DERRY, N.H. — One of Derry’s biggest community celebrations will take over MacGregor Park this weekend, bringing six hours of live entertainment, food, crafts and family activities to downtown on Sept. 19
Saturday’s festivities continue a tradition that brings residents, local businesses, nonprofit organizations and community groups together for an end-of-summer celebration.
Organized by the Greater Derry Arts Council, the annual festival features close to 100 vendors, including local businesses, community organizations, food vendors and craftspeople.
Activities begin at 10 a.m. with an opening ceremony, followed by a packed entertainment schedule featuring local dance schools, musicians, martial arts demonstrations and other performers.
Among those scheduled to take the stage are the Red Stars Twirlers, First Act Productions, Unbound Dance Academy, Karate International of Windham, Dance Progressions, Burgess Street Dance, Rite of Passage, Real School of Music and Let’s Play Music.
A POW ceremony is scheduled for noon.
Wildlife Encounters will take the stage at 1 p.m., offering festivalgoers an opportunity to learn about animals in an educational presentation.
The Derryfest Craft Fair will also run throughout the festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., giving visitors a chance to browse the work of local craftspeople while visiting booths operated by businesses and community organizations.
Derryfest serves as an annual fundraising kickoff for the Greater Derry Arts Council, a nonprofit organization supporting arts and cultural activities in the community.
The festival is produced with help from numerous local organizations, including Derry Parks and Recreation, Derry Public Library, Derry Community Access Media, Pinkerton Academy JROTC and Boy Scout Troop 98.
Parking will be available in downtown Derry municipal lots and at Grinnell Elementary School, 6 Grinnell Road. Visitors may also park in legal spaces along East Broadway. Admission is free.