashua,” Bottomley said.
The SEE Science Center (200 Bedford St. in Manchester; see-sciencecenter.org) is open seven days a week through Labor Day. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Admission costs $10 for all guests 3 and up and advance reservations are recommended. And plan now for SEE’s Kickoff to Summer event June 20 through June 26, which will feature three daily shows with yo-yo performer Brett Ooch and hands-on activities, according to the website.
Fun for all
The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire (6 Washington St. in Dover; childrens-museum.org, 742-2022) will hold “Exploring Our Way: Sensory Friendly Playtime” on Tuesday, June 7, from 1 to 4 p.m. “These monthly, low-sensory events are designed for children with autism spectrum or sensory processing disorders allowing them to explore the museum along with their families without the noise, crowds, and stimulation of a typical open day,” the website said. Reserve a spot online in advance. Admission costs $11 for everyone over 1 year old ($9 for 65+).
Kids on stage
The Palace Youth Theatre will presentOliver! Jr.on Tuesday, June 7, and Wednesday, June 8, at 7 p.m. at the Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St. in Manchester; palacetheatre.org, 668-5588). Tickets cost $15 for adults.
Summer of outdoor exploring!
If you’re planning some nature adventures this summer, check out NH Fish and Game’s website, wildlife.state.nh.us, specifically the “Connect Kids to Wildlife” section (under the “Education” tab). In addition to information on wildlife programs, the site has some fun printable PDFs to take with you on a hike. One is a pocket guide to animal tracks but it’s likely most kids will be all about the guide that’s all about poop. The “Wildlife Scat” printout offers a guide to figuring out what animal made the poop you might find out in the woods — or in your yard.
