The Stratham Fair

By Jill Diver
Staff writer

What started in 1966 as a one-time 250th anniversary celebration for the town of Stratham with a lobster bake and horse pulling, today has grown into a family event and summertime tradition in the form of a four-day-long classic country fair.

“I think it’s the best of our traditions,” said Stan Walker, Stratham Fair chairperson in charge of entertainment, agriculture and 4-H.

“Where we come from, especially in these hard times, you can spend time with the family and get down to our roots,” he added. “It’s a great way to get a feel for the traditions of the country.”

The Stratham Fair hosts rides, games, horse and oxen pulls, 4-H and animal exhibitions, a pie eating contest, fireworks, a beauty pageant and much more.

This year, the 42nd Stratham Fair runs from Thursday to Sunday, July 23 to 26, at Stratham Hill Park on Route 33. Following is information and a schedule for many highlights of the fair.

Admission:

Daily
Adults and children older than 12: $7 daily.
Children ages 6-12 and seniors 65 and older: $4.
Under age 6: Free

4-Day Pass
Adult: $20
Ages 6 to 12 and seniors 65 and older: $12

Thursday, July 23, Grandparent’s Day
Grandparents get in free when accompanied by at least one child under the age of 12.

Friday, July 24, Yellow Ribbon Day
Free admission for military personnel and dependents with military ID. Each ID holder will get in for free.

Friday, July 24, Wrist Band Day
Purchase a wrist band for $20 and enjoy unlimited rides between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Purchase at the fair ride ticket booth on Friday.

Discount Tickets
Purchase at town clerk’s office July 9-25. For Stratham residents only. Cost is $15 for a weekend pass and $5 for daily.

For more information call 778-7576 or e-mail rcook@strathamfair.com.

Daily schedule of events:

Thursday, July 23

• 10 a.m.: Fairgrounds Open (no rides until 2 p.m.).

• 1 to 6 p.m.: Children’s Coloring Contest, 4-H Building.

• 2 p.m.: Footnotes Studio of Dance, Front Porch Stage.

• 3 p.m.: Pie Eating Contest, David C. Noyes Stage.

• 3 to 6 p.m.: Action Exhibits, 4-H Building.

• 4 p.m.: Dance Innovations, Front Porch Stage.

• 5 p.m., Texas Roadhouse Dancers, Front Porch Stage.

• 6 p.m.: PMAC Jazz Band, Front Porch Stage.

• 7 p.m.: Traditional Barn Dance, David C. Noyes Stage with Dudley and Jacqueline Laufman.

• 7 p.m.: Shannon Grant and Company, Front Porch Stage.

• 10 p.m.: Fairgrounds Close.

Friday, July 24

• 10 a.m.: Fairgrounds and Rides Open, All Areas.

• 10 a.m.: Tractor Driving Contest, David C. Noyes Stage.

• 11 a.m.: Bob and Marla, Front Porch Stage.

• Noon: Brixham Dance Company, Front Porch Stage.

• 1 p.m.: Karate Demo, Front Porch Stage.

• 2 p.m.: Bob and Marla, Front Porch Stage.

• 3 p.m.: Brixham Dance Company, Front Porch Stage.

• 4 p.m.: Crab Shack Band, Front Porch Stage.

• 4:30 p.m.: Lasagna Dinner, Dining Tent.

• 5 p.m.: Seacoast Civic Dance Co., David C. Noyes Stage.

• 5 p.m.: V Groove, Front Porch Stage.

• 6 p.m.: Miss Stratham Fair Pageant, David Noyes Stage.

• 6 p.m.: Nic Delcambre Vocals, Front Porch Stage.

• 10 p.m.: Fairgrounds Close.

Saturday, July 25

• 7 to 8 a.m.: Stratham Fair Road Race, Check-In at Front Pavilion.

• 8:30 a.m.: Stratham Fair Road Race, 5.7 miles, Front Pavilion,

• 8:45 a.m.: Fun Run and Walk, 1 mile, Front Pavilion.

• 10 a.m.: Fairgrounds and rides open, All Areas.

• 10:30 a.m.: Antique Tractors, Tractor Pull Arena.

• 11 a.m.: Got Art!, Front Porch Stage.

• Noon: Lobster Festival Lunch, Dining Tent.

• 1 p.m.: Peace of Mind, Front Porch Stage.

• 2 p.m.: Pig Scramble, 4-H Show Rings.

• 4 p.m.: Melissa Blasek vocals, Front Porch Stage.

• 5 p.m.: Rubber Jungle, Front Porch Stage.

• 6 p.m.: The Kenny Brother Trio, Front Porch Stage.

• 7 p.m.: Jillian Cardarelli, David C. Noyes Stage.

• 7 p.m.: Deep Fry’d Blues, Front Porch Stage.

• 8 p.m.: James Otto, David C. Noyes Stage.

• 10 p.m.: Fairgrounds Close.

Sunday, July 26

• 10 a.m.: Fairgrounds and rides open, All Areas.

• 11 a.m.: Dan Grady, Front Porch Stage.

• 11 a.m.: Chicken Bar-B-Que Lunch, Dining Tent.

• Noon: Corinne’s School of Dance, Front Porch Stage.

• 1:30 p.m.: Kids on Block Puppet Program, 4-H Building.

• 2 p.m.: Corinne’s School of Dance, Front Porch Stage.

• 3:30 p.m.: Pig Scramble, 4-H Show Rings.

• 5 p.m.: 4-H Animal Exhibitor Awards, 4-H Show Rings.

• 5 p.m.: Pu Pu Platters Band, Front Porch Stage.

• 6 p.m.: The Kenny Brother Trio, Front Porch Stage.

• 7 p.m.: SoulMate Band, David C. Noyes Stage.

• 7 p.m.: The Crab Shack Band, Front Porch Stage.

• 9:30 p.m.: Fireworks Finale, All Areas.

• 10 p.m.: Fairgrounds Close, All Areas.

Upcoming N.H. Fairs

• Cheshire Fair: July 29 to Aug. 2.

• Belknap County 4-H Fair: Aug. 8 to 9.

• Cornish Fair: Aug. 21 to 23.

• Lancaster Fair: Sept. 2 to 7.

• Hopkinton State Fair: Sept. 3 to 7.

• Hillsborough County Agricultural Fair at the 4H Center in New Boston: Sept. 11 to 13.

• Rochester Fair: Sept. 18 to 27.

• Deerfield Fair: Oct. 1 to 4.

• Sandwich Fair: Oct. 10 to 12.