Everything You Wanted to Know About Concord Market Days

Organizers of the 2013 Market Days Festival believe that you need to get ready: This year, it’s going to be bigger and better than ever before.

Kim Murdoch, an organizer of the event, said that there were a lot of new activities and offerings this year giving revelers a reason to visit every day, on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

Inflatable Extravaganza is a “high energy, high action” space for children of all ages. A $5 wristband allows kids the opportunity to play all day long. There will be sports themed inflatable offerings too so kids can “try their hands at being a sports hero,” as well as a mechanical bull, “that promises to be a lot of fun,” Murdoch said.

Former Gov. John Lynch is expected to make an appearance in the afternoon on Thursday to try out the bull.

Another fun activity will be the Move It, Move It tent, on North Main Street, a partnership with Capital Area Wellness Coalition. Murdoch said the effort was an attempt to “add more wellness elements and to introduce people to those opportunities throughout the year,” such as yoga, Tai chi, Zentangle, Zumba, Spartan workout, and other offerings.

Evolution Rock and Fitness will also offer a rock climbing wall adjacent to the Move It, Move It tent.

Returning for a second year will be eating contests, singing competitions, and a new songwriting competition in Eagle Square sponsored by Tandy’s Top Shelf.

The fire truck pull, a benefit for the Concord Public Safety Foundation, also returns at 10 a.m. on Saturday, with 10 teams, and the Concord Fire Department defending its championship from last year.

Friday’s classic car show will move to Capitol Street. Red River Theatres presentation of “The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad,” this year’s movie, has moved to the intersection of Pleasant and Main streets for Friday night.

“People should bring their lawn chairs because there won’t be a physical lawn,” Murdoch said, adding that there would be a chair check available at the Statehouse, for people drop off and then pick up before the movie starts, so they don’t have to carry them around.

The Concord Public Library is also offering a teen open mic night poetry slam at 7 p.m. on Friday at the Statehouse.

There will be more than 35 bands at four locations throughout the festival, she added.

The Local Food Wine and Beer tent will be open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. with more music programming. While alcohol will be served, Murdoch said it will also be “very family friendly” but bring your ID because “it doesn’t matter how old you are, you will get carded.”

Murdoch added that the new layout “circulates people more” and allows attendees to explore new shops, restaurants, programs, bands, and everything that is going on during the three days.

“It really moves people around,” she said. “Last year, we found that people stayed longer and spent more time (at the festival).”

“There’s truly something for everyone,” she said, “There’s a lot going on.”

Street closures will be the same as last year as well as the same parking options.

Murdoch said organizers were “strongly encouraging people to walk or ride their bikes,” adding that there would be a free valet for bikes in front of the arch at the Statehouse. Organizers are expecting it to be hot so use your own personal judgment or discretion as to whether or not you should bring your dogs downtown. The pavement will be hot and there will be big crowds. The Concord-Merrimack County SPCA will have a booth at the lawn.

From 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday and Friday, St. Paul’s Church is offering a “person pit stop” with a baby changing area, ice water, bubbles and snacks, as well as music in the sanctuary.

Liza Poinier, the operations manager of Intown Concord, said organizers have been “eating, sleeping, and drinking Market Days” and they are very excited that it’s finally here.

“It’s going to be bigger than ever and we have been actively getting the word out so that everyone can come in and enjoy the wall to wall music, fun, shopping and entertainment, three days in a row,” Poinier said. “It’s going to be awesome.”

If you're offering social media posts about the event, use the hashtag #ConcordMarketDays with your posts so everyone can check out all the fun you're having. Also, check back with Concord NH Patch. We'll be offering posts and information on our site about everything going on. The full schedule of activities is attached to this post in PDF format, below the picture.