STRATHAM — The Stratham 4-H Summerfest returns Saturday, July 20, featuring animal exhibitions, kid activities, and the third annual softball championship between the town’s police and fire departments.
The one-day festival, introduced in 2022, focuses heavily on the community and 4-H offerings. It replaced the town’s 50-plus-year-old Stratham Fair following financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to its cancellation for three consecutive years.
Initially, the four-day Stratham Fair was organized by firefighters as a fundraising effort for the department. However, Fire Chief Jeff Denton said it was “not sustainable,” citing the expensive nature of hosting a carnival, adding they either broke even or ended up in the red.
Summerfest, an all-volunteer effort, is presented by the fire, police and the town’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Denton said the fest is no longer a fundraiser but a small community event celebrating the town’s “local agricultural roots.”
“(Stratham's) got a long agricultural history in town,” he said.
He said keeping the 4-H aspect to the Summerfest fits the original goal of the event. When the Stratham Fair started over half a century ago, he said it was mainly an “agricultural event more so than a concession event.”
“Over the years, it grew to be that (concession event), and that brought a lot of folks from out of town like a normal fair would, but it also put a lot of stress on the local area with having such a big event,” said Denton.
Denton said the Summerfest has “really attracted the local folks.”
“That’s kind of the driving factor, that it's a local event," he said. "We want to celebrate our local population. We can have one day where we can all come together, have some fun and enjoy the local flair that the event was founded upon.”
John Cushing, organizer of the event and a member of the Fire Department, said Summerfest is an opportunity for Stratham first responders and town staff to work together to create a family-fun event that showcases the community.
“It’s an opportunity for 4-H to show their animals, it’s really the first time that they get to show them before the busy fall season,” he said. “So, it’s kind of a warmup for the 4-H show folks.”
4-H — which stands for head, heart, hands and health — is a U.S. Department of Agriculture program that offers training in agriculture and other disciplines to young people. 4-H is offered locally through Strafford County and the University of New Hampshire.
Summerfest will feature projects done by 4-H members, livestock judging, agricultural programs, an antique tractor show, a pie-eating contest and other events.
Here’s what’s planned for Stratham 4-H Summerfest 2024
The festival will be held at Stratham Hill Park on Saturday, July 20, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
UNH Extension, a program by the University of New Hampshire, will be part of Summerfest this year. The program offers a platform for all New Hampshire 4-H youths to showcase their animals, including dairy, beef, sheep, goats, dogs, rabbits and working steers.
Also scheduled is a potted flower arrangement competition and a baking competition sponsored by King Arthur Flour, where children will get a chance to showcase their culinary skills while trying to bake graham crackers.
Other kid activities include “Donut Frosting,” hosted by one of the town’s Dunkin’ franchisees, and a Junior Firefighter Agility Course, where kids will get a chance to run, climb and live their fantasy as a firefighter for the day.
The Stratham 76r’s, the town’s senior group, will host a pie-eating contest at 10:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. and is open to all.
Weather permitting, Summerfest will have not just one but two helicopters on exhibit courtesy of the U.S. Army National Guard and LifeFlight of Maine. Other vehicles on display will be antique tractors and large commercial trucks.
Smuttynose Brewing Co. turns 30:Here's what's planned for big celebration
Carnival food and more at Summerfest
Food and drinks will be sold, including kid-friendly food from the “Big Red” Stratham Fire Department Auxiliary trailer. In addition, the Burger Shack will offer breakfast take-out items from 8 to 9 a.m., and hamburgers, hot dogs and lunch items beginning at 11 a.m.
The Boy Scouts will have a lemonade stand, and for people with a sweet tooth, Hodgie's Too will have an ice cream stand. Cash and credit cards will be accepted at the food shack and ice cream stand.
Live music will be provided by Fretbenders throughout the day and there will be two magic shows by BJ Hickman.
Police vs. Firefighters: Softball Championship Game III
As the festival finale, the Stratham fire and police departments will have their third annual softball game on the lower field.
The Police Department, which won the past two consecutive championships, will try to keep its championship trophy away from the Fire Department.
“We’re working on it,” joked Denton, the fire chief. “We’re hoping that this year is going to be our year. We’ve been practicing hard.”
The softball game is at 4 p.m.
Free parking and admission
Admission for the Stratham 4-H Summerfest is free. Donations will be accepted but not mandatory and will be used to offset event costs.
The main parking will be on Jack Rabbit Lane at the back of the park. Parking is free.
Most Popular
Comments / 0