Granite State Fair, Somersworth Indonesian Festival: Things to do in Seacoast
Fall is right around the corner and the Seacoast knows what that means; fair season is upon us! This weekend head to Rochester for the 2024 Granite State Fair, immerse yourself in food and culture at the Somersworth Indonesian Festival, or find that special homemade item at the Hampton Falls Craft Fair. Fairs and festivals not your thing? Then take a peak at the other exciting entertainment options at Seacoast venues.
Read on for details on things to do:
2024 Granite State Fair in Rochester
What: The Granite State Fair, originally known as the Rochester Fair, began in the 1800s, primarily to showcase mechanical and agricultural displays. It features a midway offering rides, food, games and entertainment, including Circus Hollywood, a cornhole tournament, and probably most famous, the school bus demolition derby.
When: Thursday-Sunday for two consecutive weeks: Sept. 12-15 and Sept. 19-22. Thursdays and Fridays, the fair and midway open at 4 p.m.; and on Saturday and Sundays the fair opens at 10 a.m. and the midway at noon.
Where: Rochester Fairgrounds, 77 Lafayette St., Rochester
Cost: $12 per person. Children age 8 and under are admitted free. On Thursday, Sept. 19, senior day, people 65 and over will be admitted to the fair for $5.
More info:granitestatefair.com
2024 Granite State Fair in Rochester: What to know before you go
SeaChange Conference 2024 at Green Acre
What: Creators of different identities, races, and ages and explore how the arts can contribute to healing and social change.
When: Friday-Sunday, Sept. 13-15, 8:30 a.m.
Where: Green Acre: A Baha’i Center of Learning, 61 Green Acre Drive, Eliot, Maine
Cost: $225-$399
More info:greenacre.org
‘Avenue Q’ at Newmarket Millspace
What: Avenue Q is an adult parody of Sesame Street about finding your purpose in the crazy world of adulthood.
When: Friday, Sept. 13, 7:30-10 p.m.
Where: Newmarket Millspace, 55 Main St., Newmarket
Cost: $25
More info:millspace.org
11th Somersworth Indonesian Festival
What: The Indonesian Festival is a vibrant annual cultural festival and community celebration showcasing a rich tapestry of Indonesian food vendors, local businesses and resources, captivating cultural performances, music, arts, crafts, fashion, traditional dances, and cinematic jewels of cultural tourism
When: Saturday, Sept. 14, noon-4 p.m.
Where: Somersworth High School, 11 Memorial Drive, Somersworth
Cost: Free
More info:facebook.com/share/q8P8UfFowooU1VNj/
Hampton Falls Craft Festival
What: More than 75 juried artisans from all over New England will display and sell their American made works.
When: Saturday, Sept 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 15, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Hampton Falls Common, 1 Lincoln Ave., Hampton Falls
Cost: Free
More info:castleberryfairs.com
David Fiuczynski’s KiF // Amorphous Trio at The Stone Church
What: David Fiuczynski is described as "a world-renowned guitarist who musical voice is unmistakably his own."
When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 9 p.m.
Where: The Stone Church, 5 Granite St., Newmarket
Cost: $15-$20
More info:stonechurchrocks.com
Jim McCue at McCue’s Comedy Club
What: Comedians from Drybar, HBO, Comedy Central, Sirius XM, Netflix, and more perform.
When: Saturday, Sept. 14, 8-9:30 p.m.
Where: McCue’s Comedy Club, 580 Portsmouth Traffic Circle, Portsmouth
Cost: $25
More info:mccuescomedyclub.com
Star Island Open House
What: The day starts when you board the M/V Thomas Laighton in Portsmouth, around 12:30 p.m. Traveling down the Piscataqua River, you’ll be treated to a history tour and views of the Seacoast. Once on Star Island, go to the Front Lawn for refreshments while a flotilla of kites flies overhead. The afternoon holds many options.
When: Sunday, Sept. 15, 12:30 p.m.
Where: Board the Thomas Laighton in Portsmouth
Cost: $50 per person 18 years and older. Tickets are free for anyone under 18.
More info:starisland.org/open-house
Radical Healing Festival at Throwback Brewery
What: The Radical Healing Festival brings together an array of exceptional alternative healing practitioners.
When: Sunday, Sept. 15, noon-5 p.m.
Where: Throwback Brewery, 7 Hobbs Road, North Hampton
Cost: Free
More info:thewellcultivatedlife.com
Wing-making Workshop at 3S Artspace
What: A workshop led by Bess Welden (of the Death Wings Project) and Laura Cleminson (of the Pre-Dead Social Club) provides a creative opportunity to honor a death of any kind through a simple art project.
When: Sunday, Sept. 15, 1-4 p.m.
Where: 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth
Cost: Suggested registration + supplies fee $50 (sliding-scale prices available)
More info:3sarts.org
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Granite State Fair, Somersworth Indonesian Festival: Things to do
