Ogunquit Fest, harvest craft fairs, smashing pumpkins: Things to do in Seacoast
Fall is in full swing and the harvest festivals are here to prove it. This weekend head out to the 20th annual Ogunquit Fest or to the Somersworth Festival Association's 30th annual Harvest Craft Fair, smash a pumpkin in Portsmouth or learn about the ocean at UNH.
Read on for a look at 10 things to do this weekend, plus a look ahead to The Crossword Show as it returns to Portsmouth's 3S Artspace on Wednesday, Oct. 25:
Wedgewood Festival at Rye Junior High
What: A family fun event featuring games, prizes, touch a truck, chili cook-off, cotton candy, fresh-popped popcorn, bonfire, music, food, refreshments, and guided tours of the Wedgwood Property. All proceeds will benefit the current seventh- and eighth-grade classes of Rye Junior High.
When: Friday, Oct. 20, 5-7 p.m.
Where: Rye Junior High School, 501 Washington Road, Rye
Cost: $5 per person; $20 max per family
More info: rjh.sau50.org
Black New England Conference
What: The Black New England Conference is a two-day gathering where scholars, artists, activists, and community members share insights and research on Black experiences, past and present, in New England and beyond. The 17th annual conference is both an academic conference and a celebration of Black life and history.
When: Friday, Oct. 20 and Saturday, Oct. 21
Where: Virtual event
Cost: $125
More info: blackheritagetrailnh.org
OgunquitFest
What: Celebrate the harvest and Halloween season in Ogunquit during the Ogunquit Chamber of Commerce’s 20th annual OgunquitFest.
When: Friday, Oct. 20, 5-7 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 21 and Sunday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Downtown Ogunquit
Cost: Free
More info: ogunquit.org
Somersworth Festival Association Harvest Craft Fair
What: Somersworth Festival Association is hosting its 30th annual Harvest Craft Fair with more than 175 crafters offering wood crafts, acrylic and pottery items, wreaths, paintings, metal decor, mugs, tote bags, gnomes, wind chimes, kids' items, personalized products, jewelry, food, and pet items, as well as sewn, knitted, and crocheted clothing and home décor, and more.
When: Saturday, Oct. 21, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Somersworth High School, 11 Memorial Drive
Cost: Free
More info: nhfestivals.org
Pumpkin SMASH in Portsmouth
What: SMASH a pumpkin – it’s that easy. Pick a pumpkin from the pile, choose from an arsenal of mallets, two-by-fours, or the trusty ol’ Louisville Slugger, and swing away. A Portsmouth tradition that has become the October catharsis of choice for young and old alike.
When: Saturday, Oct. 21, 8 a.m.-noon.
Where: Portsmouth Farmers’ Market, 3 Junkins Ave.
Cost: $5 per pumpkin
More info: facebook.com/events/1083338633051179
Ocean Discovery Day
What: All are welcome to this free family-friendly event where attendees will discover marine science and ocean engineering at UNH. Designed to engage explorers of all ages, offering a variety of hands-on activities and presentations.
When: Saturday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Jere A. Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory, 24 Colovos Road, Durham
Cost: Free
More info: marine.unh.edu
‘Gay Bride of Frankenstein’
What: "Gay Bride of Frankenstein" first premiered at the Players' Ring in 2008 and went on to be an off-off Broadway cult hit. It’s a classic story of coming of age, coming out of the closet, and coming back from the dead. Love is never an abomination — not even when it’s between a woman and a blue, reanimated corpse of a woman. With a rockin’ pop score and a Halloween twist that will scare you silly!
When: Oct. 20-Nov. 5
Where: Players’ Ring Theatre, 105 Marcy St., Portsmouth
Cost: $28-$31
More info: playersring.org
St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church Harvest Fair
What: Annual church Harvest Fair with crafts, raffles, jewelry, food table, cookies etc. Tasty luncheon. Fancy dessert table.
When: Saturday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 5 Hale St., Dover
Cost: Free
More info: stdover.org
All Star Series Brunch: Casssandre McKinley Quartet at The Press Room
What: Multi-talented jazz-blues-soul-country-pop vocalist, Cassandre McKinley, who has sung with New York Voices, been a guest artist for Boston Pops, and performed with several other groups as well as her own, will offer a genre-bending mix of music, influenced heavily by jazz, and infused with the essence of soul, country, blues and R&B.
When: Sunday, Oct. 22, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Where: The Press Room, 77 Daniel St., Portsmouth
Cost: $15to $20
More info: seacoastjazz.org
'Lore of the Jack-O’-Lantern!' live reading
What: Join us for a theatrical book reading and music performance to celebrate the audiobook release of "Lore of the Jack-O’-Lantern!"
When: Sunday, Oct. 22, 7-10 p.m.
Where: 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth
Cost: $20
More info: 3sarts.org
The Crossword Show
What: The Crossword Show returns to Portsmouth's 3S Artspace. Host Zach Sherwin (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “Epic Rap Battles of History") will be joined by Boston-based comedian Kelly Macfarland and Portsmouth's Assistant Mayor Joanna Kelley, who will team up to solve an actual crossword puzzle live onstage. Sherwin takes the show down rabbit holes of comedy, music, wordplay and trivia.
When: Wednesday, Oct. 25, 7:30-9 p.m.
Where: 3S Artspace, 319 Vaughan St., Portsmouth
Cost: $12-$15
More info: 3sarts.org
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Ogunquit Fest, harvest craft fairs, smashing pumpkins: Things to do
