Fairs and Festivals: Sullivan County Sizzling Summer Events

As the heat of summer settles in Sullivan County, sizzling summer events events bring the community together. From time-honored fairs highlighting the area’s agricultural roots to lively festivals and concerts celebrating local arts and culture, the season is packed with activities. Explore vibrant markets, enjoy live music on the town “green”, or simply soak in the hometown charm. Sullivan County’s summer events make this time of year truly special. Read on to find out what makes this corner of New Hampshire so unique, where and when you can participate too!

Apple Pie Crafts Fair on the Newport Town Common. Photo Credit – Amanda Perkins Photography.

The Day You Don’t Want To Miss: Saturday, June 29th 

Saturday, June 29th is going to be a busy day of events in the Sugar River Region! Regardless of where you’ll be or where you live in Sullivan County, on this day you should absolutely attend at least one of these Sullivan County sizzling events. 

• Wings and Wheels Car Show –

  The third annual Wings & Wheels Car Show in Newport is hosted by the Newport Area Chamber of Commerce at Parlin Field. This event will showcase a variety of cars, trucks, motorcycles. Alongside the vehicle displays, attendees can enjoy food vendors and a DJ. 

  • Time: Vehicle registration: 9:00 – 10:30 am
  • Event: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
  • Location: Newport town green
  • Cost: Vehicle registration: $20 for pre-registered vehicles and $25 on the day of. General admission – $5, free for children under 12.

• Acworth Village Store Music Fest –

  The Acworth Village Store Music Fest and Barbeque is an all-day family-friendly event from 11 am to dusk. The fest features live performances by local bands such as Dan and Faith, Blue Collar Band, Best Revenge and Friends, and more. Enjoy grilled food, refreshing beverages, and sweet treats from the bake sale. There will also be handcrafted items from local artisans for sale and a 50/50 raffle to support the Village Store, a historic community hub. 

  • Time: 11 am – dusk (~8:30pm) 
  • Location: Acworth Village Store 
  • Cost: Free (donations welcome!) 

• New England Scottish Festival and Highland Games –

  The New England Scottish Festival and Highland Game is a wildly entertaining celebration of Scottish culture held for the first time ever at the Fort at No. 4. You’ll see traditional heavy athletics like caber tossing and hammer throwing to lively performances by the traditional Scottish “pipes and drums” band Albannach. The festival also features Scottish food, a whisky and beer tent for those over 21, vendors offering unique Scottish goods, and opportunities for everyone, including kids to try their hand at Highland games and stone-lifting. 

  • Time: 9 am – 5 pm 
  • Location: The Fort at Number 4 in Charlestown
  • Cost: Adults – $25
  • Kids (ages 6- 12)- $5
  • Ages 6 and younger – free
    

Hammer Throw. Image Credit: Alan on Flickr.

• PRIDE Block Party –

  The Claremont PRIDE Block Party will be an afternoon of family fun and celebration, including vendor booths, community resources, food trucks, and crafts, games, music, and line dancing led by Copperhead Line Dancing. At the same time there will be face painting and bubbles for the kids! Come join the festivities at this lively and inclusive event.

  • Time: 12 – 3 pm 
  • Location: Pleasant Street in Claremont
  • Cost: Free

• PRIDE Silent Disco –

  As part of the many Pride month activities hosted by the Greater Claremont Chamber of Commerce, the Pride Silent Disco at the Common Man promises to be a fun evening of dancing. The event emphasizes community and diversity, welcoming individuals of all backgrounds to come together in support of LGBTQ+ pride.

  • Time: 6:00 – 9:00 pm
  • Location: The Common Man in Claremont
  • Cost: $10, ages 21+ only 
    

Pride Party. Image Credit: Rosemary Ketchum on Pexels.

• Grantham Old Home Day and Parade –

  Grantham’s Old Home Day and Parade is an annual celebration for all ages. This year’s festivities will kick off with a hearty pancake breakfast at the Grantham United Methodist Church from 8:00 to 10:00 AM. The highlight of the day, the Old Home Day Parade, starts at 10:30 AM, featuring local fire engines, police cruisers, and colorful floats. Meanwhile, the fun continues at Grantham Recreation Park with a festival offering live music, games, inflatables, and a variety of food vendors. Indulge in a classic chicken BBQ, enjoy a root beer float, watch the magician Andrew Pinard, and much more fun to be had!

  • Time: 8:00 am – 2:00 pm
  • Location: Grantham Recreation Park
  • Cost: Wristbands for all activities for the entire afternoon – $15 each. Cash or Check Only.

• Sunapee Drone Show –

  This year, Sunapee Harbor will celebrate the Saturday before Independence Day in a groundbreaking way with its first ever Drone Show. Starting at 2:00 PM, visitors are invited to gather at the harbor to watch the setup process, a behind-the-scenes look at how these high-tech drones are prepared for their evening performance. Shortly after dusk, drones will take to the skies in a stunning display of synchronized lights and intricate patterns, set against the tranquil backdrop of Sunapee Harbor. 

  • Time: Dusk (~8:30pm) 
  • Location: Sunapee Harbor

Other Sizzling Sullivan County Events this Summer

Summer Concerts on the Common Series

The summer Concerts on the Common series in Newport is a beloved local tradition that transforms Sunday evenings into lively community gatherings. Held on the historic Newport Town Common, these free concerts showcase an array of musical genres—from rock and jazz to folk and classical, supporting local musicians.

• Date:  Every Sunday from June 23rd – August 25th
• Time:  6-8pm
• Location: Town Common, Newport
• Cost: Free

Claremont Independence Day Celebration

The annual Independence Day Celebration, supported by Claremont’s Parks & Recreation Department and Claremont Wal-Mart is a beloved and patriotic community gathering, featuring local vendors offering delicious food, drinks, and novelty items. Visitors can participate in a 50/50 raffle, with proceeds earmarked for next year’s fireworks. During the celebration, the Chris Pallutto Trio, joined by special guest Adam McMahon, will provide live music, setting the stage for the main event of the night: the dazzling fireworks display. 

• Date: July 3
• Time: 6 – 9:30 pm
• Location: Monadnock Park in Claremont
• Cost: Free (donations welcome!) 

Sunapee Independence Day and Annual Parade

The Sunapee Independence Day Celebration offers many fun-filled family activities and boosts patriotic spirit. The day begins with the beloved annual parade, winding through the scenic streets and waterfront of Sunapee Harbor. pride. Families and spectators then gather for the thrilling Watermelon Derby, where homemade watermelon cars race down the newly-built jump to see who wins and who splats. In the later afternoon, Friday Night Therapy will perform live music at the gazebo, creating a lively backdrop for picnicking and enjoying the waterfront views.

• Date: July 4
• Time: 12 pm – 4 pm 
• Location: Sunapee Harbor

Claremont Independence Day Celebration. Image Credit: Madeline Ferland.

Plainfield 4th of July Parade and Activities

The community of Plainfield comes together to celebrate the 4th of July with a day full of festive events and traditions. It kicks off with the Plainfield Community Church’s pancake breakfast featuring their renowned strawberry shortcake. Later in the morning at the Blow-Me-Down Grange, there’s a feast of homemade burgers, donuts, sausage rolls, baked goods, chips, beverages, and a sprawling yard sale. The highlight is the lively parade along route 12A starting at 11 am, honoring emergency responders. Following the parade, everyone gathers for the Fireman’s barbecue. Don’t miss the Annual Silent Cake Auction and the 33rd Annual Art Show, running from July 2nd to July 6th, showcasing local talent and community spirit throughout the week.

• Date: July 4 
• Time: 7 am – 3 pm
• Location: Plainfield 

Friday Cocktails at the Summit

Friday Cocktails At The Summit at Mount Sunapee is a delightful way to end the week in the summer. Guests can take a roundtrip ride on the Sunapee Express Quad to the summit, where they are greeted with breathtaking views of Lake Sunapee and the Connecticut River Valley. The event features a variety of craft cocktails, and light bites in a relaxed and scenic atmosphere. To be sure, it’s a unique, elevated experience to enjoy summer evenings in the Sunapee region.

• Date: July 19, July 26, August 23, August 30 
• Time: 4-6pm 
• Location: Mount Sunapee, Newbury
• Cost: $65

The Cornish Fair

The Cornish Fair is a quintessential New England event that has been delighting visitors since 1950. Held annually in mid-August in rural Cornish, NH, this traditional agricultural fair celebrates the rural heritage of the region. Accordingly, the fair features classic attractions such as livestock shows, thrilling midway rides, and traditional crafts. Attendees can enjoy live entertainment, savor local food, and explore exhibits showcasing everything from vintage tractors to local produce. Equally entertaining are the events like the horse pulls and demolition derby. All in all, the Cornish Fair offers a nostalgic, fun-filled experience that captures the essence of small-town America.

• Date: August 16 – 18, 2024
• Time: Aug 16 & 17: 7am-11pm. Aug 18: 7am – 7pm
• Location: Cornish
• Cost: Adult Admission (13+) – $15.00. Child Admission (12 & Under) – FREE. Ride Bracelets – $30.00 per 4 Hour Session. Three Day Pass – $40.00. 

Farm to Table Dinner

The Farm to Table Dinner hosted at Mount Sunapee offers a delightful culinary experience that combines fresh local ingredients with stunning mountain views. The evening starts with a cocktail hour (Friday Cocktails at the Summit) at the Summit Lodge, accessible via a scenic ride on the Sunapee Express Quad chairlift. Following the cocktail hour, the dinner service takes place on the patio at Sunapee Lodge. The menu showcases ingredients from local farms, supporting the local agricultural community. This event offers a unique opportunity to savor the flavors of the region while enjoying the natural beauty of Mount Sunapee – an ideal experience for food enthusiasts and nature lovers.

• Date: August 22 and August 29
• Time: 5:00 – 8:30 pm
• Location: 
• Cost: $95 per person, including tax and gratuity

Farm to Table Dinner. Image Credit: RDNE Stock Project on Pexels.

We hope to see you at these Sullivan County sizzling summer events! Snap a pic and tag us on Facebook or Instagram and we will reshare your post!